Page 54 of Blood Ties
“Thank you,” I whispered shyly. I was a bit embarrassed by my actions, but was grateful all the same.
“You’re welcome.”
“Not just for the blood, but for…”Everything.Saving me, feeding me and especially pulling away. If he hadn’t, I’m not sure what would have happened or how far it would have gotten before I was able to pull myself out of the haze.
“I know what you meant.”
I moved to stand, my muscles still stiff, but moving was not as difficult as I had before I fed. Removing the towel from his neck, Sebastian tossed it and moved to help me. I rested my hands on his arms to stead myself. My blue eyes met his green ones before asking, “Can you help me get home? I’d rather not be caked in blood when he gets there.”
With a gentle smile, he agreed, “Sure.” He pulled me against him until our bodies were flushed and within a second we were gone.
Sebastian didn’t linger long after he dropped me into my apartment, just long enough to make sure I was alright after the effects of dissipating. It wasn’t a horrible experience, but it wasn’t exactly pleasant. His arms released me slowly to make sure I was steady.
Once I was left alone, I headed to the bathroom and started the shower. I was still a little wobbly, but made it there without falling. Steam filled the room as I peeled off my clothing. I knew I’d never wear any of it again. Not just because there was vampire blood, and a little angel blood from when Sebastian ripped away, but because anytime I looked at it, I’d remember what almost happened.
Stepping into the shower was heavenly, almost orgasmic. The hot water kneaded my muscles. It helped ease the ache I still felt in my neck from where the coin had burned. I checked myself in the mirror before I dressed, but there were no lingering marks from where the cursed object had been placed. It was just tender.
After I dressed, I bagged my tainted clothes and walked them to the trash chute. I didn’t want to ever see them again and I didn’t want any questions to arise. As much as Sebastian thought Grayson should know, I disagreed and the clothing’s presence would only make him ask questions.
I curled up on the couch with a cup of blood as I waited for Grayson to return. I thought maybe his flight was delayed, because he seemed to be running late and it wasn’t like I had a phone to call him with. As I flipped through the channels on the television, for the thousandth time, I heard the lock disengage. Panic shot through my system.
Grayson peeked around the doorframe, but the distress I felt didn’t vanish. When his eyes spotted me, he grinned. Walking through the door, I saw he was wearing a three piece dark gray suit, which would normally cause my body to tingle in all the right places, but the anxiety over what happened the night before weighed heavy on me, not to mention drinking Sebastian’s blood.
“Hey, beautiful,” he spoke holding something behind his back.
“Hey yourself, stranger,” I tried forcing a compelling smile on my face. Ihadmissed him.
“Sorry I’m late, but I had to stop by and get you these,” he pulled a bouquet of white roses from behind him.
“They’re lovely,” I took them from him. “Thank you,” I spoke, looking him in the eye, hoping that he knew I meant it. A slight smirk passed over his face, suggesting that the act was no big deal. I took the roses to the kitchen to place them in water. As I sat the vase down, Grayson came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Do you have any idea how much I missed you?” He whispered against my ear.
“No,” I chuckled.
“I guess I’ll have to show you.”
Grayson started by nibbling on my ear. I tilted my head trying to welcome the act. When he started kissing down the side of my neck, his lips caressed the spot the cursed coin had been. I couldn’t help but wince even though his touch helped soothe the ache, it was still uncomfortable.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
He moved on to nibbling my shoulder. His fingers slipped under my shirt just ever so slightly, grazing my skin. In that moment, a moment that would normally be met with unquenchable lust, the night before came flashing back. Before I knew it, I had sped across the room like only a vampire could. My hand grasped my chest while the other gripped the wall. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. I felt like ice water was running through my veins.
“Gaby?” Grayson inquired, but I barely heard him over the pounding of my heart in my ear.
He moved quickly grabbing a paper bag from the kitchen. Rushing over to me, he placed the bag over my mouth, helping me gain control over my breathing. As it started to normalize, I let my eyes glance at him. Worry and fear covered his face. I had hoped that I would be able to lose myself in him like I always had since I met him, but this time was different. I had no idea how to explain what had just happened, or rather why it had. I still didn’t want to burden him or give him another thing to worry about.
“Gaby…?” he began.
“I’m sorry,” were the only words that escaped my lips before the tears started flowing. Grayson lifted me into his arms and I burrowed into him as much as I could. Even now, he was still my comfort.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The next morning I heard Grayson talking to someone in a whisper. I tried my best not to move to give the illusion that I was still asleep.
“She had a panic attack.”
