Page 44 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
I haven’t been able to lose myself in nerdy camera things for weeks, not since Lord Blakeley had all of my equipment confiscated. Opening the boxes, I feel like a starved vampire who’s been given a tiny vial of blood. Like an artist whose elaborate paint brushes have been stolen and replaced with a box of colored pencils.
After reading through the instructions to ensure that I don’t make any mistakes, I load the film into the small hybrid camera. I’m flipping it over in my palms when I register Aries. Not stopping at his room at the bottom of the steps but climbing toward mine.
Soon, he knocks.
“Come in.” My nature twists in excitement as he peeks through the crack in the door.
“Hello,” he says.
“Hi.” I’m sitting with the camera rested in the gap of my folded legs.
“I was worried about you. May I come in?”
“Of course. Why were you worried?”
He steps inside, then gently closes the door. “Alexander made that derisive remark after our dance, and then you left with him immediately following the toast and your expression was disheartened. Is everything alright?”
“Everything is okay—much better, though, now that you’re here.” It feels like there are shooting stars inside of me from his nearness.
“Are you flirting with me?” Aries asks, stalking across the floor with his long legs.
“Maybe?” I grin. “As best I can.”
“What is this?”
“A hybrid camera from Sasha. It’s digital and instant but in the neo-classic style. I can take miniature photos. It’s not very serious as far as photography goes, but still fun.”
“That’s very thoughtful of her. Shall we try it out and take a photo together?” He sits beside me on the floor, stretching his legs out and crossing them at the ankle.
“Really?” I would never have thought to take a picture with Aries, but now that he’s suggested it, I’m elated.
“Of course,” he says, inching closer. “Is it ready to go?”
“It is, I added the batteries so it’s just a matter of learning the framing.” I flip the camera and hold my arm out so that the lens is facing us. I’m estimating, but I won’t know until I try. “Can you shrink down to my height so I can make sure that I have you in the frame?”
Aries chuckles. “Not ‘shrink down.’ You have long legs, Oliver.” He relaxes back and leans so that we’re cheek to cheek as we stare into the camera. The scruff of his low, neatly manicured beard is a little coarse but warm against my face.
“Yeah, sure.” I shake my head, disbelieving. Still, his comment creates a small rush of pleasure that makes me smile. I sit up a little taller. “Alright, on three. One, two, three.” The light flashes, then quickly fades, and I hear the camera working, processing to print out the small photo.
When it’s done, it’s still creamy white, so I set it aside. “Let me try one more while we wait. Is that okay?” Sasha loaded me up with film, so I can afford to take some risks.
“It sure is.” He leans close again, and this time I angle the camera up slightly higher above our heads instead of straight on.
“One, two, three—” The flash pops just as Aries surprises me and turns his face, sneakily kissing my cheek.
“I figured we should have some diversity in our shots?” he says, brushing his lips against my skin. “You smell heavenly, Oliver. So light and sweet.” His affection and words intensify the stirring of my nature. It makes my clothes feel scratchy against my flesh.
The camera spits out another undeveloped print. I set it aside. “I don’t know if you did it in time, so… we could do just one more, but intentionally?”
“Mmhm,” he hums, lifting a hand and cupping the opposite side of my face as he kisses my jawline. “Whenever you’re ready.” He moves up to my ear, sweeping his nose there, and it tickles. My lower half writhes because I’m getting hard and his oak and jasmine essence is overwhelming. I bite my lip and snap another photo, having no idea if my framing is right. Frankly, I don’t care anymore.
The flash dissolves. A gentle whirring and humming ensures that another image is being processed. As it works, I turn my head, face Aries and kiss him on the lips. When the processing stops, I snap another photo.
The flash fades once more. Aries lifts from my mouth and whispers, “Do you think we got it that time?”
I don’t answer him because I set the camera down, tilt my head and press harder into his mouth. I wrap my arms around his shoulders, and in a fluid motion, he lifts and drags me into his lap as we kiss and breathe each other. Tasting and wrestling with our tongues.
Aries holds me tighter, gripping my hips and smashing me into his groin. I can feel that he’s aroused, too, and it is… marvelous. Absolutely divine.
