Page 45 of Life Blood
“And so it begins,” Sophie said as the girls stood up in a blurred motion.
The next thing I knew, I was cradled in Braden’s large biceps, and I couldn’t resist placing my hand on his cheek when my eyes met his. “What begins?” Braden asked me as if he and I had been together for years.
I wanted to kiss his full lips so badly my body ached inside. My God, if this was already my reaction toward Braden, then I was in trouble tonight. My heart was pounding in anticipation of what could happen once we were alone.
“You two coming or walking home?” one of the guys yelled.
I snapped out of it and realized both of us seemed to be locked in place, not hearing the others leave us.
“Sex on the beach is always awesome,” another guy shouted.
“Ignore those assholes,” Braden rolled his eyes, “Let’s get you home. Are you hungry?”
“Come to think of it, I am,” I answered.
“Then we’ll scrounge some leftovers before you go for a swim tonight. That’s assuming you still want to get in the pool like you mentioned earlier,” he said setting me down.
“Right,” I eyed him, “That’s if you leave me alone with your little mind games and not let me get sleepy.”
Braden laughed, “Sorry about that. I kind of figured you were getting sick of all the sex talk. I swear those girls are the horniest vamps I’ve ever met.”
“Did you have sex with them while you fed?” I couldn’t believe that question just dropped out of my mouth like that.
Braden’s lips tightened, “I am sorry. It is sort of how we feed. The—”
I placed my hand over his forearm, “They explained it all to me. I was just curious who the lucky vampire was?” I smiled at him, feeling jealous suddenly.
He sighed, “Regrettably?”
“Who?” I pressed.
“Val,” he finally said. “And I’m sorry to admit that to you, but now you know why she was acting so crazy toward you at dinner the other night. I think her attitude has changed now that she’s accepted who you are and what you mean to me.”
“Did you and her have a thing? Like, did you think you were mates or whatever?”
Braden laughed, “Val was just who I fed on. Did it lead to sex? Yes. Did she fuck around with other guys, yes.” He looked at me in confusion. “Why would you ask anyway?”
I rubbed my forehead, “I really have no idea, that’s none of my business.”
He stopped me and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, “My life is yours, Elle. Whatever I’ve done in the past will never be done again.”
“And if I’m not comfortable having sex with a vampire?”
“Then I know how to personally take care of that issue if it becomes one.”
Oh, shit.That turned me on immediately. The thought of Braden… I shook my head and saw him smiling at me confidently. “What’s funny? Can you read my mind too?”
“I wish I could because I’d love to know why your eyes are dazed and cheeks flushed. Does it turn you on to know I won’t have sex with you?”
“How about that swim?” I laughed.
“Hey, Braden!” I heard Cole say, walking down toward us. “Some dicks are fucking around with a chick in the alley. You wanna help me handle this or are you staying with Elle?”
I glanced over at Zac, seeing his burning stare in our direction, “Hey, you go. I’ll take a swim and see you tonight.”
“Sure about that?” he asked.
“Wait. Doesn’t law enforcement handle this stuff?”
