“I do need to talk to you about something. It’s important.” I heard him readjust on the couch, turning in my direction.

  “Okay,” his voice full of concern yet hesitant.

  I turned to face him. “I can’t see you anymore.” I blurted it out because I didn’t know what else to do.

  His eyebrows scrunched together. He paused for a long moment before speaking. “Something happened when you went home last night, didn’t it.”

  I took a deep breath, trying to hold back the tears threatening to shed. I had cried so much already and I knew there would be more later, but right now wasn’t the time. “No. I just...” I closed my eyes trying to hold them back, “I don’t want to see you anymore.” I swallowed trying to calm myself.

  “Why are you doing this? Something happened that you’re not telling me.”

  I exhaled deeply. “What happened was you said you loved me. In the moment, I said it back but I shouldn’t have, because I don’t.” I took a breath continuing. Tears had begun cascading down my cheeks. So much for waiting until later. “You are a human. I’m not. We are two completely different species. It was never going to work and I was foolish to think it would. I just wished I ended things sooner, before you developed feelings that I can’t possible return.” The tears were coming heavy now. My face was flushed as I tried to hold back the sob that was knotted in my throat. He stood, slowly making his way across the room until he stood directly in front of me. I looked down at his stomach, not wanting to see his face, but Grayson grabbed my chin, tilting my head back until I looked at him. His gray eyes were red, brimming with emotion. They searched my face before resting on my eyes.

  “You are a bad liar, Gabriella,” he said through clenched teeth.

  “I’m not lying,” I breathed. It didn’t even sound believable to me.

  “Yes, you are. I just don’t know why,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion.

  I closed my eyes, pushing as much feeling into my words as I could. “I don’t want to be with you anymore, Grayson,” my voice shook at that point, but I forced myself to go on. “I don’t love you.” The sobs were breaking through now. I wasn’t even trying to hold them back. I didn’t wipe away the tears. I didn’t breathe through the hiccups. I just gave myself over to the emotion. I thought maybe if I said enough hateful things, he’d let me go. “Our entire relationship was a mistake.”

  Grayson shook his head. His hand slipped around my waist. I pushed against him, but not really wanting to escape so I didn’t use my full strength. I wanted to touch him, to feel his nearness, but I knew it would be a mistake. But knowing and wanting are two completely different things. “I know you love me, Gaby.” He kissed me passionately. Grayson’s kiss did nothing to strengthen my resolve. He started kissing his way down my neck and my treacherous body betrayed me. My head fell back giving him better access. My fingers tangled in his hair gripping him closer. I could feel his hands run up my back, under my shirt. A moan escaped my lips. Hearing it reminded me what I was doing. If I didn’t end things, Grayson’s life could be in danger. I felt Grayson’s hand slid up my thigh. I pushed against his chest, still not as hard as I could. My mind was saying stop, but my body was saying don’t.

  “No, I don’t want...”

  Grayson cut me off. “Shut up Gaby. I’m tired of listening to your lies.” His fingers pushed aside my panties, sliding effortless into me. My head fell back as I cried out in pleasure. I felt my fangs slip out. “You’re so wet. I see how much you don’t want me.” Grayson took a step, pinning me between him and the back of the couch.

  His finger slid slowly in and out of me. My spine arched, using the back of the couch as support. My mind went blank of everything except the pleasure he was causing me. I couldn’t remember why this had been a bad idea. I only knew how perfectly right it felt.

  His other hand worked on the buttons of my shirt. After some trouble, he pushed it aside and with a quick snap of his fingers, he undid my front clasp bra.

  Grayson’s head dropped down claiming one of the hardened peaks. He pulled my nipple between his teeth, flicking his tongue back and forth, sending me into a frenzy. He withdrew his fingers and I cried out from the loss. He switched to my other nipple giving it just as much attention. Later on, when I would think back on this moment, I would realize that Grayson was not giving me an opportunity to back out. He knew that if my head cleared for even a fraction of a second, I could pull myself out of the moment. He kept my body bombarded with pleasure.

  His hand slipped between us, undoing his pants allowing him to slide his hard length into me. I wrapped my legs around him, gripping him, not allowing him to pull away. His hand came to rest on my hips, pulling me hard against him. He used his grip to help thrust harder. He pounded himself into me, while his mouth left warm kisses all over my chest and breasts. I was screaming with pleasure, feeling the pure erotic bliss build inside me. My body spasmed, showing I was close. Grayson shoved his wrist against my mouth just as the orgasm took me. Since at this point, I was no longer thinking I forgot about the fact that I fed on him less than twelve hours ago and how dangerous it was. So I bit him anyways. Maybe something subconsciously knew because I didn’t stay clamped down on him. I just lapped up what blood came from the initial bite before it closed. I felt his body explode into mine, filling me with his pleasure.

  Once my body stopped quivering from my release and the blood stopped flowing from his wrist, realization set in. Tears began streaming down my face again.

  I pushed Grayson against the chest, hard, shoving him away from me. I readjusted my clothes, snapped my bra closed and buttoned up my shirt before I even looked at Grayson. When I did, he was perfectly dressed just the same as he had been before our episode, looking as if nothing happened.

  “That should never have happened,” I said shaking my head, more to myself then to him. I had to do this fast and get out. I couldn’t risk anything more happening to him or with him. “It doesn’t change anything.”

  “Come on, Gabriella. Who are you trying to fool here? I know you’re lying. You know you’re lying. How about you try the truth instead?”

  “I’m not lying.” I raised my voice. “I don’t want to be with you.”

  “Gaby,” he said, taking a step toward me. I blurred to the other side of the couch where my bag was, worried about what would happen if he touched me again. I wiped away my tears, forgetting they were still falling. I said the meanest thing I could think of. I figured if he hated me, it might just save his life.

  “I just wanted to fuck you one last time, Grayson. You’re reading too much into it. My body responds to you because you’re sexy as hell and a good lay, but that’s all there has ever been between us. Sex. I want something more and you can’t give it to me. No human can.”

  “You’re still lying.” But I could see my words were having an effect on him.

  Reaching down I picked up my bag. “Believe what you want to, but I’m done with you. I don’t want to see you and I don’t want to talk to you.” With that, I sped to the door in a blur. “Your key is in the mug where I found it.” I said, refusing to turn around. I then opened the door and left.

  When I made it out of the building, I saw John, Grayson’s driver standing outside the black sedan.

  “Miss Carmichael, Mr. Alexander wanted me to offer my services to you. I’m to take you wherever you like,” he said with a sympathetic smile as he took in my appearance. I was sure my face was red and puffy, my eyes bloodshot and swollen. It was pretty obvious what had happened. I just hoped I didn’t like ravished too. How was he dressed and waiting for me when I just left Grayson?

  “I appreciate the offer, John, but I can get myself home,” I responded with a ghost of a smile on my lips.

  John’s face turned serious, his professional mask slipping a moment. “Please, Miss Carmichael. You’re upset. Let me make sure you get where you’re going safely. Mr. Alexander won’t know where I drop you off and I would feel much better knowing you got to where you were going, safely.” Seeing his expression, I nodded.

  Thirty minutes later found me at Shawn’s apartment. I banged on his door, hard and continuously before it finally swung open revealing a disheveled Shawn. He was still in his PJs with bed head. I hadn’t called before I showed up and I hoped I wasn’t disturbing anything other than his sleep. He took in my tear stained face and, without a word, he opened the door, ushering me inside.

  I made my way to the sofa while Shawn disappeared to the kitchen. When he returned, he was carrying a bowl of double chocolate ice cream. I smiled grimly at the sight.

  “You wanna tell me what happened, baby girl?” he asked, sitting next to me on his brown leather sofa.

  I didn’t even get a word out before the tears started falling heavily. In between sobs and bites of ice cream, I managed to tell Shawn the story, starting with Anton’s comment all the way to my hasty exit.

  “You slept with him, Gabs?”

  “I didn’t plan it,” I mumbled with my mouth full of ice cream.

  “You want me to tell you what I think?” I nodded, taking another bite of ice cream. Surprisingly, the chocolate goodness helped. “I think you’re an idiot.” I turned, gaping at him. “Grayson knew you were lying. And still you didn’t even bother to tell him the truth.”

  “I am trying to protect him,” I stated.

  “No you’re being a martyr. Anton doesn’t even know Grayson exists.”

  “You didn’t hear Anton, Shawn. If he finds out...”

  “If, Gabs. Life is full of them. Don’t you think Grayson has the right to make up his own mind? Don’t you think he deserves to know? Don’t you think you owe him that?” I looked down at my empty ice cream bowl, studying the melted residue left behind then shook my head. “Why not?” he asked.

  “Because,” I whispered, “it would have hurt more if he would have made the same decision. His life over me? It would have ripped my heart out. This way is easier, even if it is selfish.” I turned to look at Shawn. He gave me a forced half smile.

  “Okay,” he paused. “Why don’t you go take a shower, wash the smell of sex off of you?” I laughed lightly, as Shawn kept on. “I’ll get you another bowl of ice cream and then when you’re done we’ll watch one of the Twilight movies and discuss everything wrong with vampires that sparkle and werewolves the size of horses. Okay?” I smiled then nodded.

  Once in the bathroom, I stripped off all my clothes still smelling of Grayson. I didn’t think I’d ever wash them. They were my only reminder that our relationship had happened. I had nothing. Not a picture, a trinket. I didn’t even have the ticket stub to the movie we saw, where we left early because of the unexpected vampire showing up, using the theatre as his personal dining room. I had never thought I needed anything. It may have been premature, but I thought Grayson was going to be around for a long time.

  I adjusted the water as hot as I could handle. The bathroom quickly filled up with steam, making it harder to see. Stepping in, the hot water pounded against my skin. It helped ease some of the aches I felt, but the ones inside my chest, it did nothing for and I didn’t think they would ever go away. My emotions began to overwhelm me and I slid to the shower floor, unable to stand any longer.

  I sat on the floor of the tub, basking in the warmth of the showerhead cascading water over my body and rinsing away the tears streaming down my face. Clutching my knees to my chest, I rocked back and forth, trying to find comfort in the childish gesture but none came. I left him and it shattered my heart into a million pieces, but I knew he was safer that way. The pain I felt was nothing compared to the loss that would have crippled my world if something were to happen to Grayson because of me. At least this way, I knew the world was still a little brighter for having him in it. And I could deal with that knowledge.

  Monday at work, I was going through my messages when Ralph, my boss, called me into his office. I was not sure why he wanted to see me, there was nothing for us to discuss. Nevertheless, I quickly made my way to see him. His secretary called him, informing him of my arrival. Within five short minutes, she ushered me in.

  “Have a seat, Gaby,” Ralph said. He was sitting behind his large desk. His plump hands rested on top of the desk, where he had them overlapping. Ralph was a slightly balding middle-aged man. His face was round, along with his stomach, which protruded past his waistband. He wore a white dress shirt with a brown tie and matching brown pants. Ralph had been with the company for years. He had the job I was hoping for and I was grateful to be under him, learning as much as I could about the business.

  I sat in the chair in front of his desk, closest to the door. I don’t know why, but it just made me feel more comfortable being as close to an exit as I could. I would have preferred to sit in a position that would allow me to watch the door, but it wasn’t necessary. I could hear anything happening outside this room if I just relaxed, and I didn’t anticipate anything happening that would cause me to need to use any of my ninja skills.

  “What’s this about Ralph?” I asked, trying to keep the meeting as casual as possible.

  He sighed. “I got a phone call this morning,” he said like it was the most unusual thing it the world. “As you know we made a presentation to Alexander Holding Incorporated a few weeks ago.” It was Grayson’s company. I nodded my head, trying to ease the ache in my chest at the mention of him. I had hoped it would be longer before I would have to hear anything about him, but I doubted any amount of time would be sufficient enough to help ease the pain I felt. “We were among several other party planning agencies bidding on the account for Mr. Alexander’s new hotel opening.” Now I understood. Ralph was going to tell me the Grayson didn’t give us the account and the Ralph was going to blame it all on the fact that I was having a relationship with Grayson. “Mr. Alexander’s secretary called to inform me that...” He paused for dramatic effect, which caused my stomach to churn with anxiety, “we got the account.”

  “What?” I said completely surprised.

  “There were a few conditions, of course.” Here it was. Now Ralph was going to telling me that Grayson agreed as long as I was off the account. “First of all, Gaby, it’s none of my business who you’re seeing after work, but when it starts to affect your job then it becomes my business. And to use your boyfriend to get ahead...”

  “I beg your pardon,” I cut him off.

  He tilted his head to the side with an expression that clearly said “come on.” “Mr. Alexander made it perfectly clear that the only way he would give Gates and Summer’s his account was if you were sitting point on it.”

  “What?” I furrowed my brows with confusion. He couldn’t have possibly said what I think he said. Grayson wouldn’t want me sitting point. He should want me as far away from him as possible.

  “You really don’t know, do you?”

  I shook my head. “We broke up.” I didn’t want to share details from my personal life with Ralph, but they just slipped out. “I thought you were going to tell me I was off the account, not sitting point.”

  Ralph pushed away from his desk and came to sit on the corner of the desk in front of me. “I’m sorry, Gaby. I know how difficult it’s going to be for you to work for your ex. I imagine he asked for you so in some twisted way so he could torture you.”

  My eyes shot up to meet his. “You can’t really be considering making me point, Ralph. I’m not qualified.”

  “Do you know how much money Alexander’s account will bring in? More than your yearly salary. So yes, I am making you point on this and you’ll just have to suffer through whatever issues you and Alexander have together. I know it’s not ideal, but, well...life isn’t ideal. And you are qualified enough to handle this. Plus, I’ll be there to help you every step of the way.” He stood making his way back around his desk. He reached for a folder than handed it to me. “Here. Inside is the information on the opening. Even magazines we want it to be listed in. We want to make it into a party. The Alexander Hotel has a huge conference room where you can set up the event.” I didn’t hear much of anything else Ralph said. I was too absorbed in my own head. I broke up with Grayson yesterday, and I thought it was over. I thought I would never have to see him again. And in one day, ONE FREAKING DAY, what I thought went completely out the window.

  I got back to my desk, about an hour before lunchtime. Sitting there on the corner was a large sunflower with a simple white ribbon tied around it holding a note. I stared at it for a moment with no doubt in my mind who it came from. With a shaky inhalation, I tentatively reached for the firm white card stock, flipping it over to reveal a note written in black script.

  Looking forward to the start of our new relationship

  Grayson Alexander

  I groaned, dropping the card like it burned me. The day was already starting off horribly. I called Shawn. As unethical as it would be during the workday, I needed a drink.

  Chapter 8

  “He did what?” Shawn sputtered, almost spewing his drink on me. He was as astonished as I had been. I had needed some liquid courage and was on my second glass of red wine. I explained Grayson’s manipulation at my job and how he was forcing us to communicate.

  “Yup, but don’t worry, I’ve already got a plan.”

  “You gonna get back together with him and tell him what an idiot you were for dumping him the first place?”

  I glared at him, “Whose side are you on here, Shawn!” I shouted, not loud enough to disturb the other patrons at the restaurant.

  “Yours, Gabs. Always yours. But this isn’t about picking sides. I think what you’ve done is hurting you and I don’t want to see that, especially when I don’t think there is a logical reason for you to be hurting.”

  I sighed, “I told you Anton...”

  “Threatened Grayson without actual knowing there was someone to threaten. I know,” Shawn said, cutting me off mid-sentence.