The Vampire Playboy - Blood and Lust

Chapter 27

Olivia's POV

"It's not too late to change your mind, you don't have to come," Sophie said as she stood at the door waiting for me to finish packing my bag. I'd gone over every single piece of clothing I owned, had repacked the bag twice now and had a panic over a swimsuit and now the guys were due to arrive any moment.

I shook my head and forced a smile. "I'm good."

The truth was I wasn't good. I wasn't sure I was doing the right thing going. I hadn't seen or heard from Charles since I woke last weekend to find he had moved me to bed and was completely gone. I'd sent a message to say thanks for staying with me and putting me to bed but it went unanswered. Noah had also kept his distance, a sheepish call to apologise and bringing in a bunch of flowers one night when I was on shift, he had otherwise avoided O'Malley's whilst I was working. I'd told him it was fine, and I'd accepted his apology but I was glad of the distance. I knew once this weekend was over I'd be breaking up with him. As for Charles, the feelings involved there were more complicated. Spending time with him felt comfortable and safe but exhilarating too but I wasn't sure I could trust him.

I'd dreaded this weekend. Everyone else was excited, especially Sophie and Owen, and I vowed to do this for my best friend. I could do it. I didn't dislike Noah, it wasn't like that, he just didn't make me feel the way I probably should about a boyfriend, the way that I did about Charles, but Spending a whole weekend with them in the same house wasn't going to be easy or comfortable. But I couldn't deny Sophie this weekend and I had to admit, the cabin Owen had described sounded amazing, especially the swimming pool and hot tub. I took a deep breath and zipped my case closed before carrying it downstairs.

David wasn't thrilled at us going and he made no bones about it.

"Now I want you girls to be careful, anytime you want to come home you get straight in that car or you call me and I'll come to get you. Don't drink too much and keep your wits about you." He said in a stern voice.

Sophie rolled her eyes and laughed.

I smiled, as much as I thought it was an overreaction, I still secretly enjoyed finally having someone who cared about my welfare so much as to give me a lecture. I appreciated that.

"I promise we'll be careful David, we've even got separate bedrooms," I said, trying to reassure him.

"See, why can't you be sensible like Liv!" David said, holding his arms out in protest to Sophie.

"Dad!" Sophie protested with a laugh as David took my case along with Sophie's and took them to my car. A black Volvo similar to mine pulled up behind me, I couldn't tell through the tinted windows who was driving and I didn't recognise the car. David turned, placed his hands on his hips and made a throaty noise as he narrowed his eyes.

Charles appeared from the driver's side, followed by Owen and Noah from the back and passenger side.

"Nice car," Sophie said, "exactly how many do you have?"

Charles smirked, "just a few, this one's bigger for our luggage and better for the terrain"

Owen gave Sophie a shy kiss on the cheek and moved back to a safe distance under the watchful glare of David.

"I'm warning you, no funny business. You know the rules and the consequences" David said looking directly at Noah and Charles. Neither answered except to nod.

"I'll let you get off, I don't like you driving somewhere strange in the dark, now come give me a hug," he said holding his arms out. Sophie immediately moved to her dad and wrapped her arms around him, I wasn't sure what to do so shuffled my feet awkwardly. "You too, you're part of this family too," David said as he grabbed my arm and pulled me into a hug with him and Sophie. I wasn't used to this and felt my body automatically tense.

David laughed "You best get used to this kiddo"

I smiled and looked to Sophie for reassurance. She had been amazing taking me in but I did worry sometimes that because David treated us the same that she might feel like I was muscling in on her dad. There was no sign of that on her face at all and I relaxed slightly but immediately tensed when Sophie's face changed to a look of shock and realised she was looking behind me. I turned to find Carmella strutting down the street towards us wheeling a case behind her.

I heard a cough come from Noah and saw him slap Charles on the back "surprise, call it a gift" Noah said with a wide grin.

Charles looked like he was struggling to control his reaction but his face stayed blank until he turned to Noah. "What the actual fu*k? Tell me you didn't invite her?" He hissed.

Noah laughed harder, "bro, it's been months by my reckoning, they'll be turning blue, so I thought I'd give you a helping hand, Carmella has always been Ummm eager to help out before"

I felt my mouth drop open when the penny finally dropped that Noah had invited Carmella for Charles, so she could be his own personal toy for the weekend. "She's not coming in my car" I spat before I could stop myself.

Noah raised his eyebrows and Charles looked shocked. David looked slightly concerned as to what was unfolding in front of him. "She promised she would be on her best behaviour darling," Noah said, placing a hand cautiously on the small of my back. I didn't recoil away from his touch and felt him relax slightly. "If you don't feel comfortable with her being here I'll send her away, I just felt bad for Charlie being on his own with couples all weekend, and besides I expect they'll spend all weekend in his bedroom" he brushed his lips briefly across my cheekbone and I gritted my teeth whilst trying to think of how to reply.

If I put my foot down I knew Noah would tell her to go but then I'd look like the bad guy. There was no love lost between me and Carmella but was that the reason that I didn't want her going or was it because she was meant here for Charles? I had no right to feel jealous. Charles wasn't mine and I wasn't his, I had a boyfriend.

"I'll put up with her," I said as I caught the eyes of Charles who was looking at me curiously. I turned and sharply opened the door and lodged myself in the driver's seat. Sophie raised her brow but got the hint, the passenger door opened and slid Carmella. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and felt my teeth grind together.

"Be a sweetheart Charlie and put my bag into the boot for me?" Carmella said in a sickly sweet voice with a pouty smile. I watched in the rearview mirror as he silently did what she asked before slamming her door shut and then coming around to my door. I fought the urge to slam it shut in his face, I knew I was being irrational. He could sleep with whoever he wanted. We are nothing to each other.

"I'll go ahead, follow behind, if you get out of sight or run into any problems give me or one of the guys a call. We should be at the cabin in a couple of hours." Charles said.

I nodded defiantly before turning on the car, letting music flood my ears. I looked straight ahead until I heard Charles sigh and close the door.

"Interesting" I heard Carmella mutter from the back.

"It's still not too late to change your mind," Sophie said.

"Yeah, it is," I said with a sour tone and turned to wave at David as I watched Charles's car pull in front of mine. This was going to be a long drive and an even longer weekend, already I wanted to be back home.

Sophie and Carmella both chattered away as I concentrated on driving. Sophie didn't try to engage me in conversation and I was grateful, I knew she would have picked up on me not wanting Carmella here and so spent the drive distracting her as I hummed along to the music.

"I've heard it's more like a mansion than a cabin" I heard Carmella say and I snorted.

"Tell me, Carmella, what about Charles's money first attracted you to him?" I asked with a cackle.

I saw Sophie raise her eyebrows and suck in a breath.

Carmella cackled back at me, "jealous, are you? Do you know what I think Olivia? I think you are jealous, you picked the wrong friend or is it you that you settled for the one that wanted you? Are you jealous that I'm going to spend this weekend in bed with Charlie and you're not? I think you are"

"Oh please, don't make me laugh. Are you sour because neither of them wants you long-term?" I replied laughing.

"You can't change them you know, neither of them is the marrying kind, both like their playthings their toys, and I'm more than happy to play with them, but you, you're the marrying kind, you're out of your depth little girl," Carmella said before blowing a bubble with her gum and popping it.

I had no witty reply this time. She was right about it all and I couldn't deny it.

"Holy s**t, is that the cabin?" Sophie said, breaking the tension.

"Wow," Carmella said as the cabin stood on top of a hill which came closer into view.

It looks like it had three floors to it. There was a deck out front that seemed to wrap around the building. A large triple garage was on the bottom and aside from the wood, the front of the cabin was mostly large glass windows that looked out across the hills and forest below it. I followed Charles and pulled up outside the garage and watched as the doors opened and he drove inside, I followed. My mouth dropped when I saw the row of cars in front of me, I was wrong this didn't hold 3 cars, it was more like 6.

The doors closed behind us as we got out of the cars and took our bags, Charles began to lead the way.

"Ready for the grand tour?" Charles said with a wink.

"Dude, you know it, this place is insane!" Owen said.

We followed him through a door into an open room that looked like a games room with a pool table, black leather reclining sofas, a black gloss bar with optics stood along the back wall, a projector hung from the ceiling in front of a blank white wall, on another wall, there was an old fashioned jukebox and several pinball machines and old video games.

"This is the basement, otherwise known as the man cave or games room."

Up another wooden staircase and we entered an open plan room with a large black TV on the wall, an oak coffee table framed by a large white corner sofa and two white single armchairs that sat next to an open fireplace which was already roaring, in the back right corner was an open plan kitchen with a large white gloss breakfast bar floating in the middle. An American-style silver fridge and freezer, a range cooker and white gloss cabinets framing all around. The room was flooded by the massive floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors that went out onto the front deck, the oak dining table and chairs positioned near the kitchen and sliding patio doors to the back.

"This is self-explanatory," Charles said with a smirk before walking to the back sliding doors, everyone following in step as he slid them open and we all poured out onto the deck which had stairs leading down to a slightly lower deck that held a massive swimming pool from which steam radiated and a hot tub to the left. "The pool's heated so feel free to use it anytime, likewise the hot tub. I've had the kitchen packed with food and drinks so help yourself. There's a bathroom under the stairs next to the kitchen."

I glanced at Sophie who had her arm wrapped under Owen’s as she was whispering into his ear.

He walked back inside and we followed like sheep as he went up yet another staircase that opened to a long corridor with various doors.

"The main bathroom is the second door on the right, my office is the second on the left, and that room is out of bounds. There are 6 bedrooms on this floor, all have their own bathrooms, pick whatever room you want" he said motioning down the hallway.

"Where are we sleeping?" Carmella asked him as she fluttered her eyelashes.

"You can sleep anywhere down here, I'm taking the master suite which is on the top floor."

"There's another floor?" Sophie asked incredulously.

Charles smirked again and I rolled my eyes which only seemed to amuse him more.

"Yeah, the door right down at the end of the hallway opens up to a staircase which takes you to the master suite. Also known as my bedroom, which is also a no-go area. Invitation only, if you get my drift"

"Eww" Sophie groaned whilst making sick motions prompting me to laugh.

I felt someone brush up against me and glanced to find Noah smiling at me.

"Let me take your bag, I'll put you in the room next door to mine, it's got a great view." He said and I nodded, relieved he didn't suggest we share one.

Noah opened the door and popped my bag inside. I followed him inside and gasped. The room had glass floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides which were draped by heavy grey curtains. The bed was large with a square open wooden frame around it and draped in grey blankets with a grey fur blanket at the foot of the bed, two silver mirrored bedside cabinets at each side with grey and silver lamps on top of them. I made my way over to the windows and looked out. The view was stunning. I felt arms wrap around me and Noah placed his chin on my shoulder.

"I know things have been weird, it's my fault, but I think this will be good for us."

Guilt caused my stomach to turn until I swallowed it down. I shift and put my arm around his back, hugging him back.

"I've missed you" he whispered. I closed my eyes and placed a small kiss on his lips, seeing his chance Noah took it, his lips pressed harder into mine, seeking permission to deepen the kiss, I hesitated before allowing him to. Maybe I hadn't given him or this enough of a chance? His tongue danced with mine slowly and I felt him groan into my mouth before his arms tightened around me and he pushed the kiss further, the tips of his fingers gently applying pressure to my skin.

"Ahem" came a voice and then the sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted us.

I pulled away and looked around embarrassed to find Charles standing against the doorframe looking amused, Carmella peeking around from his side.

"Worst timing bro" Noah grumbled and I saw a muscle tick in his jaw as Charles grinned like a Cheshire cat back at him.

"This lot want to go for a swim if you are game?" Charles said motioning behind him.

"Count me in, Olivia?" Noah said as he pulled me into him. He was hard, I could most definitely feel it with how he pressed into me and I'm guessing that was his intention. He was testing the waters.

"Actually I'm kind of hungry and tired, I don't know about everyone else, but I thought maybe I could see what food there is and I'd maybe make dinner for everyone. I could do that while you all enjoy a swim, I've got a good book to keep me company too." I answered.

Noah looked like he was about to sulk, and Carmella looked delighted.

"You sure? I can stay and keep you company?" Noah quizzed.

"I'm sure, I'd like to just get changed and then cook, I love cooking and that kitchen looks amazing, but you go enjoy the pool, let me know how it is, I'm looking forward to a morning swim tomorrow," I said with a smile before placing a reassuring kiss on Noah's lips. Noah gave me a quick peck back.

"Ok, I'll see you downstairs darling, if you get lonely I'll be happy to keep you company."

"I bet you would," snorted Carmella.

I shot her a deadly look as she flipped her finger at me and turned around. I stood and watched as Noah filed out of the door, Charles stood for a second longer, his eyes lingering, his mouth silent before he turned and closed my door behind him.

I flopped down on the bed and groaned into the pillow. The bed felt amazing like I'd imagine a cloud to feel like. I thought of that pool and ached to get into it, but I knew I'd be playing with fire if I did that now with Noah. It was best to be avoided and it was true I did like cooking. I opened out my suitcase and vegan putting away my clothes before looking at a long woollen grey jumper dress I'd packed, I could wear that with my black tights that faded at the thigh so it looked like I had bare thighs, I pulled it on before pulling my hair into a loose bun. When I thought I'd waited long enough for everyone to be in the pool I decided to head downstairs.

I turned into the kitchen and began opening doors to see what I had to work with. I opened one cupboard door to find a wine fridge, my hand automatically went to a bottle of red wine which looked expensive. Well, he did tell us to help ourselves I thought as I took the bottle out and looked for a corkscrew to open it and a glass. Once I'd accomplished that goal I took a tentative sip of the wine. I didn't drink wine, only on occasion with my parents at dinner and I hadn't enjoyed it much then but this tasted good. I put the glass to my lips again and took another sip.

"You went for the Bordeaux, good choice," Charles said from out of nowhere causing me to jump and trace the voice. He was standing near the staircase with nothing on but a pair of shorts. My mouth became dry and I couldn't peel my eyes away from his body. The body I'd felt pressed against me and had guessed was ripped and toned, yeah I wasn't far off, he was more glorious than I could have imagined. Every inch of his chest and abs looked like they were sculpted from marble. Butterflies plagued my stomach and I felt a tingling between my legs as I continued to take in every inch of bare skin. I gulped another mouthful of wine and watched Charles as his mouth twitched into a half smile at one side.

"Enjoying the show?" He teased me.