Page 119 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
“Yes,” I say quietly. “Please.”
He licks me and a hard shiver rattles my spine. Like an earthquake rooted and internalized in my groin. Aries softly bites down into my neck, then sucks and wraps his arms around my waist, gluing me to his hard body as he feeds.
Aries’s thoughts pour into me, and they’re not what I expected of him based on what I perceive on the surface. He almost always radiates a cool confidence. A vampire that’s strong and capable. Someone who knows how to take care of himself.
But as my eyes alight, Aries’s thoughts are warm and… timid. Again, I’m reminded of a butterfly—a swarm of them floating through me, so lovely and light. Hesitating.
He loves me. He thinks I’m the bravest and most remarkable vampire that he’s ever met. Aries pines for me, truly, but he’s scared to depend on me. He’s afraid, but he’s pushing through the fear because he trusts in our connection. He wants to rely on me, or at least to try.
Aries’s desire is soft and coaxing. It tugs, but gently waits for my response. For my acquiescence. I close my burning eyes and submit to his desire. I relax back and let him take it from me.
The joy of my nature swishes like a glittering fire from deep in my core—up my belly and chest, swirling around my spine and to my head until it rushes outward. Warm, hazy and blueish silver like the night sky flooded with stars. My knees give, but Aries’s grip is tight around my waist. He doesn’t let me fall.
Every fear… every worry, insecurity and anxiety, it all eases. With this release and connection to Aries’s mind, a new understanding solidifies between us. Somehow, I can sense him more deeply. Clearer than I could before, as if he’s given me access to a sacred place.
Aries lifts his mouth, licks me and leans into my temple. “Are we okay? Was it alright?”
“Yes…” I say, breathless and slouching.
“Can you stand?” he asks, chuckling. I’m unsteady, but I do. Holding on to the counter with my flour-covered hands for leverage.
“You’re not saying anything?” he says.
I turn to look at him and blink in surprise. His cheeks are flushed with deep crimson. “Now you know how much of a coward I am. But I… I want to do this, Oliver. I want you. I love you and I think you’re audacious and intelligent, courageous and loyal—I admire these qualities in you, but I just… I don’t know why I’m so afraid of this.”
Lifting my hands, I place them on his cheeks so that his eyes are focused on mine. “I love you, too, Aries. We can go as slowly and take as long as you need. Alright?”
He nods, and I can see tears forming in his ethereal eyes. “Alright.” He leans down and kisses me.
We kiss, and nothing else matters. Where we decide to go next, whether or not we’re capable of forming a bond, or the fact that I’ve now gotten flour all over his face and in his hair—those things aren’t important.
What matters is us being balanced and honest. Us being liberated vampires, trusting, listening and understanding each other. Making our own choices.
Together. Me and Aries.
Exactly two hours later…
ChapterThirty-Two
“Oliver, I’m not a pogo stick. You can’t keep hopping on and riding me when you feel like it.”
“What’s a pogo stick? I don’t even know what that is, so how can I treat you like one?”
After a hearty, romantic breakfast and a very explorative and sensual shower, we’re clean and sitting on a daybed in the courtyard, surrounded by leafy palms and wildflowers.
“I don’t know if I can keep up with my frisky tiger.” Aries leans over, pulling my folded leg loose so that I slouch and fall back against the cushion. I laugh as he lies down, covering me with his body. “Christ. Can I just cuddle you for a while? I need a minute to recover.”
I grin underneath his weight. He’s so warm. “It’s exciting,” I admit. “Finally being with you like this. Isolated and free.” No clandestine meetings in my bedroom or stifling my nature… not that I did that very well toward the end, apparently.
“I agree,” Aries says, wrapping his arms around my waist. “But we have time to learn each other, darling. We don’t need to figure this out and have a sex marathon within the first twenty-four hours.”
I chuckle again, nuzzling my face into the curve of his neck above me. “I need to tell you something.”
“Mm?”
“Before I met you, I never wanted to have sex—or be kissed or touched at all. When I fantasized about my freedom and life of travel and exploration, I was always alone. I didn’t think I was interested in romance or sexual intimacy. When I was forced to be in that space with Alexander, I hated the thought of these things. It made me so uncomfortable.”
“The primary phrase there is ‘I wasforced,’” Aries says. “I think it’s perfectly natural to be repelled by something when you’re pressured to do it against your will. This logic holds across any scenario, but especially in physically intimate acts like feeding and lovemaking.”
