The Vampire Playboy - Blood and Lust

Chapter 13

Olivia's POV

My memories of the night before were hazy. I remember karaoke but not much after that. I wasn't sure if I was coming down with something. I wasn't sure if I had a grip on reality anymore. I knew I had an issue with Charlie but I'd be damned if I could tell you why. Actually I'd describe myself as feeling indifferent towards him. My dreams that we had kissed bothered me though. I felt embarrassed that I'd dreamed that sort of thing. How would a guy like him even consider someone like me? I was boring. The most exciting and wild I got was singing karaoke. And lord knows what I was thinking about picking those two songs.

I felt drained. Owen had stayed over last night and I was sort of glad that it meant he would have Sophie's attention and I could get away with just having a lazy day.

I headed downstairs to find David sitting and reading a newspaper at the table.

"Morning!" I said.

He tilted down the paper and eyed me before grimacing.

"Don't take any offense, but you look rough, late at night, or unwell?"

"No offense taken, I feel a bit rough, I think it might be a combination of both. Is Sophie awake?"

"Would you believe that she was up and early this morning, out the door with Owen going to Richmond Park? Do you want something to eat?"

Richmond Park? Why did that feel familiar?

"I'm impressed that not only is she up early but she's gone out too" I laughed. " I think I'm just going to go for a bath and then hibernate in the bedroom if that's OK?"

"You're 18, you don't need to ask for permission" he smiled his trademark kind dad smile. " Are you working tonight?"

"Not tonight, thankfully. I've got an early shift tomorrow over lunchtime."

"If it's too much for you, there's no shame in giving it up and finding another job."

"I just think I need to adjust to the shifts and late nights is all. I'm sure I'll be fine once that happens."

"I'll let Sophie know you're having a chilled day. You go get your bath love."

I poured far more bubbles into the bath than was necessary and sat watching the warm water froth them up. It was hypnotic, and mixed with the steam I could have fallen asleep on the edge of the bath without even setting foot in it. Once it was ready, I eased my body under the hot water, fully submerging my head for a few moments. I suddenly felt exhausted again and my eyelids felt like they were weighted with a stone.

Images of sapphire blue eyes filled my mind. Why did they look familiar? I felt like they were haunting me, haunting my memories, but I couldn’t pin down why. Feelings of electricity along my skin made me feel alive. Why did this dream feel so vivid? Suddenly I was jolted upright and spluttering.

Shit, I must have drifted off to sleep and slipped under the water. I'd gotten a mouthful and choked. Not only that, but the water was almost cold.

I grabbed the dressing gown I'd brought in and wrapped it around myself, dashing back into my bedroom. I'd die if David saw me like that. I was paranoid he would come to check on me so I quickly changed into my pyjamas and tied my hair up into a tight bun.

That uneasy feeling of being watched swept over me as I had my back to the window. Every hair on my arm stood on edge with goosebumps forming under them. I shivered violently and turned towards the window. Leaning out, I couldn't see anyone. That feeling really was starting to creep me out. I pulled the blinds down and shut the curtains for good measure and immediately the feeling began to pass.

I heard a knock at the door but felt so zapped of energy I made no move to answer it. I heard David get it as I lay back on my bed. I'd been in that bath for over an hour. s**t, how did I lose that time? I really didn't feel like myself at all today.

My phone began to vibrate beside me with Sophie's name flashing up.

"Hey, dad said you're not feeling well today?"

"Yeah, not sure if I'm just tired or coming down with something."

"Hmmm yeah, you did say last night after your break that you were feeling off. Do you need me to bring anything in?"

"Mmm, maybe some snacks later? Don't rush home. I'm not feeling very sociable. To be honest, I'll probably just spend the day in bed sleeping or watching whatever movies I can find around the house."

"OK, well, call me if you need anything?"

"I will, love ya, have fun with Owen."

Raised voices were coming from downstairs but I couldn’t pick up what was being said, one of them sounded like… like Noah, what the hell? I crept to the door and cracked it open.

"David, I think you're being unreasonable here."

"I don't. For a start, you're far too old for her and you know what you are. She doesn't need your type."

"I don't mean to be disrespectful, but you're not her dad."

Shit were they talking about me? What the actual heck?

David made a sound that sounded like he was trying not to lose his s**t.

"You listen carefully, I am the closest damn thing that girl has to a dad right now and I treat her the exact same way as I do Sophie. That's not going to change. So I'm warning you, get out of here and stay away from her. Don't make me go to the town council."

"What if she decides she wants to get to know me?"

"Well, I'd like to think you're taking on board what I'm saying here and will shut it down, but I can tell you won't. You're determined. I'll discourage her, but I'm not about to lay down the law to her. But I'm warning you to leave this alone, leave her alone. She doesn't need to get mixed up with your business. Now you get out of here before you disturb her, and Noah, don't you come back here without an invitation from someone in my household. You're not welcome and I won't hesitate to take this to the town council"

"That won't be necessary, I'm going."

I put my hand over my mouth. I couldn't make sense of what I'd heard. Was David just being overprotective? Why had Noah come here? I sat on the bed until I heard the door slam. Peeking out of my blinds, I saw David get into his car.

Noah came here looking for me? Why would he do that? I hadn't agreed to go out with him. But I hadn't said no either. I couldn't think of this now, my head really hurt and I rethought the whole wet hair thing, reluctantly pulling out the hairdryer. When my hair was finally dry, I pulled the covers right up and felt my eyes pull closed. Once again, sleep was not restful. I thrashed around thinking of those sapphire eyes and imaginary kisses. At one point, I woke up jumping right out of bed with a loud thud with the unmistakable feeling of being watched. Beads of sweat trickled down the back of my neck and chest. I looked around my room, the sun had moved in the sky, casting some shadows in the room, but it was light enough that I could see it was empty. Except the blinds were flapping. My breath caught in my chest, I inched forward cautiously lifting the blind, and gasped as I realised my window was open. I hesitated before slamming it shut.

Sophie burst through my door, followed by David.

"Are you OK? We heard a bang!" Sophie exclaimed, panting. She must have run upstairs.

"Did either of you open my window?" I barked.

Confusion flooded both of their faces.

"No? Why?"

"I'm just being silly, I think I was having a nightmare, my dreams have been weird and vivid since last night and this crazy feeling is like someone's watching me. I guess I'm just so exhausted my brain is going into overdrive. I must have opened it and not realised."

"Are you OK? Has this feeling of being watched just started today?" David asked. He looked concerned, his brows were pinched as he examined my face.

"I've felt it a few times but think it's just an unfamiliar place playing tricks. I think I feel a bit better after my sleep."

"You've not eaten yet today. How about I treat you, girls, girls to a Chinese takeaway? I'll go into town to get it along with some snacks. I'll even make an exception and let you eat it in Olivia's bed."

"Thank you, that would be lovely."

"I'll be back shortly" he smiled.

Sophie came in and sat on the bed.

"OK, spill, are you really OK?"

"Yeah, I just feel drained and my head is fuzzy. I think I've caught a virus maybe? But more importantly, just when we talked earlier, Noah turned up here. He and your dad had a heated debate."

"Really? What about?"

"Um, I think it was about me. I didn't hear it all, but your dad pretty much told him to stay away from me and threatened to go to the town council."

"I know he can be overprotective, but honestly, I've never known him to react like that before and the whole town council thing is weird. I mean, what are they going to do and why would they even be interested?"

"Zero ideas, it was weird." I shrugged.

"How did Noah react?"

"He was kind of arrogant about it, he asked what about if I chose to get to know him."

"Oh my god!" She clasped her hand to her face and laughed.

"Honestly, Soph, I was practically invisible until I came here", I laughed.

"I told you, shiny new toy. But seriously, Noah, he's hot and he's a nice guy, arrogance aside."

"I'm not opposed to the idea of getting to know him. I'm just not really sure I'm into him."

"And Charlie?"

"Eh no, absolutely nothing there at all," I said, sounding disgusting.

"Actually speaking of dad, he looked out the Twilight Saga Dvds earlier and suggested that we should watch them together like we used to."

"Ohhhh it's been a while since I've watched them, team Edward until I die baby" I laughed again.

Sophie screwed up her nose. She was always on team Jacob. Could we be more opposite? I laughed to myself.

"I'll go get them, we can watch them in here and veg out with the food and snacks. Dad is pretty good at the snack provision.

Sophie was back a few minutes later, Twilight in hand, and had gotten changed into pyjamas. It felt surreal, like those times her dad had brought her to visit me in Glasgow and I stayed at their hotel.

"OK, so I've brought some plates up but I've left everything in the tub in case you want to share. There's also a bag of crisps, chocolate, cans of cola, and ice cream in the freezer." David said as he brought in a tray with a mountain of food on it.

"Dad, you are a star!" Sophie cried.

"I try my best. What's this you're watching? Twilight? That Edward's not as dreamy as he looks"

Sophie and I started a fit of giggles.

"I didn't realise you were such a Twilight fan, David," I teased.

"We could all learn a thing or two about Vampires from it. And before I forget, can you girls make sure your windows are locked? Tom mentioned in town that the town council had had a few reports of sheds being broken into. Nothing to worry about for us, but just make sure the doors and windows are locked and make sure to set the alarm. I'll set it tonight."

"Vampires?" I mouthed at Sophie, trying not to laugh again.