Page 104 of Taste of Forever
I couldn’t help but grin. My bloodthirsty, protective vampire was also the cutest snuggle bug in the world. “Laith, honey. I need to check my phone.”
“Mmm.” His grip did loosen this time, allowing me to slide to the edge of the bed while his hand remained on my hip. “Never had honey, but I bet you taste like it.”
If it weren’t for the name that repeated itself across my screen, I would have answered him with a cute quip. But my blood turned to ice, rendering me unable to move or think.
Laith sensed my distress immediately, his warmth covering my back as he scooted closer. “Heather?” His hand came to my arm and a kiss dropped to my shoulder. “What’s wrong? Is it Justin?”
The phone shook in my hand, as did the breath leaving my mouth. “No. Not Justin.”
“Then who?” He rubbed my upper arm, which must have erupted in goosebumps. “Temkra’s fate, you’re shaking like a leaf. Who’s blowing up your phone?”
I turned numbly to face him, dropping the phone on the mattress between us. “I’m so sorry, but there’s something I haven’t told you.”
Laith’s face was full of pure concern. “Okay. What’s going on?”
It felt like forever before I could get the words out. “I wasn’t honest with you in the beginning. The first few times I came to see you…I wasn’t really planning on breaking up with Justin. Originally, I had no intention of becoming your blood mate.”
Laith’s expression turned guarded. “But that changed?”
“Yes, I swear to you.” I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled forward to kiss him. “I did leave him and I do want to be with you. I am yours, Laith. Every bit of that is true. I think I had feelings for you from the start, but like an idiot, I was fighting them until you saved me in that alley.”
Laith relaxed, although a deep furrow remained etched between his brows. “So, what’s wrong?” He pushed away strandsof messy bed hair from my face, every touch so tender and careful.
I tried to take a deep breath, but my lungs remained tight. “You remember those bruises on my arms? The ones that looked like fingers?”
Magenta eyes flashed with rage. “Yes.”
“They were from a guy named Soren, who’s been stalking me because I’ve made contact with the vampire world several times. He’s part of some shadowy government operation in the human world. They know vampires exist and they’re gathering information on you guys.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “He wanted me to keep coming back to Sanguine for information. That was why I kept seeing you at first. But listen, Laith.”
I touched the side of his face, making his darkening, rage-filled eyes focus on me. “Meeting you at the club was an escape I desperately needed. With you, I could enjoy myself for once and not think about Soren, Justin, or any of the other bullshit in my life. My feelings for you are real, even if my intentions weren’t at first. I’m so sorry, Laith.”
To my shock and utter relief, Laith leaned in and kissed me deeply. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Heather.” He touched his fingertips to the back of my arm, as if reimagining the bruises that had been there. “This Soren guy hurt you. I imagine he threatened you too? If you didn’t provide the information he wanted?”
I nodded, the lump in my throat becoming a suffocating knot. “He even showed up at my work. We have really good security, but I guess he has clearance because he’s a Fed. I just couldn’t get away from him…unless I came to Sanguine.”
“And now he’s blowing up your phone?” Laith glanced down at my screen lit up with notifications. “What does he want?”
“Well, I basically ghosted him. He’s probably pissed about that and wants the information I owe him. I’m pretty sure he bugged my apartment, so he knows I’m not there. But…shit.” I raked a hand through my hair. “All my stuff is there. I had to leave so quickly because of Justin.”
“We can get you new things.” Laith rubbed my arms. “Because you’re not going back there. Nothing is worth your safety.”
“I know, but it’s not just stuff. I need my glasses and contact prescriptions. Some documents and sentimental things. I might need to sort something legally with the apartment manager since it’s in my name.”
“None of that matters,” Laith insisted. “We can set you up fresh here. A brand new start.” His hand moved to my waist and squeezed lightly. “You do realize you’re moving in with me, right?”
“I figured that.” I chuckled. “And I’m excited to, but I’m still worried. What if Soren can track my phone here and find his way to Sanguine? He had some crazy technology that I didn’t even know was possible.”
“He won’t find you here,” Laith said on a low growl. “It doesn’t matter what resources your human government has. Human-world rules don’t apply here. Even if they find their way in, Thorne will be on them if they step one toe out of line.”
“I don’t know, Laith.”
“I do.” His hand returned to my cheek. “I bet that’s why this guy used you. Because he didn’t have the means or was too fucking scared to investigate Sanguine himself.”
“Maybe you’re right.” I sighed.
“I am right.” He nipped my nose playfully. “As much as I love having you all to myself, I actually don’t want to completely uproot you from your life. Are there any friends or family you want to keep in contact with? We can arrange something.”
Grateful for a temporary change in topic, I thought for a few moments. “Honestly, not really. I lost touch with a lot of friends when Justin and I got more serious. Then I got buried in work. My work friends, I only really saw at work.”
