Chapter 44
OLLIE
Isat in the gym cross-legged. Alone. Still keeping this change in me a secret because I needed to sit with it for a little while longer. Untangle the mess in my head first, then drop the bombshell.
Man, I wasn’t looking forward to that meeting.
Isaac’s power left me the moment I’d saved him, but I still felt him cuddling my insides.
I’ll save you again and again if I have to…
This didn’t have to be a bad thing. This could all be so useful, when I finally adjusted to it properly. Just because magic dished out the information happily didn’t mean I’d digested it yet.
I got the feeling Isaac would blame himself. I got that vibe from him while we headed home, picked up by witchcops and whisked away from Blood House. We didn’t speak much, our minds too overloaded. But he radiated guilt, and I could tell he wanted to throw a million apologies my way.
He hadn’t done anything wrong. Him texting Tony didn’t start this, because Tony was gunning for him regardless. And I’d been the one to shoot the crystals, no one else. All this was a case of living in dangerous times, being part of the rise of Aurora.
I knew what I was getting myself into.
At least I’m not dead…
I’d like to tell him this stuff at some point, but first I checked the notes I’d been making on my notepad.
Ollie’s Vamp Stuff:
· No vampire speed or strength
· Got some fangs I can pop in and out for taking blood and using magic (refuse to call it blood magic!)
· No vampire healing
· No vampire blood hunger
· Sunlight doesn’t hurt me
· Garlic is now gross (I miss garlic bread already)
Not a massive change, although the garlic thing hurt.
Maybe I should check the mansion library’s extensive catalog and see if there were any of my kind in the history books.
Doubtful.
The new magic inside me might have explained the spellcasting part of things, but as for the rest of it, I’d have to, well, experience it for myself.
After you see Isaac…
I should go talk to him. Put his mind at rest. But mine wasn’t ready, the storm of emotions congealed within was too precarious right now. I didn’t want to break down. I didn’t want to do anything but make my notes and hang out here for a while.
Using the punching bag, and my rock playlist, I expelled some energy and worked out the pesky knots in my soul.
As I stretched my limbs, a presence appeared in the doorway. My stomach flipped, the heat inside me rising with a happy jerk.
Isaac. His hair messier than normal, his magnificent body clad in lemon jeans and a teal jumper. He looked incredible, my dick pulsing merrily over his aesthetics.
I smiled, lifting a hand in greeting, hoping a tent pole didn’t manifest in my shorts.
I think my happy greeting shocked him because he wrapped his arms around himself. “Hey. Are you okay? Sorry to bug you.”
Rubbing the back of my neck, I approached him. For all my wanting to be alone, the entire fiber of my being brightened at seeing him.
“You’re not,” I answered. “How’s the Defensive Sunshine?”
“Back online.” He trembled, his right foot twisted inward.
“I’m so… I’m sorry to bother you…” Those pretty lips quivered, eyes glistening with sadness.
He seemed too fragile, so uneasy and afraid and I couldn’t stand it.
I wanted to take it away, condemn it to the dark, only allow the sunniest parts of him to shine.
Boldly, I took him by the face and pulled him to me, pressing my lips to his. He responded with a surprised gasp, then quickly welcomed my move. His flesh writhed softly with mine, his hands finding my hips.
We lost ourselves in the kiss for a good few minutes, the contact a blissful release. My dick hardened, skin flushing with excitement. I basked in his sunshine, so to speak.
I broke the kiss, keeping my hands on his face, exploring the blue wonder of his eyes. “Sorry, I had to do that.”
He licked his lips. “Do it whenever you want.” He sighed. “This is my fault.”
“Don’t ever say that again.”
“But—”
I kissed him again.
“Is that your answer for everything now?” he asked after.
“Can be,” I said gently.
“I’m cool with it.”
I smiled, resting my forehead against his. I was being pulled along by my feelings, needing him close.
“Thanks for saving my life,” I whispered.
Isaac drummed his fingers on his hips. “Anytime.”
“Thanks for being in my life,” I said.
“Anytime. I like being in it.”
Man, his voice was melted chocolate poured over a brownie, all rich and awesome.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I added.
“You’re sweaty,” he responded.
I chuckled. “Is it gross?”
“It’s kind of hot.” Gently, he eased me back so he could get a better look at me. My arms dropped, hands longing to return to his lovely face again.
Yep, I’d been hit hard by an Isaac arrow, happy to admit I fancied the pants off him.
There was no pity in his gaze, only what seemed like reassurance. A comforting radiance only he could offer me in this moment.
“Interesting take,” I said.
He shrugged. “I can be a sucker for sweaty hot guys.”
“I’m hot?”
“Sizzling, honey.” Then he got serious. “Talk to me if you want. You don’t have to, but I’m offering myself with willing ears.”
I stuffed my hands into my pockets. “I’m adjusting. Don’t like the idea of drinking blood to use magic. It reminds me of shadow magic rituals, but I also know it’s not the same.”
He nodded, listening.
He was so sweet, but I could see the hints of sadness in his eyes. He’d been through so much and I didn’t want to talk anymore.
I pulled him into a hug to hold him against the sorrow, rubbing his back, soothing him, and hoping he’d hang with me for the rest of the night.
He held me back, saying nothing, just resting his cheek against my chest.
Closing my eyes, I reveled in his embrace. It would so easy to push him away, to regress to indifference. But bollocks to that. The door had been kicked down with no tools available to fix it. A good thing in a world filled with bad things.
“I should go soon,” he mumbled, not moving. “I’ve got to meet Riley in the kitchen.”
Don’t go, I pleaded internally, holding him tighter.
And he didn’t, not until his brother called for him outside the gym.
“Toodles!” he called over his shoulder as he left.
Should I ask him to spend the night with me or not? I’d love to snuggle with him, no sex required—although it’d be a great bonus.
My body and my mind both responded with a resounding, “YES!”
Also, I’d ask him about having a hot chocolate with me. Seemed so tame and daft now, but hot chocolate was good for the soul. And I wanted nothing but the best for him.
Man, I’d really caught feelings, hadn’t I?
Big time.