Page 36 of Fangs and Family
When I stood behind him, peering at the computer screen, I saw a picture that bore a remarkable resemblance to the locket we’d discussed.
‘Put the engraving around the edges, and that will be pretty much what it looked like, though, I think the chain was thicker? Oh, and there was this weird double arrow in the middle.’ I said, leaning over and pointing at the middle of the locket.
Adam didn’t look at the screen. Instead, he turned his head, his lips millimetres from my cheek when he inhaled deeply. I should have pulled away, but I froze, still talking about engravings, pretending his warm breath didn’t give me goosebumps. The tension in the air was palpable, and I waited for the bubble to burst or for Adam to pull me onto his lap, trying to manhandle me like he did in the bathroom. This time, I was more than ready to submit and give him whatever he demanded. It looked like I had a soft spot for bad boys, especially when they were good to me.
‘I have a meeting with a client looking for a stolen heirloom. He is a wealthy and powerful man, so if this locket is what he is looking for, we will know who’s trying to kill your brother.’ He whispered as we both pretended there was no tension between us.
‘And if not?’ I asked, stunned when he pulled away from me. I saw the hunger and lust in his eyes, but there was something more. A tenderness he was trying to hide, and darkness, an all-consuming darkness that threatened to turn him into the monster he believed himself to be.
‘If not, I will search deeper. I’ve barely started, Nina, but I won’t fail this job…’
‘I know you won’t,’ I cut him off. I wished I could prove to him I knew he was doing his best, but I felt words were not enough. Adam wasn’t a fool. I knew he expected trouble, yet he helped me, and I wanted to let him know I appreciated it. All of it, his help, the way he looked after me, his protection, and if all he wished for was a kiss, I was more than ready to grant it.
I drew a shallow breath and bent over, placing my lips on his. I kissed him gently, unsure if I was doing the right thing. Love was too complicated, but why should I deny us a few moments of happiness? There might not be forever, but I was happy with “for now”because whatever started when I saw him at the party felt real.
Or as real as five dead bodies and a drugged vampire could be.
As soon as our lips connected, Adam gasped, hands grasping the chair handles as if he was afraid that once he touched me, he wouldn’t be able to stop.
‘Open your mouth,’ I whispered, nipping his bottom lip, and he instantly complied.
I slid my tongue into Adam’s mouth, teasing the edges of his fangs with the tip. It was reckless, stupid even, but it felt so good, so liberating, to finally touch him. He’d shown me he wanted me, and now it was my turn to take the next step. I pushed the fear away, curious how far I could go with him while still staying safe and unhurt.
‘Fuuuck…’ As soon as a droplet of my blood formed on the tip of my tongue, Adam groaned, sucking at it desperately. His hands reached for me, but I was already pulling away, and after a moment of hesitation, he sat back, breath heaving in and out of his chest.
I moved away, my own breath ragged and urgent, but I couldn’t tear my eyes from the pink tinge of Adam’s fangs. When his features twisted into a grimace, I looked up into the crimson eyes of a vampire fighting to hold himself back from taking everything I’d just offered on a silver platter.
Gods, that was so stupid of me. How could I goad him like that and expect him to take it?I scolded myself, moving away, my hands in front of me in a defensive position.
Adam moved. I don’t know how, but he erupted from the shadows right in front of me and captured my hands, preventing my escape.
‘Are you playing me, Nina? You know I want you, and your blood… is this another of your little tests?’ The groan that escaped his clenched lips was filled with pain and confusion. Not the reaction I’d been aiming for with my reckless behaviour.
‘No, you said you wanted a kiss, and I wanted to…’ I said, swallowing hard, unable to avert my eyes from the swirling crimson pupils.
‘A few weeks ago, you didn’t think it was possible to be near me, but now you are kissing me? Please, Nina, no lies, just tell me why?’
Adam’s desperate plea tore at my heart, his grip tightening when I tried to pull free until, reluctantly, he released one of my hands. I raised it to his cheek, tentatively stroking it like I would a dangerous beast on the verge of tearing me asunder.
‘Because I wanted to. You made me want you. I like you and… I don’t want to fight you. Please understand, I don’t want a relationship. I may never want one, but each time I touch you, it feels so right. I want to try something with you… to see what is possible. This is embarrassing enough as it is, but I want you. Can we… I don’t know, can we maybe try to have a good time? We’ve been forced together again, but we don’t have to make the same mistakes. We could be friends and just enjoy things as they are, no expectations, no strings attached, and I could help you with this hunger if it gets too much.’
‘So you want me to fuck you, feed on you but not love you?’ He asked. His face turned so grim that I swallowed hard.
‘If you put it that way, maybe it is not the best idea. I just thought…, but no, you’re right, it was stupid. I’m sorry.’ I answered, unable to keep the embarrassment out of my voice.
‘Oh no, Nina. I accept. After all, I’m a man-whore, remember? How could I waste such an opportunity? Take what you want, my Obsidian. I’m all yours, and as you wish, no strings attached.’
His choice of words made me realise how utterly screwed I was, and this time, I couldn’t even blame Adam.
It felt like I’d made one mistake after another, and I needed to talk to my friend, because this clusterfuck with Adam messed with my head so badly I didn’t recognise myself.
Chapter 12
Adam remained silent after my reckless proposal, and I grasped hold of the reprieve with both hands, desperate to take a moment to think while avoiding looking at his sinfully beautiful body.
He noticed my gaze sliding over his bare torso. A mischievous smile ghosted over his lips, and before I knew it, he had tensed his muscles.
‘Show off,’ I muttered, feeling the warmth of a blush crawling over my cheeks, and his eyes crinkled in amusement.
