Chapter 19
19
V anessa inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with Cole’s scent that permeated the bedroom. She could smell the aroma of his blood, and it made her want to sink her fangs into his neck and drink from him.
“Let me get you a washcloth,” Cole offered, sitting up. “I’ve made quite a mess here.” He pointed to the spot on her stomach where his upper cock had sprayed her with his semen.
She watched him as he walked to the bathroom, his tight butt muscles flexing with every step. She felt her fangs lengthen at the thought of biting him there.
Fuck!
She had to stop these thoughts, or she wouldn’t be able to hide for long that she was a vampire.
Cole reappeared with a wet washcloth and a small dry towel and sat down next to her. With gentle movements, he wiped her clean, then used the towel to dry her, before he placed both on the nightstand.
He joined her in bed and pulled her into the curve of his body, her back to his chest, her ass pressed against his two cocks, which were still big, but currently in a resting state.
“So that’s why you didn’t want to sleep with me at Vera’s,” Vanessa said with a glance over her shoulder. “Does that mean you don’t actually fuck the prostitutes and just masturbate like you did with me?”
“You noticed that, huh? But the answer to your question is no. I did fuck the prostitutes. I do need that release, and feeling a woman’s body helps me imagine that there’s somebody who isn’t disgusted by me.”
Vanessa turned halfway. “Don’t say that. I’m not disgusted by you.”
“I must have known that you’re different, because when I saw you, I knew I couldn’t undress in front of you. Sure, I would have gotten to fuck you, after all, I’d paid for it. But once wasn’t… isn’t enough. I wanted to see you again. I wanted you to like me.”
“Oh Cole, if only I had known.”
He brushed his fingers over her cheek. “We’ll make up for it now.”
Vanessa smiled. “Tell me about yourself. The boxes in the living room. You said you weren’t leaving.”
“And I’m not. I moved here from Chicago ten days ago. I haven’t fully unpacked yet. But I’m here to stay.”
He hugged her to him, and pressed a kiss to her shoulder.
“Did you move for a job?”
“I have my own company, and I can work remotely from wherever I want.”
“What kind of company?”
“I developed an algorithm that’s used for advertising. So, basically, I’m a computer geek.”
She squeezed his biceps. “You don’t get muscles like these from typing on a keyboard.”
Cole laughed. “True. Hence the weight bench.” He pointed to one corner of his bedroom. “Anyway, I’ve always moved a lot. There are only so many brothels and prostitutes a guy can visit before word gets around that I’m… you know… different.”
“No more prostitutes for you.”
“That goes without saying,” he replied. “Can I confess something?”
She held her breath instinctively. “Yes?”
“Don’t sound so scared.”
“I’m not,” she lied.
“Hmm. Today when you met me in the bistro, I was fully prepared to offer you an exorbitant amount of money to be my own personal, exclusive escort. I didn’t care how many men you’d slept with before me, and that you’d gotten paid for it. I would have accepted you either way.”
She turned in his arms to look at him. “That’s the sweetest thing anybody has ever said to me.”
Cole slid his lips over hers and kissed her tenderly. “I’m so happy that you accepted me.”
“You’re perfect for me,” she murmured. “I knew it instantly. I went into heat when you entered Vera’s, even though I hadn’t even seen you, and it wasn’t even my time. It was spontaneous.”
“Because I was nearby?”
She nodded. “Yes. I go into heat four times a year on a pretty regular schedule.”
“How old were you when it started?”
“Fifteen.”
“And did you have to… I’m sorry, it’s none of my business to ask that.” He dropped his lids.
She stroked her hand over his cheek. “If your question was whether I had to have sex then, the answer is yes.”
“You were so young.”
“That’s why I asked a friend of my family. He’s only two years older than I am, so he agreed to help me.”
“Did you date him?”
“No. We never dated. He’s still a very good friend, even though it’s been fourteen years since I had sex with him.”
“Excuse me? How long? You can’t be older than twenty-four.”
She laughed. Of course, he’d noticed that she looked young. A vampire hybrid’s appearance didn’t change anymore after the age of twenty-one. “I’m actually thirty-two.”
“Impossible.”
She rolled her eyes. “Guess I have good genes. Anyway, my friend helped me all those years until I was old enough to pick up other guys to have sex with when I went into heat. I hope that doesn’t shock you.”
Cole chuckled. “You’re talking to a guy who paid for sex all his life. You did what you needed to do. Just, please, if I ever meet this friend of yours, don’t tell me it was him. I’d rather not know who he is.”
She understood that. “I promise.” She kissed him. “So, what made you move to San Francisco, when you could choose any place in the world?”
“I found a note and a phone number in my dad’s old diary that made me wonder if somebody here in San Francisco knew of a cure to my condition. Turns out, I didn’t need a cure, just the right woman.”
“And your dad?”
“He committed suicide 17 years ago. I never knew my mother. She dumped me at his doorstep after I was born with that ugly growth.”
“I’m sorry.” She kissed him softly on the cheek, and trailed more kisses down his neck and along his shoulder.
“He never found the woman who was meant for him.” There was sadness in his eyes, and her heart broke for him. “He spiraled into a depression that he couldn’t climb out of.” He sniffled. “I’m sorry, Vanessa, I didn’t mean to spoil the mood.”
She gave him a peck on the lips. “It’s part of you, the happy and the sad. It’s what makes you, you.”
Cole pressed his forehead to hers. “You saved me, not only from being killed by a vampire, but from giving up hope of finding happiness.”
His stomach suddenly growled loudly.
He smirked. “And apparently you also kept me from eating my lunch.” He gave her a playful slap on her ass. “How about we eat the takeout?”
“Yes, we should definitely do that. You need to keep up your strength, because I can feel another wave of heat coming on.”
“Guess that means that my services will be required again shortly.”
There was a sparkle in his eyes that made her heart beat excitedly. But would that sparkle still be there once she told him that she was a vampire, and that instead of French food for lunch she’d rather drink his blood?
When exactly was the right moment to bring this up?
She wasn’t quite ready for it. Their relationship was still too new, and if she sprung this on him right now, she might destroy the happiness she saw in his eyes.