The Vampire Playboy - Blood and Lust

Chapter 29

Olivia's POV

I'd given up pushing my food around my plate and pretending to eat. I was swaying between being hurt and angry and feeling like a fool having witnessed the display between Charles and Carmella in the hot tub. I'd gone off my food as soon as I saw them together like that. Yes, I was jealous, but I was also angry at myself for believing the act he had been performing for me. I was an i***t to believe he genuinely might have had feelings for me or wanted me. I'd come up to my room to get changed, I'd gotten pretty warm whilst cooking and now felt gross in these clothes. I just wanted to be comfortable and drown myself in that delicious wine. I made a mental note to take a photo of the bottle to buy some when I got home. The sun was setting causing everything to glow red. I grabbed some new pyjamas that I'd bought, black bottoms that were trimmed with lace and a black camisole that was also trimmed with lace. I'd pack a large grey wrap shawl which I took out and wrapped around my shoulders so I felt less exposed before going back downstairs.

Sophie and Owen were laying on the sofa, Sophie's head in Owen’s lap, and both were laughing together. I envied how comfortable they were with each other and how happy they were. Noah was chatting with Carmella who had changed into the skimpiest satin pyjama shorts and top I had ever seen and Charles was nowhere to be found.

"Hey, come sit down" Noah called over when he saw me.

"Actually I was going to go outside for a few minutes for some fresh air first," I said whilst glancing at the beauty of the forest sunset out of the window.

"Do you want me to come?" He replied.

I smiled and shook my head, "No you stay here and relax, I won't be long, just find some music or something to put on, none of the crap Sophie suggests" I said giggling.

"Hey! I heard that" Sophie said, trying to sound faux hurt.

I laughed and slid out of the door onto the top deck. I inhaled deeply letting the fresh air cleanse my lungs. There was a chill in the air so I pulled my shawl around me tight as I walked to the rail and looked out to the view. I closed my eyes letting the air ripple over me, breathing in through my nose, I could smell the pine from the forest. I stood for a few minutes taking in the view before noticing a wooden patio set in the corner, without thinking I made my way to that and positioned myself in a chair looking out once more. I heard the patio door slide open but ignored it, focusing on taking another deep breath. There really was something about this fresh air that felt cleansing and I felt myself relax with a contented smile. Charles stood beside me before taking a seat in the chair next to me. I could smell the fresh coffee from the cup he had in his hand. I knew it had likely come from the fancy coffee machine in the kitchen that I had not the first idea of how to operate. I turned, taking the coffee from his hands and helping myself to a few sips before handing it back to him.

My brain caught up to my actions and I felt myself glow warm, embarrassed by what I'd just let myself do, Charles had an amused smile on his face. He sighed. "Liv, that before, it wasn't what it looked like, I didn't invite her onto my lap and if Noah hadn't been there I'd have dumped her off it sooner."

"It's none of my business," I said, closing my eyes and inhaling once more. When I opened my eyes Charles was rubbing his temples.

"I'm not interested in her but I can't just tell her that, I can't just tell Noah that. He's noticed I've lost interest in every single female, he's noticed I haven't made an effort or pulled anyone in months. I can't tell him that's because I don't want anyone but his girlfriend, that I can't stop thinking about you and only you. So yes I need to entertain Carmella to a certain extent to stop Noah from asking questions but I swear, I am not interested and nothing will happen between me and her or me and any other female."

I was conflicted. I wanted to believe him, I wanted to trust him but I knew his history, he had been open about it. Why would he change for me? I remained silent, after a moment Charles leaned forward and gently placed his forehead to mine.

"Say something please." He urged quietly.

I didn't know what to say or what to do. My body desperately wanted to jump onto him, to climb onto his lap like Carmella did and ask him if she made him hard like I knew I did. I glanced at the door to see if anyone was watching. Where the patio set was placed I couldn't see anyone at all which meant that they likely couldn't see us either and wouldn't until they were actually out on the deck itself. Stupidity won over and I acted. I gave him no indication, I took the coffee out of his hands, took another sip and then placed it on the table. Charles looked at it confused, I moved quickly, practically jumping into his lap, I placed my palms on either side of his face and lowered my lips to his. I could feel his breathing growing thicker and a hard mass pressed against the inside of my thigh. Swiftly I felt Charles's hands under me and then as though I was weightless he lifted me into the air and placed me on my feet.

"Liv we can't, not like this," he said with a shake of the head before taking the coffee and going inside leaving me alone. I couldn't make sense of it in my head, he claimed he didn't want Carmella and nothing would happen between them but I knew what I'd seen him let her do. When I tried to do the same he stopped me without explanation. Tears strung at the corners of my eyes, and I refused to let them fall, not tonight. I was embarrassed by my behaviour and contemplated just excusing myself to bed, but then thought about how that would look to everyone else. I hadn't been interacting with them all really, and it wasn't fair to them. So I resolved to go back inside, drink wine and fake having a good time to get through the evening. When I'd composed myself enough I returned to the others. Noah smiled as he saw me and patted a space on the sofa next to him. Sophie and Owen were in the same position as before and Carmella was of course perched on Charles's lap once again. I smiled and picked up the glass of wine on the table which I assumed was for me before sitting next to Noah. He promptly put one arm around my shoulders before pulling me closer to him, I didn't protest.

I listened as Owen told stories about his university course, Carmella about the antics in O'Malley's, and sometimes stories about her and Noah or she and Charles. Sophie would talk about her crazy customers, but I had no stories to tell, no funny antidotes or memories. Sophie seemed to realise this pretty early on and so would cover for me and tell stories about her and me, whilst I nodded and laughed and sipped my wine, refilled my glass, rinse and repeat. Sometimes I'd glance at Charles and find him looking at me too, other times he and Carmella seemed to be laughing together and I'd feel an intense burning jealousy. Just as I'd reached my tipping point of watching them together Sophie and Owen announced they were going to bed and I seized on the opportunity to retreat to my room too. I'd consumed a lot of wine which left me feeling warm and buzzed but slightly tired.

Noah came behind me, steadying me as I walked up the stairs and towards my room.

"You can um, say no if you want, I won't be offended." Noah rubbed his hand behind his head like he was nervous prompting me to giggle. "Do you want to watch a movie? You don't have to stay in my room and nothing has to happen between us, I promise I'll be the perfect gentleman."

I considered that for a moment. I wasn't tired, I had just wanted to escape the spectacle downstairs, it wasn't super late either, I did want to get up early to swim before everyone else woke up but I could set an alarm for that. Spending time with Noah wasn't the worst thing, and I could leave for my room anytime I wanted. He had a massive sofa in his room which meant we wouldn't have to watch it in bed and I could keep a bit of distance between us so he wouldn't think it would lead anywhere. "Ok, but no romantic comedy or war movies, how about a thriller?" I said.

Noah's face immediately glowed with a toothy grin as he opened the door to his bedroom, motioning for me to go first. He flicked on the TV and handed me the remote, I began surfing the various options whilst he went into the bathroom, re-emerging wearing a pair of loose grey shorts and nothing else.

I swallowed hard. Oh lord his body was similar to Charles, sculpted perfectly, muscles rippling across all of the bare areas. I felt myself get embarrassed as he noticed me looking until Charles didn't have that cocky smirk, he had a gentle smile. I wobbled on my feet and felt dizzy as I tried to move, grasping the arm of the sofa to steady myself. Noah moved to steady me too, concern on his face.

"Are you ok?" He asked, his concerned tone matching his expression.

"I'm fine, I probably drank a bit too much wine, how about you find us a film to watch whilst I go get a glass of water, it seems like I could do with one," I suggested.

Noah smiled and reached for the remote. I tossed my shawl off onto the sofa feeling too warm suddenly and made my way down to the kitchen. I knew I should have been more responsible with the wine, now I'd be likely to feel dreadful in the morning. My feet were rooted to the spot, my brain took a moment to understand what my eyes were seeing. I hadn't made it further than a few steps into the living area when a reflection in the windows stopped me in my tracks.

Charles and Carmella were at the edge of the kitchen area, they were standing impossibly close, he held her wrists in his hands at chest height and she was leaning in and it looked like she was kissing his neck, her back was too me and her hair partially obscured how much I could see. She shook one hand free and ran it down his chest, her body blocked the rest but I could see her arm and elbow move much lower before she pulled her other hand free to join. Charles let his arms fall to his side, his eyes remained closed. I felt like all of the air had been sucked out of my lungs at the sight. The pain in my chest had me wondering if it might crack open, bile rose up my throat and I forced it back down. I couldn't think straight my thoughts all swam at me at once, none of it was coherent and still, I couldn't take my eyes off of them. Carmella stepped back slightly and then lowered herself to her knees, I covered my mouth with my hand to suppress a gasp as I saw her pull down his trousers exposing him. Charles tipped his head backwards and the spell was broken. I couldn't watch it anymore. Everything he had told me and had fed me were lies, he had fooled me and like an i***t, I ate it all up, I wanted him, at the expense of the good guy who was upstairs waiting for me, Noah wanted me consistently, he didn't play around, maybe I could grow to like him more? Had I given it the chance? Maybe he did make me feel the way Charles did but I'd shut down any thoughts of it because of Charles and the need I'd felt for him. "No more" I whispered as I turned to flee upstairs.

I turned into the corridor to see Noah coming towards me.

"There you are, I was getting worried that you had taken unwell and was coming to check on you." Noah frowned, realising there was no glass in my hand. "Are you ok?"

I closed the gap between us, throwing my lips onto his, Noah caught me and held me steady while his lips met my pace, he sucked on my bottom lip gently and explored my mouth with his tongue, I pressed myself into him desperately hoping that it would ignite that spark, that the contact would elicit the response from my body that Charles did. I tried to force the thoughts of Charles out of my head but the more that I did more the images of him and Carmella flooded my mind until I felt overwhelmed. Why couldn't I just make myself feel like this about Noah? He was here now and wanted me, Charles didn't, he was a liar, a playboy and right now he was downstairs with Carmella. I needed to make myself feel something right now other than the pain that filled my chest, I needed Noah to make me feel and make me forget.

Noah moaned into my mouth as he pushed his hips into me and I gasped in surprise both at the moan and the hardness pressing against me. This spurred him on, even more, he picked me up and wrapped my legs around his waist, and I obliged by wrapping my arms around his neck. His mouth was hot on mine again, his strong and steady body holding me in place.

"You're so fu*king hot" he breathed into me. I leaned down and trailed kisses down his neck and felt his fingers tighten on my thighs as he walked backwards holding me.

"Fu*k, don't stop that" he gasped as I gently sucked on his ear, I giggled and did as he told me, no actual idea of what I was doing, I was making it up as I went along but he seemed to like it. He stopped at the doorway and pushed his bedroom door open with his foot and I reached out to close it behind us as he carried me to his bed, causing it to slam slightly.

He placed me gently on the bed and began kissing my neck, moving lower to my collarbone as one hand ran up my leg, caressing my thigh before scooping down to claim my mouth again.

"I want you so fu*king much Olivia" he growled.