Page 85 of Hot Blooded
“Get yourself together,” he says at last. “There are things we need to discuss.” His tone leaves little room for negotiations, so I merely nod my head and obey while he makes himself at home rifling through my belongings.
Disappearing inside the bathroom, I fumble with the faucet knobs. My heart is beating so fast, and my hands are shaking. I’m confused. Almost vibrating with anticipation.
After a shower, I take the time to blow dry my hair intolong natural bouncy waves that look much more youthful and joyful than I actually feel right now. I even apply a coat of polish to my nails, a pale Ballerina slipper pink. My makeup is natural but complete and I dress in fitted black ankle pants and a cream silk top. I add gold flats and tuck my small black handbag under my arm. I am ready for whatever lies ahead.Maybe.
“Ready?” Alastair says, lifting his gaze from his phone when I emerge almost an hour later.
“Yes.”
“Perfect, let’s go.”
I don’t bother asking him where to, I just grab my keys and lock up, following him out onto the sidewalk. I know he hasn’t come all this way for nothing and at the very least, I want to hearwhat he has to say. Alastair, while we’ve at times had a complex relationship, he and I have always been honest with each other.
We head to the coffee shop on the corner and each order a cup of hot tea. It’s crowded here, filled with hipsters happily typing away on their laptops, a group of ladies meeting for what appears to be a book club… and since it’s not conducive to a private conversation, we take our beverages to go, heading back the way we came from and up the steps to my little, sad apartment.
This time, once we’re inside, Alastair does take a seat on the couch. And I join him, fidgeting nervously with my hands in my lap. Maybe I should have gotten another bagel, but I’m too nervous to eat anyways. I feel hollow and still slightly on edge.
“How have you been faring?” he asks.
I level him with a humorless look. “Tell me why you’re here, Alastair.”
“I’ll cut to the chase.” His expression turns grim. “My brother is miserable without you.”
“I miss him too,” I admit, my eyes downcast. Why is it so hard to say those words out loud?
“Then why are you doing this? Are you in love with this other guy?” His voice is filled with confusion.
“No,” I say, almost too quickly, “but part of me wishes I was.”
“Then why do all this?” He sets his tea down on the coffee table, giving me his full attention.
“Because I don’t fit into your world. I can’t keep up the charade, so I tried to move on.”
But I failed even at that.
“Tressa?” Alastair nudges.
“It’s just too painful.” My heart aches thinking of the way Reign rejected me.
“Meaning what?” Alastair truly seems confounded.
“Reign won’t turn me.”
“And you’re sure that’s what you want?” he questions me.
My face brightens for the first time in months. “More than anything,” I say with a hopeful gasp.
“Sweet Tressa,” Alastair murmurs. He opens his arms to me and I nestle in close to him as he gathers me in a hug. It feels good—comforting and familiar. It’s almost like being wrapped in Reign’s arms again. His strength. His temperate skin. I lift my face to his and plead at him with my eyes. “Bite me, Alastair.”
There’s confusion in his gaze as he meets my eyes. “But why, sweetheart?”
I can’t admit it’s because I want to remember Reign doing this very thing—drinking from me. “Because. I miss it. Just please? I want to feel something, Alastair. Anything other than this nothingness I’ve felt these past few months…”
He swallows, the thick column of his throat working. “As you wish.”
Then he lowers his mouth to my neck and sinks his fangs into my tender skin. The flash of pain followed by a rush ofendorphins is so strong, I moan in pleasure. Alastair responds greedily sucking at the puncture wounds and making his own sound of pleasure. A tingle of heat races over my skin. Being in his arms is not like being in Reign’s, but right now, my body doesn’t care. My brain scrambles in confusion and part of me knows I should stop this—put an end to this very inappropriate little fantasy, but oh it feels so good to be held and used this way. An unexpected pang of longing flashes through me. My heart hammers wildly and Alastair makes another low grunt of pleasure before lifting his mouth from my neck. He surprises me by placing one soft kiss against my lips.
“Fucking hell, Tressa.” He adjusts the rather obvious erection pressing insistently against the front of his dress pants. A surge of want flares through me. Okay, that was weird.
