9. Nine
Nine
G uilt is a strange feeling. It serves no purpose, really. Once something is done, it can’t be undone. And yet, I feel guilty because I am pursuing Erin, even though she is taken. Mack is a good person, and all who attended the barbecue could see she is enamored with Erin.
But when I looked into Erin’s eyes, I could see she wanted more. You might call bullshit on that. Say I’m seeing what I want to see, and you could be correct in that assumption. Erin does like Mack, but there is no passion. I’ll keep to my word and play fair, but I am going after what I want.
Today is going to be a juggling act. I desperately want to flirt with Erin, but Mack will be with her. I won’t disrespect the doctor outright. Instead, I will put on my smallest bikini and hope for a reaction.
Boat days are usually fun. The family heads out on the water as often as possible. Mother and Father have hosted hundreds of guests on the family yacht. Today will be a low-key affair but equally important as one of their soirees.
After Erin had left the barbecue, I gathered the family and gave them a lecture. No more interfering. They agreed a little too quickly, but I’ll take what I can get for now. The harbor is not far, but I need a little time to collect myself. Throwing my leathers on, I hop on my bike. A pleasant cruise along the coastline is in order.
Everyone is waiting for me, including Erin and Mack. Time slipped away from me as it usually does when I’m on a motorcycle. Although, this is perfect because Erin is staring at me as I glide to a stop in front of them all. Tugging my helmet off, I shake out my long hair. Erin’s eyes grow wide, and I smile. Next is my leathers. It’s not difficult to make bike leathers sexy.
“Sorry I’m late,” I say.
“I didn’t know you rode a motorcycle,” Erin blurts. I see the amusement in everyone’s eyes, except Mack’s.
“I’ve ridden for years,” I answer.
“She gets it from me,” Mom calls over.
“Do you like bikes?” I ask Erin.
“I’ve never been on one. But I have always wanted to try.”
“I’d be happy to give you a ride. You too, Mack, if you’re interested?”
“No thank you,” Mack answers curtly. “Motorcycles are extremely dangerous.”
“Indeed, as are many things in this life,” I reply kindly.
My parents break the sudden tension by ushering us all down the gangway to the boat. There is a beautiful spread of food and wine waiting for us. My family shows love through feeding .
Once everyone has eaten their fill, we splinter off into groups. Lucas, Maria and Jacob head for the pool. Lucille, Aliah and Laurence make themselves at home at the bar. Mother, Father, Erin, Mack and I settle on the loungers. Cocktails in hand, we converse politely. The boat slowly makes its way out to sea.
Ever since Erin checked me out at the harbor, Mack’s attitude towards me has cooled considerably. The small talk is getting on my nerves, especially because I cannot say a single word to Erin without Mack answering for her.
Putting my empty cocktail glass down, I stand and strip off my light linen trousers and top to reveal the bikini I took extra care picking. Bingo! Erin blushes, her eyes do a quick sweep of my body. Pretending I haven’t noticed her wandering eye, I head to the pool. A little extra swing in my hips.
The water is delicious on my overheated skin. Lucas and Jacob are at one end of the pool fighting playfully. Maria swims over to me. “You caught the look, right?” she whispers.
“Which one?” I chuckle.
“You’re devious, Amelia,” Maria grins.
“I’m simply cooling off.”
“And the bike leathers?”
“I needed a ride to clear my head. Leathers are a must, you know that.”
“Uh huh,” she laughs.
“Mind if we join you?” Erin asks from behind me. I turn and have to stifle my surprise. Erin is in a forest green two-piece. Her hair is swept up in a messy bun. My God, her body is magnificent. Curves for days. A swift kick from Maria brings me back down to earth. Mack is standing beside her, frowning at my obvious ogling. I can’t help it, really I can’t.
“Sure, jump in,” Maria says, covering for my lack of sound or movement. Erin slides into the pool and I have to take a step back. Something is happening inside of my body. I must actively fight with myself not to take her in my arms and devour her. Is this how every vampire feels when they can’t be with their mate? If so, it is awful. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. I wouldn’t even wish it on Lucille.
“I love your swimsuit,” Maria babbles.
“Oh, thanks. I picked it up last month.”
“And yours too, Mack.” Maria adds belatedly.
“Thanks.”
My ears are buzzing, and my stomach is cramping. This can’t be right. Turning to the pool wall, I haul myself out of the water and frantically scour the deck for my mother. She’s inside, talking to a member of the crew. Racing in, I forgo a towel. Who gives a shit about water pooling inside when my body feels like it’s going to explode?
“Mom,” I say with as much urgency as I can muster. She takes one look at me and scoops me by the arm towards the master bedroom.
“Amelia, what’s wrong?”
“Something… isn’t… right,” I gasp. The tightness in my stomach is getting worse. My hands claw at my skin.
“Harlan!” she screams through the door. Only seconds pass before my father enters the room. His eyes grow wide when he sees me doubled over .
“Get a bottle of red now.” My father doesn’t question my mother’s order. He rushes out the door. “Tell me what’s happening,” Mom asks calmly.
I try to describe the pain in my stomach and when it began to hurt. Dad barges in, thrusting a matte black bottle at my mom. “Drink this, honey.” The blood soothes my stomach momentarily, but the ache is returning.
“What’s wrong with me?”
My parents share a worried look. “We need to get you to a doctor.” That’s all my father says before leaving again. The boat makes an audible groan as the captain changes course. We are heading back to land. Thoughts of Erin flicker across my eyelids. The sudden increase in pain makes me scream out loud. I feel my mother’s hand trying to soothe me. The gentle caress across my forehead does nothing to rid me of this pain.
What feels like hours pass. Lucas and Marcus lift me from the bed. We must be back at the harbor. “It’s okay, Amelia,” Lucas whispers in my ear. Nothing feels okay. We pass my family and then I see Erin. Her face is pale, and I wish I could comfort her, but then I see Mack put her hand on Erin’s waist and the fire that burns in my abdomen becomes too much to handle. Everything turns black.
The smell of lavender infiltrates my senses. Crinkling my nose, I try to pull myself away from the disgusting scent. “Wake up, Amelia,” a voice I don’t recognize says. Light seeps through my eyelids. Opening them, I wince at the throbbing in my head. My stomach aches horrendously.
“What…”
“It’s okay, baby,” my mother coos .
I take a few minutes to fully come around. I’m in my bedroom at my parents’ house. “What happened?”
“Sit up and we’ll try to explain.” Lucille says. Her tone is far too kind. Maybe I should be worried.
Sitting up, I take a sip of red. My entire family is in the room looking at me. It’s unnerving. “Tell me,” I croak. My mind is already forming conclusions that scare the shit out of me.
“This is Doctor Mendhi,” my father says, gesturing to a kind-looking gentleman who is smiling at me.
“Hello,” I say stupidly.
“Good afternoon, Amelia. How are you feeling now?”
“My stomach still hurts, and I have a headache.”
“To be expected.”
“Am I turning?” I blurt out because that is the singular worry whizzing around my mind.
“No Amelia, you’re not. You are experiencing some side effects, though.”
“Side effects of what?”
“Your bond to Erin,” mother explains. None of this is making sense.
“I don’t understand.” I want to scream at them to hurry the hell up and explain what is going on.
“Oh, for fuck sakes,” Lucille sighs. “Stop pussyfooting around her. Amelia, the fact that you have found your mate but haven’t bonded is causing physical side effects. The closer you get to Erin, without sealing your souls, the worse you’re going to feel.”
“Honey, you need to talk to Erin.” Mother talks softly to me like I’m a child.
“It’s not that simple and you know it,” I grind out.
“This is a unique case,” Dr. Mendhi interjects before my mom can reply to me. “I can’t tell you if the side effects will get worse for certain. It’s an educated guess. I would like to monitor you over the next few weeks. Or until you can cement your bond.”
“Have you ever dealt with this before?” I ask.
“Once,” he states and grows quiet. I definitely do not want to know what happened to the vampire in question. “I suggest you get some rest now. Stay hydrated, and call if you need me.”
As soon as the good doctor is gone, my mother swoops down on me like a vulture, ready to pick at me until I surrender. Holding my hand up to stop her, I take a moment. “I know what you’re going to say. Please don’t. I meant what I said. I’m doing this my way. Of course, I will take into consideration the physical side effects I’m going to suffer. But please, I beg you all to let me handle this.”
“Okay, love—”
“Harlan,” Mother barks.
“Victoria, Amelia is right. This has to be her way. We would never dream of interfering with another vampire’s mating. We cannot do that now.”
“But this isn’t a normal mating,” Mother spits.
“No, it’s not. We don’t know how it will work out, but we have to trust our daughter to do what is best for her and Erin.”
“Please, Mom, don’t fight me on this.”
“Ridiculous!” she snaps, storming out of the room.
“Can I have a minute with Amelia?” Marcus asks. My family filters out after giving me kisses. Lucille socks me in the arm instead. That makes me feel better.
“Are you going to argue, Marcus? ”
“No, I understand, and I agree with you. However, you have to adapt to this new information. I’m not sure you can take things as slow as you would like with Erin, not now.”
Begrudgingly, I know he is right. If the pain I felt today is just the beginning of the side effects, I hate to think about what is to come. “I need to think.”
“Yes, you do.” He leans in and kisses me on my head.
Finally, I am alone. Without delay, Erin’s face swims through my mind. The ache in my stomach pulses. How am I going to get through this in one piece? Marcus is right. I need to adapt my approach. As much as I would love to get to know Erin over the next several months before making my interest known, I can’t wait that long.
Chuckling, I think how ridiculous I sound. Erin surely knows where my interest lies. What she doesn’t know is how my very soul aches for her. That her presence is causing me pain. That she is the one person on this entire planet that can make me whole.