Chapter 32
Thirty-Two
SOPHIE
When I open my eyes, I’m in my bed, but I’m not alone in my room. Vaughn is here, sleeping in the chair in the corner. He’s curled up, and his head is resting at an odd angle. He’ll have a kink in his neck when he wakes up.
The shutters on the windows are closed, so it must be daytime. I don’t have my phone next to me, so I don’t know how late in the day.
I get out of bed and tiptoe toward Vaughn. His long bangs are across his forehead in an adorable way. Unable to contain myself, I push them back with the tips of my fingers, stirring him awake.
His eyes open slowly, and he seems confused about his whereabouts at first. Then he focuses on my face and smiles. “You’re awake.”
“Yeah. You stayed.”
“Of course. I couldn’t leave without knowing you were okay. The spell wiped you out. Even Isadora was woozy. I had to drive her home too.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. But you’re feeling okay, right? No side effects?”
“I’m fine. I’m a bit hungry, though. I’d better grab a blood bag from the fridge.” I lean back, but Vaughn grabs my arm.
“Blood bag? There’s no reason to drink that stale blood. You can feed from me.”
My mouth waters at the suggestion. Now that he presented me with the option, nothing else will do. But I hesitate. “Are you sure?”
His eyes flash crimson for a second, and then he lowers his gaze to my mouth. His scent changes, becoming huskier. If I drink from his vein, I’ll do more than feed.
“I’m certain.” He angles his head, offering easier access to his neck. “Go ahead, sweetheart.”
A thick vein is pulsing there, and it makes the throbbing between my legs more obvious. I move closer and lick his skin first. Vaughn shudders before he pulls me onto his lap to straddle him. It’s then that I realize I’m only wearing a tank top and panties.
“Did you undress me last night?” I whisper in his ear.
Vaughn tenses. “I didn’t want to, but Tish made me. I closed my eyes. I swear.”
His confession makes me chuckle. “I wouldn’t have minded if you peeked.”
“You weren’t awake to consent.”
I ease back and trap his face between my hands. “You’re the most honorable male I’ve ever met. Thank you for being you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I kiss him hard, postponing drinking from him for a while longer. I want to taste his tongue first, drown in his scent. My heart is beating fast and steady, pumping joy throughout my entire body. I feel as light as a feather, and giddy beyond measure.
“I thought you were hungry,” he whispers against my lips.
“I am. Starving, but not only for your blood. I want everything from you.”
He caresses my face with the back of his fingers. “You can have it all, beautiful. I’m yours.”
His declaration is so heartfelt and honest that it brings tears to my eyes. I look away, pressing a closed fist against my mouth.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing,” I say through the lump in my throat.
“Look at me, Soph.” He runs his hand through my hair.
I turn, revealing my tear-streaked face to him.
“Why are you crying?”
“Because you make me happy, and I’ve never, ever felt anything like this before.”
The corners of his lips twitch upward. “You make me so damn happy too, babe. I never knew it’d be like this.”
“What’s it?”
“Being in love with someone.”
My eyes widen. “You… you’re in love with me?”
“Absolutely. Does that freak you out?”
“If we consider the fact that we’ve known each other for less than a week, it should, but truthfully, it doesn’t.”
“That’s good news.” He laughs.
I slide off his lap and stand up, then take his hand. “Come.”
“Where are we going?”
“Bed.”
He arches both brows. “To go back to sleep?”
I smirk. “You’re cute.” I release his hand and sit down in the middle of the mattress. “You should take off your clothes.”
“Okay.”
He pulls off his T-shirt first, throwing it to the side.
I can’t help but stare in appreciation. He’s fit, but not overly bulky.
He’s ten times better than all the thirst traps Tish made me watch.
Vaughn doesn’t say a word, but the heat in his eyes says it all.
He takes off his jeans next, rolling them off his toned legs.
Now he’s standing in front of me wearing nothing but gray boxer shorts, an obvious erection straining against the fabric.
“May I join you now?” he asks in a tight voice.
I nod, scooching back so I’m leaning against the headboard.
“Don’t run away from me, beautiful. I won’t bite unless you ask me to.”
“Ha ha. If I remember correctly, I’m the one who’s supposed to be biting first.”
“True.” He gets on his hands and knees, approaching me like a jungle cat. He doesn’t invade my space, though. He sits next to me instead, and I understand why. He doesn’t want me to feel smothered or afraid. I don’t want to enter panic mode either.
He taps his leg. “Go on. Straddle me.”
My hunger returns when I get on top of him.
But I’m also so horny, I might combust on the spot.
Before I take his vein, I kiss him. He places his hands on my hips, digging his fingers in when our tongues clash faster and faster.
Then I’m moving, grinding my hips against his, increasing the friction between my legs.
The pressure keeps building, and now Vaughn is moving me.
His cock is getting harder, and I sense he’s near his climax just as I’m nearing mine.
When I don’t think I can take it any longer, I pull away from his lips and finally bite his neck.
Vaughn groans loudly, his arms doing all the work now.
The orgasm hits me the moment I taste his blood, and it’s fucking glorious.
I soar high in the sky, shooting out of orbit before turning into stardust.
“Fuck… Sophie.”
Vaughn is there with me, and that just makes everything a million times better. I pull away from his neck and offer him mine. His eyes are glowing red, his fangs long and sharp. Our gazes connect briefly before he takes what’s offered. I close my eyes and come undone once again.