I groaned when the blood touched my tongue. It was euphoric. It crashed on all my senses overwhelming them like a drug. The ally vanished around me and I was no longer with an unknown human. I was with the man I loved. Lust surged through my system, spreading like wildfire. Between my thighs moistened, readying, begging for a release.

  Hands caressed my back but I thought nothing of it, too absorbed in the warmth coursing through me. Lips pressed against my neck, but they didn’t feel right. They weren’t warm like normal. Slowly, with each kiss down the column of my neck, I was lulled back to reality. The moment I became aware, my body heated becoming instantly pissed. I was against the side of the ally wall. My hands were pinned above my head. Anton stood in front of me, his head dipped placing kisses on my neck. His arousal was pushed against my stomach. I shivered with disgust. I tried to pull away but he wasn’t budging on his hold. Without thinking, I kneed Anton in the groin watching him crumple to his knees.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” I shouted. My fury took over. I raised my hand back connecting with his jaw. Anton’s knees buckled, forcing him down against the ground where he laid in the fetal position and his hands cupping his family jewels. “Do not ever touch me again.”

  I walked over to the humans, hoping to erase their memories of us then I sped away. I didn’t know if it worked. I figured if it didn’t, it would be Anton’s problem. Not only was this his mess, but he was the leader of the nest. So even if it had been another vampire’s mess it would still make it Anton’s mess by default.

  I couldn’t go home and risk seeing Anton. I felt disgusted knowing he had touched me like that. I knew if I went to Grayson I could possibly be bringing danger to him if Anton followed. Plus the guilt I felt for allowing what happened to happen was overwhelming and I couldn’t face him. So I went to the only place I could. Banging on the door I waited for an answer.

  “Baby girl, what...” Shawn stopped when he saw my expression. “Come in.”

  We sat on his couch. Shawn loaned me one of his T-shirts and a pair of basketball shorts to change into. I couldn’t stay in my clothes one more second. The smell of Anton clung to every fiber of the fabric. We sat in silence for several minutes; Shawn was busy texting away on his phone. I was sure I had interrupted some plans he made. When it became clear to Shawn that I wasn’t going to talk about it, he started.

  “Did he hurt you?” Shawn asked through clenched teeth. I was curled into myself. I wasn’t cold but I couldn’t stop shivering.

  “He made me feed from a male.”

  Shawn’s eyes widen. He knew what an aphrodisiac it was for a vampire to feed on the opposite sex. “He made you?”

  “He threatened to drain the guy if I didn’t.” I shook my head, trying to erase the memory. “He knew what it would do to me. He wanted it to happen, I just didn’t see it. I was so worried for the guy to really put it all together. I mean, I knew what his blood would do, but I didn’t think that Anton would…” I let the words hang in the air, unable to finish them as guilt washed over me.

  “Gaby, it’s not your fault. You did nothing wrong.”

  “I’m not so sure about that. I antagonized him,” I explained.

  “Whether you antagonized him or not, he had no right to touch you.” He waited for his words to sink in. Once I nodded, he continued. “You hungry? Want a drink?”

  I smiled but it didn’t reach my eyes. “Alcohol would be great.”

  “Sure thing, baby girl.” He got up, giving a quick peck on my forehead, and headed into the kitchen.

  The alcohol helped. Thirty minutes later and two drinks, there was a knock at the door. I jolted thinking Anton had found me.

  “It’s okay, Gaby,” Shawn whispered in a calming voice. He went and answered the door.

  “How is she?” I couldn’t see who was at the door, but there was no need, I could recognize that voice anywhere.

  “She’s a little shaky. But I gave her a few drinks and she seems a little better.”

  “Can I see her?” Grayson asked.

  Shawn turned to me, looking for my permission. I nodded.

  “Alright.”

  The moment I saw Grayson’s face, the disgust I felt towards myself for allowing Anton to kiss and touch me washed over me. Tears streamed down my face, letting the shame take over. Through my tears I saw Grayson’s face melt from anger to concern and sympathy.

  “No, baby,” Grayson had me in his arms cradling me to his chest.

  “I’m so sorry, Grayson. I’m so sorry,” I sobbed.

  “Shh...” He hushed smoothing my hair with his hand.

  “I understand if you hate me. I hate me.”

  “Shut up, Gaby. I don’t hate you. I’m in love with you. I’m pissed at the fact that I can’t do anything to protect you from him.” He shook his head. “That I’m not strong enough.”

  “Please don’t think that.”

  He pulled back slightly; his smoky gray eyes were a storm of emotion as they looked into my blue ones. “How can I not? I want to defend you. Protect you. I can’t without getting killed. Even knowing that still doesn’t stop me from wanting to pound this guy’s face in. I have more money than I know what to do with but it’s not like they have a number for supernatural bodyguards.”

  “I’m so sorry, Grayson.” I didn’t know quite what I was apologizing for. For Anton? For Grayson not being able to protect me? Or the fact that he was willing to risk his life for me. He could do everything humanly possible, but it would never be enough. My problems weren’t human. He felt like he was failing me. And I felt like I was failing him.

  “Stop apologizing, Gaby.” Grayson pulled me tighter against his chest. I wish I could tell him I didn’t need protection. In fact, I had handled Anton well. I doubt he would make that mistake again. I wasn’t sure how I had managed to take him down. He should have been fast enough to stop me.

  Shawn walked back into the room. I hadn’t even realized he had left. I guess he meant to give Grayson and me a private moment. Not all that private seeing as how Shawn could hear us from any room in the place. “Whatcha gonna do, Gabs?” Shawn asked.

  I shrugged. “What else can I do? We still haven’t found a loop hole, which means next Thursday, I’m going to have to go out with him again.”

  “No! Absolutely not!” Grayson’s voice was raised. I don’t think I had ever heard that level of anger from him. “I’ve been a good sport about this, Gaby. My girlfriend being forced to date another guy, but he could have raped you tonight. Do you understand that?”

  “What choice do I have, Grayson? If I don’t go out with him, he’s threatened to lock me up like a prisoner. He’s the leader of the nest. He has the power to do it.”

  “Okay guys. Let’s all just calm down.” Shawn raised his hands like he was trying to lower the volume and tension with them. “We’re going through the old laws now. We’ll find something.”

  Chapter 14

  Time Apart

  The next week, I didn’t return home. Shawn had swung by the nest, packing up bags of clothes and blood. I couldn’t bring myself to go. He also managed to snag the rest of the books on the old vampire laws since I wouldn’t be at the nest to go through them. My mother called me Sunday when I hadn’t been there for the delivery from the blood bank. I explained the edited version of what had happened. She had told me to wait a few days before returning home and agreed that I needed time to cool down. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one. Anton had been an utterly hostile vampire. His fuse had been growing shorter and shorter. He threw one of the newbies through a wall after his blood wasn’t the correct temperature. I guess getting kneed in your family jewels takes some time to get over.

  Shawn had offered for me to stay with him, but Grayson wouldn’t hear of it. With his home being a human dwelling, I would be perfectly safe there because no vampires could enter.

  He didn’t try to make love to me. He would just hold and cuddle with me, barely letting me out of his grasp. I think he felt I was safest in his arms. It’s funny because I felt exactly the same way.

  Wednesday night, my mother called again.

  “Gabriella, I talked to Anton.” I was silent waiting for the rest of her comment. “He says you’re to be here tomorrow no later than eight o’clock,” she sighed. “I’m sorry darling. I tried to talk him out of it, but I’ve never been good at talking men in or out of things,” she spoke wistfully.

  “It’s alright, mother. I didn’t really expect him to relinquish his hold on me. But one can hope, right?”

  “They certainly can.” I could hear the sound of her breathing, “Will you be coming home to stay tomorrow?”

  I sighed deeply. “I’m not sure yet. I know I should. But...” I looked at Grayson who was in the kitchen cooking dinner. He was a billionaire who sat on the throne of his business empire, yet he was the one cooking dinner. He could most certainly hire someone to do it, but that wasn’t who he was. How many billionaires cooked their own dinner, much less cooked for someone else and serve it as well? That just made me realize why I loved him so profoundly. Even though he had money, he was still grounded enough to not let it go to his head. I watched as he rummaged through the drawers look for something and I couldn’t help but look at him longingly. This past week had been almost amazingly perfect. I woke up with Grayson. I came home to him. We ate dinner and talked together. Then we went to bed to together. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was what it would have been like had I been human. Would I have lived here with him and fallen into a familiar pattern?

  He smiled at me when he caught me watching him, but I didn’t look away. I loved the mundane normalcy that was running through my mind. He was the reason I wasn’t sure if I was going home. He didn’t want me to and I didn’t want to do anything he didn’t want. And deep down, I wanted it too.

  “I know you don’t want to be around Anton any more than you have to.” She spoke with understanding. Well that was part of the reason, the other part was now watching me intently from the kitchen.

  “I love you mom. Even if I don’t stay, I’ll make sure to stop by and see you.”

  “Alright, Gabriella. I love you too my darling.”

  After hanging up the phone, I made my way to my regular bar stool, observing Grayson. His face was unreadable. “You have to see him tomorrow, don’t you?” He didn’t look up from his task.

  “Yes,” I sighed.

  He didn’t say another word. He put the final touches on what I believed to be lasagna before sliding it into the oven. He stood there with his back to me. I saw the tension rise in his shoulders. I didn’t like seeing him like that, especially not because of me. Suddenly, I had the urge to help relax him. I was moving to Grayson before my brain fully processed what was I was doing. I sped into the kitchen, wrapping my arms around his waist. Grayson tensed for a moment under my touch then visibly relaxed. He turned in my arms, wrapping his around me.

  “How long until dinner is done?” I asked.

  “About forty five minutes. Why?”

  I looked up at him from under my lashes, showing my intentions with my expression. “You haven’t made love to me in a week.”

  Grayson gave me a small smirk. “I don’t need sex to enjoy being with you. It’s just a plus. And after...” His words drifted off. “I don’t want to rush you to do it until you were ready.”

  My last sexual experience had been with Anton. Even if it hadn’t actually been sex, it had still been intimacy. I could still feel his cold skin on me. I wanted a new memory to replace it with. Being with Grayson had always been intoxicating but natural. I needed that, more than ever.

  “I know. And I appreciate that. But I want you. I want you to help me erase the memory. Erase his touch from me. Please, Grayson? Make love to me.”

  Grayson ran his knuckles down my jaw. I could see he was struggling with the decision. I rubbed my palms on his chest hoping to show him how much I did want him. I could see his resolve give way slightly.

  “If at any point you feel uncomfortable and want to stop, you have to promise me you will tell me. I don’t want you suffering through it for me. This is all about you. You understand?”

  I nodded, licking my lips. Like being with him could ever be uncomfortable. My eyes locked on his mouth, begging for him to use it on me. He smiled, grabbed my hand, and led me to the bedroom.

  The moment we were next to the bed, Grayson grazed my mouth with his. It started lightly, almost like he was afraid to hurt me, then slowly it grew to more demanding. His tongue penetrated my lips, gliding against mine. When I started to fumble with my clothes, Grayson grabbed my hands stilling them.

  His mouth moved to my ear. “There is no rush, baby,” he breathed. “Let me cherish you.”

  Slowly, in between kisses and light caressing, Grayson removed every piece of our clothing.

  “Get on the bed,” he whispered against my neck. I did as he asked without hesitation. Grayson climbed on top of me, his body warm against my skin. His fingers grazed over every surface of my skin as he moved up my body until we were face to face.

  Sliding his hand under my hips, he lifted me to meet him. I felt him just at my opening, teasing me. I was moaning with delight. One week seemed so long, even though it wasn’t the longest we’d gone.

  I slid my hands down his back to his hips, trying to urge him in. “Please,” I moaned.

  Grayson gave me what I desired. He groaned, pressing himself deep, sheathing himself and stretching me until he filled me to the point where I could take no more.

  “Damn baby, you’re so tight.”

  He pulled back then slammed into me. I cried out with pleasure. He did it a few more times before finding a steady rhythm that had me writhing, begging him not to stop. One final thrust had us both claiming our release together.

  Thursday morning, I woke to warm breath against my neck being quickly replaced by soft lips. I moaned, turning toward the source of my pleasure. Grayson softly claimed my lips. His tongue plundered my mouth, enticing my desire. My hands fisted in his silky hair, pulling him deeper.

  He chuckled lightly against my lips. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to tease you. I was just trying to wake you. It’s time for work.” I groaned with frustration, burying my head beneath my pillow. “If it’s any consolation,” he grabbed my hand, pressing it to his groin. He was hard. I stroked him without thought. He hissed through clenched teeth. “I’m just as frustrated as you. But now you have a reason to come home to me tonight.”

  I pulled my hand back, sitting up on my elbow. “Is that why you did it? So I’d come back here instead of staying with my mother?” I spat. I don’t know why, but I was instantly mad.

  “Of course not, Gaby!” His brows furrowed trying to hide the hurt in his eyes. “I just wanted to wake you up, gently, instead of being jolted awake by the alarm.” He threw the blankets back making his way to the bathroom. I was momentarily distracted by his defined naked body moving gracefully across the room.

  “I’m sorry, Grayson. I’m just a little on edge,” I called after him. There was silence. Then I heard the shower start. I sat there wishing I hadn’t been so hot headed. I knew today was going to be rough on Grayson too. He felt powerless against Anton when all he wanted to do was protect me. I turned my head toward the bathroom when Grayson stepped out from behind the door.

  “You coming?”

  I smiled at his question and hoped that I soon would be.

  ***

  Rachel and I went over the final guest list for Grayson’s grand opening. I never really understood why everything in Manhattan was made into a party. I guess I shouldn’t complain, the New York social events kept me in a job. My eyes locked on two names I hadn’t noticed before, Charles and Josephine Alexander. Of course his parents were going to be there. But they would certainly be staying for a few days if they were coming in from Boston. Why hadn’t Grayson told me? Did he not want his parents to meet his vampire girlfriend? Well, when I said it that way...

  I had Rachel verify the numbers with the hotel manager to be sure they had plenty of seating for the entire guest list. There would be no more changes. My first client that I was took point on, was being completely finalized. Everything was coming together and I couldn’t wait to see my handiwork in action.

  The day passed in a blink of an eye. My heart had begun to pound harder in my chest cavity as every hour passed, bringing me that much closer to meeting up with Anton. My stomach lurched at the thought. I didn’t think I could do it. I was in dire need of a pep talk. I looked at the time, it was close to six. Picking up the phone, I dialed the number I had memorized.

  “Hey, baby girl.”

  “Shawn, I need you.”

  ***

  Shawn met me outside my office around six thirty; his expression grim. “Let’s get this over with,” he said, hailing down a cab.

  Shawn had agreed to go with me as far as the front door of the nest and would wait for me there. Relations between the werewolves and vampires weren’t the best and neither of us wanted to risk the unstable truce by Shawn, son of the pack leader, walking into the Manhattan vampire nest, no matter how awkward I worried my meeting/date with Anton might be. I had told Shawn my main concern was if things didn’t go well that Anton would try to follow me, which would lead him to Grayson. After my “date,” Shawn would escort me home. It was strange how I no longer thought of Grayson’s apartment as his. It was home. No way would Anton be able to sneak past a werewolf’s nose.

  “I’ll wait for you here,” he said as we stood on the stoop of the building where the vampires resided. Still having some time to kill before I met with Anton, I went to see my mother.

  “Gabriella!” She blurred towards me as soon as I entered the dining room. Her nose crinkled in disgust. “Oh, Sweetheart, you smell like a wolf!”