***Tessera***
We need to party. What a freaking idiot.
“Now?” I squeak. “You want to throw a party right now?”
“Angel, think about it. All of our guys know very well what the fuck is going on and what might be coming our way. I just explained to you what kind of trouble is hiding around the corner, right? Most of us have been walking this earth for centuries, but guys will always be fucking guys. They need to blow off steam; fuck, take blood, have a good time. That kind of shit. We need for them to let go because when push comes to shove? They will be the difference between keeping your head on your shoulders or watching it roll by.”
Shit. He does have a point. “Fine. Have your party time with the guys.”
“We’ll be required to show face, seeing you’re my Old Lady now and that’s the reason they were already organizing the party when I brought you here into my office. Practically none of the guys have seen or met you. You’ve been hiding downstairs in the basement, that ends today,” the idiot tells me with a smirk on his face.
Great. While we were discussing drama, they were busy organizing a party. And he’s right...I have been hiding. I groan and take my head into my hands. “Why can’t things be normal? Freaking Vampires, badass bikers, who strive to protect humans. Yet this right here makes me think you’re just boys with toys who want to drink and play.”
“Boys with toys, huh? Drink and play...well, they are boys, their toy would be their dick, the women who come here freely will be played with while they drink. Booze or blood; both will flow as freely as orgasms.”
“That’s disgusting and only drives my point home.” I shake my head at how he makes it sound that his guys are merely a bunch of horny teenagers while some in fact are centuries old.
I still can’t believe I’m a Vampire myself and that most of the legends are false about Vampires. You do see them in a mirror, they can walk in the sun, they can eat normal food and drink whatever they freaking like. I have a degree in Greek Mythology, have a job in a museum, sucked up every piece of information about mythological creatures and details of gods and all the wide variety of traditions and adventures, only to find out that not all is what it seems.
And to be honest? I don’t like change. At all. Whether it’s my brand of soap they changed to make it better or the new washing machine because the old one gave up, it doesn’t matter. Any change is screwing with my head. So, with learning about all these mystical creatures, to have the knowledge I’ve learned was either incomplete or dead wrong...being kidnapped and thrown into a Paranormal world...one where I discovered that I’m not the person, or freaking human, I thought I was all my life? Yeah, try playing catchup with all of that running in your brain.
Oh, and add the fact that the biggest freaking change is standing right next to me...being mated to an insanely hot Vampire, who’s centuries old I might add. That makes me think...how many women did he have before me? I’ve had maybe...wait, why can’t I remember how many men I’ve been with? I did have sex...right? Dammit, now I’m doubting myself.
“Have you been thirsty?” His voice is husky. “For blood, booze, or multiple orgasms?”
Shit, I hate when he does that; makes my nipples harden with just the use of his voice. It ignites a demand to have him, his touch, his blood...him, inside me.
“How would I freaking know about orgasms?” I snap. “I can’t even remember if I ever had sex. Pretty sure I did. No, I’m not exactly sure because I can’t freaking remember,” I seethe while the man chuckles and smirks some more, making me add, “I’m really starting to dislike you.”
“You like me, huh?” His voice oozes sex while he slides closer. “That’s a start, but Angel...you’re following me on a long distance because I was already on the road to love when you sank your fangs into my neck and mated with me for all eternity.”
My eyes go wide. “Love? You can’t be serious. Love is something,”
“Something that slammed into me when I first laid eyes on you. Something that mingles with every cell inside my body. Something that scorched my soul and imprinted for life. With the lifespan we have...a Vampire’s love...that’s for all eternity and he, or she, loves only once. The eternal mating is most definitely something created so no Vampire soul would spend an eternity alone. A reason why Vampires are born is because only eternal mates are able to have children. Please don’t insult my feelings when you don’t fully understand something.” His jaw tics.
It seems he wants to say more but instead he turns and stalks to the door. Without turning back, he says, “I’ll have someone bring you to our room where you can get ready for the party.” Then he’s gone.
What just happened? My heart beats like crazy and all my mind can come up with is that I’ve insulted a man who just told me he loved me. But that’s insane. We have been in each other’s presence for a few weeks and it’s not like we dated in that time, or got cozy.
How on earth can that man love me? Snap your fingers and boom, love. Me. Someone who was left as a baby, has no parents, and was bounced from foster home to foster home. I have no family, no long-term friendships or relationships. Well, I can’t remember having sex and with that any man in my life for that matter.
Dammit, this is crazy. How can he be insulted while I can’t even wrap my head around any of this? Yes, I get that he opened up his heart and held it out in front of him for me to take...but it’s unrealistic. As is the fact that I became a Vampire, am mated, and am insanely attracted to him and deep down know very well my feelings toward him are huge and real, but still...in-freaking-sane.
Add the fact that I haven’t even loved anyone in my life, how can I be so sure these weird and overwhelming feelings I have for him are in fact love? We haven’t even freaking kissed yet! See how all of this is confusing? Yet he’s pissed off I questioned his freaking love.
“Hey, Tess, Prez wanted me to escort you to your room. Mind telling me why he didn’t take you himself?” Caius is standing in the hallway and only pops his head into the room, showing his long, bright blue hair, and his all-knowing smile on his face as if he has all the answers.
Wait. Maybe he can answer some questions that will help me understand. “How long has your hair been blue and how long have you been Jagger’s VP, or known each other for that matter? And don’t start with telling me centuries and dodge the question here or I’ll try if the mind thing works and fry your brain. I need answers.”
He doesn’t say a word but steps inside instead and locks the door behind him. He crosses his arms in front of his chest and stares me down. “What happened?”
Yeah, like I’d tell him. “Nothing. Now answer my questions.”
“Not before you explain to me why my Prez is pissed off and sent me here to show you where his room is when he’s been working on said fucking room for the entire time you’ve been here. You know, trying to get it ready to show you. So, I ask again, what happened?” His fierce eyes are piercing mine, showing no intent to say or do anything until I’ve answered him.
“He basically told me he loved me and I kinda told him he couldn’t be serious.” Shame hits me, I shouldn’t have reacted like that. My cheeks flush while my throat clogs up.
“I’m fine with telling you anything I know, or even listening to sappy girl shit, but woman? If you think of crying or even so much as dropping one damn tear or sniffle your nose for that matter, I’m going to leave this room so fast you won’t even have time to take your next breath. Am I making myself clear?” Caius’ voice is a hard snap.
“Yes. You won’t be handing out tissues. Got it.” I clear my throat and throw myself in a chair. “I reacted poorly, I realize that now. But how was I supposed to react? I don’t even know what I’m feeling or what the hell is going on. It’s all overwhelming, I’m carrying a truckload of insecurities, but mostly...it’s unbelievable. One day I’m human, kidnapped, turned into a Vampire, mated, realize I have sisters and,” My hands are flying through the air to add to the despair and turmoil of emotions that are running through me. “All of you guys, an Old Lady, I’m supposed to join a party and he’s mad at me. I’m very attracted to him, but how do I know if that’s love when I never ever loved anyone? And he hasn’t even kissed me!”
There’s a hint of surprise on his face before he winces. “Fucking waterfall of rambling insecurities. Women really should stop dissecting shit,” Caius mutters and shakes his head while I give him the stink eye. Asshole.
“It’s not normal, you idiot. First you date, then you kiss, then have...you know, sex. You build something before you even say anything about love.” I enlighten the idiot who has clearly lived for centuries and yet has no understanding how things work in the real world.
“When a Vampire lays eyes on their eternal mate, it’s like everything in life falls into place. Your heart will only beat for the other soul that’s linked with yours. It’s as natural as breathing.” A sly smile appears on his face. “Unless you’re not a born Vampire but one who has been brought up by human standards. Well, well, well. Logic meets doubt and uncertainty, no wonder Prez was pissed. It’s a slight hitch though, you’ll adapt. Just know Jagger is straightforward, like I said...it’s a natural thing for us and even if we have to wait centuries of being alone, the thought of eventually finding our eternal mate is something that keeps us going.”
Well if you put it like that. “I’m an idiot,” I mutter mainly to myself. A question rises yet again that he would be able to answer for me. “Is that why I can’t remember if I had sex? I think I did...I don’t know.”
“Side effect from the mating. The women don’t remember previous partners and for the males...well, let’s just say they do remember but in a way where the faces of previous ones are a blur, making place for the one who holds their heart for an eternity.” The fact this idiot slightly winces makes it clear that he freaking well knows how twisted that is.
“He’s lived for centuries!” I growl.
“Okay, next to the crying or dropping tears shit? Is jealousy. That stuff makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Stop with that shit, besides...no fucking reason to be. Do I need to remind you about the stuff I told you? Besides, Jagger was always one who never went after a woman. More like when you have an itch you scratch and be done with it.”
My eyes widen. “You should have stopped freaking talking after you said ‘do I need to remind you about the stuff I told you.’ Dammit, I really don’t like you, nor did I need to hear about an itch. Talk about stuff that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.” A shiver of repulse runs through my body.
“Noted,” the annoying man simply states. “Would you like to see the room and what he did to it for you?”
Sadness makes my chest hurt. “I’d like to, but you mentioned he was excited about it and now I screwed it up and you’re showing me instead of him. I feel so stupid. Can you go get him so I can say a few things and hopefully clear the air between us?”
“Sorry. No can do.” Caius takes a step closer to the door. “He’s in church with most of the others to bring them up to speed about things. I already know what he’s telling them, hence the reason I’m here with you. Oh, and the fact he wouldn’t allow anyone else near you. He knows I won’t ever touch you for my heart belongs to my eternal mate who awaits me in the future. And he trusts me, knows I would rather end my life than touch you. That’s another thing you need to be aware of. He won’t like other men hanging around you or touching you, even if you’re already mated to him. Seeing the two of you haven’t even kissed adds to the complications. The reason I cleared the clubhouse when you went for his throat is because the mating goes with the exchange of all fluids. An eternal mating is bloodlust amplified with sex, all twisted together, one entangled with the other enhancing the power between mates. If he hasn’t kissed you, he hasn’t fucked you, if you two haven’t fucked...it’s like a bomb that’s ready to detonate at any time. Knowing Jagger, he would want to give you time but that might not be up to him. He’s strong and can fight the urges but it will also put him on edge. Remember what I mentioned about not tolerating other males around you, he might attack his own men even if he doesn’t want to...it’s damn instinct. The fucking is also another way to tighten the bond between you two.”
“Brilliant,” I mutter. “Any other last minute need to know things you want to throw at me? If not, lead the way. I want a hot shower and a change of clothes. Shit. We need to go downstairs and get my things.”
“No need, you’ll see.” Caius opens the door and waits for me to go through it. “Turn right, end of the hall.”
I don’t say anything more and follow his direction, letting all the stuff we just discussed soak inside my brain.