Page 35 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
Aries flips my hand within his and urges my palm open. I uncurl my fingers. He litters the lines and grooves with the softest kisses as he inhales. The sight and feel of him pushing his lips against my flesh over and over makes me squirm against the bench. Heat churns in my groin and up my spine. “Um, Aries?”
“Maybe,” he says in between kisses.
“Maybe?”
“Mm. In spite of everything, I’m not sure how well I can behave myself when you are this clever, unassuming and sweet. Your ethereal eyes are the color of the Mediterranean Sea and you smell like something I want to devour. I should not indulge in this, and yet, you are the perfect storm, Oliver. As if you were uniquely cultivated for my undoing.”
I suck in a breath, because a magnificent bloom occurs within me like a sudden burst of spring. Euphoria and delight. He thinks I’m clever? No one has ever said things like this to me before. Not in this way—laced with affection and desire.
Abruptly, he stops and lowers our hands so that they’re clasped in the narrow space between our hips against the bench. He blows out a breath. “We’ll get through this without any regrets, yes? We’re on the same page now. We have an understanding?”
Nodding, I squeeze his hand. “Yes. Thank you for being honest with me.”
I respect his concerns. They’re paramount, and what right do I have to jeopardize his health and well-being? To potentially ruin the freedom and autonomy from which he thrives.
I understand his fears, but simultaneously, if he decided that he wanted me… I would not deny him. Deep inside, my nature tells me that it’s impossible because he is my choice. I’ve made very few choices across the span of my life, but this one is irrefutable and I want to do everything with him.
Whatever he’ll give me. Whatever is possible.
Later in the evening, Alexander sits beside me at another banquet. My father and all the other members of the hunt have returned, so we’re celebrating and eating the game they’ve caught… which I find completely off-putting.
Alexander is strangely subdued as he talks quietly with his father. I’m not listening closely enough to hear what they’re saying because eavesdropping feels a little rude. Regardless, I appreciate being left alone, because I’m able to retreat into my own mind. The sensation is like shrouding myself in a soft, insulated and fluffy cloud where I can replay the memories of Aries kissing me.
Wekissed. I never thought I cared much for kissing, or any kind of physical intimacy. I’ve always felt a little like an island—a vampire isolated unto myself until forced to commingle with Mr. Perfect Purebred here beside me.
But kissing Aries was so… consuming. Hesitant, but deeply fulfilling. He didn’t kiss me like Alexander does, like a wild animal that’s found its first bit of flesh after scavenging across a winter tundra for months on end. Aries kissed me like a butterfly trying to find a safe place to land—gentle touches to my lips interspersed with curious slips of his tongue.
My skin tingled all over and felt hot. Butgood. It was exciting and inconceivable. I don’t think he’d be willing to do that with me again, given everything he’s worried about, but I’d really love to—
“Did you hear what I said?”
I glance to the side, meeting Alexander’s golden-brown gaze. “No, sorry. What is it?”
He frowns. “You seem out of it today, my love. I said, I’m going to meet the designer tomorrow. What’s his name? Eric or something?”
“It’s Aries.”
“Right. I’m getting my measurements done. Come with? Since there’ll be a third person in the room, does that meet your guidelines for us spending time together?”
Playfully, he bats his eyelids. I don’t want to be in the same room with Alexander and Aries. Like simultaneously having a nightmare and the sweetest dream. My head will probably explode.
“Well?” Alexander presses.
“Sure. What time?”
“After breakfast. We can walk over together?”
I nod. “Okay.”
My senses spark like a match being struck. Intuitively, I look toward the entryway of the banquet hall. Speak of the angel. Aries is there, moving through the crowd toward his designated seat with the air and confidence of a king. He catches my eye like before, but I’m in control now, so when he winks at me—the tiniest blink of a gesture—I smile.
“What are you smiling about?”
I turn. Alexander is watching me yet again. Good lord. “It’s nothing!”
“It’s something.” He grins, shifting his body and giving me his full attention. “You’ve been… I don’t know, quiet? Content? Ever since we got back earlier. Less prickly. What’s making you smile?”
Helplessly, my face warms as I look forward. A heated flush splotches my cheeks and I don’t know what to say. Alexander slides his hand over mine where it rests on my thigh underneath the table, making me jump.
