Chapter 26 Just Girly Things
When I wake the next evening, I’m buried beneath soft covers, and my head is cradled in a nest of the fluffiest pillows I’ve ever slept on.
My fingers flex across the smooth cotton sheets, and I stretch my legs out down to my toes with a little wiggle.
If being a vampire means I get to sleep in a rich bed with the world’s most luxurious, and probably expensive, comforter set, then immortality doesn’t sound so bad.
“Do you like the sheets? They’re Cotton Sateen,” someone says from the room. I startle, worried at first it might be Dante, but then Tannis pops into view and jumps on the bed. “They’re made in Italy.”
Frozen, I reach for Gray, but he isn’t there.
“He’s taking a bath.” Tannis leans on their side and grins. They’re wearing a plush emerald colored robe, and I imagine nothing else underneath. “That was quite the love-making you two did last night. I think every vampire in the house heard you.”
I’m absolutely sure my eyes go so wide they might pop out of my head. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Oh, darling! The way you two fucked…” Tannis fans themself with a perfectly manicured hand. “Why, even I was aroused.”
“Wow, okay.” I bury myself deeper into the covers. “Next time, please don’t ever come into the room after and tell me that you heard anything. In fact, just don’t even look at me.”
Tannis’s eyes alight with excitement. “Next time? Precious thing, please, tell me more.”
“What’s there to tell?” I ask, unmoving. I’m still very naked underneath the covers.
“Aren’t you his lover?” Tannis asks. “He’s never been with a human before. I’ve always told him it’s better than any vampire he could fuck, and he’s fucked quite a lot of those over the years.”
“You mean Dante?” I ask, lifting myself a little. It’s safe to assume Tannis doesn’t know about Francesca, so I keep that nugget of truth to myself.
Tannis frowns deeply. “Dante isn’t the only one; he’s just the worst of them.”
I think back to the night in the club with him and his friends.
That feeling of fear when I remember his face and the way he bit me still hasn’t left my system.
It’s enough that it haunts the corners of my mind when I think about it, and I do a lot of other thinking to avoid his memory entirely.
I hated the way he made me feel—violated, unsafe, uncomfortable, but mostly, helpless.
I couldn’t do a single thing to protect myself without the possibility of dying.
And knowing now who he is and how he devastated Gray, I’m glad I listened to my gut and kept my peace.
“Be straight with me.” I sit up, keeping the blanket wrapped around my chest, and look Tannis right in the face. “Do you think teaching me how to fight a vampire is going to help?”
Tannis considers me for what seems like an eternity. I think they’re sizing me up, calculating their next words based on what they see. I hope to them, I’m more than what I look like post-sex.
“It could mean the difference between life and death,” Tannis says seriously. “Humans are resourceful. Mortality doesn’t mean you’re weak, it simply means you have one less advantage than a vampire. And even then, a wooden stake, silver, or sunlight can mean death for us, too.”
“That was a really vague way of saying maybe.” I sniff.
“It’s the truth.” Tannis shrugs. “I’ll teach you how to defend yourself, how to parry, whatever you want. As long as, in the end, you feel safer.”
I nod. I do want to feel safe.
“Now, onto more pressing business.” A wry smile pulls at their pinkish lips, curling over one of their fangs. “Have you ever been with a vampire before?”
“I am absolutely not talking about this with you.” But who else do I tell?
I could sit here all day and tell Tannis how incredible it was, how every nerve inside of my body lit up under Gray’s touch.
I could go on and on about the filthy way he talked me through my orgasms, or the instant praise that followed every single one.
I could even tell them how it felt like he was holding himself back to make sure that I was okay.
He was gentle, and no one was ever gentle with me.
“Boo.” Tannis frowns.
“It was earth-shattering, and sexy.” I sigh with frustration. I was already growing wet with need. With a deep breath, I tried to refocus and put on my best serious voice. “Okay? Is that good enough?”
“Earth-shattering? Gods, it must have been amazing.” Tannis chuckles, giving their shoulders a little shake. “What else?”
“You’re his cousin,” I remind them. “I’m not giving you anything more.”
“Fine.” Tannis clucks, clearly disappointed.
“Now that that’s settled, what time is it?” I ask, rubbing at my face.
“Twilight,” Tannis whispers with a dramatic flair.
“Be serious,” I say, flattening my lips.
They scoff and roll their eyes boredly. “It’s 5:15 PM.”
“Shit!” I feel my ears redden. “I have to get to work.”
Under the covers, I try to find my clothing, but only happen upon my thong.
I’m sure it’s in an unsavory state, but I pull them on quickly and jump out of the bed.
Tannis scoots off the edge and watches me pull my clothes together into a sad pile in my arms. Only when I’m at the door do they stop me.
“Why don’t I help you get ready?” they offer.
I arch a questioning brow, hesitant to accept. “What?”
“This way.” They move past me through the door, signaling me to follow. “Many of my lovers stay here from time to time, so they keep their rooms stocked with clothing. It just so happens that one of my favorite ladies is exactly your size.”
“That’s convenient.” To think that Tannis and Gray may have the same type in women is sending me into a spiral. I know he didn’t like the “hot cousin” take last night, but the devious part of my brain wants to tease him about maybe being Tannis’s type, too.
A little shiver rolls down my spine at the thought of what he might do with that.
“I have an inkling that her style will suit your tastes. She has a penchant for latex and leather.” Tannis turns right and stops at a door a few down from Gray’s room.
“What does she do?” I ask.
“Would you believe me if I told you that she’s a soprano?
” Tannis opens the door and leads me. Unlike Gray’s room, this one feels like a dressing room.
There are closets full of clothing and the most ornate vanity I have ever seen sitting against one of the walls.
No bed. Just closets bursting at the seams with every color of clothing imaginable.
I, of course, steer for the section with dark hues, like the blacks, grays, and deep purples.
“By soprano, you mean she’s a singer?” I pull at a black fishnet two-piece and a pair of long, shimmering black stockings wrapped around the neck of the hanger. I’m a sucker for fishnet and sparkles.
“Opera,” Tannis says, taking up their station at the vanity. “Go on and get dressed first. Then, I’ll do your hair and makeup.”
“Are you sure?” I ask, a little hesitant.
“I do it all the time for Simone.” Tannis waves me off with a flick of their wrist.
“Is that her name?” I ask, tiptoeing to the corner of the room where I spy a dressing shade. I’ve never seen one before in person, but I’ve always wanted one, and I’m giddy to use it. “Simone?”
“Mm,” Tannis hums. “She’s in Roma, Italy.”
“Will she mind that I borrowed her clothes?” Behind the shade, I quickly change into the pieces I picked out and slip on my heels.
“Not at all,” Tannis says.
When I step out, I feel their eyes on me. “How do I look?”
“Hot,” Tannis approves with a nod, then points at the cushioned stool. “Now sit. I have work to do.”
For a second, I hesitate. Only Jill and Emma have ever done my hair or makeup, and that was only because they paid me in clothes for modeling.
But that was only when they needed website content or social media photos.
The last time I did anything like that was months ago, and now that I have Tannis pulling at my hair, I’m feeling a little nostalgic.
“You said you do this a lot?”
“For Simone? Yes.” They have me turned away from the mirror as they work. My makeup was first, which happened quicker than I could blink, and now my hair is taking on a new shape. “She likes to be pampered, and I love to cater to her needs.”
I could smile, but the setting spray on my face hasn't settled yet, and I’m afraid to crack the mask Tannis worked so hard to apply. “That’s so sweet.”
“Is it still sweet if I tell you she has me collared?” Tannis fluffs my hair and then stands back, a big shit-eating grin on their face. A laugh rolls through me, pummeling my perfect composure. After a minute, I calm myself and dab at my eyes.
“Is that a yes?”
“It is.”
“Thought so. Now turn around, precious.” Tannis swivels a hand in the air and I turn at the hips to see the mirror.
When I don’t immediately say anything, Tannis leans in over my shoulder and taps under my chin.
“Had to test the setting spray, and you passed with flying colors. So, what do we think?”
“It’s hard to believe I’m looking at myself.” Honestly? My jaw could hit the floor, but then I would really mess it up.
No words can fully capture just how iconic this look really is.
It’s wet, it’s messy, and downright sexy.
My skin is glossy, with a radiant glow, complemented by a smudged smokey eye.
A black lip is always a go-to for me, but Tannis chose a stunning shade of purple that reminds me of orchids.
My lips almost look like they’re made of blown glass, delicate yet cool, and my hair is the final detail that pulls it all together.
Loose curls gelled at the roots, with a few hand-placed tendrils forced to form along the curve of my cheeks.
I look… unearthly. It’s as if Tannis has shared some of their otherworldly beauty with me, using only a brush and some cool blue highlighter.
“I… I love it,” I stammer, finally finding my voice. “I can’t believe you did this so quickly. It would have taken me hours.”