We moved back into the house, seeking warmth under the covers to escape the outdoor chill that reached into our bones. Von stretched his arm under my neck, angling me so I slid into his nook. We held each other in the dark, with only the light from under the door of the bathroom shedding a little illumination on us. Though I couldn’t see every detail of his features, I could make out enough to tell that he was on cloud nine. “Thank you so much, Peach. I can’t tell you how much I love that girl, and how hard Angela makes things. She only lets me see her if I keep the money coming. Since I have no legal claim, I do what I have to so I can see Penny, and make sure she has a father looking after her. I make sure Angela’s remembering to feed her, wash her clothes, take her to the dentist, and things of that sort.”
“No problem. I probably shouldn’ta barged in like that, but it seemed like the right thing to do at the time.”
He let out a joyous laugh at his good fortune, rubbing warmth into my cold arm as our legs naturally tangled around each other’s. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to relax around him. “I owe you so much. Tomorrow I’ll make you breakfast in bed. I’ll make sure Danny isn’t such a control freak and lets you pick the radio station. I’ll…” He paused to look at me with new appreciation. “I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll make this work. All of it.”
My heart started beating unnaturally, and I didn’t trust the unfamiliar rhythm. “Don’t say things like that and look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m… Don’t say things you might not deliver on.”
Von’s face grew somber. “You have no idea who I was before it all broke.”
“Before what all broke?”
He looked at me like he wanted to tell me his secrets, but pursed his lips instead. “Just, before. It’s why Danny hates me so much. I used to be the one everyone counted on, the one who got things done for my brothers. Now I’m a half-vamp. Now I’m the one who didn’t graduate. I wasn’t always such a disappointment. I was top of my class before it all crumbled.”
I rubbed his arm, not feeling the germs I knew had to be there somewhere. “Who do you want to be now? Seems like as good a time as any for a fresh start.”
Von examined my face as he searched to make sure there was truth in my offer for a new beginning. “I want to be the man who earns a shot at something good, and then takes that chance and does something amazing with it. I want to turn good into amazing. I had that potential before, I think. Lost it along the way.”
My gaze softened as I studied the sincerity in his tone, the blazing determination in his eyes. “I think that’s well within your control. I mean, not as cool as if you’d said you wanted to be a video game champion, but to each his own. If you want to become a better man, then I guess I’ll just have to live with it.”
9
Necking with Dracula
Von smiled with new hope beaming through his dimples. “Tomorrow starts day one of the old Von. The one before it all broke. I liked that bloke. Wait till you see him. I’m thinking he goes commando and needs a new pair of shoes.” He winked at me. “How do you think I’ll look in something without paint stains on it?”
“You’re fine with the paint stains. You already look like a TV teen vampire or something. The paint stains even it out so girls don’t fall head over heels too fast. Give us a fighting chance to resist you.”
A wicked grin swept over his face at my admission of attraction. “Just say it. You want me for my hot vampire body.”
“You know what I mean.” I pointed to his wily grin. “Shut that smile down; you know it’s up to no good.”
Von sat up on his elbow, reached his hand over and swept my damp hair off my forehead so he could look deep into my eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t show up this morning. I promise I’ll—”
“Shh.” I shook my head. “Don’t promise; just do. If you want to be responsible and earn this job, then do it. Sure, you were at the right place at the right time at Ezra’s house, but now make it your business to keep your job. Deserve this job. Penny’s worth a dad who can do that. Just tell me when you need to be gone, and we’ll work around it. You don’t have to keep your life from me.”
Von studied the details of my face as if I was something special. “I don’t think I’ll ever deserve what you did for me tonight.”
“Make it your business to earn it, then. I need you to be on your game. Be better than whoever Danny picks out to guard me.”
“I will, November.” Von softened us both with the use of the nickname I was growing to love. The corner of his mouth drew up in a teasing half-smile. “TV teen vampire, eh? You think I’m sexy.”
I scoffed. “You know you’re sexy. I’m not adding to that inflated ego.”
“Whatever. You basically just begged me to suck on your neck.” He laughed at my mouth that fell open. “Come here, you succulent little peach!” He grabbed me around the waist to start a war I was too flustered to win right away. He rocked me over until he was on top. He grinned at my squirm while we wrestled for a few minutes, laughing as we played like flirty teenagers who should know better.
No one really played with me like this. It was my fault; I was too uptight to let down my guard so thoroughly. I don’t know why it was easier to laugh with Von, but I found I couldn’t help the elation that cleared the cobwebbed holes in me I’d long given up on.
It wasn’t until he nipped at my neck that things turned. “I vant to suck your blood!” he said in an imitation of Dracula, his lips grazing a sensitive spot on my neck as he bit down lightly.
I squealed as I fought off the waves of attraction I tried not to feel. We had to work together for who knows how long, and it wouldn’t help the situation if I developed a crush on the man currently chewing on my neck like a wildebeest. “Shit! Von, you can’t… Mm…” My eyes closed as my head tilted back to grant him further access, despite my better judgment. My back arched as his arm snaked under me, pressing my chest to his as I lost myself in a moment I had no right to be in. Heat flooded my belly and spread out through my limbs like a fire that only wanted more – oh, please, please a little bit more.
My hand fisted in Von’s hair, making his moan match my wanton pleading for the moment to stretch on for an eternity. His thumb found the dimple in the dip of my hip, working the vulnerable spot as if I was an instrument Von was well-versed in strumming. My whole body hummed the song that was being played between our bare stomachs, the tension tighter than a fiddle’s string. Our navels touched without caring about the ramifications.
This was it. It was exactly what Danny warned me about. I would never behave like this with anyone else; it was the Omen-Reaper voodoo that was messing with my mind, making me think there was something that begged to be explored between us.
Between the sheets.
I’m not sure what might’ve happened, but I knew nothing would when Ollie’s door opened and he padded into the living room, horrified at walking on a half-naked man atop his moaning and writhing sister. He took several steps back, aghast. “October, what are you doing? I heard noises, so I…”
Von rolled off me, only mildly miffed that our playful romp had been interrupted.
I was mortified. I jumped out of the bed, my hands on my crimson cheeks as I searched for anything that might make sense. “We weren’t doing anything! We were just goofing around. I swear, Ollie.”
“This guy? He’s so old!”
“Hello, Beto was eight years older, and you had no problem with him. Von’s only seven years older than I am,” I protested before catching myself. “We’re not hooking up, so it doesn’t matter how old Von is.”
Von was settled on his back atop the mattress, and held up his hands in surrender. “Nothing going on here, Officer.”
Ollie’s face was red. “I didn’t mean to barge in on whatever that was. I’ll go back to bed.” He cast me a hurt look that I hadn’t told him I had a man in my life.
“It’s really not like that,” I as
sured him, chagrinned.
“It’s fine. Goodnight, guys.”
When Ollie disappeared into his bedroom, I buried my face in my hands. “I can’t believe that just happened! You’re not a vampire; you’re a warlock or something. I’m not usually like that. Black magic, that was.”
“You don’t usually invite foreign men to suck on your neck? Shame. You really seemed to like it.”
“Shut up! I’m so embarrassed!” I shut my eyes tight, wishing I could melt into the carpet and disappear. “This is what Danny warned me about, that I’d start developing feelings or whatever for you or Mason.” I blushed all over again, admitting to the thing I didn’t want to examine too closely. “That’s not going to happen here. I genuinely like you, and I don’t want things to get confusing.”
Von shrugged in faux confusion. “What’s perplexing about a good friend, who was a stranger a week ago, hopping into bed with you and sucking on your neck?” When I responded with an exasperated groan, Von dropped the act. “Okay, okay. I get it. I can be less sexy, less amazing, less addictive. It’ll be hard, but I’ll manage mediocrity for you.” Then he gave me a sincere smile, which made my shoulders relax. “I genuinely like you, too. That stunt you pulled out there, talking Angela down? No one goes to bat for me, but you did without knowing all the details.”
I motioned between us. “We’re a team.” I covered my face with my hands again as the image of me writhing beneath him on the pullout struck me anew. “Oh, and I made it weird by being all flirty. I’m sorry. That’s really not me.”
“You mentioned. It’s the Omen-Reaper bond. I feel it, too.” The bedframe creaked as Von rolled to my side of the bed. He stood before me, so close I could smell his deodorant and cigars. He moved my hands away from my face by gently cuffing my wrists. “Hey, there’s nothing to be upset about. That was fun, and it doesn’t seem like you’ve had a whole lot of that in your life. I’m all about the fun. I live for it. Happy to impart my knowledge of enjoying one’s life onto you. Come to bed, kitten. In the morning, everything will be normal.”
“I made it all weird now! I really didn’t mean anything by the vampire comment. So uncool of me. I don’t know why I said it.”
“Because I’m dead sexy, obviously.” He motioned to his toned form. “You’re only human, and apparently, I’m a vampire. You didn’t stand a chance.” He winked at me and climbed back into the bed. “Come on. Relax. You never relax, and then when you finally do, you apologize over and over for it.”
“Really? Just like that?”
“Just like that. Get on in.” Von peeled back the covers and waved me inside the haven. He tugged me down to lay next to him so I didn’t have to feel awkward and hug the edge of the narrow bed. My hand rested on his bare chest, and my head found its home on his shoulder. He sighed contentedly. “This is nice. Should’ve gotten me one of you years ago.”
“An Omen?”
“No, a girl friend I’m not having sex with. Sleeping with you? It’s the most naked I’ve let myself get with a woman.”
“I’m sure Katrina begs to differ.”
“There’s nudity and then there’s naked.”
I pondered Von’s comment as I stroked his chest, tangling my fingers in the nonintrusive puffs of hair as I relaxed us both. When I felt eyes on me, I turned to find Mason staring up at us, fresh from his shower, and towel-dried, thank goodness.
“Come on, boy.” I patted my pillow, inviting Mason to share my side of the bed. He looked up at me with a note of reluctance in his gray eyes, like he thought three was a crowd or something. He finally hopped up next to me and laid his head down on my pillow. I rolled over to kiss his snout before settling into the thin mattress on my back. I stared up at the ceiling while Mason leaned into my side to warm me.
Von stroked my arm, and I knew he was pulling off thin layers of stress. He was tender with me, like I was something to be treated with gentle hands. I didn’t get a lot of that in my normal life. “You’re really worked up,” he observed with mild concern.
“I’m nervous about tomorrow. The whole threat on everyone’s lives thing,” I admitted, knowing if I was going to keep Von around, I had to start depending on him. Mason butted closer to my side so I was hedged in between my two pillars of strength.
“You don’t have to be scared. I went to school up until my last year. I’m as trained as anybody at the Academy. Just a little out of practice.” Von ran his hand down my arm and rested it across my navel, his stomach pressed to my side. “And Mason actually graduated. Plus, he’s a well-known badass. Did he tell you about the Amalanhigs?”
“Are those the zombies?”
Von snorted. “Yeah, I guess they kind of are like zombies.”
“Yeah, he told me about them.”
“Well, he’s a wild zombie killer. You’ve got nothing to worry about. Plus, he’s Matruculan. That breed’s far stronger than the others if they don’t cut their hair. Strength’s tied to their hair never being chopped, hence the dreads.”
I reached my fingers up and stroked the underside of his jaw, doing the same to Mason with my other hand. “Stop trying to impress me with your five dollar words like ‘hence’.”
“I can’t help myself.”
Mason and Von were determined to give me a good night’s sleep. They pulled away my anxiety, my fear and my unnecessary fight. All my OCD was no match for the calm they replaced my neurosis with. While it was taxing sharing my house with four new people, I was grateful for the twisted road that made it possible for me to sleep in a bed with a man. “Thanks for being cool,” I murmured. “It’s been a long day.”
“If I’m here, you don’t have to worry.”
“You know, you sound like you actually mean that.” I hmm’d when he leaned his cheek into my palm, the fondness between us blooming into something sturdier than a passing flirt. It was like I could feel his heartbeat, even though my hand wasn’t pressed to his chest anymore.
His eyebrows furrowed, and his hand reached over to scratch his chest, confused at the tug I could feel on my end too. “This Omen-Reaper bond is stronger than I expected. You’re deeper in here than I realized. I don’t have much experience with… I mean, I have only brothers.”
“That’s okay. I’m pretty well grown by now. But sure, you can be my backup older brother.”
“In case you need a spare?”
“Sure.” I closed my eyes, reveling in the freedom I felt at being so open, when I’d lived most of my life keeping my friends at arm’s length. Danny had been right; this bond was no joke. “Goodnight, Von.”
Von surprised me by kissing my lips for the second time, making my eyes fly open. It was a light brush, a sweet peck, but I didn’t have friends who did that. Heck, I barely let them hug me. Von seemed to treat my hang-ups as he did most rules, and simply ignored them. “Goodnight, November,” he whispered with a soft smile. His dimples communicated a devotion that resonated with the part of me Beto had never been able to touch. I could feel loyalty in my bones when I caught of glimpse of the real thing, and I saw it that night in Von’s eyes as he looked down on me with affection that transcended our many differences.
Mason sneezed, interrupting my over-analysis of the moment.
And just like that, I fell asleep, safe in Von’s arms with my wolf by my side.
Hours later, I barely roused when Ollie kissed my forehead. “I’m headed to the airport, October,” he whispered. Von shifted against me, his arm that stretched around my waist gave Mason a sweet pat in his sleep. He’d been using my leg as a body pillow, my thigh sandwiched between his knees. Von’s nose was burrowed into my cheek, as if he wanted to smell my skin while he slept. It would’ve been weird if it didn’t give me the best feeling in the world.
My voice was scratchy as I struggled to wake myself. “Okay. Let me drive you.”
“No, no. I’ve got to return the rental anyway. Go back to sleep.”
I opened my eyes to get a look at my brother’s furrowed brows as
he leaned over the back of the couch to stare down at us. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just having a panicked dad moment. Seeing you in bed with a guy? I’m not sure I’m ready for that. I’m debating between congratulating you and calling up the McCray brothers to get myself a gun.”
“Von’s just a friend,” I murmured in a whisper, and then my whisper took on a fiery determination. “And don’t you dare go to the McCray brothers for a single thing. You’ll not ask for so much as a toothpick from them. And if a toothpick or anything shows up on our doorstep from them, you burn it.”
Ollie wasn’t surprised or put off by my sudden temper flare. “You and that pride. I got over all of it years ago. You should, too. Judge keeps trying to make amends.”
“Judge McCray can take a flying leap.” I stared up at my brother, whose eyes were on Von, a look of deep consternation on his face. I glanced to Von, who looked angelic in sleep. “Von really is just a friend, Ollie.”
Von mumbled with his eyes still shut, “Now, now. Don’t lie to the poor bloke. We all know I’m stark raving naked under this blanket.”
“Go back to sleep,” I scolded Von, casting up an apologetic look at Ollie. “We’re not hooking up. I promise.” I don’t know why I felt the need to assure my brother so many times.
Ollie tilted his head to the side. “You’re growing up, kid. I wish I could keep you in training wheels forever.”
I cast Ollie a sleepy smile as my eyes drifted shut again. Mason’s fur was warm and so very soft, and Von’s body wrapped around mine with his forehead resting on my temple gave me a heavy dose of his masculine scent. I could feel both of their inherent rhythms, and found a deep sense of peace, sandwiched between both of their synchronized heartbeats. “Have a safe flight, Ollie. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
10
Nurse Gracie
Quitting the only job I’d ever loved was awful. The look on the warden’s round face ensured that the shame of leaving him in the lurch would remain buried deep. I’d allowed Von and Mason to come into the prison with me, but not to the warden’s office. When I emerged, my hand slipped into Mason’s, and I could feel him pulling at the angst and devastation of leaving my life of choice behind.
Tremble (Terraway Book 2) Page 6