When we reached the bottom I sunk down to the ground with a groan pretty sure I had reached my limit.
“Come on Taylor, we are almost there.” Peter tried to encourage me crouching down to my level.
I shook my head. “I’ll follow in a minute, you have to get back.”
“We aren’t leaving you here Taylor.” He said pulling my arm over his shoulders and putting an arm around my waist. “Come on, get up.”
“Stop it.” I grumbled. “I’m just slowing you down, you need to get back.”
“Lucian would kill us if we left you behind Taylor, don’t make us drag you back.” Oliver said.
I gave a weak laugh and slumped against Peter. “You might have to.”
At the sound of movement close by we all turned in the same direction, me slightly more slowly than the others. I heard him talk before I saw him.
“Tinkerbell, this is why you should listen to me.”
Lucian was standing in the alleyway leaning against the wall completely carefree as if it didn’t matter that it was almost too dark to see anymore and there was a huge risk of zombies coming for us.
I groaned. “Just kill me Peter, it will be a better fate than dealing with him.”
He chuckled. “You wound me Blondie, now toughen up, you’ve done harder things than this.”
Walking over to me he took me out of Peter’s arms and nodded to him and the others. “Get that ammo back to the hotel, I’ll deal with Mckenzie.”
“Thanks for rescuing us.” Peter said with a grin.
I managed a smile. “No problem.”
When they disappeared around the corner Lucian looked at me and raised his eyebrows.
“Jack, why did you let Lucian come out here?” I whined.
He chuckled through the microphone. “He got there ok then? Well, I’ll see you later Taylor.”
“What? No, don’t leave me alone with just Lucian to talk to!” I cried, but he was already gone.
Lucian smirked at me. “Let’s get you somewhere safe Blondie.”
I frowned. “Aren’t we going to the hotel?”
“No, it’s still a few miles away and you’re in no condition to make that journey.”
“You’re not going to carry me?” I asked.
He smirked. “No Tink, it’s dark and I don’t fancy having my arms full and walking around in the dark. At least during the day I can see what’s coming.”
“I can make it back.” I insisted knowing that the determination to get back so that I didn’t have to spend the night alone with Lucian might just be enough to get me there.
Without warning he moved away from me in turn removing his support and I almost toppled over.
“Hmm, I think I’ve made my point.” He said catching me before I fell over.
I groaned feeling weak and defeated. “Fine, where are we going?”
His whole body tensed up as he answered. “Not here.”
Looking up at him I followed his gaze to find four zombies arriving at the end of the alleyway. Normally I would have simply walked up to them and be done with it, but right then I actually considered just sitting down and letting them get me. That would have been the end of me there and then if I hadn’t had someone with me, but Lucian was there and I knew he wouldn’t go down that easily.
“Mind if I borrow this?” He asked reaching around my waist and putting a hand on my sword handle.
“No.” I mumbled just as he slid it out of its place and advanced on the creatures without a care.
The minute he let me go I leant against the wall and slid down it into a sitting position. The loss of blood and heat of the day must have really taken its toll on me because I felt close to passing out.
I watched in wonder as Lucian took on the four zombies, ok so it was no big thing being able to take on so few, but the wondrous part was watching Lucian move as he did it. It was almost like the sword was a part of him rather than a weapon. I’d never seen someone use a blade as skilfully as he did then. I was a bit dazed though so I could have simply imagined how amazing he was, but I didn’t think I did. He moved quickly as if he predicted every move the zombies made and with the blink of an eye he had the zombies down, no mistakes made.
“Come on, we need to get inside.” Lucian said walking back over to me after wiping my blade clean.
I started to force myself up, but without a word he slid an arm under my knees and the other behind my back before lifting me effortlessly. Why the hell did his arms feel so good around me? Damn him.
“I thought you weren’t going to carry me in the dark?” I questioned to distract myself and because I was actually curious.
“That was back to the hotel, but it’s only going to take a few minutes to carry you somewhere closer.”
Sure enough four minutes and ten seconds later (I knew because I had counted in my head to stop myself from sinking into the comfort of his arms so much) we arrived outside a door. He reached out the arm under my knees and pushed the handle down before opening it. What we found was a room similar to the one I had been staying in before I ended up outside that hotel. It was small with a few pieces of furniture in, but there was no hole in the corner so that we could tell what time it was. In my book that had been a plus side to the other room, but right now I didn’t care as long as I had somewhere safe where I could sleep. This wasn’t very safe compared to the hotel, it was as good as we could expect though.
Chapter 10
Without saying a word Lucian lowered me to the ground and gave me back my sword before he started shoving the furniture up against the door to barricade it as much as possible. He was done within minutes and pulled off a backpack from his shoulders that I hadn’t even noticed he’d been carrying until now.
He knelt down next to me and unzipped the backpack. The first thing he pulled out made me want to kiss him, not that I would ever admit that out loud. As soon as he handed me the bottle of water I thanked him as I uncapped it before pouring it down my throat greedily. It was amazing how just a few gulps of it rejuvenated me, when I was half way through I realised that Lucian was probably thirsty too and reluctantly offered him some since he had bought it with him and all.
He chuckled, probably reading the unwillingness to share it from the expression on my face before shaking his head. “It’s all yours Blondie.”
Well, I certainly wasn’t going to force him to drink it so I chugged down the rest of the bottle barely pausing to breath.
He smirked at me. “I would have thought you of all people would have learnt to ration your water.”
Shit, I had just drunk the whole bottle in one go having none left to get through the night or morning. I should have thought about it before drinking it all, but now I was just going to end up thirsty again.
He rolled his eyes. “Stop looking so worried, I’ve got more.”
I let out a deep breath of relief before relaxing and leaning against the wall. He glanced at me as he rummaged through his backpack again before coming up with a first aid kit.
“Oh, go away.” I groaned.
“You have to get stitched back up.” He said in a tone that gave no room for argument.
“Fine.” I grumbled lifting the hem of my top up enough to reveal the angry red cut.
Over half of the stitches looked fine, but the last few were missing. Blood was still leaking out just as slow as it had been, but I guessed if it had been doing it for the last few hours it would have soon added up.
I didn’t notice him get the needle and thread ready, but before I knew it he was moving closer to me holding it nearer to my sore skin. My body reacted before it even touched it making me wince.
Lucian rolled his eyes. “Just think about something else, it will only take a minute.”
I sighed and shut my eyes tightly hoping that if I couldn’t see it happen then it wouldn’t hurt, but of course I was wrong. It felt like Lucian was stabbing me with one of my daggers every time the needle was pushed through my skin, which was thankf
ully only four times.
“All done.” He announced as I panted through the agony.
“Thanks.” I breathed opening my eyes as he pulled a bandage out from the first aid kit and began to wrap it around the stitches, I guess it was to help stop me from getting them pulled out again.
I frowned at my blood covered top as I went to pull it down over the bandages, what would be the point in getting blood on clean bandages? Apparently Lucian had thought of that too though because he handed me a too big t-shirt.
“Thanks.” I said again, great, all this thanking him would probably go to his head. “Turn around.” I added when he looked at me expectantly.
“Why?” He smirked. “I’ve seen you completely naked before.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, I don’t think seeing me naked when I was two years old really counts, now turn around.”
He chuckled and looked away, the second he did I quickly changed my blood covered top for the clean t-shirt trying not to wince at my tender stomach as it protested with the movement.
He was still looking away when I was finished so I mumbled “done” as I leaned back against the wall.
“How’s your hand?” He asked as he turned back to me.
“It’s fine, just a little sensitive.” I said glancing down at my bandaged hand automatically as he looked through his backpack again.
“Food.” He said suddenly pulling a tin of tomatoes out and shoving them into my hand.
“I’m so hungry I could kiss you right now.” I said trying to pull the ring pull open one handed. Realising what I had said out loud after deciding I wouldn’t earlier I added. “If the idea wasn’t so gross that is.”
Well that last bit was a complete lie, but he didn’t have to know that. By the way his lips twitched in amusement though I was pretty sure he did know.
“The idea of kissing me is gross huh?” He asked taking the tin and opening it before giving it back.
“Uh huh.” I lied again as I grabbed the tomatoes with my fingers and started shoving them into my mouth as if I hadn’t eaten in weeks.
He seemed to figure that I was more engrossed with eating than talking to him right then because he kept quiet and sat down opposite me. It was a little uncomfortable having him watch me as I ate, but right then I didn’t care. The tin was empty in no time and I put it on the ground before looking at Lucian questioningly because I could still feel his eyes on me.
He was smirking again and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what the hell was funny this time. Gesturing at his mouth vaguely he said.
“You have a little…..”
I frowned. “Have a little what?”
Instead of answering me he sighed, leant forward and rubbed his thumb over my lips and chin, I hated the way that it sent shivers through my whole body.
“A little tomato juice.” He said finally lifting his thumb from my face and sucking his thumb clean.
Dammit, why the hell did that look so hot and why hadn’t he moved away from me yet? He was still leaning too close to me and looking at me too intently. If he wasn’t going to move away then I needed to, but why couldn’t I get my body to cooperate? This was the second time my body refused to do what I wanted today, first with the dog and now with Lucian. Move away Taylor! I shouted at myself in my head, not that it did any good. I was still sitting there and Lucian was still too close and his face was closer.
Before I could even stop myself I put my hand on the back of Lucian’s neck and tugged him closer until our lips met. He didn’t try to resist, instead he kissed me desperately and I was kissing back. What the hell was I doing? I had seen him in bed with Elizabeth only hours ago.
“Lucian.” I groaned trying to force myself to pull away from him. “Stop, I hate you.”
“Then why are you still kissing me Blondie?” He asked running his tongue across my lips, lifting me up and sitting down before putting me down to straddle his lap. He did it so carefully as if he actually cared, but I couldn’t let myself think that.
“I don’t know.” I groaned in frustration. What the hell was wrong with me, why couldn’t I just pull away?
When I opened my mouth to say something else though he shoved his tongue inside cutting me off and making me replace my words with a moan. His hands slid down my back and grabbed my ass while my fingers clutched the material on the back of his t-shirt. He tasted so good and I couldn’t help it, I wanted him this close, but I wanted to hate him too. How could I want someone this much that I hated?
I just couldn’t do this, it was so confusing, my feelings were so messed up. What about Elizabeth, wasn’t he in a relationship with her? I hated her because of my jealousy, but I wouldn’t want to be the cause of anyone cheating, could it even be considered as cheating if you hated the person you were kissing?
“I can’t.” I burst out suddenly yanking my lips away from his shaking my head. He looked a little surprised so I crawled out of his arms completely adding. “This is wrong, we hate each other and you’re with Elizabeth and it’s just wrong!”
He frowned. “I’m not with Elizabeth.”
I snorted. “Really? Because what I found you doing this morning kind of suggested that you were with her.” He opened his mouth to reply, but I shook my head and added. “It doesn’t matter, we shouldn’t be kissing anyway. We’ll just forget it ever happened.”
He raised his eyebrows. “And how many times is it going to happen before we stop forgetting about it?”
I glared at him. “It’s not happening again!”
“I’ve been wondering if it would since last time, but clearly it did.”
“Yeah, well what do you expect me to do about it? Do you expect me to be another one of your one night stands Adams just so you can get it out of your system?” I shouted as I stood up and started pushing the furniture away from the door.
“What the hell are you doing?” he yelled ignoring my question.
“I’m getting back to the hotel.” I hissed. “I can not stay in this little room with you for a whole night!”
“You are not leaving this room this late at night?” He roared pushing the furniture back.
“I’ll do what the hell I want Adams!” I yelled. “Stop moving it back!”
Instead of touching the furniture again he grabbed my arms and pinned me against the wall. “Stop acting like an idiot Mckenzie, we are leaving when the sun comes up until then you’re trapped in here with me, so deal with it!” He hissed close to my face. “If you hate it that much, go to sleep and you won’t even know I’m here.”
Instead of loosening his grip on me when he was done he stepped closer and kissed me angrily. I didn’t push him away straight away like I should have, my lips did there own thing moving against his and my tongue entered his mouth of its own accord. There was something wrong with me, there must be for me to keep doing these things. It didn’t take as long for sense to come back to me this time before I shoved him away and stormed across to the other side of the room as far as I could get before yelling at him.
“Stay away from me, just don’t come near me!”
He smirked. “You act like it’s my fault you can’t resist me.”
“It’s nothing to do with not resisting you.” I hissed. “It’s just because I’m so messed up!”
He chuckled. “Of course Blondie.”
I glared and sunk down to the floor. He was a stupid cocky asshole. “You sleep over there and I’ll sleep here, then in the morning we’ll leave.”
He shrugged and sat down on the floor still smiling. “Ok boss.”
I still kept my glare trained on him as I lay down on my side, it was always difficult to get comfortable with my weapons on, but when I was out of the safe walls of the hotel I wasn’t willing to take them off in case we had to get away quickly.
Luckily though I was so tired that sleep came to me easily that night despite my discomfort on the hard ground and my annoyance at Lucian.
I groaned and rolled over when my sh
oulder was shaken to find Lucian looking down at me with a grin.
“Get up Tinkerbell, it’s time to go back.”
I yawned and sat up blinking my eyes several times until I felt more awake, I really wished I could have had a shower, but I would have to wait until we got back to the hotel for that.
Getting to my feet I stretched out all the cramps in my body, I really missed my bed at that point. Glancing at Lucian who was watching me stretch it didn’t take me long to start thinking about the kisses from last night. His gaze was almost caressing my body as he stared me up and down. Damn him and all his male hotness teasing me just by standing there.
“Let’s go.” I said quickly walking over to the door that he must have moved the furniture away from before waking me up.
It made me wonder how the sounds of furniture scraping against the concrete floor hadn’t woken me up, I must have been really out of it.
“I’ll go first.” He insisted slinging his backpack over his shoulder and moving ahead of me.
“Are you on your way back yet?” Jack asked suddenly making me jump before remembering that he was talking through the earpiece I still had in.
“Just leaving.” I answered.
“What?” Lucian asked glancing back at me in confusion.
“Jack asking where we are.” I explained.
He grunted and pulled the door open before looking left and right outside. Apparently it was all clear because he stepped out without a word. Even though he had checked I couldn’t help, but glance around as I stepped out behind him just to make sure there really was nothing around.
“Don’t you trust me Mckenzie?” Lucian asked raising one eyebrow as he watched me looking around.
I snorted. “That wasn’t about trust Adams, that was about four eyes being better than two.”
He grunted in response before walking in what I could only assume was the right direction to the hotel because I had absolutely no idea where we were. The sun was especially hot today and I was sweating within ten minutes of walking. Annoyingly Lucian didn’t seem at all bothered by it, he was striding along without any problems while I was doing what could only be considered as strolling. I was about twenty feet behind him, he didn’t slow down to wait for me and I definitely didn’t intend on asking him to. Sweat was running down my back and I was constantly wiping my forehead with the back of my hand, I was pretty sure that the whole bottle of water I had drank last night was now coming out of my skin.
Demon Hotel (Zombie Apocalypse Series, Book 1) Page 12