Moaning deep Damon sat up leaning her back against his knees that were bent behind her since he was way too tall to stretch out fully in her tub. “My turn.” He grabbed her hair forcing her head to lie back over his knees. Usually she hated having her hair pulled, but this was different and the dominance of it turned her on....wow, who knew she'd like being dominated. His large hands gripped her breasts pushing them together as his eyes devoured them.
“Not fair.” Nicole's voice cracked with need. “I wasn't done tasting you.”
As his head lowered to her breast, still pushed together by his large strong hands, he blew against one puckered nipple then the other. “Honey, if you tasted anymore of me our bath time would be cut way to short.” His tongue snaked out flicking across one nipple then the other.
Nicole moved, slowly rubbing friction against his hard cock that was nestled in the curve of her ass. As he feasted on her breast, his hands moved down her body to still her hips. This time she growled with frustration. Reaching around she grabbed his hair pulling him away sliding back onto her knees and before he knew what she was doing she reached under the water gripping him before she slammed onto him sheathing him in his tight warmth.
“Ahhh....damn!” He yelled out, his fangs growing longer overlapping his lower lip. Leaning in she licked one cutting her tongue in the process of riding him hard. He grabbed the back of her head bringing their mouths together in a teeth crashing, tongue grinding duel and then stopped cold. “No!” His voice boomed in the tiny bathroom.
Too far gone with emotion Nicole didn't see the change in his eyes or feel the stillness of his body, she just kept loving him toward satisfaction. Trying to lean into him to taste more she realized he was not pulling her toward him, but holding her back....pushing her back. “What's wrong?” she whispered trying once again to lean toward him. “Damon?” His face had turned to stone and his eyes were a mixture of lust and something else she'd never seen before.
Looking away, he lifted her off of him as he stood jumping out of the tub. Grabbing a towel he dried off quickly and pulled his jeans back on. “Are you still bleeding?” He ask not looking at her.
“Ah no.” She replied confused. “It was just a little nick from your fang. Do you sharpen them babies?” She tried to tease as she got out of the tub grabbing the towel he threw on the floor wrapping it around her now chilled body.
“Get dressed.” He demanded before storming out of the bathroom slamming the bathroom door shut behind him.
Staring at the door Nicole felt her stomach flip, but for different reasons than before. This time it wasn't a good feeling. What the hell was that all about? Wasn't he a freakin vampire who loved blood? Or maybe it was her blood he didn't want and dammit, that hurt more than it should and pissed her off which was a little demented.
Wrapping the towel tighter around her, she opened the door and walked out. “What is the problem Damon?” Nicole walked in the middle of her living room noticing he was on the phone. She waited until he hung up. Standing there with her hands on her hips she glared at him repeating her question.
“I need to go out for a while.” He grabbed his bag shoving things into it, not meeting her eyes. “Jared is coming over to stay until I finish.”
She walked closer putting her hand on his shoulder and died a little inside when he flinched. “What did I do?” Nicole ask hating the pitiful voice that squeaked out of her mouth.
“Nothing Nicole.” He zipped his bag standing up straight not looking into her eyes. “You did nothing.”
She had a sinking feeling she knew what was up. She stepped into his line of vision forcing him to look at her. “Damon, I am going to ask one more time what is wrong. I am not going to beg, but I know something just happened and it’s only fair for you to tell me.”
His head turned toward her, but his eyes were slower to make it to her and when they did she gasp. They were blacker than she had ever seen them and rimmed with fiery red. “It's not you Nicole. I just have to leave for a bit.”
“You need to feed.” Her hand flew to her mouth. “My blood did this to you?”
He nodded. “It's fine Nicole. I just waited too long.”
Reaching up she touched his cheek. “Then feed from me.”
He stepped away from her as if her touch burned him. “No.” His eyes shifted everywhere but back to her.
“Why not? I don't understand. I have blood...you need blood. You've helped me so much let me help you.” Nicole took a step toward him and he stepped back which was starting to piss her off a tad. “You act like you don't want me anywhere near you.”
“I'm not taking your blood Nicole.” Damon hissed, taking another step back. “So just let it go.”
“Why are you acting like this?” Nicole frowned.
“Like what?” He shifted glancing at his phone.
Okay, she wasn't an idiot and she could take a hint, like how he was shifting around wanting to get away from her. Yeah, been there done that. Well, she wasn't going to make it easy on him. Hell with that. “Like an asshole.” She shot back. “Is my blood not good enough for you?”
“You don't know what you're talking about Nicole.” He hissed, glaring at her this time instead of his phone.
“Then why don't you explain it to me. Do I even have a shot with you or am I the wrong species?” She snapped, closing the gap and poking him in the chest. “What is it vamp; I'm good enough to fuck, but not good enough to suck? What, my blood isn't good enough for you?”
He was silent, except for the grinding of his jaw.
His silence was enough answer for her. Even though her heart was trashed she still had her pride that saw her through the worse moments in her life and by God it would get her through this. “You know Damon, I know all about vamps taking the blood of humans and the bloodlust, blah, blah, blah and I don't take it lightly, but you are a warrior and I trust you never to hurt me, but that isn't it, is it? You are afraid to be mated to a human. I know you can be mated to one because Jared told me.”
“Jared's an idiot, but you're right, I don't want to be mated to anyone and I will never turn you.” Damon replied. “I shouldn't have let this go as far as it has.”
“What, playing with the little human?” Nicole snorted. Walking toward the bookshelf he had placed in front of her door she tried to push it out of the way, but it wouldn't budge. “Dammit....” She felt tears close and prayed to God they didn't spill over before she could get him out of the apartment.
“I wasn't playing with you.” Damon marched over, moving her out of the way. She pulled her arm away from his grip with a snap. With ease, he picked up the book case with books and all moving it back to where it was. He turned to look at her and for a brief moment sorrow filled his eyes, but then was gone in a flash.
“Just go Damon.” Nicole wished to God she had put her clothes on. She felt stupid standing in a towel trying to be all serious.
“You're the one with the friends with benefits idea.” He snapped, then frowned shaking his head. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean that.”
Wow, that was harsh and hurt like hell. With a sad smile she cocked her head. “You meant it and you're right. I was wrong. I want more....you don't, obviously.” Sighing deeply, her heart breaking more than she ever imagined, she actually laughed with a bitter edge. “You know, I thought it would be easier the older I got.” She grabbed his bag handing it to him as she edged him toward the door.
“What?” Damon looked confused.
“Loving someone and having it thrown back in my face.” Shaking her head before he could speak she started closing the door. “I can't just have a one sided thing Damon. You have your reasons for wanting to stay distant and I understand, even though you won't talk to me about it, but I understand. The friends with benefits was because I wanted you so bad and hoped that you could find a way to love me.”
Damon stuck his foot between the door and the frame before she could shut it. “You love me?”
“Yeah Damon.”
Being honest was the only way she was going to know how he felt and she was sick of the back and forth stuff. Either he would stay and work things out or he would walk away. It was in his court now, but the not knowing was going to end now. “I think it's obvious to everyone but you. I have never offered anyone else my blood, which by the way freaks me out, but yeah, I would give every ounce of blood I have in my body for you. If that's not love than I don't know what is.”
They both stood still as stone, him in the hall and her holding so tightly to the door she was surprised the wood didn't splinter, staring at each other. As the minutes went by so did Nicole's control. Finally, he moved his hand up to rub it down his face as if frustrated. “I don't know what to say.”
“Well, that pretty much says it all.” Nicole moved quickly before he could see the pain she was trying so hard to hide. “Goodbye Damon.” The sound of the door snapping closed and the lock clicking, echoing through the room hit her hard. Slapping a hand over her mouth knowing Damon's keen hearing she rushed to her bedroom closing the door quickly before grabbing a pillow to cover her face. Never had she felt this type of devastation. Not once had her love being turned down felt this way. Curling up she laid down and cried into her pillow praying she was strong enough to survive the pain this time, truly terrified she wasn't.
Chapter 14
Pam flipped through the papers Nicole has finished. “Bored much?”
“You don't even know.” Nicole snorted. “There is only so much I can do around here. My apartment has never been this clean....ever. Please tell me you talked them into letting me come back.”
“Mitch is working on it.” Tossing the paperwork on her briefcase, Pam sat at the kitchen bar. “At least they are letting you do paperwork here.”
“Nothing has happened.” Nicole flipped her hands up in frustration. “Seriously Pam, I think this whole thing was a bunch of crap. I mean, I don't even need around the clock bodyguards anymore.”
“I believe that is because you refused their services so they could use their talents looking for the ones responsible for all of this so you could get back to your job.” Pam replied in one breath flipping her fingers up doing air quotations.
Rolling her eyes Nicole took a bite out of the sandwich Pam brought her. “Well, it’s true. The children are suffering, not me. The more warriors they have working on this the better.”
“And....there she is again....Mother Teresa in the flesh.” Plopping a chip into her mouth Pam grinned. “You never cease to amaze me.”
“Whatever Pam. You take your job as serious as I do.”
“They think Chad's missing.” Pam laid that bombshell out.
“What?” Nicole sputtered, water dribbling out the corner of her mouth.
“He never came in to pick up his last paycheck or clean out his desk. Mitch just thought he was pissed, but then the police came by saying the neighbor's had called because his mail was overflowing the mailbox and newspapers were all over his driveway. No one has seen him since the night at the hospital.” Pam twirled her phone around on the counter, deep in thought. “They think it's all connected. The attempts on your life, Mitch's and now Chad.”
“So that means I am still out of work.” Nicole grimaced at how shallow that sounded. She and Chad had issues, but that didn't mean she wanted to see anything terrible happen to him.
“It doesn't look promising.”
“That is so unfair. I mean all of you are taking a chance so what makes me so special?” Nicole hissed, slamming her hand on the table.
“Honestly.” Pam cocked an eyebrow. “We, as in all of us, are not sleeping with one of the highly acclaimed warriors.”
Totally taken back, Nicole was speechless for a minute. “Excuse me?”
“Oh, yeah.” Pam nodded. “I got the scoop from Mitch.”
“Spill it friend. What scoop?” Nicole knew for a fact she was not going to like this one bit.
“That Damon told Mitch if you weren't pulled off the job he would have the Council pull all the warriors out.” Pam shook her head. “I just found this out today when I talked to Mitch about you coming back to work.”
“That son of a bitch.” Nicole yelled, stomping around the kitchen looking for something to throw. Picking up a glass she threw it into the sink. She had never felt more betrayed in her life. He knew how much her job meant to her and to have it taken away because of him.
“Ahhh...Nicole you're bleeding.” Pam got up to get a wet paper towel.
Swiping her cheek with her shaking hand she saw the blood which ticked her off more because memories from a month ago when Damon had refused her blood came back slamming into her mind. “Where is he?”
“Who Mitch?” Pam handed her the towel.
“No, that no good, blood suckin vamp.” Nicole grabbed her purse heading for the door. “You coming?”
“Are you freakin kidding? I wouldn't miss this for the world.” Pam grabbed her stuff and hurried out the door.
Nicole, with Pam following closely, slammed into the warehouse looking around.
“What the hell happened to your face Callahan?” Mitch bellowed stomping her way.
Okay, that was definitely a case of deja vu taking her back a step. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Pam shaking her head at Mitch in warning. “Not now Mitch. I'll get to you later.”
Jared walked up to them at that moment. “Everything okay?” His eyes went to each of them before landing on Nicole.
“No, everything is not okay.” Nicole frowned. “Where is he?”
“Who?” Jared crossed his arms, his stance spread wide.
She went to go past him to find Damon herself, done with the games, but he blocked her path. “I'll tell him you're here and if he wants to see you then he will.” Jared glared down at her.
“Did you know?” Nicole felt her chin quiver and bit her lip hoping to stop it.
Jared just stared at her for a minute then nodded. She knew her mind was so wide open he could probably read what she had for lunch a week ago. “Yeah, I did know, we all agreed that it was the best for you.”
Closing her eyes, she dropped her head. “How could he do that to me?”
“He was trying to keep you safe.” Jared shook his head. “Is your job more important than your own life?”
“My job is my life.” She brought her eyes back to his, not answering his question directly. “It wasn't his decision to make.”
“I disagree.” Jared replied, his gaze softening a bit. “As your protector he had every right. You can't save the world Nicole.”
“I'm not trying to save the world.” Nicole lashed back turning and heading toward the door. “Just the ones that can't save themselves.”
“I will see what I can do to get you back on.” Mitch told her as she passed. “If they pull out, then they pull out.”
“You bet your ass you will Mitch or I swear I will go to a different county.” Nicole pushed open the door walking into the night. She really didn't know what in the hell she wanted anymore. This whole thing had turned her world upside down and she didn't know what to do, what to think or who to trust. Pam followed her out.
“Nicole...wait.” Pam ran up beside her.
Nicole stopped in front of Pam's car. “I don't know what to think anymore Pam. I mean I don't want some pity party, I just want my life back. It wasn't the greatest, but it was mine. I know I'm anal about that, but I can't help it.”
Damon (The Protectors Series) Book #1 Page 16