I looked up at Shawn, whose jaw was hanging open, looking like a cartoon character whose mouth had just hit the floor.

  “OMG! Gabriella! How? What? I...” he stammered. For the first time since I had known him, Shawn Cruz had nothing to say.

  “It’s not like it sounds. And I know, it sounds really...REALLY bad, but Anton caught Grayson’s scent and was beginning to track him, so I had to break the connection.”

  Shawn sat silent for a moment. “Wait a minute! How did Anton get Grayson’s scent?”

  I sighed deeply, realizing how stupid I had been to not take better care that I didn’t smell like Grayson when I went home. “He has smelled me every chance he got.”

  “That’s... Really creepy...” Shawn’s face morphed to disgust.

  “Tell me about it,” I mumbled, rolling my eyes.

  Shawn’s face abruptly revealed shock. “Oh shit! Grayson saw you kissing Anton!” He shouted, when my words from earlier suddenly registered.

  I nodded. “Hence the outfits.”

  “So your plan is to make him forgive you by using sex?” he said with disbelief.

  “Actually he says he forgives me. I explained what happened. Why it happened. He forgave me, and then he tortured me all day yesterday with orgasms.”

  “Well, I suppose there are worse punishments,” he chuckled. “Okay.” He stood, walking over to the racks of lingerie. “So you need some outfits.”

  After Shawn got over the idea that he was helping me pick out sex clothes, he became very helpful. I walked out of the store with several bags of tasteful, yet sexy, pieces of lingerie. As much as I enjoyed sex with Grayson, it was all still new to me and I didn’t have the confidence yet to pull off some of the more extravagant outfits.

  Shawn did manage to talk me into a black corset with midnight blue trim and garters attached. He also picked out nylons and panties. And what outfit would be complete without killer heels?

  Shawn helped me carry my bags to our favorite lunch place.

  “How has the research been coming?” he asked. “Cause you really gotta find a way out of this thing with Anton.”

  “I know. It’s not really going. I can’t go down there when the vampires are awake and risk Anton knowing what I’m up to. And I’ve been working like crazy.” I took a bite of my croissant encased deli sandwich.

  “I told you I’d help and I meant it. I don’t want to see you being forced with Anton. And it’s only going to drive a wedge between you and Grayson. After all the work I went through to get you two back together...” He trailed off when he noticed my eyes widening, locking on him. “Shit, I hadn’t mentioned that yet, had I?” I shook my head. “Gabs, you really think it was a coincidence that he was at the club that night? I just got tired of seeing you miserable. Don’t hate me.” A ghost of a smile touched his lips.

  I returned his smile. “Of course I don’t hate you. I was being a stubborn ass.” I reached over clutching his hand. “I’m grateful for what you did. You’re a good friend, Shawn.”

  His smile grew into a full grin. “Okay so back to Anton.”

  Shawn and I decided to head over to the nest before returning to Grayson’s apartment. Shawn was determined to help me find the answer I needed by searching through the old law. It was barely one o’clock when we arrived. We still had plenty of daylight left before the vampires would rise.

  We made our way to the kitchen first. I was going to need blood. I could not feed from Grayson for all my blood needs without hurting him. After I had what I needed, a few bags of blood, we made our way to the archive room. It was exactly how I had left it.

  “They’re here.” I pointed to the shelf where all ten books sat. I sat the bags of lingerie down on the table while making my way toward the shelf. “So far, I’m still on the first book.”

  “Wow!” Shawn whispered in amazement. “There’s a lot of text here. It would take you months to get through it all on your own, longer if you can only look through some portions every once in a while.”

  “I know.”

  “Hmm... Well, it really does no good if I only help when you can get around to it. So let’s do this.” Shawn went to the table where my shopping bags sat. Removing all the contents from one, he redistributed them amount the other three bags.

  “What are you doing?” I asked with genuine curiosity.

  “I’m going to help you, Gabs, but that means I need the material. So I’m taking five of the books with me. That will cut your work in half.”

  I didn’t think that was a good idea. What if someone noticed the books were missing? So I told him just that. “Look around, Gaby. No one comes in here. They won’t notice as long as no one catches you down here, no one will even be suspicious.” He shoved the last five books into the bag. I wasn’t sure if the order mattered, but in case it did, I had already started on the first book, so we might as well let me go through the first half.

  “Alright, let’s get out of here.” He carried the bag with the books in one hand and a bag of lingerie in the other. “We got to get you ready for your date tonight.”

  I stood in Grayson’s bedroom. Shawn had left only moments ago. He had helped me put away all my new goodies then had helped me dress. It was a two person job. I was wearing the black and midnight blue corset ensemble he had talked me into. It hugged my waist, clinging to my body. My breasts were pushed up, providing an amazing view of my cleavage. Black boy-shorts matched the sheer thigh-highs that were clasped to the garters hanging from the bottom of the corset. The heels on my new dark blue stilettos were thin and tall. They were difficult to walk in, but I wasn’t planning on doing too much walking.

  I covered myself in a black silk robe. With less skin showing, it helped raise my confidence. I knew I did not have a whole lot of time before Grayson came home, but I needed to feed before he got here. That way if he did try to offer me his blood, I would not take too much as there was no way to refuse him. Stepping out of my uncomfortable, yet fabulous shoes, I headed for the kitchen. I didn’t like to drink blood cold. The consistency was thicker and you could taste the anticoagulant, but the idea of using one of Grayson’s glasses for blood just didn’t seem right. So when I was at Grayson’s, I would take my blood cold.

  Not wanting to make a mess, I leaned over the sink and bit into the bag. I pretended it was warm blood, flowing from the vein. Grayson’s vein. I jumped when I heard the elevator door open. I moved lightning fast. I shoved my empty blood bag into the trashcan. Speeding to the bedroom, I hastily slipped back into my killer heels and turned to face the door. With my robe tie open, I took a deep calming breath, mustering what confidence I had. I rested my hand seductively on my hip. My hair was down, and only light makeup had been applied to my face. I waited patiently.

  “Gabriella?” Grayson called.

  Deep breath. “In the bedroom.”

  My heart pounded faster the closer to the room he got. Grayson froze just over the threshold. I started to think that maybe the outfit had been a mistake. He stood there unmoving, not blinking, just gaping at me.

  “Grayson?” I asked and what little confidence I had was beginning to fade.

  “Wow!” He finally managed and a bemused grin spread across his face.

  “Do you like it?” I began fidgeting under his gaze.

  “Wow! Gaby, I thought you naked was my favorite, but...” he swallowed hard. “I think there is something to be said for lingerie and imagination or something,” he shook his head. “That made no sense. I just...want you.” Grayson slowly came towards me. “I thought I wanted you this morning, but that was only a fraction to how much I want you right now.” I could see his breathing was heavy by the rise and fall of his chest. His reaction to me was triggering my body in response.

  My lips parted as I watched him. “You’re like my own personal present I get to unwrap and I’m going to take my time.” Just then his cell phone rang. Without breaking his gaze, Grayson pulled his phone from his pocket, answering it. “I’m busy,” he eyed me up and down, “all weekend. Call me back on Monday and spread the word.” He hung up, tossed the phone I’m not sure where because I couldn’t break my gaze from his and I honestly didn’t care. I only cared about Grayson and how long it would take before he touched me.

  I didn’t wait long. Grayson stepped up right in front of me. His finger grasped my robe, easing it off my body. His body was so close forcing his scent to fill my lungs. I could feel his warmth radiating from his body. His mouth was only inches from mine. Finding my opening, I launched myself at him forcing my lips on his. Hungry with desire, I pushed Grayson onto the bed then blurred on top of him.

  “God, that was hot,” he spoke against my lips. I started shoving his jacket off, and Grayson sat up trying his best to help me. Soon, his chest was completely bare. Rolling me over onto my back, he climbed off of me, standing beside the bed. He just stared at me then his fingers traced up the contours of my leg, snapping the first clasp on my nylons. I writhed with each one coming undone. His fingers were barely a whisper of a touch. I craved more, yet it was perfect. I did not understand how I could desire one person so much and be lucky enough to have him reciprocate it. With the last clasp undone, Grayson reached for my panties. Without conscious thought, I lifted myself to give him access. He pulled them down my legs unhurried, like he had all the time in the world.

  He dropped down to his knees. Grasping my thighs, he dragged me to the edge of the bed. Warm lips caressed my inner thigh working their way up to the junction. Just before reaching my core, Grayson pulled back, running his lips and tongue up my other thigh. I groaned with frustration as he repeated the torturous process, each time getting closer, but never close enough.

  “Ah... Grayson... Please,” I stammered.

  He snickered. Without warning, Grayson latched onto my core. His tongue was invading my folds; circling, tasting every bit of me. My fangs ached trying to release themselves. He pulled my sensitive nub between his lips, holding it hostage while his tongue licked, flicked and teased me until I came hard, crashing over the edge.

  Before I even had a moment to come down, Grayson had me flipped over on my stomach. My body, still spasming from my orgasm, was pushed over the edge again when Grayson pressed himself deep inside of me from behind. The only thing keeping me standing was Grayson’s hands on my hips.

  “Oh no. I’m not through with you yet. You think you can wear this sexy little outfit and be done after two orgasms?” He pulled out of me suddenly. “Here, get on the bed.” With his help I did. My knees bent under me, Grayson grabbed my hips pushing his way back into me. “What do you say, baby, you wanna go for ten again today?”

  It didn’t register what he said, all I knew was that I wanted to feel him move, thrusting inside of me.

  “Please, Grayson. Please, I need you,” I mumbled.

  “You have me,” he replied, slamming into me. I moaned with satisfaction when he gave me what I wanted.

  We didn’t make it to ten. I was on number four when Grayson filled me with the warmth of his release.

  Still mostly dressed, Grayson helped me out of my corset before running us a bath. In the past, we had only ever done showers together, so it was a welcome change. Steam rose from the water as I laid with my back against Grayson’s chest wallowing in the warmth of the water and his arms, both wrapped around me.

  “I’m sorry we didn’t make it to ten,” he whispered against my hair.

  “I’m not.” I smiled, rubbing my cheek against his shoulder. I looked up into his eyes. “It’s not about quantity. It’s about quality. I would rather have four earth shattering, mind blowing orgasms then ten not so good ones.”

  He raised his eyebrow quizzically. “Oh really? So last night they weren’t earth shattering?”

  I giggled. I couldn’t believe I walked right into that one. “No, they definitely were. I couldn’t move afterwards.”

  “Did you enjoy it?” he whispered. I knew he was now teasing me, trying to get me to fluff his ego, which I happily obliged.

  “Absolutely, but it’s not something that I have to have repeated regularly. I felt like I had no control over my own body. I felt like one more and I would die.”

  “Hmm... Death by orgasm. There are worse ways to go.” Grayson’s fingers started trailing down my stomach. “Perhaps the problem was trying to do them all in a row like that. Maybe if we spread them throughout the night...” He brought his lips to my ear, biting the lobe teasingly. His voice trailed off as his finger found my center. Rubbing circles around it.

  “Grayson!” I moaned.

  “Shh... Baby.” His other hand teased my nipples. I could feel him hardening behind me. My head fell against his chest, giving him access to my neck, which he took. My body tightened around his finger when I exploded with pleasure.

  I was glad I was already sitting because my knees felt shaky.

  “Wow! You are really sexing me up this weekend,” I uttered.

  He shrugged, “Trying to make up for lost time.”

  “So I shouldn’t get used to this kind of treatment?” I joked.

  “I don’t know. If you keep wearing outfits like earlier, I think you’ll find I could be persuaded to make this a regular occurrence.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Honestly Gaby, I don’t know what’s come over me. I know most men like to talk up how big of a stud they are, but I’m not normally this... Active.”

  I turned searching his face. I knew I wasn’t Grayson’s first, like he was mine, but I didn’t like to think about him being with other women. Them seeing him naked, knowing the feel of his body, the sounds he makes. It made my stomach churn when I thought about it.

  “It’s you, baby. I just can’t seem to get my fill. And it’s not because it’s new or anything, because never, ever have I had as much sex in a forty-eight hour period as I have had with you.” His brows furrowed together before continuing. “Is that a vampire thing? I mean, is my desire for you because you’re a vampire?”

  I know the movie like to play up vampire sexuality, but really we have no special powers in that department that draw humans to us. We’re not demons that thrive on blood and sex, well at least not the sex part. We could use compulsion to force a human to do our bidding, which could include sex, but that didn’t mean the human could go longer or more times because of it. Feeding from someone of the opposite sex was an aphrodisiac, but even that could be controlled with enough concentration.

  “No. Even though my feeding from you during sex can extend your orgasm, I don’t put off any special pheromone that draws you to me.”

  He nodded. “So it’s just because I want you.”

  “And I want you.” Then a thought occurred to me. “I’m your first virgin, right?”

  “What?” He seemed confused by my random question.

  I turned to face him, crawling into his lap so we could be face to face. “I’m the first virgin you deflowered.” I teased. A knowing grin pulled at the corners of his lips. He gave me a nod. “Maybe that’s why?” I shrugged. “Or maybe it’s because we’re soul mates.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them instantly. Men didn’t like to hear things like that and from what I’ve heard, some run in the opposite direction at the sound of a woman wanting a commitment. How could I be so careless? We had just got back together. Yes, we had said we loved each other, but that didn’t mean that I should be talking about soul mates. I might as well smother him and start talking about marriage and children. But what followed shocked me.

  “Maybe you’re right,” his expression was completely serious. “Maybe we are soul mates.”

  Chapter 13

  Monday morning Ralph called me into his office. It didn’t matter to me what he said. After a perfect weekend with Grayson, nothing could ruin my good mood.

  “Gaby, with only two weeks left until the opening of the Alexander Hotel, I wanted to see how the planning is coming along. Is Alexander giving you a hard time?”

  I couldn’t help but smile. “Everything is good, Ralph. The plans are going good. It’s all good.”

  His face contoured with confusion. “Well... Good, I guess.” He shook his head trying to ease his confusion. “You sure you’re alright?”

  I smiled reassuringly. “I have never been better.”

  Shawn arrived at the office, just before lunch. I let Rachel know I was leaving. Shawn and I stopped by the hot dog cart on the corner of the block, not having time for a long lunch today,.

  “So was I right about the corset?” My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “OMG! Really? He liked it that much. And after all that talking you into it I had to do, not to mention getting you into it.”

  I laughed at his comment. “He liked it so much that I didn’t even get to show him anything else I bought.”

  “Well, I wanted to let you know, I started going through those books last night.” I looked at him, hopefully. “So far nothing, but I’ll keep looking.”

  I let out a soft sigh. “Thanks, Shawn. I just hate the idea of having to go through another date with Anton. Now he’s going to think I enjoyed our date. And the whole kissing him...”

  “I know, baby girl. We’ll find something.”

  When I got back to the office, Rachel caught me the moment I walked off the elevator.

  “Mr. Alexander called while you were out.” She eyed me suspiciously. Grayson didn’t normally call. If he wanted something, we heard from his secretary. I hadn’t let anyone know we were back together. I figured why say anything. It’s my business not theirs.

  “Did you take a message?” I asked.

  “Of course. It’s on your desk. He said something about a meeting Thursday? I dunno.”

  I walked over to my desk. Her version of a message was call Mr. Alex ASAP. I dialed his cell not wanting to talk to his secretary.

  “Hey baby,” he answered.

  “Hey! You called?”

  He sighed. “Yeah, you know we have two weeks until the opening?”

  “Yes...” I drug out.