In My Veins

by Madden, C. A.

  “I know.” He smiled making my heart clench from happiness. It was the same song we danced to at the 12AM show we went to.

  Who was I kidding? I was totally having a fan girl moment in my head. He held me close as his arms were around my waist and mine around his neck. We swayed with the music as I rested my head below his shoulder thanks to my height. As the song ended and volume lowered as a piano song came on. He pulled back to face me and the nervousness ignited again.

  He took a deep breath and got on one knee. He reached into an inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a dark red box. I knew that box anywhere, Cartier.

  He took another deep breath as he opened the box revealing a gorgeous diamond ring and said, “You have been my rock throughout this mess… my heaven through this hell. My heart belongs to no one but you and it can’t beat without you. I can't think of anything else that would make me happier than to live with you forever as your husband and you as my wife. I know I’m not perfect, but I promise to make that up to you. Will you…officially marry me?”

  I felt my eyes fill with tears and the sight of him get blurry before the tears dropped along with me as I fell on my knees. I wrapped my arms around him tightly and finally l managed to say, “Yes!”

  I pulled back to look at him and cupped his surprised face before kissing him repeatedly. He laughed and pulled away from me. He cleared his throat and smiled as he took my hand and slipped on the ring.

  I squealed, “It’s gorgeous! Thank you.”

  Before I knew it he pulled me up and carried me bridal style, “Hope you know there’s no escaping me now.”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck, “Right back at you baby.” I smiled as he leaned in and kissed me sweetly.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Our lips locked on our way into the apartment we tumbled into my room. I couldn’t believe it. We were officially engaged. He let go of whatever fear was holding himself away from me as he slowly unzipped the back of my dress letting it slide down to my hips.

  I pulled his jacket off and with shaky fingers tried to unbutton his shirt. He unwillingly pulled away so he could help me by ripping the buttons off his shirt and throwing it aside.

  “James your shirt!”

  “If I stop now, I will probably talk myself out of it.” He said cupping my face and pressing his lips against mine to keep me from saying anything. My hands touched his shoulders slipping lower to the abs and the V I loved so much. Finding the buttons of his pants I undid them but didn’t pull them down.

  He lifted me and set me on the bed, “Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked.

  I nodded, “Yes.”

  Before we knew it my dress was thrown aside and so was his clothes. I tried to kick my shoes off but couldn’t. He pulled away and looked at my body causing me to cover with my hands the best I could. I tried crossing my legs too but he was already in the way of them. He leaned forward and grabbed my arms, “Don’t cover. You’re so beautiful.”

  I felt heat rush through my body knowing he was watching me and thinking that I was beautiful. He bent my leg caressing every inch his fingers grazed and he slipped off my shoes of each foot. He slid himself up starting to kiss every inch from my hip up giving me goose bumps. The feel of his skin against mine was indescribable.

  Once he reached my face he stopped and looked at me in my eyes, “If… if I lose control. I… I want you to do anything you can to get away from me.”

  “I trust you James.”

  “I don’t.” he said unplugging the small lamp I had on my nightstand, “Hit me with this if I bite you.”

  “James---”

  “Just promise me you will.” He cut me off.

  Hesitating I glared at him, “I promise.” I lied.

  Taking my word for it he continued where we left off. His lips taking mine, mine taking his. Limbs tangled with each other. Hands exploring every inch of each other’s body as if it was the last time we could ever do this. “Are you sure you want to?”

  I smiled nervously, “More than anything.”

  He was just as nervous as me, but for totally different reasons. I tried to comfort him as much as I could since I was shivering myself. The warmth of his body against mine was somewhat helping but I was just as scared as he was.

  I pulled away from him and gasped from being touched so intimately. He looked back into my eyes and I smiled reassuringly that I was okay. I closed my eyes from the pain when he looked away waiting for it to get worse as I gripped onto his back and shoulders tightly digging my nails into his skin. He was holding me tightly and he had his face buried in my neck.

  I don’t know why I felt that something was wrong. And then I realized what it was. I was a virgin. There is blood…

  “James…are you okay?” I asked nervously.

  He was breathing hard as he forced himself away from my neck to face me, “I should be asking you. Are you okay baby?”

  I swallowed, “Yes…” In pain, but I’ll survive that.

  He was trying to act normal. I cupped his face and brought kissed him hoping to get his mind off the blood and onto us. It helped as we both started getting lost in our lips and our touches. We just ignored everything else.

  My entire body felt like jelly as I molded into his. We made love. We belonged to each other in every single way possible and no stupid curse was going to hold us back from each other. He pulled away from me and kissed the tip of my nose, “Are you okay?”

  I smiled, he sounded like the James I knew and loved, “Yeah.”

  “I love you Karina,” He said smoothly and I felt myself relax in his arms. I wasn’t shivering anymore and the fear from earlier was gone. He buried his face in the crook of my neck trailing kisses and gently nipping my sensitive skin, “You smell so good.”

  I giggled and ran my fingers through his hair lifting him back up so I could look at him. His hungry lips met with mine as we both moaned into each other. His hand was massaging my hips and slowly moving up my waist. I was practically cutting into my lip with my teeth at the anticipation of what he was going to do.

  He ran his tongue on my bottom lip forcing me to stop biting it as I whimpered against his lips.

  “If I can’t bite you, you can’t either.”

  I giggled, “I never stopped you.”

  He smiled and pulled me into his arms our legs still tangled with each other. “Are you okay?” I asked feeling the tenseness of his muscles.

  “More than okay.” He said his voice a deep whisper.

  I looked up at him and smiled before pushing myself up so that I could rest my head on his shoulder. I felt him twist the ring on my finger as I cuddled into his side. I yawned as sleep started taking over my tired body. “You should go to sleep…”

  “I thought you wanted to stay at your parents…”

  “David will watch over them tonight. I want us to be alone tonight…” he said his fingers instinctively drawing doodles on my hip.

  I nodded, “Goodnight James…”

  He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed the top of my head, “Goodnight beautiful.”

  “What’s wrong?” I asked moments later feeling that he was still tense. He looked surprised that I was awake still and I smirked, “Yeah not so fun is it when I can tell how you feel is it?” I laughed.

  He shook his head, “It’s okay. I was just thinking… what will your parents think about our engagement?”

  “What do you mean? They loved you when they met you. You heard yourself.” I smiled.

  “When I met them…I was…” He said pointing to his teeth, “Or even worse.” He said pointing to his eyes.

  “I could explain it to them before meeting with them again.”

  He looked at me wide eyed, “No…no way. They’ll never let you see me again.” He said and held me tightly.

  I sighed, “James… I’m old enough to make my own decisions.”

  “You’re only twenty-four, that’s too soon for marriage.”

&n
bsp; I rolled my eyes, “James… They liked you before, they’ll like you now. You’re the same man…just different teeth. I’m marrying you for us not for anyone else’s approval. I want the whole world to know we’re getting married, but I don’t care what they think. I just want them to know.” I smiled.

  “How did I get so lucky?” he said kissing the top of my head.

  We cuddled some more. I couldn’t sleep. Neither could he. I stared at him as he stared at me. We both laughed at each other for being so ridiculously lovey dovey.

  “What is it?” he asked brushing my fringe away from my eyes.

  “Um… if I ask you something promise not to get mad or offended?” I hesitated.

  He looked worried, “What is it?”

  “Um…” I looked at his mouth and back at his eyes, “Could I… touch them?”

  “Touch what?” He asked confused. I opened my mouth and pointed to my not so sharp canine teeth.

  “Why?”

  I shrugged, “Curious…” I rested my head on his shoulder again, regretting asking him. “Never mind, it was stupid to ask.” I giggled nervously.

  “Sure you can.”

  I looked at him in surprise, “Are you sure?”

  He nodded and opened his mouth. My heart started beating fast from the excitement and I worried he would think I was scared. I lifted my finger to one of them and pocked the sharpness.

  “How do you not bite your tongue?” I asked as I pulled her hand away and wrapped my arms around his neck, purposefully staying extra close so he’d know I wasn’t freaked out. If anything I was just curious. I wondered what it would feel like.

  “I’m used to them. The first time the teeth showed up were when I was thirteen. I used to bite my tongue all the time then…but I got used to them.” he said laughing at his clumsy teeth memory.

  I nodded, “Oh.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay with it?” He asked.

  I smiled, “More than you know. Really.”

  He looked at me curiously, “What do you mean?”

  “I was actually wondering…what it would feel like. You know... if you were to…”

  “I wouldn’t do it ever… don’t even think about it.” He said quickly and tensed up again, “When Collin did…I felt so angry.” He said touching the place on my neck that Collin bit. Thankfully it didn’t leave a scar and healed quickly.

  “You’re different.” I mumbled and rested my head on his shoulder again. My eyes started getting heavy again.

  “We should probably look for a house…” he whispered.

  I smiled and nodded shyly. “Okay.”

  A yawn escaped me before I could stop it. “I’m getting sleepy…”

  “Me too.” he admitted.

  “Good night for sure this time.” I smiled and rested my head on his shoulder.

  ***

  The next morning I woke up with James holding me tightly again. He suffocates me while we sleep, not that I was complaining or anything. It’s kind of cute waking up to a hug. I glanced at the clock and it is well past ten. Which was horribly late since I was used to waking up early for work. But since it was a Sunday, I decided to just lay still and let him sleep a little more.

  I looked down at his face since he had his head buried in my neck and smiled at his peaceful expression. His mouth was slightly open showcasing his sharp teeth and lips. His facial hair was tickling my oversensitive skin and I tried to ignore the embarrassment from being wrapped in his arms… naked.

  He furrowed his brows with his eyes closed as he groaned then smiled again, “Good morning beautiful.” He mumbled slowly opening an eye to look at me. His morning voice deeper than his usual voice but sexy like always.

  “Good morning,” I smiled as he shut his eyes again. He must be exhausted. My cell phone soon started to ring and I looked over at the night stand to see that it was my mom. I stretched to grab it but not knock James out of my arms, “Hello.” I answered.

  “Hi darling, I called your house and you didn’t pick up. That’s why I’m calling your cell. How are you? Are you busy?” I could tell by the background noise that she was cooking or baking something.

  James looked up at me worried as I talked. He must have heard my mom’s voice and is worried as to what she’ll say. I want to tell her so bad about the engagement but…they’d want to see us again. Anyone I tell will want to see us together again.

  “No I’m not busy. James was over and we went to the rooftop. I must have not heard.” I semi lied. We went to the rooftop last night. I stretched away and sat against the headboard feeling weird talking on the phone with my mom while I was naked in my James’s arms. Fiancé or not. I pulled the blanket with me to cover up making James glare. I stuck my tongue out at him playfully.

  “Oh that’s nice, how is he?”

  “Great. He’s good.” I said as I ran my fingers through his hair.

  James was deep in thought before he stood. I closed my eyes as if I wasn’t supposed to see anything making him laugh. I fluttered them open and he was watching me with a mischievous grin before grabbing some pants. I watched him as he walked out of my room, the view of his tattoos on his perfectly toned back with signs of scratches from me. I felt my face heat up at the thought and brought my attention back to my mom as she went on about a recipe she found on TV that she’s trying out today.

  Think of the chicken sandwich to get my mind off of last night.

  He walked into the room again and I mouthed, “Can I tell her?”

  He looked worried but he nodded. James sat against the headboard next to me too. I scooted close to him.

  “…. It was really good but you know how your father is. Even if it’s the best he’ll find something to complain about.” She said laughing.

  I smiled because it was so true.

  “Is there something you want to tell me sweetie?” my mom asked knowingly. Moms always know

  Yes but I can’t tell you all of it. I thought.

  “Yeah mom, actually…” I said starting to feel like a little kid asking for permission to go to a field trip, “Um…James proposed to me last night.”

  My mom was quiet for a moment, “Don’t you think it’s too soon? You’re only twenty-four…”

  James tensed, “No. I’ve been dating him for over half a year… he treats me well. We’re going to be engaged for a while anyway…”

  “I don’t know…” she thought out loud.

  “I could date someone for years but that wouldn’t mean it was right. I knew I wanted to be with James right away.” I said honestly making him smile.

  She started laughing, “I know. I could tell you two were in love when I met him. I just wanted to hear what you would say. This is wonderful news sweetheart.

  James let out a breath that he was holding and rested his head on my shoulder grinning. “You two have to come over soon so I could get to know him even better.”

  James’s head shot up and looked at me, “Yeah mom we will soon. James’s just really busy with work and stuff lately. Whenever he’s free I am busy too… especially now with the new job…”

  “That’s fine. Whenever you two both have time… I’ll tell your father when he gets home. This is wonderful news!” She said again.

  “Yeah… thanks mom. I got to get going though. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “Okay, you and James better come over soon, you hear me?” She said as we both hung up.

  “How are we going to ever avoid me seeing your family and friends…” he said.

  “We’ll figure something out. We won’t avoid them.” I said and hugged him almost knocking him over. “See my parents love you.”

  He sighed, “I want to give you a normal life…not one in hiding.”

  “We will get there. One step at a time.” I assured him.

  “How are you feeling by the way?” he asked making me blush.

  “I’m good…” I said shyly making him smile.

  “You must be hungry…”

&nb
sp; My stomach started growling at the realization, “Starving.”

  He laughed, “Well. I have breakfast in the oven to stay warm and a bath ready for you to relax in.”

  “A bath?” I shrieked as he lifted me up knocking the blanket off in the process, “James!”

  He smirked and dashed me off to the bath.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Our breakfast turned into lunch from spending way too much time in the bath together. And it seemed like our happy moment was quickly put on hold when Collin ended up coming to his parent’s house so that he could talk to James and his father.

  Still a little creped out by him I stayed close to James when I was around them and locked in Jenny’s room with her when I wasn’t.

  I felt my phone vibrate indicating I got a text and I noticed it was from him, “Don’t hide baby… I miss you.”

  I quickly wrote back, “How did you know I was hiding? I’ll come out in a minute. :]”

  “You two are so cute! You’re smile when you saw his text was priceless!” Jenny squealed.

  I smiled, “Well... I’m going to go check on how their research is going. I’ll talk to you later.” I said as she smiled knowingly.

  As I opened the door Ellie opened hers which was across from Jenny’s. I stood awkwardly waiting for her to go the direction she was going but she didn’t move either.

  She sighed and stepped closer and all of a sudden hugged me. “Sorry for being a bitch before. I thought James would have to go through what David did.” She said pulling away from the hug, “Welcome to the family.” She smiled and opened Jenny’s door to go in. I wanted to ask what happened to David but decided not to push her closeness too soon.

  I went to James and noticed Collin still looked ‘vampirey’. Is he always in monster mode now? Maybe it’s because James is and it’s like a defense mechanism? I sat close to James and noticed he was uneasy. He put his arm around my waist and kept me close, maybe Collin still kind of creeps him out too.