Page 74 of House of Crimson Hearts
She fires me the filthiest stare, so I increase the pace of my finger, rubbing her clit faster and faster, then I slide down to her entrance, coating my finger with her wetness. I pull my hand from her hot core, lean back and bring my finger to my mouth.
She gasps as I slide it in my mouth, sucking her juices off my finger right in front of him.
“Mmm, delicious,” I say. I push the button one last time knowing she’s about to go over the cliff. “She’ll have the same.”
“Oh fuck, fuck,” she moans, and then she leans back and comes apart, twitching as her orgasm wracks her body.
The waiter, his face totally crinkled with confusion, scribbles on his pad and scurries away.
“You win. It’s Verity. Okay? Verity fucking Fairbanks.”
“At least the orgasm was worth it.” I grin.
She pulls herself upright, and I push a straggly strand of hair away from her face. “Totally worth it. You have to promise to keep it safe. Never tell anyone.”
“I promise,” I say.
And I did keep her name safe, even after that night ended and she broke my heart. I never told a soul.
Chapter20
OCTAVIA
When the partnering ceremony is over, we leave the ballroom swiftly. The hunters exit first, scrambling out in a less than orderly fashion. The vampires speed out even faster in a rush of pissed off mutters. Though from what I could discern, all of their comments were directed at the hunters, no doubt to save themselves from being ashed like Lord Berkeley.
Cordelia gestures for the ten of us chosen ones to follow her along with the Chief. None of us move, each giving the other surreptitious glances. We might be standing next to our partners, but our partners are still the enemy.
No one wants to make the first move.
The air is as tight as our bodies are stiff.
“Now,” Cordelia says sticking her head back through the door.
Red glances at me and nods, we move first, united in a way the others are not.
We make our way through the imposing castle. It’s cold; the evening chill outside seeps through the cobbles and thick stone walls. The moon shines bright tonight, showering the halls with beams of dust motes and shafts of pale, glistening light.
The corridors are peppered with wall lanterns interspersed between the numerous portraits. She takes us to one of the wings and up into her office turret.
Red makes a huffing sound.
“What?” I ask under my breath.
“The Chief’s office is in a turret remarkably similar to this one. It must be a leadership thing. Wanting to be at the top of the castle.”
“I’ve no doubt. There’s a reason Castle St Clair is situated on top of the highest mountain in the city. Mother likes to be above everyone.”
“You sound bitter.”
“I sound right, and maybe a little tired,” I say.
“Tired of…?”
I consider not telling her, keeping my shame and secrets locked away. But it’s Red, and she’s always known how to nestle into my heart. “I’m tired of being hated because I was born this way and everyone else was turned.”
“Have you ever thought that maybe instead of isolating you and making you different that it sets you apart because you’re special? Because you’re meant for something more? Because you are unique in the best way possible?”
I’m silent as I blink at her, digesting her words.
