Chapter 6
Audrey
I’m going to need at least two orgasms before I’ll be able to sleep tonight. Okay, maybe three. Who knew Arran could flirt?
Although it’s a surprising discovery, it’s a very welcome one.
Throughout the day I found myself replaying snippets from our conversation.
The bossy way Arran insisted on helping me carry my stuff over—a tone I weirdly didn’t mind from him, in fact I think I rather liked it—the insinuation when he said he could scent almost anything, but also how his fangs glinted when he grinned, the way his eyes felt on my body, and the way he didn’t shy away from my touch when I pulled on his shirt lace, it all went straight to my pussy.
I might have to invest in some scent-wicking panties while I’m here, because I’m pretty sure I must’ve stank up the town with the direction my horny thoughts went in.
And if any of the personal anecdotes from Tilly were to be believed, then it’s best to shield the town from my filthy brain and traitorous pussy broadcasting its thoughts, as much as is possible anyway.
Considering all the scenarios my imagination has come up with today, this little stay in Arran’s castle could potentially be a lot of fun.
But where I’m going to have to be careful with the vampire is the way he treated Anita and how he cuddled her.
That move did something dangerous to my stomach, made it all swoopy and stuff.
First things first, though—carrying over the few belongings I brought to the island.
From my position on Tilly’s jizz couch, I eye my inconspicuous box of toys, my favorites hidden under Anita’s blanket and other doggy supplies.
I wonder if I should ask Arran to carry that box. Even though everything is washed, I’m curious if he’d be able to scent what’s actually inside. Would that be too cruel, or could it perhaps serve as a litmus test?
Grinning, I pick up the box and set it next to the front door and drag my suitcase closer too.
“What’s that smile for?” Tilly asks from the kitchen.
“Can’t a girl smile for no reason?” I ask innocently.
Tilly scoffs. “A girl? Sure. You? I’m sensing an ulterior motive.”
I consider telling Tilly my plan, but decide against it. For now. I want to feel Arran out for myself first without any kinds of expectations from anyone else.
Batting my eyelashes, I say, “Just feeling thankful for all the assistance I’m receiving.”
“Sure.” Tilly drags out the word, her suspicion hovering over every letter. “Bodin will be home soon, then he can help you carry everything over.”
“No worries. Arran said he will.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yup.”
Tilly narrows her eyes while she waits for me to elaborate, but when she senses I’m not budging, she says, “Dinner’s almost ready.”
It’s not long before Bodin’s home and we’re cozied up around their kitchen table, Tilly’s chair dragged flush against her husband’s as we enjoy a delicious steak and roast potato dinner.
We’re halfway through when Bodin stills and tilts his head toward the open window facing the front garden. “Arran’s here.”
I crane my neck. “I didn’t hear anything.”
Tilly sighs forlornly. “Human senses suck sometimes.” Turning toward Bodin, she says, “Please invite him inside. He’s here to help Audrey carry her things to the castle and I don’t want him awkwardly waiting in the garden again.”
When Bodin gets up, Tilly’s whisper is laden with innuendo, “Such a gentleman, and punctual too.”
“Behave yourself,” I scold lightly, fighting the color that wants to rise to my cheeks.
“Why?” Tilly asks, wiggling her eyebrows. “It’s much more fun this way.”
There’s only one person in the world I will allow to give me shit like this, and that is Tilly. And only because I’ve given her worse shit over the years. Knowing someone always has your back, no matter what level of fuckery you find yourself in, is a gift from the universe I don’t take lightly.
Whether we’re going through heavy things or making a couple of youthful mistakes, we’ve been by each other’s side through it all.
I mean, she’s the only person in ten lifetimes whose children I’d even consider babysitting.
They’re going to need their fun aunt to teach them all the ways to get away with some of the crap Tilly and I pulled when we were young, and I can’t wait for that.
The two males enter the kitchen, Arran looking awkward as fuck as he hovers by the entryway, shifting from foot to foot.
“Good evening, Tilly, Audrey,” Arran says formally like he’s just joined an old-timey ball and not simply popped into his friend’s kitchen.
Where’s the guy I was flirting with this morning? I’ve seen glimpses of Arran’s awkwardness, but is this his standard mode when he’s around other creatures? What other secrets is he hiding?
Something tells me there are many more layers to this vampire that perhaps not even his group of friends are aware of. I kind of want to make it my mission to peel them back one by one, because what I saw earlier, I liked. A lot.
I pat the seat next to me. “Come sit with us.”
Hesitantly, Arran approaches and slides onto the wooden chair. “Thank you. I hope I’m not disturbing your meal.”
“Not at all,” I answer, loading my fork with a little bit of everything on my plate. “I’m not well-versed in vampire biology or etiquette, but do you eat food? Would you like to try some?” I hold my fork up in a question.
Arran frowns down at it. “Oh, I uh, uhm…”
“Vampires don’t eat our type of food,” Tilly answers neutrally on his behalf.
Would it be rude to ask if Arran eats pussy? Curious minds want to know. If he does, perhaps I could suggest myself as dessert at the castle later?
Nah, too soon.
Arran rubs a hand over his short hair and clears his throat. “Though I don’t require human food for sustenance, I do indulge myself with a pint of beer from time to time.”
Consider me intrigued. “So you’re just particular with the type of things you put in your mouth?”
Arran’s eyes zero in on my tongue licking at the corner of my mouth. “You can say that.”
Bodin leads the conversation into safer territory when he asks, “So, Audrey, how was your first full day in Starry Hill?”
I welcome the change in subject before I turn this conversation as filthy as I want it to get. I can always do that later when Arran and I are alone.
“Good. Busy. Grabbed breakfast from The Flowering Teapot, got my nails done at The Horned Pearl, browsed clothing at The Crowned Boot, and picked up my book for smut club from The Dancing Daisy. Basically, it was a pretty perfect first day of vacation.”
“Didn’t you also stop by The Bandaged Heart?” Bodin asks, clearly unaware of the daggers that Tilly is shooting at the side of his head while he demolishes his steak.
Jaw clenched, I manage a semipolite, “Yup.”
Arran’s head turns toward me, a question marring his brow, while Tilly and I have a silent conversation across the table. Her eyes widen, imploring me to tell Arran, but I deny her request with a subtle shake of my head.
I’m not having a medical history debrief on my first night in the castle. If I have it my way, it won’t even come up in conversation.
It’s not that I’m shy about having diabetes. It’s been a part of me for my entire adult life. I simply refuse to be defined by it, and sometimes people do that when they learn of your diagnosis. They tend to treat you with kid gloves, and I don’t want, nor need, that.
There’s much more to me than my broken pancreas.
Sensing she’s not going to convince me, Tilly changes the topic. “What do you have planned for tomorrow?”
“Uhm…” Everything has been such a race up until now that I didn’t consider what the next few days will look like.
Was it only yesterday that I went into work and was rushed out again?
“I guess I’ll settle into my new room and read?
Unless there’s someone in town who needs some help around their shop? ”
Arran studies me out of the corner of his eye while he fidgets with the fabric of his kilt. I appreciate his attempt to look uninvested in my answer, but I’m hyperaware that he’s listening to every single syllable coming out of my mouth.
“Please find a project to keep yourself busy with,” Tilly says around a mouthful of potatoes. “You’re dangerous when you’re bored.”
“Why do you say that?” I ask, totally not thinking about taking up Vampire Anatomy 101 as my next hobby.
Pointing her fork at me, Tilly raises a brow.
“You get big ideas and go off on life-altering tangents if you have enough time. Remember that one summer you decided you wanted live music but no bands were playing in our town, so you contacted different music agencies and convinced them to send bands and somehow organized a whole festival?”
“Oh yeah. That was fun.” I didn’t originally plan for it to get so big, but once I started talking to the agencies, I guess I made a fairly convincing argument for them to grace us with their music.
They agreed to come perform, but only if someone took care of the logistics and planning.
And that just seemed like the perfect challenge that would keep me out of trouble for the summer.
“You want to organize something for Starry Hill?” Bodin asks as he exchanges a quick look with Arran.
I give the males an apologetic smile. “I couldn’t.
I won’t be here long enough to see it through.
” Before anyone else gets any more ideas on how I should spend my time, I go on, “Maybe boredom is exactly what I need. I’ll be able to catch up on my Tbr.
I can go swimming in Kraken Cove, go for long walks with Anita. I might even start a new hobby.”
“See,” Tilly says, bumping her shoulder with Bodin’s. “That's the part that can get dangerous.”