by Claire Marta
“You make me feel whole,” Twitch confessed quietly. “As if my ruined body doesn’t matter. I feel capable of anything when you are with me, even keeping this darkness inside me at bay.”
“I love your body, scars and all.” To prove her point she kissed each one, working her way across his chest. “I want every part of you, Twitch. Even if you think its imperfect, dark or broken. To me it’s who you are; the man I love.”
Twitch moaned laying still under her teasing mouth. “Sugar pants, I would do anything for you, just say the word.”
“Do you love me, Twitch?” Lexi needed to know. Maybe it was too soon, but he felt something for her, she was more than sure.
“If this crazy need to be with you is what you call it, then yes.” His fingers tangled in her hair as he gently directed her up to his mouth. “I love you, Lexi. I think I tripped on my arse and fell in love with you the first night I saw you outside the club. I couldn’t stop thinking about you,” he admitted against her lips before he kissed her.
“We could snuggle fuck in front of the TV.” He suggested when they broke apart.
“Snuggle fuck?” Cheek cushioned against his muscled chest, she could hear the beat of his heart against her ear. She didn’t care that she was half naked on his kitchen table. That his cousin or friends could walk in any moment and find them. Right now, she was the happiest she had ever been. Everything with Twitch was right.
“Hmm.” Twitch’s hands wandered lazily up and down her back in a soothing rhythm. “I can order a takeaway pizza. I can’t cook to save my life and I’d rather finish what we started in every room in this house. We just eat and then snuggle with a lot of fucking thrown in.”
At the mention of food, Fang, who had been asleep in his basket, lifted his head. With a throaty woof, he licked his nose.
Lexi smiled against Twitch in contentment. “Sounds like the perfect evening.”
Lexi awoke with side of her face squashed against Twitch’s shoulder, pleasantly exhausted. They’d had sex in almost every room in his house. In the end, tiredness had driven them to bed. They’d spent a few more hours talking and getting to know each other better before sleep had claimed them. It had been cosy and intimate. They had shared their favourite movies, books and discussed food. It had been one of the best nights of her life. Stretching, her muscles protested as she braced herself on her forearms. He’d definitely given her a workout.
Sensing her move, Twitch stirred. “What time is it?” He asked, rubbing his eyes sleepily.
Lexi couldn’t believe how freaking adorable he looked just waking up. Blinking up at her, he appeared far too innocent for someone who knew how to do some very wicked things in bed. His ingenuity had impressed her. Pulling her gaze from him, she glanced at the bedside clock.
“Oh fuck!” Shoving herself up, she moved to get out of bed.
Staring at her in puzzlement, Twitch’s hands spanned her waist, keeping her in place. “What’s wrong?” Attention shooting to the clock, he cursed. “Fuck, I’m supposed to meet my team at the office.”
“And if I don’t get my arse in gear, I won’t have time to change and shop before work,” Lexi grumbled.
Rolling off the mattress in different directions, they grabbed their clothes which had been left scattered across the bedroom floor.
“Go ahead and use the bathroom first. I’ll make some breakfast.” Buttoning his shirt, he leaned in and stole a kiss. Trousers hanging loose around his hips, he was yet to do them up.
Grabbing the back of his neck, Lexi deepened the kiss. Tongue darting out, she pressed it to his lips. Groaning in surrender, Twitch opened his mouth to her willingly. Abandoning his shirt buttons, he hauled her up against his scarred chest. Passion ignited between them. Every time they touched it awoke from its slumber, never seeming to diminish.
“Gods, woman, what are you doing to me?” He asked as they broke apart, both breathing heavily.
“Wicked things.” Lexi teased with a provocative curve to her smile before kissing him again. This time Twitch took charge. One hand cradling the back of her head he plundered her mouth. Melting into him, Lexi followed where he led. The earth moved beneath their feet. Lost in each other, it took a second for them to realise the whole building was moving.
Caged in the protective circle of his arms, Lexi held on tight. “I wish they would just bloody stop,” she complained as the quake subsided.
Face burrowed against her neck, Twitch kissed the spot behind her ear. It tickled. Giggling, Lexi tried to squirm away. He had found her one weakness.
“Are you ticklish, Lexi?” Fingers wiggling up her sides, he tested his theory.
Squealing, her movements became frantic as she tried to escape. “Twitch, stop it.” She laughed, swatting at his hands. “Don’t you dare.” Managing to break free, she backed away.
“Oh, I dare.” With a playful leer and jiggling his fingers, he chased her.
Screaming loudly, Lexi dashed half naked from the room. Heavy footsteps pursued her. Diving for the bathroom across the hall, she slammed the door. Drawing the bolt home, she stood giggling. He was like a puppy; playful and silly. She liked this side of him.
A silence stretched. Lexi tiptoed closer. As carefully as she could, she placed her ear against the smooth wood. Was he still outside? Waiting to try and tickle her again? Another giggle bubbled up as she listened.
“Enjoy your shower, sugar pants.” The words were muffled, but sounded right next to her ear through the door. With a gasp, Lexi leapt back. Footsteps sounded heading for the stairs before descending.
Turning towards the shower, she caught sight of herself in the long, full-length mirror on the wall. Dove, grey eyes, bright from her laugher, stared back at her. Pink, rumpled, bed hair tumbled to her shoulders. Lip stick free, her mouth was bare. It made her look younger than her twenty years. She looked carefree. More girl than the woman she was. Her peachy flawless skin had a healthy glow she’d never seen before. Standing in nothing, but a pair of pink lacy panties, Lexi examined the shape of her curves. Twitch had enjoyed her curvaceous figure. He told her more than once during the evening how he loved every inch. Shown her how much with his lips and hands. Her breasts were something he had not been able to resist. He’d sucked and teased them numerous times. Lexi had been in heaven. Instead of hating their size she had started to love them just the way they were.
Not wasting any more time, she was in and out of the bathroom in record time. Not bothering to wash her hair she opted for a quick wash. The hot cascading water had been reviving. Now dressed in her work clothes, she searched for Twitch.
Fang greeted her as she bounced into the kitchen. They had left the dog sleeping in his bed. After getting his nose into a slice of pizza the other evening he hadn’t been interested in their antics. The only person who they had disturbed was Jasmine. Twitch’s cousin had discovered them leaving the bedroom. Naked at the time, Twitch had been freaked out at being caught. It had been hilarious. With a shriek, he had dashed into the bathroom and banged the door shut. Lexi had stood inside the safety of his room wearing one of his shirts, laughing. Jasmine had looked stunned.
“Hey, Fang.” Crouching down, Lexi stroked her hand over his tawny caramel fur. He appeared much happier than the canine they had rescued from Brighton. Coat glossy, he was not as scrawny, but now had some weight to his small frame.
“I made you some toast.” Twitch glanced up from where he was sitting watching cartoons on TV in the corner of the kitchen. Morning sunlight was pouring in through the window. Catching in his hair, it highlighted the deep, red, curly strands. He smiled. It was open and inviting. Lighting up his handsome face, his tired peridot eyes were bright with happiness.
Lexi’s body responded with emotion. Her adoration for him was growing stronger. Every moment they spent together it multiplied tenfold.
Attention falling to the plate on the table, Lexi’s lips twitched at the sight of the charcoaled black slice of bread. It was burnt beyond recognit
ion. In an attempt to cover it up, Twitch had smeared a thick layer of peanut butter over the top.
How could this man be such a complex mix? He was sweet. Innocent. Yet other times he was forceful and powerful. He harboured a darkness she should have been frightened of. It was an intoxicating combination.
“It’s ok.” Lexi told him. “I’m not very hungry.” Padding to a chair, she gathered up her bag. Her drawing pad was poking out of the top. Quickly, she tucked it back inside.
She had sketched while Twitch had been sleeping. His naked form was beautiful and it was something she had wanted to immortalise on paper. Drawing him had flowed naturally. He was so self-conscious about his scars yet she wanted to show him there was nothing to be ashamed of. The finished piece would be a surprise. One she hoped he would like. Lexi wanted to give it to him as a gift.
“I don’t like you going back to the club with Asier there. It’s dangerous. I don’t trust him, especially with him still trying to get into my cousin’s panties. I don’t think Jasmine will be able to resist his smarmy seduction for much longer.”
Twitch’s words dragged her from her musings. “I need to find out if there is any truth about this contract we might have. How can I leave if he has the power to call me back?” Lexi countered.
“You think he’s going to tell you?” Expression darkening, a glimpse of suspicion glinted in his eyes. Like a shadow passing over the sun his darker side shifted. It was subtle, but Lexi saw it.
Guilt reared its ugly head. Lexi couldn’t meet his stare. She couldn’t confide in Twitch no matter how much she wanted to. If she told him what Asier was to her he could get the wrong idea. Yes, she had been sent to him as a distraction in the beginning, but now things were different. If the truth came out it could taint what they had. Their relationship was so new. Lexi did not want to ruin it.
“I don’t know, but I need to try.” Sighing, she slid on her shoes which she had left neatly under the chair.
“Is there something going on between you and the vamp?”
His question startled her. Gaze flying up to meet his, she shook her head vehemently. “No, why?”
With a whine, Fang stared up at them. Big brown doggie eyes jumped from side to side as if he was trying to figure out the change in their mood. Tail thumping on the tiled floor, he sat in between them.
“I’m worried you’ll be drawing his attention.” Twitch confessed, dropping his chin. With the action, his knotted curls fell to hide his face. “Text me if you need anything. Promise me.”
He was jealous. Lexi’s heart squeezed in response. There was no reason for him to be, but how could she tell him that? In two short steps, she filled the distance between them. Without hesitation, she knelt in front of where he sat.
Twitch watched her in silence. Unblinking, he surveyed her through his reddish locks. She hated how unhappy he looked. Any sign of the joy they had started the day with had been doused.
“I promise and I love you.”
“I love you too, Lexi. I’ll see you tonight, right?” A note of uncertainty hovered in his words.
“You are mine and I am yours. As soon as my shift finishes I will come straight over,” she assured him. Cupping his scarred cheeks, she feathered kisses over his lips. “I want to be with you, Twitch,” she whispered as they traded hurried kisses.
His mouth stretched into a smile. “I’ll be waiting.”
Already late for his meeting with Zook and Nelly, Twitch hurried from Covent Garden station. Dodging his way past late afternoon tourists and Londoners, he headed towards the square. As he walked his long, velvety, black coat swirled around his legs. He loved her. Heart missing a beat, he couldn’t believe he had admitted his feelings to Lexi. It was as if sunshine had entered his life and the brightness was dazzling. Everything he had told her, he meant wholeheartedly. When she was at his side, anything was possible. She made him feel whole and handsome; as if he could walk on water, leap a building in a single bound, right all the wrongs in the world. It was incredible, exhilarating, and terrifying—all in one. He’d never believed in insta-love, yet it had hit him like a semi-truck right in his heart.
Not telling Lexi that he had spoken to Asier was making Twitch uncomfortable. He knew he should have told her at breakfast, but something held him back. Fear that he had made things worse. Tightening his grip around the smart phone in his pocket, he was alert for any text she might send. So far all had been silent.
His pink haired girl was not telling him everything. Twitch could sense it. Somehow, he knew she was holding something back too. It had to do with the Master vampire. He’d seen the way she had clammed up the moment he mentioned Asier.
“Where’s Nelly?” He asked Zook, as he reached their regular spot. Fang was two steps behind him. Since Lexi had left the dog had barely left his side.
Sprawled over the bench, the roguish male was people watching. Dark brown hair windswept, he was wearing an expression of boredom. Another band Twitch had never heard of graced the t-shirt encasing his muscled chest. Zook’s long legs were stretched out in leather trousers above biker boots crossed at his ankles. Arms resting along the back of the seat, his rings gleamed in the dying afternoon sunlight. He wiggled a finger in greeting.
“You’re late,” The cursed God complained.
“Lexi stayed the night and we overslept, so I had to stay longer at the office to catch up on work.” Twitch scooted his bottom onto the space available. With a grumpy woof, Fang flopped at his feet.
“Nell’s over there feeding her vermin with wings.” With an expression of fondness softening his features, Zook nudged his chin at the gaunt figure at the end of the square. Faded wedding dress dragging after her, Nelly shuffled along. The crown of yellow flowers she had made still graced her head although they were now wilted. Stray wisps of her white thinning hair were working its way loose beneath.
She was unaware of their observation. Brows furrowed in concentration, she was sifting seed through her gnarled fingers. At her feet, the pigeons swarmed. Wings flapping, they were a flurry of colour and sound.
Zook’s eyes lingered with an appearance of longing. His expression turned sombre. Mouth curving down, his faint smile reflected bitter regret.
“What’s between you and Nelly?”
Titling his head, his friend regarded him with a questioning look. “What do you mean?”
Drawing closer, Twitch checked they wouldn’t be overheard. The old woman was still tending lovingly to her birds. “The way you looked at her. There’s more than friendly affection there.”
Zook released a long, stress filled sigh. “Nelly’s true form is what you saw when we were fighting back in the Nether. A beauty of haunting appearance. The human body she’s trapped in now is the result of her mate rejecting her.”
“Fuck.” Shocked, Twitch stared at the stiff figure who now had her back to them. Shoulders hunched, she was riffling through her small wooden cart. Piled high with knick-knacks and bags, it housed most of her belongings. It was necessary when you lived on the streets. Nelly liked her freedom. She refused a permanent roof whenever she was offered one.
“He was an arrogant dick who didn’t realise what he had right in front of him.” Zook bent to scratch Fang behind the ears. Foot tapping against the concrete, the dog angled himself into the touch. “Rejecting her love condemned her to a half-life. When she takes on her true form it drains her energy. There is only so much her fragile human prison can take. One day I’m afraid it won’t recover. She’s been careful for centuries, but time has taken its toll.”
“What happened to her arse muffin of a mate?”
His friend paused. “She cursed him and he’s been trying to make it up to her ever since.” His words were edged with pain. “Because it didn’t take long for me to realise I was head over heels in love with her too, but it was already too late.”
Twitch’s head whipped back to stare at Zook with an incredulous look. “I agree. You’re a complete dick.”
&
nbsp; “Yeah. I know.” The cursed God bared his teeth in a smile of twisted irony.
As the seat rattled they both looked down. Without warning the ground rolled beneath their feet. Clinging to the bench, Twitch held on for dear life. It was terrifying. Around them people shrieked in fear. The sun had disappeared behind the buildings and in the twilight, many panicked, running into the open square away from the shops. It was as if the earth roared with the force of an unknown anger. Each time a quake happened the vibrations were stronger.
Fang whimpered. Tail between his legs, he cowered in fear and confusion.
As quickly as it had begun, the shaking eased.
“What the fuck is it with these mini quakes? I can’t believe no one knows the cause yet.” Twitch muttered as he released his hold on the bench. This was getting ridiculous. Someone had to know what was happening.
The squeak of Nelly’s cart as she guided it along interrupted him. Unfazed by what had occurred, she was hobbling towards them with determined steps.
“A shifting beneath the city...something stirring...but nothing for you to worry about. It will be taken care of in time, but not by us.” She informed Twitch, looking at them expectantly. Sliding his arse across, Zook made room for her. Nelly nodded in thanks.
“And how the fuck do you know that?”
“We know a lot of things. It’s our job to know.” Zook cast Twitch a glance. Brown eyes alight with mystery, his handsome face resembled a pirate with the long, jagged scar across his left eye.
“Why don’t you do something to stop it, then?” Twitch asked.
Beside him, Nelly settled herself daintily on the seat. Taking a handful of worn stained skirt, she tugged it up to gather on her lap. “Things for us are not black and white. We are more the grey in between.”
“Grey how?” Squinting at them, he shoved some knotted curls from his face. They were speaking in riddles again.
“I mentioned balance. That is not always done through something positive. Sometimes we must turn a blind eye and allow things to play out naturally.”