The Vampire Playboy - Blood and Lust

Chapter 24

Charlie's POV

Noah had called just as I'd gotten home and was about to hit the shower. I'd contemplated not answering it but thought better of it, I knew he would ask how it went last night and I knew I'd have to lie to my best friend. Something I'd never done until Liv came into my life.

"Yeah?" I said rather cool.

"Hey bro, I've been trying to call you all day, but you didn't answer and nobodies has seen you all day. What's going on?"

"Nothing, I've been hunting, haven't been for a few days so made a day of it. You some of us don't like our meals from a bag"

"And some of us prefer the real deal to an animal, even if it does come in a bag" Noah laughed. "Get anything good?"

"Yeah I caught a pretty big deer, it should last me a few days."

"Nice, dare I ask how it went last night with Olivia?"

I thought back to the early hours of this morning and those kisses.

"It went fine. I was nice, I think I've straightened things out with her. Asshole Charlie is gone." I said a bit more smugly than I should have.

"Glad to hear it. Does that mean you're going to be on your best behaviour tonight"

"Yeah"

"About next weekend at your cabin, I was thinking, we'll probably be a tight squeeze if we fit into one car, maybe we should ask Liv to drive her car too and you could drive one of your SUVs."

"Sounds like a plan, I'm looking forward to it."

"I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not" he replied, "since you're going to be the only one not in a couple, are you bringing someone?"

"I wasn't planning to."

"Really?" Noah sounded surprised.

"Yeah dude, it's Owen’s weekend, I think I can manage one weekend without getting my end wet" I laughed.

"Fine, fine, I'll see you later and remember to be nice."

"I'm always nice" I called out just as he put the phone down. I could have played that call better, I knew the fact I was turning down bringing a girl for the weekend, and it would raise eyebrows with Noah and probably Owen. Both of them had to have noticed I'd been off my game for a bit. The truth was even the times I'd pulled a girl I hadn't been able to follow through. None of them was Liv and I couldn't get her out of my mind. If I hadn't taken care of it myself I'd have bluebells by now. Noah had probably noticed I hadn't stayed at the hotel in a couple of months. I should have told him I was planning to pull some of the local girls near the cabin. I had no intention of doing so, I wouldn't do that to Liv, I wanted to show her I was serious about her. I'd have to think of a way to make Noah think I had. This would take some thought and I'd have to tell Liv what I was doing otherwise she would assume the worst.

After I took a quick shower I changed into a grey t-shirt and dark jeans, roughly drying my hair. I could drive to the bar or I could run there and take the chance that Liv might give me a lift home, I like the second option better. I smirked to myself thinking of the face she would pull or the smart comment that would fall from her mouth when I asked her for a lift. A few bottles of bud later and I was moving at speed through the trees cutting a direct path until I reached the edge of town, where I slowed it down to a normal fast walking pace until I reached the bar.

My eyes searched for Liv as soon as I entered, the bar was really busy tonight. It was packed

It didn't take long to find her behind the bar chatting with Noah. I'd hoped I'd get here before him. Liv noticed me and frowned. Noah turned his head and nodded to me. I nodded in return and took a seat next to him.

"Hey Liv, you look nice tonight," I said with a smirk.

Her mouth dropped open. "Um thanks, I think, what can I get you to drink?"

"A bottle of bud please, and another of whatever Noah is having." I smiled.

Noah looked at me and narrowed his eyes. Liv turned to get the drinks and I shrugged my shoulders.

"I told you I'd play nice" I protested.

Liv returned with the drinks just as Carmella appeared over her shoulder.

"Looking good Charlie," she said with a pout.

"Hey, what about me?" Noah laughed.

I saw Liv roll her eyes and I had to suppress a laugh. There was no love lost between the two of them I thought.

"You too Noah, though you're spoken for," she said with an edge.

"Too right I am" he replied with a grin.

"Don't forget you're up in two songs" Carmella said to Olivia who nodded.

I was sure that when Carmella first made Liv do karaoke it was in an attempt to embarrass her, I don't think any of us expected her to be any good. Bile rose up my throat as I thought a pit the first night that she had got on that stage, the night I stole her memories from her. She had been incredible and soon became a big hit with the locals, she was a common feature anytime there was a karaoke night.

"If I wasn't driving I'd take a shot," Liv said with a groan.

"Oh come on darling, you know you're good and everyone loves you. What's the song choice tonight?" Noah said as he pulled her into his lap and nuzzled into his neck.

I took a swig of my beer and looked away, in doing so I inadvertently made eye contact with a leggy blonde with a phenomenal set of breasts. She was wearing a low-cut red tank top and the shortest pair of denim shorts I'd ever seen before. I couldn't remember her name but I was pretty sure she had shown me a good time or two. She smiled and I smiled back. I didn't want to attract her over here but I didn't want to be rude either.

"Hey folks, I'm going to do something a bit different tonight, so I hope you like it" Liv's voice came around the room.

My attention immediately shifts to only Liv. I'd never admit it to Noah but I secretly loved hearing her sing and the goosebumps her voice would elicit from me.

"This song is called The Story from Carlie Brandi and is one of my favourites" Liv smiled whilst looking down. She always tried to ooze confidence when she was up there but I could always smell her fear.

The melody began to flood the room and Liv closed her eyes before inhaling and singing so softly. She was right this wasn't the usual upbeat karaoke song that she would normally sing, until the second verse her voice rose up hitting that high note and picking up the tempo and my breath caught in my chest. The room had fallen silent.

"Swam all across the ocean blue

I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules

But baby I broke them all for you"

I swore my heart had stopped as had everything around me, she was breathtaking, and she hadn't yet opened her eyes, it was like she was putting her soul into this song as she followed the melody to its rise and fall.

The bar erupted into cheers and clapping as she finished. Liv laughed and climbed down towards the bar.

"That was incredible darling," Noah said as he pulled her into him, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Thanks, that's the most nervous I've been, I'm glad I didn't fall on my face" she laughed.

"You sounded great Liv" I chipped in, "the audience loves you"

The scent of roses caught my attention and I turned to find the blonde from earlier standing behind me, she placed one hand on my shoulder.

"Hey Charlie, buy me a drink?" She purred.

"Guilt swirled in me, I couldn't remember her name and I certainly didn't want to buy her a drink when Liv was standing right there."

"Hey, Nat, how are you doing?" Noah said, with a sly wink at me.

Liv rolled her eyes and disappeared. I wanted to go after her to tell her I wasn't interested but thought better of it.

"Sure, how about I buy you and all of your friends a drink before I head home."

"You're not staying?" Natalie said with a pout.

I saw Carmella out of the corner of my eye and smiled.

"Hey, Carmella, would you be a doll and get whatever Natalie and her friends are drinking and put the round on my tab please."

"Sure, I'll get Olivia to serve them," she said before turning.

That backfired a bit. I turned to the still-pouting Natalie.

"Drinks will be coming soon"

"Do you want some company tonight?" She asked as she ran her hand down my arm, onto my thigh and down toward my groin. I quickly snaked her wrist up, before I gently placed a kiss on it. Normally my c*ck would have responded favourably to being touched like that, but not now it did it only for Liv.

"Not tonight sweetheart, maybe another night," I said, turning up the charm.

Natalie pouted and then scowled as Liv appeared.

"Drinks?" She asked impatiently.

"Three bottles of bubbly" Natalie snapped before turning and walking away.

Liv laughed. "Well that's going to hurt your wallet, Charles"

I shrugged, "it was worth it"

"Are you feeling alright dude? Not like you to turn down a fine piece of…" Noah looked at Liv who was standing with raised eyebrows tapping her pen against the pad, clearly, he thought better of finishing that sentence. "Not like you to turn down a lovely female especially when you've had a big meal before you came out"

"I'm a reformed playboy" I laughed.

Liv turned, going to get the bottles I assumed.

Noah leaned in close to me, "seriously though, are you ok? Is everything ok? This isn't like you. You've been off your game"

"Just missing my wingman" I laughed, slapping him on the back.

I watched as Liv served the group of women the bottles, Natalie didn't take her eyes off her either. Interesting that Liv didn't seem to notice this, she was oblivious to how gorgeous she was and how threatened other women of her. This made her all the more attractive.

Noah grabbed Liv again as she walked past, wrapping his eyes around her. Liv looked uncomfortable as he nuzzled his neck into hers, I felt jealous at their contact. The hairs on the back of my neck began to stand on end as I watched Noah closely, he was struggling to control his eyes which were contracting. What the hell was he doing?

"Yo, dude, are you hungry?" I said trying to sound normal.

Noah turned to me sharply. "I'll be fine" he growled and I realised his pupils were very dilated. This wasn't a good sign.

"I need to get back to work, these drinks won't serve themselves," Liv said whilst unfurling Noah's arms. Noah held firm causing Liv to squirm slightly.

"One kiss and I'll let go" Noah purred.

Liv looked at me and hesitated before leaning in and directing a kiss to Noah's cheek. Noah let go of her, standing as he did so. Liv turned to walk but he caught her arm, pulled her to his chest and locked his lips to her, one arm behind her head. I watched as he wrapped the other arm around her waist.

My chest burned and my fists balled. I knew I should turn away and compose myself but I couldn't take my eyes off them. Liv began pushing at Noah's chest forcefully until Noah released her mouth and let a gap form between them.

"What the f*ck Noah! I'm at work." She touched her hand to her mouth. "Did you just bite me? I'm fu*king bleeding!" Shock and confusion swept across her face, and red liquid coated the tips of her fingers.

The scent of cotton candy and peaches became stronger. I inhaled deeply and immediately regretted it. My throat began to burn, my mouth salivating and it became a struggle for control between my animal side. I haven't experienced this for many decades. As a newborn vampire, your blood lust is insatiable, the smell of it causes your true form to appear. The older you become, the need becomes less, you don't need to consume as much to survive and fresh blood simply stops bothering you, you learn to be indifferent towards it. Unless you have switched off your humanity but even then you are still afforded a large degree of control. So this was rather unexpected. An inner turmoil had commenced and right now I wasn't sure I was going to win it. The thought that someone might see me turn filled me with fear and I turned to leave quickly, taking small shallow breaths in an attempt to control the scent.

I heard footsteps behind me, with Liv forcing herself past me, hitting the door hard, and slamming it behind her. I paused and looked for Noah, he had a dark expression and was coming towards me too. I put my arm out in front of me to stop him.

"Don't" he said menacingly to me and I saw his eyes had changed, I reached out to grab his arm but he used his speed to get outside.

"F*ck" I muttered going after him.

"You're overreacting Olivia, most girls would be turned on with a nibble like that, perhaps it's your inexperience." I heard Noah say and felt myself flinch at the words.

"How dare you! Do not try to use my inexperience to gaslight me!" Liv responded firmly.

"Noah, bud, I think maybe you've had too much to drink tonight, you're not yourself, you should go home and get something to eat before you do or say something you can't take back" I cautioned.

The look he gave me was murderous but I was relieved to see his eyes had returned to normal.

I took a step next to Noah and leaned into his ear.

"If you don't go now you risk hurting her both emotionally and physically, you clearly need to feed" I whispered at a level that only Noah with his hearing would pick me up.

I heard his teeth grind together.

Liv was standing against the wall with her arms wrapped around her. She looked upset and I began silently praying for the strength to not just go to her and take her in my arms.

"I'm sorry Olivia, Charlie's right. I've had too much to drink. I shouldn't have said or done what I did, I just feel like you're pulling away and trying to put some distance between us. I'll make it up to you this weekend" he said as he walked towards Olivia, who sidestepped and moved away from him.

Noah looked wounded and lowered his head.

"I'll call you tomorrow darling," he said as he turned the corner towards his house. I heard him pick up speed and moments later both his scent and the sound of his steps were gone. I knew he was immediately going home to feed.

Liv stood silently still, her gaze on the ground. I wasn't sure what to do or say.

"Are..are you ok" I stumbled over my words.

Liv shook her head, "no" she cried and flung herself into my chest.