7. Julian #3
Why does he have to be so attractive? Those red eyes and hair, his lean form, that arrogant attitude.
He’s a man I’ve been taught to hate on principle, a reminder of the blood needed to rise to the top.
He sent people to kidnap my father, and had he not already been dead by that point, Isidoro would’ve killed him with his own two hands given the first opportunity. I don’t doubt that.
Yet, here I am, stuck in this predicament, part of me hating him and part of me feeling something else, wanting a repeat of earlier…
“Speechless is not a reaction I expected from you,” he drawls, thumb caressing the inside of my wrist again as he presses his chest flush to mine. “Nonetheless, I don’t dislike it.”
Oh my god. His face is too close. I try to look away, but I can’t. He’s got me hypnotized, caught in by his gravity as he leans in. My insides tangle, bracing for impact. I squeeze my eyes shut, my lungs locking.
I should fight this, I know I should. I should push him away, I should bite him or spit in his face, anything. But all I can think about is that he’s going to kiss me again. That I’ll get his taste inside me, this time properly, like I tasted his blood, sweet and dark and forbidden.
Fuck, I’m not ready for this. This is such a terrible idea. But I want it. I want Isidoro to kiss me or I might actually die.
A low, knowing chuckle slices through my haze.
Hot breath ghosts over my lips and I snap my eyes open.
All I see is Isidoro. He’s still there. Close.
Not close enough. His eyes glow red and wicked, and his mouth curves in a slow, taunting smile.
His grip loosens as his leg slides away, my body shuddering on a wave of botched anticipation.
“What is it, Julian?” he murmurs, my name slow and indulgent on his tongue, like he’s savoring the sound of it. “Did you think I might actually kiss you?”
My jaw hits the floor. Heat floods my face, sharp and sudden, my brain stuttering like it’s forgotten how to function. What—What the hell was I just—
Oh my god. Fuck.
Fuck, I actually thought he was going to do it.
For a second, I’ve got nothing. No comeback, no bite, just static and the echo of my own stupid, traitorous thoughts.
Jesus Christ.
My pulse kicks hard as it all snaps into focus.
This is my thing. I’m the one who throws him off. I’m the one who makes him lose control, minus the part where we both kind of lost it during the coronation. Not the other way around.
And he just—
He just flipped it on me! Ugh! This infuriating bastard.
For a split second, something unreadable flickers in Isidoro’s eyes.
Before I can even decide whether to shove him or shout at him or bite his balls off, he steps back.
The space between us snaps open all at once, cool air rushing in where there was heat a second ago.
His hand drops from my wrists like it was never there. Like he didn’t just have me unraveling.
Footsteps approach, my brain still reeling.
“You two talked it out then?” Tommy chimes, leaning against the lip of the corridor’s opening, where it transitions into the hall. “All good?”
I jerk back another step, heat spiking back into my face. My tongue is glued to my jaw when I try to speak, which only makes my heartbeat more erratic. Fuck me sideways. I need a moment.
Isidoro, who’s back to his controlled self, turns to Tommy. Niko and Ria fan out from behind him, their curious gazes bouncing between me and my asshole sexy husband.
“We have reached an agreement.” Isidoro crosses his arms, nudging his chin toward the ordinance hall. “Let me chat with a few more guests and we can head back to my residence, so we can talk.”
Wait, does that mean he agrees to let me help?
Ria chances a glance my way. “Sure, that works.”
“Wonderful.” Isidoro places his hand on Niko’s shoulder and peeks at me. His smirk is heart-stopping. “Keep an eye on Julian for me, will you? It seems he’s suddenly a little weak in his knees.”
That motherfucker! I feel my face burn. That son of a bitch is enjoying this! He’s laughing at me. Come back and let’s solve this like men! With another kiss. Let’s see then if you’ll still be laughing!
Jesus. What the fuck is wrong with me? I need to stop obsessing over the stupid kiss. The more I think about it, the more agitated I become. It’s exactly what he wants.
Fuck you, Isidoro. I watch him walk away until he disappears in the crowded hall.
Just you wait. I’ll make you regret this ASAP.
I’ll make you beg me for another kiss, I’ll make you want me until all you can think about is me.
No one uses my own tactics and takes a swing at me like this and lives to tell it. No one.
That’s it. Once he’s under my spell and I’ve flushed this confused desire for him out of my system, I’m dethroning his pretentious ass, eventually and with my own two hands.
Fuck that vampire killer who’s out there biding his time until he strikes again.
I’ll make sure we catch him and deal with him, because Isidoro’s biggest nightmare is going to be me.