Chapter 21 #2
“You saw me?”
“Yeah, I saw you,” his voice grew low and breathy. “I looked for you afterward, but I couldn’t find you.” He took a small step back, running his hands through his hair again.
“I left,” I admitted.
“Why?” he inquired, his eyes fixed on mine.
“You looked busy,” I held his gaze steadily.
Connor leaned in closer, his warm breath brushing against my face. “I don’t know what you saw, but I wasn’t as busy as you might think.”
“I doubt Amber would agree,” I teased, trying to keep things light.
“Well, Amber and I aren’t together anymore,” he revealed, and an unknown weight lifted from my chest. “Last night, I made it abundantly clear that she is no longer my girlfriend. I also didn’t even know that she was going to be there, let alone back in town.”
“And you’re not interested in her any longer?” I probed.
“No, it’s too complicated with us and I don’t want to play her games anymore. I’m the one who always ends up hurt.”
“Then who are you interested in?”
Connor shook his head, smiling, his dimples growing more prominent. Closing the distance between us, he bent down and whispered, “Someone else.”
My lips parted in anticipation, and my eyes closed, wishing him to kiss me.
“Do you work here?” A woman’s voice shattered the moment.
We drew apart.
“Yeah, how can I help you?” Connor said, then mouthed an apology to me, his hand brushing my waist as he turned to assist the customer.
I took a deep breath, composing myself for a few minutes. Damn, a near-death experience and a fight with your best friend really makes a girl horny.
I resumed my search for the book Vail needed. Despite my efforts to focus, my thoughts kept returning to the revelation that Connor was single once again.
After a while, I approached the front counter where Connor was finishing ringing up a customer. “Hey, Connor, do you have this book?” I gave him the paper Vail gave me with the title of the book.
“Funny, we actually had one copy, but it sold last month. I can order you one, if you want. Though it will take a couple of weeks.”
“Yes, please,” I said, smiling at him. As he typed the order into the computer, I let my eyes wander around the shop, though my thoughts were focused entirely on him. He was single again. Maybe this was my chance to get closer, to learn more about his Vampire Slayer ways.
“When do you get off work?” I asked, keeping my tone light.
“Five,” he replied, glancing up at me.
“See you at five then, Connor,” I said, grinning as I turned and walked out before he could say anything else.
I could almost feel his gaze following me as I left.
Let the game of cat and mouse begin, I thought, a thrill sparking through me.
I returned to the bookshop at dusk to find Connor closing the front door, the “Open” sign now switched to “Closed.” He locked the door, placing the key in his pocket.
“Hi,” I said, stepping up beside him.
“Sorry, ma’am, the store is closed for the day.” A grin formed on his lips.
I chuckled, “Aw, that sucks. How will I ever pass the time?”
Connor turned to face me, his eyes lingering for a moment before he spoke. “So, what would you like to do?”
I tilted my head, teasing. “Maybe we can go back to your place?”
“Okay,” he said.
As we drove back to his apartment, I yet again found myself in the passenger seat of a Vampire Slayer’s van.
I tried not to glance at the back, where instrument cases sat in plain view, their innocent appearance failing to mask the truth.
I pushed the thought of weapons from my mind, refusing to let the unease settle in.
Instead, I concentrated on Connor, his profile set against the dim glow of the dashboard lights.
His knee bounced up and down, a sign of nervous anticipation.
Being close to him was a calculated move.
I needed information, yet the magnetic pull between us made it hard to maintain my resolve.
I fought the urge to reach out, to brush my fingers against his arm.
He parked, and I walked ahead of him up the stairs to his apartment, feeling his eyes on me. I purposefully wore tight jeans that accentuated my assets; I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist looking.
We arrived at his apartment door, and I touched his arm as he put the key in the lock. “I want you closer,” I whispered into his ear. I needed him to invite me in.
“So come inside,” he replied, pulling me with him through the threshold into his place.
Connor’s apartment was a studio, small but bursting with life. Signs of music were everywhere; guitars leaning against the walls, a keyboard nestled in the corner, and stacks of records alongside towering piles of books.
“You know, there is such a thing as bookshelves?” I teased as I entered behind him.
“I would have tidied up if I knew you were coming over,” he apologized, turning to catch me in his arms and pulling me close. His face was just inches from mine, and I could see the blends of colours in his eyes.
I glanced over to the wall opposite his bed. There, among framed band posters and miscellaneous prints, was a dartboard. Instead of darts, throwing knives were centred in the bullseye.
“Target practice?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he confirmed.
A gust of wind blew in from the open window, causing sheet music to fly off the table and onto the floor. Connor released me and went over to the large window to shut it. I caught glances of bats flying around in the night.
“It’s freezing in here,” I remarked, rubbing my arms.
“Sorry about that,” he said, closing the thin fabric curtains. “Can I get you anything?” He sounded nervous as he made his way over to the small kitchen.
“Actually, do you mind if I jump in your shower to warm up?” I asked.
“Sure, the bathroom is right there.” He gestured to the half-open door on the right.
I walked in and stared at the shower knobs for a second before yelling to Connor, “Can you help me figure out how to turn it on?”
Connor entered and busied himself with the taps, while I began to undress, peeling off my shirt and jeans. Connor was oblivious until the room filled with warm steam, prompting him to turn around. Shock crossed his face as he saw me standing there naked, a cheeky grin on my lips.
“Thanks,” I said, slipping into the shower and closing the curtain.
“You don’t have to stand there. You can join me if you want,” I called out, letting the warm water cascade over my body.
I heard Connor clear his throat, followed by the sound of his jeans being unzipped and dropping to the floor.
I continued to enjoy the warmth enveloping my skin as Connor stepped into the shower with me.
I turned around and there he was, his excitement evident.
Connor’s naked body was terrifyingly beautiful.
His muscles were toned from what I suspected was due to Vampire slaying and it reminded me that every inch of him was a weapon.
Small scars trailed along his torso and arms. All various lengths and sizes from the fights he’s been in. A trained weapon to kill me.
And yet, there I was, standing bare before him, my body aching … with no desire to run.
“Are you just going to stand there, or will you kiss me already?” I asked.
His response was immediate, his hands finding my face as he pulled me closer.
He hesitated for a moment, but I parted my lips and his found mine, wet from the shower.
He tasted like coffee, and I pulled his bottom lip into my mouth, sucking on it.
Memories of the last time I was with someone in the shower flashed through my mind, the images of blood intruding into my thoughts.
I pushed them away, focusing only on the pleasure of the moment, kissing him deeper as he pulled me into his arms. His hands trailed down my back, grabbing my ass.
I lifted my leg, wrapping it around him, and he pushed me against the shower wall, intensifying the sensation.
Our lips collided in a hungry dance, an exploration that ignited a fierce craving within me. My fingers tangled in his wet hair as I kissed him with an intensity that bordered on desperation.
I am so fucked, I thought between kisses. There was no going back to the facade, no pretending or hidden agendas. Because for me right now, this was real, raw, and undeniably consuming.
His uneven breaths mirrored my own as he cradled my face, his touch sending a thrill through me. “Let’s go to my bed,” he suggested, his voice a seductive murmur.
He turned off the shower and picked me up, carried me out of the bathroom, and laid me gently on his mattress on the floor.
His lips trailed a path of kisses from my neck to my sternum, each touch sending sparks of pleasure coursing through me.
I wanted more. When his lips brushed against the pendant on my skin, goosebumps erupted across my flesh.
I wrapped my legs around him, and shifted our weight, and rolled on top of him. I needed to be in control.
I could feel him under me, and I took his arms and raised them above his head, holding onto his wrists and kissing down his neck.
His stubble tickled my lips as I kissed and licked.
I took in the scent of him and licked the spot on his neck where my instincts so desperately wanted to sink my teeth into.
I could sense his blood pulsing beneath, and my fangs began to extend.
My primal need to feed tore through me.
I halted.
Rolling off him, I rose to my feet, the air heavy with unspoken need and lingering heat. It was a delicate dance between instinct and restraint, desire and control.
“Sorry, this is going too fast,” I told Connor, my wet hair clinging to my back. I hurried to the bathroom, pulling on my shirt and jeans, struggling with the fabric against my damp skin.
“Rose, I don’t want to push you to do anything you’re not ready for.”
“No, it’s not that,” I said, tossing him his jeans. I tried to control my breathing, but his intoxicating smell lingered on my wet skin. I needed to leave; I got too carried away. I almost blew my cover. I wanted to sleep with Connor … but also, I really, really wanted to drink his blood.
Connor put them on and approached me. “I like you,” he said, and placed a kiss on my forehead. The sentiment was sweet, and for a moment, I almost allowed myself to lean in, the desire to rip off his jeans resurfacing.
“I just don’t want to complicate anything. I’m only in town temporarily, and I don’t want to rush anything or hurt you,” I whispered in a low voice. “I should go.”
“I don’t want you to go,” he replied, his hand cupping my face.
I wanted him desperately. I wanted all of him, but I couldn’t give in to those desires, not now, when it could lead to hurting him or myself.
This was only temporary, I reminded myself.
Soon, I’d be gone. Out of town, free again, on my own.
The internal struggle echoed in my mind as I wrestled with the conflicting desires for connection and self-preservation.
Connor’s cell phone rang in his jeans pocket. “Do you mind?” he asked, and I shook my head. “Yeah?” he answered the phone, his brows furrowing as he listened intently.
I glanced around his apartment as he spoke, pretending not to listen to his call.
“I’m kind of busy at the moment,” Connor replied, his tone reluctant.
I heard Sam on the other line, urging Connor to join them in investigating the crime scene in the woods from the other night.
“Now? The Woods? Okay, fine,” Connor relented, ending the call and sliding his phone back into his pocket.
“Who was that?” I asked even though I already knew.
“It was Sam. He wanted …” Connor hesitated for a moment.
“Fuck it, you already know. Sam wants us to investigate the murders at the campsite from the other night. He has a feeling it was Vampires and not animals who attacked them.” He had been right when he said Sam had a good hunch when it came to Vampires.
“He wants you to go now?” I asked him, batting my eyelashes.
“Yes, but I don’t want to,” he reassured me, planting a kiss on my lips.
“Okay, well, I want to see you again. Maybe tomorrow?” I suggested. I still needed to get more information from him.
“Yes, tomorrow. Here is my number; please call me.” Connor kissed me deeply, and I allowed myself a moment to be happy for tomorrow to come.