The Vampire Playboy - Blood and Lust

Chapter 31

Olivia's POV

The room was spinning as Noah placed soft kisses down my neck and collarbone, I was screaming inside my head begging my body to respond to him, to get excited to be turned on but it was no use. He was hotter than hot, his body was incredible, and there was nothing wrong with him, it was me. I'd let Charles get into my head and now I was paying for it.

I didn't want Noah to be the one kissing me, I wanted it to be Charles and even knowing that it could never happen I still couldn't respond as I wanted to Noah.

"S..stop," I said panting, Noah pulled back, concern across his face.

"Are you ok? If this is going too fast we can slow it down." He said sincerely.

"I'm so sorry, I thought I was ready, I did but I'm just not."

"Hey you don't need to say sorry, we're taking this at your pace, I can wait. Let's just watch the movie?" He offered.

I forced a smile, "Please don't take this the wrong way, but I think I should probably go to bed, I've had more wine than intended and I wanted to get up early to swim before everyone else gets up."

"No worries, I was thinking, maybe tomorrow we could go to town, there's a fun fair that could be great fun." He smiled a wide smile that went from ear to ear.

I knew that he probably meant just he and I but, I knew that would be a bad idea. Regardless of Charles I was planning to end it with Noah and if I was being truthful with myself I'd led him on this evening and I had to stop it.

"That sounds like an idea, I'm sure the others would love it too. What about the weather?" I asked trying to sound innocent in my assumption.

"The storm isn't due to roll in until early evening, so we should be ok."

"Sounds good, I'll tell the others in the morning. Thank you for understanding" I said as I brushed my lips on his cheek before springing off the bed. Noah caught my hand in his and gently kissed it.

"Goodnight Olivia."

"Night Noah," I said as I closed the door behind me. I glanced at Carmella's door which was closed and shook my head out. I couldn't think of what they might be doing. I crawled into bed and let the darkness envelop me as I closed my eyes.

I groaned when my alarm went off, hitting it until it stopped. The sun wasn't properly up yet and here I was going for a swim. God, I hoped this pool was heated otherwise I'd regret it. I changed into my swimsuit and grabbed a towel to take down with me, wrapping my hair into a messy bun for ease. The house was silent and in darkness, I used the torch on my phone to illuminate my way, I hesitated at the foot of the stairs, images of what I'd seen Charles and Carmella do last night came rushing back and I had to force back the tears. I opened the patio door and the cold air hit me causing me to shiver. I wished I'd brought more than a towel now. I looked around the kitchen, spotting a top on the worktop, it looked like the one Charles was wearing last night, I hesitated before grabbing it, he was sleeping and I was sure I could do some laps and be out of the pool and return it before anyone else would be up.

I dipped my toe tentatively into the pool and relaxed when a wave of warmth hit me, I lowered myself in and switched off my brain as I began to do laps. God, I had missed this so much, it was just the tonic I needed. I swam until I felt like my arms might fall off from exhaustion. Somehow I felt lighter when I climbed out of the pool. Immediately the air hit me and I shivered, it was freezing without the warmth, I grabbed the towel and found myself shivering uncontrollably. Without thinking I wrapped the towel around me like a dress and eased the straps of my swimsuit down over my arms and then down my legs, stepping out of it. I pulled the towel tighter and glanced up at the house which was still in darkness, everyone was still asleep, so I pulled on the t-shirt I'd found. I could smell Charles's aftershave over it, that strong woody musk scent. I didn't want to be in this any longer than necessary so I picked up my wet suit and towel and hastily walked back to the house.

I turned trying to close the door behind me so as not to make a noise and wake anyone up.

"Morning," the Irish buttery voice said to me stopping me in my tracks. s**t, that was the last voice I wanted to hear.

I turned to glare at him and saw his eyes widen in surprise.

"Um…" he scrubbed his hand over the back of his head, "that looks good on you," he said his eyes drawn to the hem of the top which just about covered me. I tugged it down uncomfortably.

"Why are you up?" I asked coldly.

"Making pancakes for everyone," he said, motioning behind him.

"Right, I'll go get showered and return your top" this seemed to catch him by surprise, his brows furrowed he looked deep in thought.

"Liv…."

"Don't!" I cut off turning my back to him and putting as much distance between us as I made for my room.

I sat on the edge of my bed. My heart thudded, my ears ringing, I sucked in a breath followed by another deeper, trying to steady myself to not let this panic set in. I rushed into the shower and turned on the cold water, I took a stuttering breath before relaxing and then turning on the warm water gradually. Once I'd calmed down I washed my hair and then began to dress and then dry my hair. I looked tired and haggard in the mirror. Thinking of the fun fare I put on some light makeup before deciding I'd wasted enough time and would go downstairs.

Everyone was seated and finishing breakfast when I arrived. Noah and Sophie both smiled at me. Carmella sat near Charles and I saw the free seat on the other side of him.

"Hey come get some breakfast," Sophie called over with a grin.

"Oh, I already ate." I lied, "did Noah tell you his suggestion that we all go to the fun fair today?"

"No, but that sounds awesome dude!" Owen called out, "let's do it"

"Excellent" Noah said grinning, "I'll go give them a call to make sure they're open early then we can all go. Take two cars?"

"Sure," Charles said, narrowing his eyes.

I pottered around whilst everyone got ready.

"Hey, Owen, why don't you come in the car with us this time?" I called out just as we were getting ready to go. He didn't hesitate to grin and grab Sophie's hand.

I pulled my jacket around me as the garage door opened. The sky was grey and gloomy, it almost felt suffocating how the clouds were formed in the sky. There was a slight wind with a chill in it and I wasn't sure Noah's prediction of the storm staying away until evening would be correct. Once again I followed Charles driving down narrow lanes and roads that looked more like forestry tracks until eventually after about 30 minutes we reached what looked like the edge of a town.

"Have you been here before?" I asked Owen and Sophie. Both shook their head and before long we stopped in the car park at the entrance.

I was mesmerised, by the bright lights, the colours, the movement of the rides, the bustle of people, then the sounds and oh the smells, it smelled so good, cotton candy and butter.

"I always imagined a fun fair to be like this," I said not realising I'd said it out loud.

Everyone looked at me dumbfounded.

"You've never been to one before?" Charles asked and Sophie elbowed him quickly, Carmella rolled her eyes at me.

"No, my parents, no" I shook my head."

"Of course, you haven't" Carmella muttered whilst giving me a look.

I decided I wasn't waiting longer and made my way in, I looked around and like a kid in a candy shop, I was spoiled for choice and didn't know what to do first.

"Come on, let's go on the ghost train" Sophie laughed as she hooked her arm in mine and pulled me along. She handed some tokens to the operator before we got into a car that began to move, I laughed and screamed, followed by more screaming as animated objects or props jumped out on us or fell scaring me, Sophie laughed every time I jumped and screamed, by the time we reached the end she was laughing hysterically and we emerged to find the others all laughing waiting for us.

I smiled as I got off the ride. "I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't that" they all laughed again before motioning me to follow them to bumper carts. That I had to admit was much more fun, driving around trying to dodge people and bump into others until I realised Carmella was deliberately targeting me and nobody else.

"What the hell is your problem?" I asked as she bumped into me again as they came to a stop.

"You are" she spat at me.

Noah and Charles both stopped moving and turned their attention to us.

I didn’t want to dignify it with a response so jumped out of the cart and walked off to catch up with Sophie and Owen. I watched as they went on a ride called the sticky wall which seemed like a death trap to me. It was a circle when you stood against the wall and it rotated at speed and you stuck to the sides without any restraints.

"Hey, I won this for you," Charles said handing me a stuffed bear. I rolled my eyes and walked away from him trying to find Noah. He gave chase.

"Is something wrong?" He asked lightly, grabbing my arm.

"Let go," I said and he immediately did as he was told and took a step back.

I turned on my heels, plastering on a smile as Noah came towards me with a big bag of cotton candy. I made a conscious effort from that point on to avoid both Carmella and Charles, sticking by Sophie and being the third wheel on rides.

After a few hours, we had done most of the rides several times when it started to rain. I felt strong arms wrap around me and turned to find Noah smiling at me.

"Thank you for bringing me here, I had a lot of fun" I grinned.

"You're welcome, I liked seeing you like this, so relaxed and always smiling"

"Are you saying I don't smile?" I teased

He laughed nervously, "I'm saying it's getting late and we're getting wet so we should go home, maybe grab takeout on the way too"

"Pizza?" I asked, flashing my teeth as we walked to the car. Noah nodded and kissed my cheek, Noah came in the car with me on the way home, directing us to the house as the others went to get food.

I helped Sophie lay the table for everyone whilst Noah fetched wine. My stomach objected at the sight of it. A while later the others appeared with 10 pizza boxes.

"We didn't know what kind everyone wanted so Charlie insisted we got just about everything on the menu," Owen said, "best birthday ever"

I watched as Charles took a seat and Carmella went over, wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear. Charles stiffened and I'd seen enough, I hastily grabbed a slice of pizza and walked eating it into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of wine.

"Does that bother you?" Carmella hissed in my ear. I sighed.

"I don't know what you're talking about" I rolled my eyes.

"Don't think you're special, he'll f**k you and toss you aside like everyone else"

"I'm sure Noah will be delighted to hear that." I laughed

"Don't play Miss innocent."

"I'm done," I said as I walked away from her leaving her open-mouthed, grabbing the wine and pizza as I did so, I sat beside Owen who was talking about booking a holiday with Sophie. I joined in suggesting some locations I'd been in until enough time had passed and I could excuse myself to go start getting dressed to go out. I grabbed a half-full bottle of wine on my way to my room, Sophie laughed and winked as he caught me. Prompting me to giggle. If I had to get through tonight I'd at least do it with a buzz. Only tonight and tomorrow and then I'd be out of this hell and Carmella and Charles could do what the f**k they wanted.

Ever so lady like I took a swig of wine from the bottle as I began to curl my hair and put on a thick layer of makeup. The more I drank the bolder I became with my makeup until I hardly recognised myself in the mirror.

I fingered through the clothes I'd brought with me and picked out a short leather skirt, tights and a sequin champagne-coloured wrap top that showed off my breasts which happened to look amazing in the push-up bra I'd brought even if I did say so myself. I finished the outfit off with a pair of black heels that I couldn't even stumble in let alone walk.

I heard a knock on the door. "Yeah?"

"Hey, are you ready?" Sophie called out.

"Just coming," I said as I grabbed a bag and emerged from the room as Carmella. She was wearing the shortest and tightest purple dress I had seen in my life, but I had to admit her figure looked incredible. I barged in front of her and made my way downstairs to go find the others. My eyes immediately went to Charles who was on the sofa.

"Woah, look at you," Noah said as he sucked in a breath.

I felt myself blush and take a step towards him, I leaned forward and brushed his lips with mine momentarily whilst not taking my eyes off Charles who was behind him.

"Taxis are here" Charles growled.