Page 42 of First Bite
“Let’s take it one day at a time, you little college dropout,” Braden flashed me a grin.
“There’s still more to your particular Life Blood gene than we know. It’s why I won’t stop until I figure out why you are different with us than other Life Bloods have been with their vampires.” Cole’s gaze seemed to read right into my soul. “I’m extremely curious if your mom is the same as you. If that’s the case, and if Enzo is using her to build strength, power, and more fucking armies, then I need to know. If it’s because of who your father is then that could answer a lot of questions about why we are practically your servants.”
I stood from the table, I was so done with Cole’s condescending attitude. Drop-dead gorgeous or not, this emerald-eyed vamp wasn’t going to get away with making me feel like shit every chance he got. Zac had tried that already, and I wasn’t going to keep telling everyone that I didn’t ask for this life. I didn’t make it this far in my fucked-up life to deal with this shit.
“You know what!” I felt my cheeks heat in anger, “Screw you, Cole! Youaremy goddamn servant, mother fucker. I hope you hate it.” I kicked my chair back, “Now, go fuck yourself.”
I rushed out of the side sliding doors that led to the beach, and took off, thanking the moon for lighting my path.
A hand caught my arm gently. “Elle,” Cole said sadly. “Elle, I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” I turned to face him. “For what, Cole? Almost fucking me the other night, then turning into a dick again the next morning?” I asked sternly. “Or let’s see, acting like my existence is a complete nuisance to you? I’m over the bullshit. You’re not, it’s obvious.” My words were short, snappy and I swear I just wanted to punch him in his perfect face.
He stood there, staring down at me, and he shoved his hands in his pockets, “You’re right. I’ve been a dick, to say the least—”
“The very least,” I added, prompting a sigh from the bastard. “You sound like Zac.” I slid my eyes over to him. “Remember how that all went down? My God, Cole, I really hate fighting with you guys. I hate the bitchiness that comes out of me when you’re moody like this. It makes me feel like you’re judging me for something I can’t change.”
“I understand. I was pissed at Zac for treating you like shit, and look at me now.” He shrugged, “I guess I’m just different from the others with you.” He glanced back at the beach house. “Those assholes have always given me a hard time for never loosening up and living a little. Ever since we had to stop our parents, I’ve felt like the best way to make up for their wrongs and for our part in taking them out was to hunt down Enzo and end him once and for all.”
“And I interfered with your little mission? That’s what you’re holding over my head?”
He glanced out at the surf as it gently crept up and away from the beach. “Not holding over your head, but I guess trying to figure it all out more or less.”
I shook my head, “Well, figure it out soon and we’ll talk. I’m not going to be around a guy who manages to make me feel like shit every time I talk to him.”
He looked like he was about to say something, then he pulled his lips into a fine line and turned his attention back to the ocean. I took that as my opportunity to leave and join the other three in hopes that maybe we could laugh this entire day off together.
I walked into the beach house, and Logan and Zac had just walked out the front door, wearing all black. Braden turned back before following them out. “We’ll be back in a while. We’re going to go stalk out some of the vamps in that nest, play friendly, and get some answers from them.” He glanced behind me, “You okay alone here with Cole?”
I didn’t know if Cole’s arrogant ass was behind me or not, “Fine. He and I will eventually work this out.”
Braden arched an eyebrow, “We may not be back for another day. Maybe he just needs to get laid?” He chuckled, “He has been pretty uptight since those habits with other vamps stopped after meeting you.”
“I’m not his problem. He’s his own problem. He can get over himself and accept this shit, or never get laid again.” I walked over and hugged my big, teddy bear vampire. “I have three strong, sexy vampires who can keep me occupied while he sulks, and if my blood is the only blood you all can drink now, then he can starve or take it in a blood bag. I don’t want his shitty moods around me until he gets over himself.”
“Point taken,” I heard Cole’s deep voice say from behind.
Braden smiled, and his lips took mine hostage after that. The hot and devouring kiss ended too early, and Braden touched the tip of my nose.
“You’d better be really fucking nice to her while we’re gone,” Braden warned Cole before he spun around and headed out.
The door shut behind him, and I turned around to see Cole disappearing into his little office escape. I followed him and peeked into the room as he sat in front of his laptop. “If you figure anything important out, give me a heads up, please?”
That’s the last thing I thought, said, or did before I melted into my soft mattress and the entire world faded to black, sending me off into the best sleep I’d had in my life.
