44. Selene
Chapter 44
Selene
I can’t believe he is actually here.
He tastes amazing.
After leaving him, I came straight home and binge drank over half of my stock, but after my talk with Levi and Blake, I was not eager to leave my house at all.
I was not going to risk a run-in with them just to stock up on blood bags.
Plus, I am not sure what the other vampires have heard about me. Just because my siblings might spare my life out of some family obligation, the same cannot be said about the rest of them.
About Katya and Thomas and who knows how many more people…
Which reminds me.
I drag my teeth out of his throat and then turn his face to look at me. “Before I forget, I am not killing any of your family members.”
Liam smiles as he directs my mouth back to his throat. How this man let’s me this close to such a sensitive part of his body is beyond me.
“Good to know. Now can you finish feeding so I can take you back to your bed.”
The memory of his knot inside me the last time we were here makes me a little slicker.
He must smell it because his fingers drag up my inner thighs to brush against my clit.
I squirm a little more.
“Fucking hell, Selene, I have no idea what you being my mate entails, but I already feel like the luckiest person alive.”
And then he moves his hands to the back of my thighs and lifts me.
It is almost comical the position he has us in. I have my legs wrapped around him, my teeth buried in his neck as his cock nuzzles the softest inner part of me.
I am so glad he let me feed beforehand because today, I want to experiment a little more, and it is probably not as wise to have his cock anywhere near my mouth when I am still a little bloodthirsty.
We walk into my bedroom, where he stands at the foot of the bed.
His hand reaches into my hair, tugging me back. “Enough blood.”
I smile down at him.
He kisses my cheek before tossing me onto the bed. I let out a loud giggle as he climbs on top of me.
“Who is the impatient one now, Liam?”
“Oh! We are about to find out.”
This time, when he slides his knot into me, it feels different.
I moan and writhe against him, urging him for more.
Begging him to give me everything he has.
Finally, after my third orgasm, he collapses with me by his side.
I am breathless and exhausted, my lips still coated in his blood. I turn my head to stare at him. He is so beautiful.
His eyes are half-lidded, and his mouth curves into a smile. “I can feel you staring,” he says.
“I'm sorry, Liam, but you're kind of hard to look away from,” I chuckle.
He opens his eyes, and turns his head to stare back at me. “Right back at ya, Selene. Since that very first night…”
“You mean the night you wanted to kill me?”
His hand comes down to brush my hair back. His movement causes his knot to shift inside me, and I moan. “I made so many mistakes. I wish I knew then what I know now.”
“And what is it that you know?”
“Just how gorgeous and sweet you are. How almost benevolent you were! I was raised to fear and loathe your kind, and after what happened to Mariya, I couldn’t see past it. But now, I know better. I know that I was quick to stereotype all vampires.”
I swallow the lump forming in my throat. “Can you tell me about her?”
“Who? Mariya?”
I nod. “Your sister mentioned her, and you have mentioned her a couple of times but never in detail. She must have meant a lot to you since your restaurant is named after her.”
He smiles sadly. “Yes, she meant a lot to me. I always think of her as a mother. I told you she raised me alongside my father before he and Mom met, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well. She did more than just raise me. My mother and father have always been involved in council business. Mom being a fairy and helping Dad take down the evil council members sadly took up a lot of time. I mean, I don’t hold it against them. They are the main reason this place is even running. They kept up with the peace and the treaties and all of that…”
“Okay…”
“Mariya was always there with me. She stayed up with me most nights. She taught me how to paint, draw, and, most importantly, cook. I am not sure if her being a witch had anything to do with it, but she was such a great cook. I don’t think anyone else could compare.”
“I could argue the same about you, Liam, because I don’t even like food, but I really enjoy your soups. She definitely passed some of that talent on to you. That has to count for something, right?”
He leans in and kisses the corner of my mouth. “It does. I should use that as a tagline. So good even vampires will eat it.”
I smack his chest once, which causes him to laugh. “Hey, that was mean.”
“Sorry, baby. I’m just teasing you. You know me. Anyway, I also told you about the attack that night with the uhm…vampires.”
This time, when I respond with “yes,” it is a little less self-assured.
“Okay. She used this trick to outmaneuver them. She was able to fake her death in an attempt to keep me safe. I mean, her plan was successful, but doing that kind of magic has consequences. It was too much dark magic for one person to handle.”
“Oh God!”
“I know. After that, she seemed okay. She told everyone that she was alright, but I could tell that something was off. Her spells would malfunction sometimes, and she never healed quite as fast.”
“Did your parents know?”
“Not until it was too late. It took a little more than ten years before we knew the full extent of the damage done to her. By then, I was a scrawny teenager who was a lot more interested in cooking than sports. I remember coming home one evening and finding her face down with blood dripping from her eyes and nose.”
I reach out and take his hand. “Liam…”
“I panicked and called my mom. She came home immediately. It took more than two days for Mariya to finally open her eyes, but by then, we all knew what was happening. We didn’t know how much time we had left with her, but we knew what her eventual fate would be.”
My heart breaks for the kid he was back then.
“She…uhm…she died a few months later. It was a peaceful transition, or at least it seemed like it was. I never told anyone this, but she appeared in a dream to me and told me that I would be just fine. That she was always going to keep an eye on me, and I guess she kept that promise because she was the first person in my family who knew about you.”
I know I am scrunching my eyebrow in confusion because he leans in and brushes the space between my eyes.
“What are you saying, Liam?”
He runs a finger over my jaw and then my lower lip. “It means that I was able to communicate with her when I was having all these feelings for you, and she confirmed that I was right after all. You were mine. My mate.”
“Really? She knew about me?”
The most important person in his life approves of me.
“Oh, Liam!”
My jostling causes the knot to push further into me. I cannot stop the moan that escapes me.
“Yes, Selene. Even when I didn’t know it and couldn’t put my feelings into words, she knew that you and I were inevitable. And she helped me to see that.”
“Mate?” I ask.
He nods. “Exactly. I know it is a lot to take in, especially with everything else going on, but I would like for us to have a conversation about that soon. Is that okay?”
I smile. “I would like that too.”
He leans down and brushes his lips against mine, and then his hand slides to cup my breasts. “You are perfect, you know that?” he murmurs against my lip.
I am about his answer when his hand slides further down to rub at my sensitive clit. It has been licked, sucked, and abused in the most glorious ways, but it is also extra sensitive right now.
He uses his thumb to rub gentle circles on it as he rocks slowly inside me.
“Damn, that feels good, Liam. Yes!”
“Come for me, baby. Just one more, and then we can go to sleep.”
I am trembling in his arms as he pulls one last orgasm out of me, and then I drift off to sleep.
I wake up feeling warm and snug, and when I open my eyes, I find Liam looking at me, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Hey, beautiful,” he says in a voice husky with sleep.
I can’t help but blush a little. “What’s got you smiling so early in the morning?” I ask, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach.
He leans in and brushes a strand of hair from my face before planting a gentle kiss on my lips. His knot has unfurled, and he is no longer inside me. Somehow, he got us cleaned up without waking me.
“Just realizing how lucky I am to wake up next to you.”
I am moved by his words, but then his stomach grumbles loudly, interrupting the moment. We both burst out laughing.
Liam grins sheepishly. “Guess I’m hungry.”
“Me too. Let’s see what we can find.”
Liam gets out of bed and grabs his t-shirt, slipping it over his head before checking his phone. “It’s only two in the morning,” he says, showing me the screen.
I stretch and yawn, feeling more awake now. “Well, I guess it’s snack time,” I say, walking over to my mini fridge.
I open the fridge and find only a few blood bags. I grab one.
He nods in agreement, looking out toward the kitchen. “Do you think your roommate Annie has anything in the fridge?”
I shrug. “Maybe. Let’s go check.” I drop my blood bag on the bed.
First, we head to Annie’s room, and Liam knocks softly before opening the door. “Annie?” he calls out, but there’s no response.
I glance around the kitchen and spot a note on the fridge. “Looks like she’s gone to work.”
Liam nods. “Okay, I guess we have the kitchen to ourselves,” he says with a grin.
“Yeah, let’s see what we can whip up for you.”
Liam rummages through the fridge, pulling out ingredients and setting them on the counter. “We’ve got some eggs, bacon, and veggies,” he says, surveying the selection. “I will make something and leave her some money as reimbursement. Where is your blood bag?”
I nod towards the bedroom. “I didn’t carry it out of the room… just in case.”
“Oh, right!” He grabs a glass from the dish drainer and then walks to the room. He comes back with the blood bag, emptying it into the glass as he walks.
I watch him, feeling a warmth spread through me at the sight. “You know, most guys would run for the hills if they found out their girlfriend was a vampire,” I say, feeling a twinge of insecurity.
Liam looks up, his expression softening. “I tried running, but it seems I just couldn’t stay away. So, you don’t have to worry about that with me. I’m here because I want to be, Selene.”
Tears prickle at the corners of my eyes. “Thank you.”
He smiles and comes over to where I’m standing, putting the glass in my hand. “Of course, Selene. Now, drink up as I finish making breakfast!”
As he lifts me up to sit on the counter, I think that maybe, just maybe, I’m falling in love with this man.
“Can I ask you something?”
I nod as I sip more of my blood.
He points at the cup. “What does that taste like?”
“What? The blood?”
He nods.
“I don’t know Liam, it tastes... different,” I say, trying to find the right words to describe the sensation of blood. “It’s not as potent as feeding on you directly.”
He raises an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “What do you mean?”
I take a deep breath, trying to explain. “When I feed on you, it’s like... your blood sings to me,” I say, feeling a blush creep into my cheeks. “From the very first night, there was this pull, this craving that I couldn’t resist. I think it is cause you are supernatural.”
He nods, his expression thoughtful. “And Grayson? Have you ever felt that way around him?”
I shake my head, feeling a pang of guilt. “No,” I admit quietly. “I would never feed on Grayson or anyone else for that matter.”
Liam’s eyes soften, his hand reaching out to cup my cheek. “I’m glad,” he says softly. “I don’t think I could handle the thought of you feeding on anyone else.”
I smile, leaning into his touch. “It’s different with you,” I say, feeling a surge of emotion swell in my chest. “With you, it’s... it’s like the strongest version of a drug, coursing through my veins.”
He smiles back at me, his gaze filled with warmth and affection. “I like it when you feed on me,” he says suddenly, his voice low and husky.
I blink, surprised by his request. “What?”
He leans in closer, his lips brushing against mine. “Bite my lip,” he whispers, his breath sending shivers down my spine.
I hesitate for a moment. But then I remember how much I trust him, how much I want him, and I can’t resist any longer.
He closes the distance between us, pressing his lips to mine.
Within seconds, I am kissing him with all the passion I can muster. And then, without another thought, I sink my teeth into his lower lip, feeling his blood trickle into my mouth.
He moans softly, his hands gripping my hips as I drink from him. The taste of him is intoxicating, sending waves of pleasure coursing through my body.
But just as quickly as it began, I pull away, breaking the kiss and staring into his eyes.
He’s smiling now. “Gods, you are sexy! You distract me! I need to cook before I lay you out on this counter and fuck you.”
I laugh as I watch him adjust his cock and walk away.
I watch him, impressed by his skill and the way he effortlessly navigates the kitchen. He definitely looks like a seasoned chef.
“What’s your specialty?” I ask.
“Well, I make a mean soup, among other things.” He grins and winks at me.
I laugh. “I already know that! What else do you like to cook?”
Liam considers for a moment. “I like to make so many things and enjoy experimenting with different flavors and cuisines. But most of all, I just love cooking for someone special.”
“That’s sweet.”
“What do you actually eat, by the way? Other than soup?”
“To be honest, I hate the texture of food, but I need it to stay alive. Mostly, I prefer my food in a blended version.”
“Interesting . I’ll take that as a challenge.”
I giggle, “Oh, really?”
“It’ll be fun. I get to experiment and try to make meals that are at least palatable for you. And maybe some that you might actually enjoy.”
“Wow! That’s so kind of you. I’m a lucky girl.”
He smiles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “The pleasure’s all mine, Selene.”
As he flips the omelet in the pan, his phone suddenly starts ringing.
We both freeze, exchanging a worried look. Liam hesitates before reluctantly grabbing the phone to see who’s calling.
I watch as his expression shifts from curiosity to concern, and then to outright fear. My heart sinks as I realize that something must be terribly wrong.
“Liam, what’s going on?” I ask, my voice trembling with fear.
He looks up at me with worry-filled eyes. “No one ever calls me at this time. Unless something’s wrong.”
My stomach churns at the thought of what he might hear on the other end of the line. “Answer it, Liam. It could be an emergency.”
“I know.” He says grimly and brings the phone to his ear. “Hello?”
I watch as he listens intently to the voice on the other end, his face growing increasingly grim with each passing second.
“Who is it?” I whisper.
“It’s Alyssa.”
“Alyssa? The sheriff?”
He nods, whispering, “Yeah, she’s really upset. I need to go to her house.”
I feel a knot form in my stomach. Whatever news he’s receiving can’t be good.