Not that I’m one to talk.
Jonas pays for Melanie’s car, and she takes the edge off his temper twice a week. Whatever works, I guess. But I’ve never seen him hold Melanie’s hand, and I can’t imagine that if Melanie ever fell ill, he’d take her somewhere private to feed her. He might pay for some nurse to stop in and check on her, but the way he looks after Sophie now is almost the same level of care Valor and I take with her. There’s a whole other category for the way Hagan is, holding back his animal side so he doesn’t mate with her and make us all miserable. His transition back to work is going to be a rough one, I can already tell.
It’s Tuesday night, so I know Jonas is itching for his release. “You going out to meet up with Melanie?”
He shoves his phone back into his pocket. “Nah. Not tonight. We’re watching a movie.”
“You’re passing up on sex for a movie?”
Jonas shrugs. “She’ll get over it.”
“Why don’t you invite her over to hang with us?” Sophie suggests, turning toward the screen as the opening credits play.
Both Jonas and I shake our heads like they’re tied to the same string. “No way.” Then Jonas explains in more detail. “Melanie and I don’t really hang out. We’re strictly sex and favors. Nothing more.”
Sophie rolls her eyes at him with a hint of a smirk on her lips. “Write that on a Valentine’s Day card and she’ll be all over you, I’m sure.”
Jonas sniggers at her joke, and I see it all clearly, even if Jonas doesn’t. His shoulders are relaxed. He keeps finding small ways to stay physically connected to her. He’s smiling without sarcasm. I can tell Jonas likes being around her, which isn’t the same as liking her, but it’s there all the same. I should be relieved they’re not fighting anymore, and maybe I am. Still, the whole thing is so strange to watch.
“Well, if you were ever going to take her out, where would you go?” Sophie’s smile kills me with its cuteness. “I haven’t done a whole lot of normal Twin Rivers stuff. Where’s a good place to eat around here?”
None of us are even pretending to watch the movie anymore. It’s the first thing she’s been animated about in so long, I instantly want to give it to her. “Tomorrow night, I’ll take you out to Mezzaluna. It’s nice. Give me a chance to put on a tie.”
“Nowhere fancy,” she amends. “Maybe a good burger joint.”
“If we’re going on a date, let’s do it right. Lobster, candles, the works.”
Jonas shoots me a look that tells me I’m being an idiot. “She doesn’t want to go anywhere she has to dress up for because she doesn’t own anything but a pair of jeans, some stained shirts and pajamas. Her whole house caught fire, remember?”
I grimace that Jonas has to set me straight about my own girlfriend. “I’ll take you shopping tomorrow morning, first thing.”
“Burgers are perfect,” she insists, fixing her eyes on the screen. I can see clearly by the way she pretends she’s suddenly super into the movie that she’s too prideful to let me buy her clothes.
Jonas sighs as his phone buzzes again. “Jeez. Melanie went to my place, even though I told her we’re not on for tonight and that I’m staying here. Whatever. Enjoy being pissed.”
He pockets his phone and makes himself comfortable on the couch. For the life of me, it’s confusing how normal this all feels. It was weird enough to get used to Hagan and Valor, but the addition of Jonas is nearing the tipping point of how much a guy can take. He doesn’t need her like we do.
I pick up my glass of water from the side table but put it down after the first sip. Tepid water is disgusting.
“What’s wrong?” she asks. “You grimaced.”
“Nothing.” When she holds my gaze with a curious tilt to her head, I give in. “This will be the first of many instances where you find out how very high-maintenance I can be. My water’s gone room temperature. I like it cold, but I forgot to refill the ice cube trays.”
Sophie stands, and Jonas moves with her. She pats his arm and insists she can walk by herself, which truly is debatable. She clings to the walls and occasionally trips still. Jonas is firm as he lowers her back down. “Whatever it is you want, I’ll get it.”
Sophie sighs. “Oh, never mind. Cary, hand me your glass, will you?” The moment I obey, she swirls the water around in the cup and taps the side of it. “Rigescunt indutae.”
Just like that, a mass in the center of my water solidifies. It forms into an odd shape, looking like a ball that’s been struck with lightning and has been frozen mid-shatter. She hands it the glass back to me as if nothing odd just happened at all.
“What did you just do?” The side of the cup is chilled now, and the ball of impromptu ice clinks against the side.
She shrugs. “It’s a simple spell. Freezes things on the spot. Easy as pie. Now you can have your water as you like it.”
Jonas stands over her with his arms crossed. “I thought I made it clear that you were taking a break from magic.”
Sophie arches an eyebrow at him as if silently asking if he means to come across sounding like an overbearing parent. “It’s just ice, Jonas. I learned that one about the same time I learned the alphabet.”
“Yeah, well let me remind you that you just went through a trauma. We’re watching a movie, understood? We’re not doing spellwork. We’re not bothering with anything having to do with magic. You’re on the mend, which means Cary can make ice the old-fashioned way.”
She salutes him, which makes me love her all the more. “Yes, sir.” Then she murmurs something under her breath as he sits down beside her.
Jonas reaches for the remote on the coffee table, but jerks his hand back. “Did you freeze the remote? After the speech I just gave you?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. But boss me again, and I’ll freeze your entire car.”
“Oh yeah?” He takes the remote and drops it down the back of her shirt, drawing a shriek out of her as she shakes it loose.
She smacks the remote on the table with a frustrated squint, but that seems to be the worst of it.
Two bulls stuck in the same house. The easy solution would be Jonas going back to his place, but for some odd reason he’s committed to staying with her until she’s back on her feet.
“Play nice, kids.”
Jonas settles into the cushion, and small as the motion is, I catch the side of his foot moving over to touch hers in silent apology. I sit down on her other side and watch in my periphery as she places her foot atop his, like two kittens nestled together and purring contentedly after a spat.
We watch the movie together for a good half hour before the doorbell rings. “Huh. Valor and Hagan have keys. Not sure who that is.” I kiss Sophie’s temple out of habit. Her fragile state’s made us all strive for gentleness, even lowering our voices so nothing pushes her over the edge. Though she’s been loads better in the past day or two, it’s made us all aware that we’re now living with a woman, which is a new thing for every single one of us.
I shuffle into the foyer and crack open the door, holding in a sigh of dismay when Melanie fills my view. I usually let her in without issue, but I don’t want her near Sophie, delicate as she’s been. Melanie’s a force to be reckoned with in sheer volume alone. “Hey, Melanie.”
“Is Jonas still here?” she asks by way of a greeting. Her red polished nails match her tightly-fitted dress and lipstick. Melanie rarely tolerates imperfections, which would be an admirable quality if she didn’t throw a fit when things don’t go her way. By the look of her pursed lips, I can tell she’s a few seconds away from a full-blown tantrum.
“Jonas,” I call over my shoulder, keeping my arm on the door to make it clear I’m not inviting her in.
But Melanie needs no invitation. She pushes past me and stalks into the kitchen, calling for Jonas as she moves through the house in her red heels. She’s tall to begin with, but her heels add four inches to her stature, putting her an inch taller than I am. “Living room,” I
inform her when it’s clear Jonas isn’t going to speak up.
I follow her in and see that Jonas has put a stop to movie night, with the actors frozen in a mimed shout on the screen. “Did you not get my text?” he says in lieu of your standard “hello.”
“This is a joke, not a text,” she says, holding her phone aloft. “You blew me off the last three weeks with some lame excuse. Now today, the same thing? Where is your head, Jonas?”
He stands, all signs of the sweetness he’s been putting on for Sophie leaving his face. “I told you I was staying with Cary for a while, and I also told you we were going camping last week.”
“I thought that was a joke. I can’t even picture you camping.” She crosses her arms and cocks her hip to the side. “Is Cary going to give you head? Didn’t think so.”
Jonas throws his hands up in exasperation. “Jeez! Do you see that he’s got company? The entire world doesn’t revolve around what you want at all times.”
Their shouting sets my teeth on edge. I can see that the disruption of our cozy little hiatus together is rattling Sophie’s insides enough to widen her eyes.
“Hey, I’m sorry. We haven’t met. I’m Sophie. I’ve heard wonderful things about you.” My sweet girl lies like an angel. She moves to stand up, and Jonas bends to help her.
I’m in the entryway, watching the whole scene play out with a grimace frozen on my face. Melanie hisses at Jonas waiting on another woman. It’s one thing to sleep around, but being considerate? Apparently, that’s one push too far. When Sophie extends her hand to Melanie, the woman in red scoffs at the offering. “Well I haven’t heard a thing about you. Jonas, we’re going back to your place. Let’s go.”
“I told you, I’m not available tonight.”
Melanie glowers at him. “These are your big plans? Cary looks healthier than ever, so I know you’re not blowing me off to play nursemaid to him. No offense, Cary.”
Whenever she utters the phrase “no offense” I want to laugh in her face.
Jonas doesn’t rise to take her bait. “We’re watching a movie, Melanie.”
“Wow. That’s hot,” she quips, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I can’t believe how often you’ve stood me up this month. This is me being gracious. Don’t piss me off, Jonas. I got my eyebrows done today because I was counting on seeing you tonight.”
“Boy, do you know what men want in a woman.” Jonas rolls his eyes, matching her rudeness with ease. “I’ve had a rough week, so I told you I’m kicking back with Cary. You really want to do this right now? You’re embarrassing yourself.”
“In front of who? No one’s here!” she screeches.
Sophie’s entire presence has been so soft that Melanie’s disruption into our haven is like nails on a chalkboard. Her blatant rudeness grates on me. I know I shouldn’t speak; that only gives her a new person to spar with. Still, she’s being an ass, and I hate it. “I’m here, Mel. In my own house. And this is Sophie. She’s my girlfriend. She’s also here.” My voice carries a firmness to it, not that I assume Melanie can be reasoned with. “So play nice or get out.”
“You have a girlfriend?” she squawks. “I thought you were gay.”
I run my tongue over my teeth before I say something I’ll regret. “Do you want to go for a walk, Sophie Mae?” I offer to my stunned sweetheart.
It takes her a beat to tear her eyes from the scene. “Yeah, let’s go.”
Jonas is irate. “No. You’re not leaving, Soph. Melanie’s leaving. And don’t pull this shit ever again. It’s beneath you. Or maybe it’s exactly you, causing a scene wherever you go.” He waves his hand in the air as if that might clear it of her existence. “In fact, let’s just not bother anymore. Let’s call this over.”
Melanie gawps at him. “You’re still going to pay for my car, right?”
I cringe that this is her biggest concern with Jonas leaving her life, but Jonas merely laughs in her face. “I think you can figure that bill out on your own. See you around, Melanie.”
It’s unbelievably easy for Jonas to cut the cord with the plague that’s been leeching off of him for the better part of two years. I watch with fascination as Melanie shouts at Jonas, but he turns his back on her and speaks softly to Sophie. “It’s a little chilly out. Let me grab you a sweater.”
It’s so thoughtful, so oddly sweet in the presence of pure venom. Melanie shouts him all the way into my bedroom, where Jonas gets one of my zip-up hoodies for Sophie. He doesn’t just hand it to her, but drapes it over her shoulders and helps thread her arms through the holes.
“Is he paying for your car too? Is that what’s going on? Can’t swing two whole car payments? Is that it, Jonas?” She turns her head to cast me a snide look filled with tattling and hatred. “Cary, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but your girlfriend’s cheating on you with your best friend.” She says it like some grand proclamation that’s supposed to make me spring into action. The accusation rolls off my chest, but Jonas gets baited back into the fight.
“You want to say something? Go ahead. Tell me how badly you’re going to miss me. Or is it my bank account that’s the real sticking point? I was in bad shape all week, but you never asked how I was doing.” Then, switching on a dime, he turns to Sophie and places his hand on her back. His voice is quiet and gentle when he speaks to her. “Go on that walk with Cary, alright? I’ll get this all squared away by the time you get back.”
She nods, but I can tell she doesn’t want to leave him alone with Melanie. She’s growing protective of him, which is how she starts falling for a guy. I’ve seen it often enough to know her patterns.
Jonas smiles at her despite the tension, and I see a little bit of the boy I grew up with. The one who played basketball with me. The one who smiled far easier before Keisha died. As if he can read Sophie’s thoughts, he reaches down to brush his fingers across hers. “Don’t worry about me. Fifteen minutes, and it’s movie night.”
Sophie moves to my side and threads her arm through mine. I love the feel of her slight form leaning on me. I shoot Jonas a look of solidarity before I open the door and take my girlfriend away into the evening air.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Valor
I love everything about my life as Hagan drives too fast down the highway. He insists we go home because he’s a stick in the mud. But I’ve got fresh blood coursing through me and no guilt wracking my brain, because I didn’t coerce or kill anyone to get it. One of the regulars stopped by to offer himself up. He gets off while we get fed. It’s a good system. Hagan is surly but I surmise that’s because he can’t seal the deal with our lady friend, and got himself all wound up watching a typical feeding session at the Nightshade. “You could’ve had some fun with Karissa. She loves a meaty shifter.” It’s only the fifth time I’ve teased him about the semi he couldn’t shake after watching the guy frantically rub one out when my venom flooded his system.
“The vampire who attacked Sophie? Pass. Man, you’re annoying without your conscience. Remind me that this was a bad idea the next time someone suggests we go off without Sophie.”
I take a drink from the bottle in my fist, loving the mix of blood and alcohol in my system. “Oh, my young one adores me. And I didn’t do anything too tawdry. If I did there’s no way Sophie would let me bed her, and I’m tired of waiting.”
“It’s going to be a rude awakening when you come back to yourself once we get home,” he grumbles like the grump he is. “I can’t believe you tried to get behind the wheel. You’re drunk. Drunk and stupid.”
I hang my head out the passenger window, loving the rush of wind on my face. “That’s the best time to make bad decisions. Everyone forgives you. Let’s stop and pick her up something sexy. I bet she’ll wear it.”
Hagan chokes the steering wheel, and I laugh. He’s so tightly wound, even when Sophie’s near. He wants everything to be perfect for her but he’s never going to be able to get his cock wet. What a terrible life.
I drink a little more w
hiskey. I don’t care for the taste but it does the trick. I know the hard swings of sadness and regret will hit me when I get back to Sophie. I could’ve used a knife instead of my venomous teeth. I know I shouldn’t bite my donors. She’d say I should save them from the perverse euphoria, but something in me loves holding my dinner’s arms down so they feel the need for release, but can’t get off until I allow it. The high I get from controlling the orgasm—making my partner weep with need—is my most favorite treat. I’m counting on the alcohol to help soothe the impending sting when Sophie inevitably disapproves of me playing with my food.
“I know what you need,” I tell Hagan as he turns the car a little too sharply.
“A muzzle for you?”
“You’re the animal. I’m the eye candy. Down, boy. No, you need a night off. Badly.” It’s easy to lock eyes with him, because when he stops at the red light, he gives me a look of pure exasperation. I zero in on his very soul, jerking it around as if it’s my plaything. I haven’t been able to persuade someone in far too long, now that my life is largely lived with Sophie. It feels amazing to exert a bit of dominance over such a giant man. “Tonight, you’re not going to be afraid. You’ll have fun without worrying about the consequence.” His pupils dilate for just a moment, and I know I’ve altered his decisions for the evening, as long as that lasts us until Sophie mutes it all like the adorable little buzzkill she is. Hagan deserves a little time to be happy. He’s not all that bad a bloke.
I guzzle more because though I can’t feel my conscience, I know it’s coming. I drink too much and it feels incredible. I can picture Sophie’s big blue eyes boring into me, wondering if there’s a better way to handle the heady swings of vampiric life. She’ll worry taking me in will be more work than she’s bargained for.
Savage Possessed: A Reverse Harem Urban Fantasy Adventure (Twin Rivers Possession Book 2) Page 17
