The world seemed completely mundane yet entirely different. I stood in the kitchen thinking it would be a nice gesture if I cooked breakfast, which it would be, if I knew how to cook. My attention was diverted when I heard a phone chirp.

  I walked to the counter where my clutch lay resting. Digging in it, I pulled out my phone. I had ten text messages and three missed calls. I opened the texts first, all of which were from Shawn.

  Gaby baby where u b?

  It’s after 2. Call me.

  Did you tell him?

  Ok I’m worried. Call me.

  If ur having a good time thats gr8 just text me let me no ur ok

  Your mom is calling me what you want me to do?

  I stopped there and decided to call Shawn. He answered on the third ring. “Where the hell have you been? Do you know how freaking worried I was? No call. No text. For all I know you could have told him what you were and he staked your ass.”

  Cutting off his rant, “Sorry mom... I meant to call, Shawn,” I said sarcastically. “I did tell him.”

  The line went quiet for a second. “And?” Shawn asked keeping his tone steady.

  “And I just climbed out of his bed and I’m walking around in one of his shirts.”

  What happened next left my ear ringing for the next week. He squealed. Yes, squealed like a fourteen year old girl who just saw one of those sexy guys from Twilight. “Omg Gab! We gotta go out and celebrate. It’s not every day your bestie loses her V card. Speaking of, how was it?”

  I giggled, “It was amazing. Every muscle in my body aches.”

  “That means he did it right. Did he get you off?”

  My face blushed, and not just pink, but deep dark red. I was glad Shawn couldn’t see me. “Yes.”

  “Are you sure? If there is any doubt then he probably didn’t.”

  “Uh...” I giggled, “There is no doubt. My throat hurts from all the screaming.”

  “Ugh... Gaby... TMI.”

  I huffed. “Seriously Shawn? That’s TMI, but asking if he got me off isn’t?”

  “Gosh Gab. I’m just joking. So when can I meet lover boy?”

  I sighed, “He just found out that vampires exist. I don’t want to hit him with too much by telling him werewolves exist too.”

  “You don’t have to tell him I’m a Were, just that I’m your best friend and I have to give him the once-over for approval,” Shawn said.

  “I don’t recall ever giving a once over to the guys you slept with.”

  “That’s different.”

  “How?” I spat.

  “One, it was just sex. No relationship. Two, I didn’t need you to help hide it from my possessive mother.”

  My stomach dropped. “Shit. I forgot about that. What did she say when she called?”

  He laughed. “You actually think I was crazy enough to pick up the phone. I figured you’d tell her you crashed at my place.”

  I inhaled deeply. The scent of Grayson was still lingering on my skin. It filled my lungs, making my heart race a bit. “You forget she can tell when I’m lying. Heartbeat. Remember?”

  “Then make yours race before you talk to her. Think about your sex filled night with the hottie still lying naked in the next room and all the dirty things he did to you. She won’t be able to tell the difference.” Shawn’s words already created the reaction. He was right. That definitely would get my heart racing.

  “Alright. I better let you go. Before I do, can you tell me how to make French toast?”

  ***

  I walked back into Grayson’s bedroom carrying a plate of toast and a cup of juice. I had tried my best to follow Shawn’s direction to make French toast. It seemed easy enough, but after five messed up pieces, I decided toast from the toaster was better. I set both dishes on the night stand, then crawled back in bed. I ran my fingers up Grayson’s chest, tracing his muscles then laid deep warm kisses starting at his belly button and began working my way up. I made it to the base of his neck, when he finally woke up.

  “Mmm... Good morning,” he whispered.

  “Good morning,” I spoke in between kisses.

  I was up to his ear. Taking the lobe between my lips I sucked on it lightly. Grayson inhaled a sharp breath, his hands came up to clutch my waist. “I wish I was woken up like this every morning.” He hissed between his teeth. “Beautiful woman in my bed. The smell of food in the air. Being woken up by pleasure.”

  I whispered in his ear, “If you could only have one, which would it be?”

  Without missing a beat, he said, “Food.” I leaned back and playfully slapped his shoulder.

  He chuckled, rolling over on top of me. “No,” he said in seriousness. “I would rather,” his fingers undid the bottom button of the shirt I was wearing. My breathing quickened. “Have you,” another button. “In my bed,” the next one, “any day,” one more left. My chest was rising and falling heavily. My heart pounded in my throat. “Then anything else.” He shifted the shirt open, and dropping his head, he pressed deep kisses over my breasts. My fangs descended instantly, I would need to work on controlling them. My back arched off the bed. Grayson trailed kisses down my stomach then came back up the side on my body before coming to my breast again. I moaned. My body quivered with delight. Grayson’s fingers slipped between my thighs, pressing into me. My head lulled back in pleasure.

  “Does this hurt?” He asked while moving his fingers in and out excruciatingly slow.

  I shook my head. “No...Feels...Good.” He pulled his fingers back and I cried out from the loss. Grayson slipped between my legs, positioning himself. I felt the tip of him at my opening. I wiggled my hips against him trying to urge him in. When that didn’t work, I whispered an incoherent “please.” I heard him groan as he eased himself in to me. His head dropped to my shoulder as we both adjusted to the sensation of being connected again. He pushed himself up onto his elbows, smiling. His eyes scanned my face. He reached a finger to touch one of my elongated fangs. “You’re beautiful.” He began to move inside me. There was no easing me into the sensation. Grayson started a quickening speed that had me racing towards the edge in seconds. Feeling my body clench around him, Grayson slowed his pace. Opening my eyes, I saw him smile and slam into me making my body explode around his. He followed a few seconds later shooting the warmth of his release into me.

  We laid there connected for a while. His head rested against my forehead. He watched as my fangs retracted and my eyes returned to blue.

  Completely sated, we climbed out of bed for breakfast. Grayson looked at the night stand where I had set the toast and juice.

  “Toast?” He grinned, crinkling his brow. I returned the smile. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “And you said you couldn’t cook.”

  I chuckled at him, shaking my head. “I tried to make French toast. I even called Shawn to ask how it was done, but...” I waved my hand to the plate of toast. He strolled over to me wearing only a pair of flannel lounge pants. I was still in the process of buttoning up the dress shirt I borrowed.

  “I guess living with a bunch of vampires, there wasn’t a big opportunity to learn.” His hands wrapped around my waist. “I’ll show you. Let me make you dinner tonight.”

  I trailed my hands up his chest, coming to rest on his shoulders. “I would love to,” I frowned, “but I can’t.” He raised a questioning brow. “My mother sort of freaked when I didn’t make it home last night. If I’m not home before she wakes, she’ll send out a search party.” He laughed. “I’m serious. I wish I wasn’t.”

  He shook his head, still wearing a humorous smirk, and then he kissed my forehead. “Alright. Not tonight, but I’m keeping you for the rest of the day.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Locked up here,” he whispered against my neck, before placing a kiss on it. My heart started to race. “Just you and me.” His warm breath fluttered against my ear, just before he took my earlobe in his mouth. My relaxed feeling was dissipating fast. Closing my eyes, I slid my fingers into his hair. Grayson pulled back laughing lightly against my neck. My eyes shot open. I shoved against his shoulder, pushing him away. He was taunting me. I turned to leave. Before I was out of arms reach, Grayson grabbed my hand and spun me into his body. His lips pressed against mine. He didn’t push it deeper, he just kept it constant until I relaxed in his arms.

  He broke away first. I inhaled deeply, “Fine, but I’ll have to take a shower before I go or leave early enough to take one at Shawn’s, because they’ll smell you on me.”

  He smiled, “Not a problem. You’ll shower here. I don’t want to let you go until I absolutely have to.” His arms tightened around me. I laid my head on his chest, listening to his heart. “And by the way, I love that you smell like me,” he whispered before stepping away from me. “Let’s go make something to go with your toast, because if I don’t get you out of here now,” he leaned into my ear speaking quietly, “I’m going to throw you back in the bed and take you again and I don’t want to hurt you,” he sighed. “After last night, we probably shouldn’t have done it so soon. You need time to heal.”

  I lifted my head, looking straight into his gray eyes. “I heal very fast.” I pulled him to my lips and all his concerns melted away.

  When we finally left his room, breakfast time had passed. We dressed, and headed into the kitchen. Grayson made us sandwiches. Starving, we sat the bar, inhaling our food. I turned hearing Grayson chuckle.

  “What?” I asked.

  He shook his head continuing his laughter. “I was just thinking that if today is any indication of the future, I maybe have to buy supplement bars or start a high calorie diet, otherwise I’m going to wither away with you around.” My brows crinkled in confusion. Grayson looked at my face then elaborated. “We haven’t left the bedroom in over fifteen hours. We almost missed two meals...”

  I cut him off, “We had dinner last night and part of those fifteen hours were spent sleeping.”

  Grayson cocked his eyebrow at me. “We had an early dinner and we didn’t spend a whole lot of time sleeping.”

  I averted my eyes to my plate, trying to hide the flush on my face and the grin spreading across it. “Are you saying you didn’t enjoy it?” I asked lightly, before turning my gaze back to him.

  “No!” His eyes widened with humor, “I’m saying that we need to be responsible and break for meals. I’ll need to keep my energy up.” I laughed loudly at him.

  Afterwards, we laid on the couch together trying to watch a movie, which we were ignoring. I was turned facing him while we just gently kissed each other.

  Around five o’clock, I decided it was time for a shower. Grayson jumped in with me, insisting I needed help washing my back. I ended up pressed against the shower wall with Grayson taking me from behind. I giggled afterwards with him still buried inside me, his chest pressed against my back his arms resting on either side of me.

  “What?” he whispered.

  “I’m supposed to be washing you off of me. Not adding more to it.”

  He laughed too. “Sorry. Seeing you naked, dripping wet like this... I just couldn’t control myself.”

  As we were drying off, Grayson’s phone rang. Wrapping himself in a towel and looking incredibly sexy, he strutted out of the room. After I finished dressing in the same clothes from the night before, I followed after him. I paused in the doorway when I heard him talking to someone.

  “Have the schematics sent to the office so I can see them Monday… No… Is it time sensitive...? Alright then, have it emailed to me.” Grayson turned seeing me standing there. He gave me a sexy grin, letting his eyes rake over me. That look made my insides quiver and I knew I needed to leave before I found myself under him again, I also knew that if that happened, I wouldn’t make it home before my mother woke. Then she really would send a search party out for me. “Email me the rest of the details. That will be all.” He hung up the phone and started towards me.

  I held up my hand. “Oh no you don’t.”

  “What?” he chuckled.

  I shook my head, taking a few steps back. “I may be new to all this,” I gestured back and forth between us, “but I know that look will only led to no good.”

  “Oh Gaby, it will definitely be good.”

  I groaned internally. I wanted nothing more than to fall into his arms, but I had to keep reminding myself that my mother would wake soon.

  “Relax, baby. I know you have to leave. I’m not trying to start anything. I just want to kiss you goodbye. Okay?”

  I thought about it and nodded. I wanted to kiss him even if it wasn’t going to lead to something. Closing the distance between us, Grayson’s arms wrapped around my waist, clutching me to his chest. My hands tangled in his hair, anchoring me to him while his tongue slipped past my parted lips. We stood at the door kissing for a few minutes before I finally broke away.

  “Can I call you tonight?” I smiled at his question. We just spent almost twenty four hours together and he still wanted to call me. I nodded. Then I turned and headed toward the elevator.

  By the time I got back to the nest, I barely had time to change before the vampires started awaking for the night. I blurred to my room, stripped completely naked, and redressed in jean shorts and a gray tank top. Shoving the clothes I wore at Grayson’s in the closest, I had just plopped into bed before my mother stormed into the room. “Where the hell were you, Gabriella?” My heart was already beating heavy from the fury of anger she had whirling around her. I took Shawn’s advice and began thinking about my time with Grayson, which really got my heart pumping.

  “It was late, so I crashed at Shawn’s,” I said matter-of-factly.

  “Neither one of you answered your phones. I was worried.”

  “I’m sorry. I wasn’t planning on staying. I just passed out.”

  She sighed, her anger cooling in her face. “It doesn’t happen again, or you don’t work anymore. Understand?” I nodded. “Good. Now when was the last time you fed?” Her voice was calmer. I shrugged. “Come along then.” Holding her hand out to me, I took it and followed her, grateful for the reprieve.

  ***

  I was back in my room an hour later, lying in my bed, willing my phone to ring, when there was a knock at the door. I took in a calming breath, really not wanting to see anyone. It had taken a while just to free myself form my mother’s worrisome grasp.

  “Come in.”

  The door swung open, revealing Anton.

  He took a step over the threshold. “You had us all worried last night, Gabriella.”

  “Sorry,” I said with as much sarcasm as I could muster. I knew I was being immature and childish, but I thought perhaps Anton would get the hint that I wasn’t interested and leave me alone and perhaps seek out Ava. No such luck. Anton made his way to my bed. Sitting down at my feet resting his foot on his knee, I looked over at him quizzically. Then I sat up as close to the headboard, which was being blocked by pillows.

  “I was worried about you,” he whispered. “I was sure something had happened.” He laid his hand on my thigh. I flinched and scooted a little further away. Anton eyes darkened but made no move to touch me again.

  “Well as you can see, I’m fine.”

  His lips pulled at the corner. “Why do you resist me, Gabriella? You know I desire you. I could give you the world.”

  “I’m good. Thanks though.” His eyes were scanning my face, when Bubbly by Colbie Calliat, rang through the room. His eyes darted to my cell phone. My heart raced, it was Grayson, but instead of excitement, panic washed over me. I grabbed the phone quickly hitting the silent button. Anton’s eyes fixed back on me. His face darkened with an unknown emotion.

  “Are you going to answer that?” He asked snidely. I shook my head, clutching my phone to my chest. His eyebrows quickly scrunched and just as quickly relaxed. Lightning fast, he grabbed my arm, the one not holding the phone, pulled it to him. He ran his nose up the inner side up to my elbow, breathing me in. My heart pounded in panic, then he released me and at human speed he stood and walked out of my room casually closing the door behind him. What the hell was that about?

  Chapter 5

  A lot of Firsts

  I was lying naked across Grayson’s warm chest. After the vampires had settled for the day, I left to climb into bed with Grayson. I had never found a chance to call him back after Anton left. I had been so worried Anton suspected something and I wasn’t going to risk him hearing my call to Grayson.

  Grayson had graciously forgiven me, twice. My head was rising and falling with his gentle breathing. His heart pounded against my ear while his hand lightly strummed up and down my back.

  “Shawn wants to meet you,” I blurted, breaking the peaceful silence. I felt Grayson adjust to look at me. I lifted my head, resting my chin on his chest. “He says he needs to give you his seal of approval.”

  He took a deep breath, “If it’s important to you, then of course.”

  I smiled. “It is...he is...and well, there is something I should tell you before you meet him. It’s not a big deal.” I tried to wave off my uneasiness.

  “Is he a vampire too?” he said with a crooked grin.

  I shook my head. “I hang out with him in the sun.”

  He rolled his eyes. “That’s right and you’re the only vampire that can go in the sun.” I nodded. “Okay, then what?”

  “Well I already told you he’s gay.”

  “That’s not a problem for me, Gaby. I’m secure.”

  I giggled at his comment before speaking. “He’s also a werewolf.” I crinkled my face, waiting for the blow of emotions.