Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
BLAKE
My laptop calls to me from across the room. I haven’t taken this much time off from studying in years, but Falin’s keeping a watchful eye and has threatened to bludgeon me if I try to work.
Speaking of Falin, her and Jasper are in the kitchen fighting over the correct way to make gluten-free pancakes. They’ve been at each other’s throats over one thing or another since we got back last night. I seriously need to get her out of the house.
Damon slips into the bedroom, holding something behind his back. He’s so damn cute when he’s being mischievous. “Happy birthday. Falin told me you were up.”
I rub my eyes and feel a slow smile spread across my cheeks. “Thank you. Come snuggle, I missed sleeping with you last night.”
He holds out a bouquet of the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever seen. They’re a deep purple color, so dark that from far away they look black. In his other hand is a black box. “These are just the first of your gifts,” he says with a grin as he settles onto the bed beside me.
“These are gorgeous. I’ve never seen flowers like this before. What are they?” He sets the vase down on the side table and pulls out a single stem.
“They’re called black beauty peonies. The color reminded me of your hair.” He sets it on the pillow beside my head and leans down, brushing a kiss across my lips.
As he sits up, he studies me, like I’m the subject of a painting. I feel warm and exposed all at the same time. My voice is hoarse as I thank him, but I hold the wave of emotion back. It’s my birthday, a day to celebrate, not to get all choked up.
“Open the box.” I scoot up and take the box from his shaky hands. I’ve never been great at receiving gifts or compliments. It’s something that I’m working on, especially since the guys came into my life. “I hope you like it.”
“It’s from you. I know I will.” My face flushes as I open the lid of the box revealing a gorgeous silver anatomical heart necklace. Carefully, I remove it from the velvet pad insert and take a closer look. “It’s beautiful, I love it.”
“It’s a locket. Let me show you.” He holds his hand out and I place the heart carefully in his palm. “There’s a vial inside, filled with my blood.”
He hands it back to me so I can take a better look. It’s a bit morbid, but that’s Damon. “Does it mean something?”
“It means everything. I wanted you to have a part of my life force so I’m always with you. Wearing someone’s blood means you share a spiritual bond. There’s a magical quality to it. Back in the day people would carry locks of their loved one’s hair in jewelry or sew it into clothing, but this is better.” He gestures for me to turn around, gathers my hair to the side, then fastens the necklace around my neck. It hangs in the exact spot Bryan’s thumbprint would. I force myself to stay in the moment, thinking about Bryan or Mom would get me upset and that’s the last thing I need when Damon’s being so sweet. “There,” he says. “I’d gladly spill more blood for you, Angel. Every part of me is yours.”
I inhale a ragged breath and pull him close. “Thank you. This is the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received.”
He holds either side of my face as our lips brush together, gentler than normal. My eyelids drift closed as our tongues tangle and explore. He touches his tongue to my lips, tasting me before delving deeper, capturing my breath.
Everything fades away—the noises from the kitchen, the stress of studying, the chaos of whoever is after us. There’s only Damon and me. He tugs my lip between his teeth. I hiss a breath and match his energy, sucking his bottom lip and nipping.
“I want you,” I murmur between kisses while sliding my hand under his shirt. “Please.”
Damon pulls back. I notice his blown pupils and heavy breathing. Seeing what I do to him makes me bold, like I can take what I want. He tugs his shirt over his head and I splay my hands across his chest, tracing over his tattoos. I’m aching for him, and I know he feels the same way from the bulge in his sweatpants.
I wrap my palm around his length, making him groan. “Lay back. I haven’t had breakfast yet.”
He palms my stomach and pushes me against the mattress, settling his legs on either side of my body. I reach for him, but he holds my hands together, pinning them above my head. “Please,” I beg, lifting my hips against him, searching for relief.
“Shh, baby,” Damon whispers. “Just lay back and let me take care of you.”
I let my hands drop onto my pillow as Damon slides down my body and slips his hand into the waistband of my underwear. I raise my hips and let him pull them all the way down and off my legs. I’m shaking with anticipation… literally dying for him to touch me, taste me, anything.
His finger glides along my slit, stopping and circling my clit until I buck my hips. “You’re so wet.” He pops his finger into his mouth and sucks. “I’ve been thinking about your delicious cunt every damn day.”
“Oh, God,” I moan. My entire body’s attuned to his touch. Alive and on fire.
“Be a good girl and spread wide for me.” He groans as he buries his face in my pussy and presses his tongue against my clit. “Fuck, Blake, you taste so fucking good.”
He sucks my clit and flicks with his tongue, starting slow and matching the rhythm of my hips as I grind against him. I know I’m completely drenching his face, but I don’t care. It feels too good to care about anything else.
He slips a finger inside, pumping like he’s fucking me. “Damon, I’m close… Please, don’t stop.” He clamps down, sucking my clit and my orgasms barrels through me. I hold his head in place, my nails digging into his scalp as I ride it out. “Oh my God… That was—that was… I don’t even know,” I say, panting hard.
When I release his hair, he stays put, tasting every last drip of my juices. “Fucking incredible,” he says, kissing up my body. “I could live my entire life between your legs.”
My eyes grow heavy as he climbs beside me, laying on his back. He pulls me into him, and I rest my head against his beating heart. “I don’t know if I could handle that. I’d probably black out.”
“Should we test that theory today?”
I kiss his chest and sit up slightly. “I think Falin would break the door down.”
She most definitely would. Nothing will get between her and executing her birthday plans. Not even Damon.
I trail my hand along his torso and slip it under the waistband of his pants, teasing the base of his cock. “Blake.”
With a smile, I nuzzle and kiss the crook of his neck, basking in the way his body tightens and voice cracks. “Damon.”
I tighten my palm around his length and stroke slowly from base to tip, drinking in the sharp intake of breath from his lips. “Baby, you don’t have to—” My thumb circles his tip, gathering the moisture and spreading it lower. His arms tighten around me and he raises his hips into my hand. “Fuck… come here.”
Smiling, I pull my shirt up and off and straddle him. I love getting my way. He pulls his pants down and shifts me, lining his cock up with my entrance. The way his fingers dig into my hips, moving me exactly where he wants me, like he’s a desperate man. God, I can’t take another second without him inside me.
“Use my cock. Ride me until you come.” He guides his cock inside me, and I get adjusted to his size, inch by full inch, until I’m fully seated on him. “That’s it. Fuck, you feel so good like this.”
I roll my hips, angling my pelvis so my clit rubs against him. “Yes… feels so good.” He sucks my breast, nibbling my nipple until it aches. I feed him the other one, loving the delicious sting of his teeth while I shamelessly ride his cock. I use him, just like he told me to, chasing my orgasm fast and rough. There’s nothing sweet about it. It’s raw and primal. Our skin sliding against each other, the groans that escape our lips, the bite of fingers and teeth.
I think I hear banging on the door, but it sounds far away. We’re a vacuum, a bubble. There’s only us and the pleasure we chase. “I’m close… Oh, God.”
Damon pushes his hips up, pumping into me. He’s so deep, I swear I can feel him in my chest. “You’re gonna be so full of my cum that it’ll drip out of you all damn day. You want that, baby?”
“Yes, please. Come in me.” The image of his cum dripping down my legs fills my mind and I lose control. My entire body shudders and squeezes as I come, screaming his name. Damon’s grip on my hips tightens and he lifts me up and down on his cock before groaning and holding me down.
His jaw tenses and his eyes clamp shut as he comes inside me. “Fuck, Blake… Jesus Christ.”
Collapsing against his chest, with my ear to his racing heart, I’m so damn elated I could burst. I’m drunk on him. I’ll never get enough of the way he looks when he comes. Or how he responds to my touch, to being inside me. It’s addictive and I’m afraid that he’s changing me. I’ve never felt this out of control before but I’m too far gone.
“Same.” I let out a laugh against him and toy with the locket around my neck. “This is the best birthday I’ve ever had and it’s only 10 AM.”
“I’m glad. You deserve the best always.” Warmth spreads through my chest as we lay in peaceful silence. That is, until Falin bangs on the door again.
“Are you two done? It sounds like you are. We made breakfast and it’s getting cold.”
“We should probably go out there,” I say. My cheeks heat knowing they all heard exactly what was going on in here. Falin’s going to tease the crap out of me.
“You sure? You only came twice. I think you have one more in you.” He slides his hand across my chest and between my legs where I’m dripping wet, pushing a finger inside. “I’m keeping this cum in there as long as possible.”
That’s so damn hot.
“Blake Alexandra, get your sexy ass out here!” Falin yells.
Damon sighs and brushes a kiss across my lips. “Is she always like this?”
With a wide grin I say, “Yup. Unless she’s drunk, then she’s even louder.”
“Fun.” He gets up to grab our clothes. “You want to eat in here? Breakfast in bed?”
The thought is so sweet, but I’d much rather be with everyone. “No, it’s okay. I’m ready to get up.”
We eat the rubbery pancakes and bacon, while Jasper and Falin continue to argue. It’s wildly entertaining. If Jasper think’s he’s going to get to Falin, he has another thing coming. Leon’s in a good mood too, smiling more than I’ve seen since I met him. When I look at the guys, I still get flushed thinking about them watching us the other night. They haven’t said anything about it, so I’ve felt weird bringing it up. I’d have to know what I want anyway, which I don’t. So it’s best to leave it be, a hot memory that makes me clench my thighs from time to time.
“What do you want to do today?” Damon asks as he swallows a bite of pancake. “Anything you want, it’s yours.”
“We’re going shopping this afternoon,” Falin cuts in. “We need to find the perfect outfits for the show later.”
“Show?” Damon asks.
“Yeah, I forgot to tell you. Falin got us tickets for this haunted burlesque show tonight. It looks fun. Maybe there’s still tickets available if you guys want to come.”
Falin raises her brows. “Nope, no way. This is girls night. I know it’s your birthday, Blakey, but tonight is all ours.”
I shrug and mouth sorry to the guys.
Damon narrows his gaze at her. “What exactly goes on at a haunted burlesque show?”
“No idea. That’s part of the fun. There’s a dress code though, thus the need for costumes. You think you can give us one day, lover boy? If it makes you feel better, give me your gun. I can keep Blake safe.” Falin leans back in her chair, making direct eye contact with Damon. Long enough that even I start to get uncomfortable.
Then again, I’m not one for confrontation.
Damon rubs his chin and we share a look. “Enjoy girls day.” He goes into his wallet and pulls out a few bills, handing them to Falin. “Whatever Blake wants, she gets.”
I almost spit my water across the table. “Damon, you don’t?—”
“Blake.” From the way his eyes blaze, I know there’s no arguing with him.
Falin stands and brings her plate to the kitchen. “Alright bitch, let’s go shopping.”
We have the best time hitting the Halloween store in town, then heading to the mall nearby for some finishing touches. Once we were shopped out, we stopped for lunch at Leaf and Ladle and Falin surprised me by having them bring out chocolate cake the size of my head. When the server told her they don’t usually sing happy birthday there, she proceeded to sing her own loud, out of tune rendition that included amazing additions like “you smell like a skank and you act like one too.” I think her love language is embarrassing me.
The unexpected part of the day was that Damon actually gave me space. Not one text, call, or random appearance. At least not that I saw. I was having too much fun with Falin to be hypervigilant. But maybe I was used to his clinginess, because all day I kept touching my locket and wishing he was there with me. I wondered which costume he’d like best, and when I saw a Freddy glove, my heart flipped. I bought it, of course, excited to hear his sarcastic remark when I give it to him.
While I was out, Brennan texted me to wish me a happy birthday. It was a quick back and forth but he promised he’d call me tomorrow. At least I know he’s alive and kicking. That’s all I could ask for on my birthday.
Back at the apartment, the guys are playing some first person shooter game in Jasper’s room while Falin and I get ready. We’re blasting My Chemical Romance and singing the lyrics at the top of our lungs. She pulls some of my hair back into a teased half pony and adds some volume to the rest. I feel like we’re back in college, dancing around our room to emo music while she forces me to abandon my studies and go out for a few hours.
With my hair and makeup done, I slip into my outfit—a black lace corset and gothic burgundy and black skirt. I slide on some fishnets, and my combat boots, and accessorize with a choker and some bracelets, along with Damon’s necklace.
“Last but not least,” Falin says, handing me the box of realistic-looking fangs we bought earlier. “Let me know if you need help.”
She puts on her own at the same time and then we finish off the look with a few well placed drips of fake blood. I finally take a look in the mirror and can’t believe that I’m the person staring back at me. I look hot—like holy shit, I’d bang myself, hot. And so does Falin, but that’s nothing new, she always looks amazing.
I guess the stress of school has really gotten to me lately. Other than the gala, I haven’t seen myself in anything other than comfy clothes or scrubs and definitely haven’t worn makeup like this in all the years I dated Ethan. He hated when I’d dress too provocatively, or wore unnatural looking makeup, even on Halloween. That was one of the things that turned Falin off of him right away.
“You look hot as hell, Blakey. We’re going to get so many free drinks tonight.” She sprays a light mist of hairspray over her head and touches up her black lipstick.
“Don’t we have a bunch of money left from what Damon gave us?” I ask.
Falin tilts her head and smirks. “So? That doesn’t mean we can’t accept free drinks. Come on, I’ve got you. Just have fun tonight and don’t worry about a thing.”
Right. Pretty sure those are her famous last words.
Damon knocks and comes into the bedroom holding a cake. When he sees me, he freezes in place. His eyes flare in surprise and I get the knee-jerk reaction to grab something to cover myself. Bracing for the harsh words that I’m certain will come, I look at my feet and wrap my arms around my chest.
He closes the space between us in two steps and tips my chin up. “Let me look at you.” His slow perusal of my body has my skin tingling and when he flashes a hungry smile, my stomach flutters.
“Isn’t she fucking hot?” Falin says, turning from the mirror to watch Damon’s reaction.
“Hot doesn’t even begin to cover it. Holy hell, Angel. You’re a walking wet dream.” I smile, showing off my fangs and he reaches out to feel the tip with his index finger. “You’re keeping these on later.”
His hand trails down my neck and over the swell of my barely contained breasts. “And this… all of it.”
“That can be arranged,” I say, standing as tall as I feel. “What do you have there?”
He hands me the gorgeous cake on what looks like a vintage stand. “Mrs. Langston dropped it off for you earlier. It’s allergen friendly, she made sure of it.”
“That was so sweet of her. I’ll have to go thank her later. How did she know it was my birthday and about the allergies?”
He smirks. “I obviously talk about you to everyone I can. Poor women’s probably sick of my gushing.”
I laugh and put the cake stand on the dresser for now. “Oh, I almost forgot. I got you a present.”
“What? But it’s your birthday,” he says, bewildered. I pull the Freddy Krueger glove out of the bag and hand it to him with a grin. As soon as he sees it, he shakes his head and lets out a short chuckle.
“I had to,” I say. “Try it on!”
Falin’s watching this exchange with her hands on her hips, looking at us like we’re crazy. Which we are, so it’s fine.
He slides the glove on, and clicks it together in front of my face until I’m laughing and pushing him away. “You’re so in for it now. Just wait.”
“Okay, well, whatever weirdness this is unfortunately needs to end. We’ve gotta get going or we’ll be late,” Falin says.
I brush a light kiss on Damon’s cheek, leaving a smudge of my dark red lipstick as Falin grabs my hand and pulls me out of the room.
“I’ll walk you guys out,” he says. “I don’t mind driving you there. What’s the address?”
“We’re good,” Falin answers. “If we drink too much we’ll just Uber back.”
Damon meets my gaze and I interrupt Falin before he has a chance to argue. “I’ll call you if we need a ride.”
I had to park down the street since parking is limited with all of us in the house, so it’s a few minutes walk to the car. Damon’s hand is in mine, keeping me tethered to the present. The crisp night breeze chills my skin but I feel alive, like the whispers of the wind hum with possibility. Dry leaves scatter across the road in front of us as we reach my car. Damon’s grip tightens and he pulls me behind him.
“What’s wrong?” I ask before I see what he’s already noticed. My car is completely wrecked.