In Blood

II. Blood for Bite

It's a wonder what his blood could do, I was fully energised, the love bites gone, the bite mark from where he inserted his fangs were all completely gone. I was all healed up like nothing happened.

"What?" I asked as I paused at the threshold of his room and the bathroom. His eyes low and hooded as he watched me from his lounging position in bed. He was sprawled out shirtless wearing a pair of low hanging joggers. I continued towel drying my hair as I walked further into the room. I continued to do this until it was slightly damp and dropped the towel on the chair. He watched me predatorily as I moved around the room.

"Come here," he said huskily. His gaze never left me as I walked to him. I was surprised I didn't trip over my foot with the way he was looking at me. I crawled onto the bed and he pulled me all the way to him tucking me in next to him.

"Where did you get this?" He asked as he picked at the collar of the shirt I was wearing, his voice dangerously low.

"Your wardrobe."

"Really?" He trailed his nose along the side of my face.

"Really, I needed a shower and I obviously didn't plan this little getaway, so I took your shirt."

I could feel his grin against my neck, "I like my clothes on you." His hands trailed along my leg up my thigh. "I bet you're not wearing anything else."

"You're hungry." I said changing the subject.

"Hmmm," he agreed as he placed a delicate kiss on the side of my head, moving my hair to the side exposing my neck he placed a soft kiss on his spot. He didn't play around his time, there was no teasing, no scorching hot kisses there was nothing intimate of that sort. He just got down to business, he lifted up onto his lap. I was straddling him now, leaving me vulnerable and exposed in so many different ways. I c****d my head to the side giving him better access and closed my eyes waiting for his teeth to sink into my flesh. One last soft kiss placed on his spot he sunk his teeth into me.

His sharp teeth pieced into me causing a gasp to leave me, my hands fisted into balls and I clenched my mouth close gritting my teeth together to prevent myself from crying out. I closed my eyes shut firmly as I waited for him to finish. My hands being pried open was when I decided to open my eyes, I was staring into Theo's stormy eyes mixture of emotions flickered through them. I was too focused on this to pass that I hadn't noticed he had finished. I left my hands open to see that my nails had dug into my skin hard enough to break the skin, there were several crescent blood stained marks in the palm of my hand.

He watched me closely, without taking his eyes off me he brought my hands to his mouth where he licked the wounds clean. "Why don't you just let yourself enjoy it?" He asked my hands still in his hold before he let go. He brought his hand to his mouth where he bit into his palm causing the blood to flow out and in a swift move he had his open wound pressed against my lips force feeding me his blood once again. He made sure there was no way I could escape with one hand holding my head to his palm and the other pushing the cut into my mouth. The blood flowed freely into my mouth causing me to sputter at the amount of blood I was refusing to drink, the blood dripped out of my mouth trickling down my chin and onto the shirt I was wearing.

"Drink!" He demanded with a growl as he pushed my head towards his palm. "Gen, I swear to you if you don't drink you will regret it."

I could hear the promise in his threat and reluctantly I swallowed what had pooled in my mouth and continued sucking from his open wound drinking as much as I could. This is why I refused to drink his blood. It was addictive, one taste and it had me craving more. Normal blood made me gag wanting to throw up it was disgusting and metallic a bad taste in my mouth but his was something else, it was sweet, warm, indulging and most importantly addictive. If I could live off this I would.

Theo forced his hand away from my mouths grasp, letting the wound close up. He watched me closely as the minutes ticked away and I was beginning to feel the withdrawal symptoms. I was beginning to feel tired. As much as it was a fast high, a quick feel good it was also a rapid low, and a swift bummer. The feeling faded as quick as it came and my mood just went downhill with it. I was beginning to feel tired and sleepy and I could tell he sensed it. My expression lazy, my eyes drooping struggling to keep open. I got off his lap and wiped away the blood surrounding my mouth on the back of my sleeve.

"Come on," he said pulling me down with him. "You need to rest." He wrapped one arm around me tucking me into his side as he spooned me. Sleep came instantaneously, it's one of the effects his blood had on me.

Sleep induced by his blood was a heavy sleep, it was almost medicated. I usually slept more than I normally do. When I woke I was slightly surprised that he wasn't up before me, I was greeted by the sight of his bare chest as he lay here next to me deeply asleep with his arms around me. He stirred when I moved so my back was facing him. My hands stretched across the bed in search of my phone, I shifted further closer to the night stand which was empty. I slowly slipped out of his hold and off the bed.

"Where are you going?" He asked, sleep evident in his voice.

I was half way across the room looking over my shoulder I gave him a smirk. "I'm going to get my phone." I tell him my voice light. "Don't worry I'm not leaving you just yet." I teased before leaving the room. I head straight to the car, where I knew my phone was there for sure. Picking up my car keys off the counter on my out I headed for the car, the sun had just set and the world was in shadows with lingering rays of light teasing in the sky.

My car was exactly where I had left it, the four by four parked disastrously waiting for a mishap to happen. Unlocking the doors I slipped into my car, I closed the doors behind me and rested my head on the steering wheel. I don't know what I was thinking when I got in here after one too many drinks, I was in no state to be driving the alcohol in my system was ridiculous yet I wasn't stopped and yet somehow I managed to get here three hours away from home safe and sound.

I took my phone out of the glove compartment where I had last threw in there. It had a truck load of messages and missed calls. I swiped the screen clearing the notification I couldn't read them or check who called they'd know I've seen it and they'd know I was ignoring them Wonders of science we have advanced so far in the mobile phone department yet we lack hover boards. Can someone explain the logic behind that?

I played with the phone in my hands, twirling and twisting it around as I sat staring blankly ahead of me. I don't know how long I sat in the dark but it was completely dark when I got out and headed back into the house. Theo was lounging on the sofa in front of the TV set.

"Come join me," He called.

When I had entered the room I was heading towards the bathroom but on his commands my foot automatically worked their way to Theo. I stood looking down at him, he wore a pair of joggers that hung lowly on his waist and remain shirtless.

"In a bit, I've got to clean this up." I said gesturing to myself and headed to the bedroom where I took one of his shirts and boxers. I stopped in front of the mirror, dried blood stained my cheeks and chin, a trail followed down my neck and to my chest. The blood had embedded itself to his shirt, some places darker than others. I took off the shirt, I had worn nothing under the shirt I had been using as a dress. Whoa, I ran my hands through my hair, the light caught the ring gaining my attention. The ring shined against the dark crimson of the blood, it was like a ray of light against the darkness that surrounded everything. I slipped the ring off washing it under the gushing water, getting rid of any of Theo's dried up blood.

My engagement ring is gorgeous, I had fallen in love with it the moment I lay my eyes on it. It is a one of a kind.

We were running late that night, it didn't happen often but that night I remember I had spilt cranberry juice all over the dress I was wearing forcing me to change into the gold gown that Luke had been trying to persuade me into. He was thrilled when I emerged from our bedroom.

"You look gorgeous," he said, beaming up at me from the bottom of the stairs.

I looked up to see him watching me, my breath hitched at the sight of him waiting for me. My heart stuttered and I knew I would be fumbling for words if I tried to speak right now so instead I sent him a smile. I gathered my dress in one hand and the banister in the other as I carefully descended down the stairs, my eyes never leaving his.

He held out his hands when I reached the bottom of the stairs, I dropped my dress taking his hand. "Thanks," I said now in his arms rather breathless. He leaned in for a kiss, my lips parted slightly waiting for him only to be disappointed when his lips pressed against my forehead.

He looked down at me, his earthy green eyes twinkling with mischief. I could stare into his eyes forever, get lost in them and have no worries about returning. His eyes were green, earthy green to be exact they had specks of gold and browns and different shades of green. Looking into them reminded me of the woods and the evergreens. They say eyes are the windows to the soul and his represented him perfectly, he loved everything to do with the outdoors; hiking, climbing, gorge walking you name it he's up to do it.

He let out a low chuckle. "Come on, we're already late as it is," he said smiling. "If you continue to look at me like that I don't think we're going to make it out the door."

I felt the heat rising as a blush crept across my cheek causing me to quickly look down. No doubt that he had seen that as he let out another chuckle, he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and lead us out the door keeping a steady hold on me he placed a kiss in my hair on the top of my head. No doubt he got a mouth full of hairspray since I kept my head down waiting for the blush to cease.

He held the door open for me and I slid in gracefully and buckled up as he closed the door. He was quick to leave, we drove for a while, one hand on the steering wheel the other on my thigh drawing patterns that caused me to shiver in delight. I looked over from the corner of my eye, he was focused looking straight ahead. I had been with him since I was seventeen and yet with him everything felt like the first time everything felt so fresh and new even though I was completely comfortable around him in every way possible, one look from him and I was a blushing school girl. One word and I was a bumbling mess he had the power to make or break me and I didn't mind as long as I could be with this man next to me for the rest of my life I was okay. I was willing to be heart broken by him but I knew that wouldn't happen this man wouldn't do that to me, his promises were made with forever in mind.

I was no longer checking him out from the corner of my eyes, I was full on staring at him. He's handsome on a normal day but right now he's something else in the midnight blue suit he wore.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked looking over my way.

"You look good in that suit," I told him without missing a beat. "You know what would look even better?"

"What?"

"That suit on the bedroom floor."

He gave my thigh a squeeze. "Tease."

"Where are you going?" I asked, we were near the sea front.

"You'll see." He assured me.

"We're already late for the charity dinner." I reminded him, it had started almost forty-five minutes ago.

"Since we're already late, it won't make a difference." He told me as he parked. He killed the ignition and got out of car before I could retaliate and was at my side holding the door open.

Any protest died, a smile took over, things like these, the small things it was that had me falling for him deeper and stronger with every little thing he did. It wasn't big acts that had my heart swooning over this man it was the small moments that lead up to the big one, like the way he'd tuck my hair behind my ear and place a kiss on my forehead or when he'd randomly pick me up twirl me around or when he'd do some selfless act because for him that was normal, that's what you're supposed to do.

A smile flickered onto my lips as I took his hands helping me out the car. He pulled me close into his arms hugging me. Stepping back I looked into his eyes, my hands cupping his face, even with the heels he was ridiculously taller than me. I pulled his face down to mine capturing his lips with mine, my eyes closed enjoying the feel of his lips against mine as I pressed the soft kiss against his, pulling away leaving him breathless.

I sighed in content looking at his expression. His eyes had darkened significantly as he licked his lips, his gaze never left mine, I guess I did have an effect on him. "Come on," he said lowly taking my hand in his. He lead the way down to the beach, the sun hung lowly ready to be swallowed by the ocean. Mixtures of reds pinks and oranges filled the sky.

I had taken off my heels which he carried in his hands, loving the feel of the sand between my toes. We walked across the beach, in silent enjoying the moment.

"Can you hear that?" He asked softly.

I strained my hearing trying to listen to whatever he was referring to. I heard the faint music meet my ears, my eyes widened as I realised the song that was playing, I looked around to see where the music was coming from but I couldn't locate it, I looked up to see he was grinning down at me, his eyes held the mischievous twinkle.

He took my hand in his, without warning he had me twirling around on the stretch of sand, the sand between my toes tickling me. Giggles erupted from my mouth as he twirled me around and around to the song playing in the distance. I stopped twirling holding onto his blazer by the collar, grinning up at him, slightly out of breath. I wrapped my hands around his neck as I stood on my tiptoes swaying as I stared into his eyes. I smiled up at him, before stepping out and pulling myself close to his.

"It's your turn to twirl," I giggled as I spun him around awkwardly, laughing when he got stuck under the small arch my arm had created for him. "Come on, one more twirl," I encourage with a giggle.

He twirls under the awkward arch laughing softly he swoops me into his arms spinning us around with a roar of laughter until he got dizzy, did he put me down, holding me close to his body, swaying slightly to the music.

Smiling he cups my face, leaning in Luke squished my features together, I don't protest to what he's doing, the twinkle in his eyes had me distracted mesmerised by the light playing in his eyes to his amusement. He leaned in so close his breath fanning over my face, lightly as feather touch he brushes his lips across mine. "I need to show you something." He said softly.

"Okay," I agreed.

"I need you to close your eyes, first."

"Alright," I closed my eyes, trusting the man blindly. I felt his hands leave mine after a minute, I felt a body press up against mine automatically my body stiffened in fear.

"It's just me." He assured me placing his hands on my shoulder and rubbing his hands down my arm in a comforting manner. His hands were gone. I felt a soft cloth press against my skin covering my eyes. "It's just a precaution."

"Don't you trust me, Hun?"

"Of course I do darling," he reassured me spinning me around so I was facing him. He gently pressed a kiss onto my forehead. "Now follow my lead." He said taking my hand in his leading the way. I walked with the blindfold on, letting him lead the way trusting him completely and blindly. "Okay, one more step." He encouraged. "One more..and we're here."

I felt him leave my presence, he was no longer holding me, "Luke?" I called out my arms stretched out in front of me searching for my lover. I turned around on my spot hands still outstretched looking for him. My fingers came in touch with the nothingness that surrounded me. "Luke?" I called out once more.

"Gen," I stopped at the sound of his voice. "When we met, we weren't looking for anything, we were being a good friend to each other and then the day, the one where we spent the entire day at the beach changed something between us. It change everything for us, we were no longer just friends but something more and when I needed you, you became my light in the darkness that threatened to swallow me alive. For a while you were what kept me afloat and for that I will always be grateful for, then there was that time when we fought like never before and I felt my heart break into a million pieces all over again seeing you like that and I realised in that moment, that I would do everything in my power to prevent you from ever being hurt and that night I swore to myself that I would never be the reason you're hurting and I have kept that promise so far, and then when you walked away it felt like I couldn't breathe and for the first time in a long time I was drowning again. To watch you walk away killed me and that I let you walk away still tears me apart. I want to be there for you, to love and to cherish for the good time and the bad if you will let, me. I want to give you the world and more, I fell in love with you a long time before I was willing to admit and every day I fall deeper and deeper, and I don't mind, I don't care if this love that I have for you consumes me whole then so be it as long as I get to spend every moment being be with you; mind, body and soul."

I took off the blindfold.

My heart stopped beating, I felt it miss several beats as I took in the sight in front of me. My mouth dropped open as I stared around me, the beach covered in lights, the sun hung low in the distance about to set any moment and the golden sand glowing from the lights that were strategically scattered across the ground.

Slowly I turned to face the man in front of me, bent down on one knee I held my breath as if he would disappear if I made any sudden move.

"Genevieve James Ellington would you do me the honour of being my wife?"

Slowly I closed the distance between ourselves I opened my mouth to speak but I was lost for words, I wanted to speak, voice my thoughts but I couldn't no sound or word was coming out instead I stood vigorously nodding my head as my vision blurred with unshed tears.

He beamed standing up, he took one stride closing the space between us.

"Y-yes," I finally choked out engulfed in his arms, my face pressed against his chest as I held onto him tightly.

We untangled ourselves from each other, placing a kiss on my for head he placed the ring onto my finger, I could hear the cheering and clapping in the distance but I was too absorbed in my own world to pay attention to anything but the man who stood before me. It was gorgeous, an intertwined band encrusted in diamonds with one single diamond sitting on top.

"It's lovely," I said looking down at my ring.

We stood embraced in each other's arms, his chin resting on top of my head as we stared out into the ocean, watching the sunset. "I was afraid you wouldn't like it."

"Why?" I asked craning my neck to look up at him.

"I designed it myself and-" I cut him off pressing my lips to his.

It was the knocking on the bathroom door that pulled me back to reality, back to where I was and what I was doing, pushing aside my conscious, I let go of the ring on my figure.

"I'll be out in a minute." I said taking in my appearance and adjusting my hair.