Page 54 of Those That Don't Exist
“Ppffftt,” I feign, my voice surprisingly level.
“Maybe the textbooks you’ve been reading missed certain things out. I’ll enlighten you.” His voice drops to a deeper baritone. “Being what I am means I can distinguish the blood type of every single person in this room. I can pick up other scents too. I can tell when a person is intoxicated, scent alcoholor drugs in their system. I can tell who has showered today or is just relying on deodorant. I can tell who has been recently sexually gratified or who is aroused right now.”
I swear feeling his breath against my neck as he speaks has me nearly combusting. My insides tense, right where his hand is splayed against my stomach. Of course he feels it and spreads his fingers wider.
“I can’t help my body's reaction to your hands all over me.” I aim for indifference but fail entirely.
“It's me?” he whispers. “I’m getting you this turned on?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know how hot you are, I’ve hardly held back my interest in you,” I say, tilting my head to the side so I can talk low enough only he’ll hear.
“Red, you’ve not told me outright how you feel, or what you’d like us to be. I told you my intentions towards you on the night we spent together, but you never reciprocated. I thought…” He sounds genuinely surprised.
Is he right? Oh shit…
Is that why he has been distant, and responding to my constant texts in a more professional manner?
“Well, let this be me making it clear, I want you. Though can you cut the alpha-hole bullshit? I have been fine looking after myself for months.”
“Not a chance, Red,” he growls at my ear.
“I need you to trust me when I say I’m not feeling like I did at the party.”
“Then let me be clear.” His voice cuts to my bones. “Be as it may you don’t feel thirsty right now, I have been around enough newly turned to know our instincts can flip like a switch.”
I go to interrupt him, he might be experienced but he can’t assume everything about me, I don’t even have fangs. But he continues talking, an edge to his voice which quickly kills my objections.
“However, the main reason I’m not letting another living being touch you is because I don’t want a single person in this building to think they have even a remote chance with you. And now you’ve given me a green light to pursue you. I won't be holding back.” My breath hitches. “I don’t think you fully comprehend, Red, what you’re doing to me.” He brings his body flush to mine from behind and I feel it, the effect I’m having on him against my ass. His hard length grinds into me as I heat up another few degrees.
“So, yes. I’m going to act protective and possessive because I want you to only see me. I should be the only one who gets to touch you. Especially when you’re wearing a dress like that, and smelling so fucking incredible you have me clawing to hold on to my own sanity.”
His lips brush the skin behind my ear again as he talks. I swear there’s a light press of something harder and far more deadly. His fangs. The sensation sends skitters of electricity flashing down my spine.
I don’t know how to respond other than to push back against him, into him, and take another hit of delicious friction between our bodies. Screw this club night.
“Let’s get out of here,” I rasp.
“Doyou think I’ll get fangs?” I muse as we stroll down the tree lined street alongside the river. The cool breeze coming in from the coast calms some of the raging heat I felt in the club, but also clears the air between us. I see the growing frustration for what it was now, Ty thought I wasn’t interested in him.
“Yes, but hopefully it won’t happen for a while, your change seems to be on a very slow trajectory so far.”
“You don’t want it to happen?” I link my fingers through his as we walk side by side. I’m going to be clear from now on. I want him.
“It's not that. Now I know you’re changing, I'd rather you got your fangs. They’re a very handy way to defend yourself. But as soon as you get them I won’t be able to hide you from Adicious any longer. As soon as you drink for yourself I’m under orders to deliver you right to him.”
“And you think he’ll force me into a mate bond?”
“Yes.”
“And you don’t want that because you want me?” I say it hesitantly but I’m going to triple check we’re on the same page now.
“Yes, Red.” I hear the smile in his voice. “However, I want you to be able to choose. It’s barbaric what he’s trying to do.”
“So noble,” I tease, trying to keep the lightness even though we are talking about some real dark shit.
Ty laughs.
“Don’t put me on too high a pedestal, Red. I’m not planning on letting you near any other males until you choose me. And if you do - choose me, that is - I don’t share.”
