by D. C. Gambel
“Thank you,” I whispered shyly. I was a bit embarrassed by my actions, but was grateful all the same.
“You’re welcome.”
“Not just for the blood, but for…” Everything. Saving me, feeding me and especially pulling away. If he hadn’t, I’m not sure what would have happened or how far it would have gotten before I was able to pull myself out of the haze.
“I know what you meant.”
I moved to stand, my muscles still stiff, but moving was not as difficult as I had before I fed. Removing the towel from his neck, Sebastian tossed it and moved to help me. I rested my hands on his arms to stead myself. My blue eyes met his green ones before asking, “Can you help me get home? I’d rather not be caked in blood when he gets there.”
With a gentle smile, he agreed, “Sure.” He pulled me against him until our bodies were flushed and within a second we were gone.
Sebastian didn’t linger long after he dropped me into my apartment, just long enough to make sure I was alright after the effects of dissipating. It wasn’t a horrible experience, but it wasn’t exactly pleasant. His arms released me slowly to make sure I was steady.
Once I was left alone, I headed to the bathroom and started the shower. I was still a little wobbly, but made it there without falling. Steam filled the room as I peeled off my clothing. I knew I’d never wear any of it again. Not just because there was vampire blood, and a little angel blood from when Sebastian ripped away, but because anytime I looked at it, I’d remember what almost happened.
Stepping into the shower was heavenly, almost orgasmic. The hot water kneaded my muscles. It helped ease the ache I still felt in my neck from where the coin had burned. I checked myself in the mirror before I dressed, but there were no lingering marks from where the cursed object had been placed. It was just tender.
After I dressed, I bagged my tainted clothes and walked them to the trash chute. I didn’t want to ever see them again and I didn’t want any questions to arise. As much as Sebastian thought Grayson should know, I disagreed and the clothing’s presence would only make him ask questions.
I curled up on the couch with a cup of blood as I waited for Grayson to return. I thought maybe his flight was delayed, because he seemed to be running late and it wasn’t like I had a phone to call him with. As I flipped through the channels on the television, for the thousandth time, I heard the lock disengage. Panic shot through my system.
Grayson peeked around the doorframe, but the distress I felt didn’t vanish. When his eyes spotted me, he grinned. Walking through the door, I saw he was wearing a three piece dark gray suit, which would normally cause my body to tingle in all the right places, but the anxiety over what happened the night before weighed heavy on me, not to mention drinking Sebastian’s blood.
“Hey, beautiful,” he spoke holding something behind his back.
“Hey yourself, stranger,” I tried forcing a compelling smile on my face. I had missed him.
“Sorry I’m late, but I had to stop by and get you these,” he pulled a bouquet of white roses from behind him.
“They’re lovely,” I took them from him. “Thank you,” I spoke, looking him in the eye, hoping that he knew I meant it. A slight smirk passed over his face, suggesting that the act was no big deal. I took the roses to the kitchen to place them in water. As I sat the vase down, Grayson came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Do you have any idea how much I missed you?” He whispered against my ear.
“No,” I chuckled.
“I guess I’ll have to show you.”
Grayson started by nibbling on my ear. I tilted my head trying to welcome the act. When he started kissing down the side of my neck, his lips caressed the spot the cursed coin had been. I couldn’t help but wince even though his touch helped soothe the ache, it was still uncomfortable.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
He moved on to nibbling my shoulder. His fingers slipped under my shirt just ever so slightly, grazing my skin. In that moment, a moment that would normally be met with unquenchable lust, the night before came flashing back. Before I knew it, I had sped across the room like only a vampire could. My hand grasped my chest while the other gripped the wall. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. I felt like ice water was running through my veins.
“Gaby?” Grayson inquired, but I barely heard him over the pounding of my heart in my ear.
He moved quickly grabbing a paper bag from the kitchen. Rushing over to me, he placed the bag over my mouth, helping me gain control over my breathing. As it started to normalize, I let my eyes glance at him. Worry and fear covered his face. I had hoped that I would be able to lose myself in him like I always had since I met him, but this time was different. I had no idea how to explain what had just happened, or rather why it had. I still didn’t want to burden him or give him another thing to worry about.
“Gaby…?” he began.
“I’m sorry,” were the only words that escaped my lips before the tears started flowing. Grayson lifted me into his arms and I burrowed into him as much as I could. Even now, he was still my comfort.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The next morning I heard Grayson talking to someone in a whisper. I tried my best not to move to give the illusion that I was still asleep.
“She had a panic attack.”
“Gaby? Are you sure.” I heard the other voice answer. It was Shawn. They both were whispering back and forth. It was a little muddled so I was sure they were standing outside our front door.
“Positive. She started hyperventilating, but before I could even ask she started crying.”
“I didn’t even think vampires got panic attacks,” Shawn seemed genuinely concerned. “I’ve been trying to call her since the other night. She left me a voicemail, but she hasn’t answered.”
“So you have no idea what happened?”
“Why do you think something happened?”
“I know Gaby, Shawn. She was frightened.” It was quiet for a moment before Shawn spoke. “Let me talk to her. Go grab a coffee and leave me with our girl.”
I heard the front door open, which only confirmed that I had been right about where they were, followed by the slow creak of the bedroom door.
“Come on in, Shawn.”
“Hey, baby girl. Did I wake you?” He asked as he crawled into bed with me, lying on top of the covers.
“Not really. I heard you and Grayson talking,” I mumbled sitting up.
“You’ve got him scared, Gabs,” he disclosed with an uneasy look to his eyes. I nodded aware why Grayson was concerned and Shawn too. Panic attacks weren’t something that had ever happened to me. “Wanna tell me what’s up? Or why you haven’t returned my phone calls?”
“My phone broke,” I simply stated looking down at my hands in my lap.
“And?” He coaxed me.
“And there’s nothing to tell,” I still made no eye contact.
“Gaby?”
I couldn’t help but glare at him. I just wanted him to let it go. “No, Shawn. I’m fine, okay. I. Am. Fine.”
“Who are you trying to convince here, Gaby? It’s me. Remember? Your best friend? Even sitting here next to you I can see that something’s not right.” I was back to looking at my fingers. “We don’t have to tell Grayson. If it’s something that you think might…hurt him…”
I shifted my eyes to Shawn. I couldn’t believe what he was suggesting. “What are you getting at Shawn? You think I cheated on him?”
“Gaby, there’s no judgment here, but with your draw to Sebastian…” I was seriously regretting confiding that in Shawn.
“I told you that it’s just his power, the supernatural in me noticed. I never would have told you that if I knew you’d throw it back in my face.” I kept the fact that I had drunk his blood to myself. I didn’t want to see the judgment or give Shawn more ammo.
“That’s not what I’m doing.”
I threw the covers back and climbed out of bed. “Look Shawn, I still have to head over to The Angelo Tower today to go over a few things for Damien’s upcoming parties. I’m a little behind.” It wasn’t a lie. After all I had slept yesterday away. “You know where the door is.” I told him before I closed myself in the bathroom.
I was sitting on the floor with my knees propped up with my head in my hands when Grayson walked in minutes later.
“Hey,” he whispered nervously.
I looked up at him and couldn’t help smiling. “Hey.”
“So you have work today that you need to get done.” I nodded my reply. “At The Angelo Tower?” I nodded again. “Would you like some company?” He looked down, almost as if he was concerned about what my response would be.
A small smirk tugged at the corner of my lips, but I waited for his eyes to fall on me before I answered. Once they did, I responded, “I would love that.”
A few hours later, Grayson and I sat in a room with Damien, well, Grayson sat while Damien and I looked over papers scattered across the long rectangular table. The room we were in was one that still belonged to the office part of the building. It was a conference room that nestled just below the floor of vampires that were busy resting peacefully above us. When we walked into the room, I felt my cheeks flamed red with recognition remembering my last visit to one. I heard Grayson release a small chuckle when he noticed my reaction. For a brief moment, everything felt the way it was before he left for Los Angeles.
“You see, it just depends on how many rooms you want closed off for the event,” I was explaining to Damien when the door to the room opened. Sebastian poked his head in. I felt nervous by just the sight of him. He was the only one who knew what happened. I didn’t think he’d share the information, but what if there was accidental slip. He had suggested that I tell Grayson.
“Damien? Do you mind if I speak to your daughter for a moment?”
“Make it quickly. She was about to explain to me the concept of a… D…J…?”
I smiled at Damien’s lack of knowledge of the twenty first century, but the smile quickly faded as I turned to Sebastian.
“I’ll be right back,” I spoke to Damien. My eyes fell on Grayson who showed no sign of suspicion. He gave me a caring smile as I passed him. When I was at the door, I turned a glaring gaze to Sebastian who held the door for me. Before I could open my mouth, he held on finger up silencing me. Once the door was closed, he spoke.
“Supernatural sound proofing,” he pointed to the door.
“What do you want, Sebastian?” I huffed.
He studied me for a moment, and then looked through the window on the door into the room, before returning his gaze back to me. “I wanted to make sure you were alright.”
“Really?” I didn’t mean to sound hostile, but he was the one person who could let it slip that I was attacked and that made me nervous.
“Really, Gaby.” I scanned his face and he seemed genuine. Then my eyes drifted to the ground. “You’re not, are you?” I shook my head, trying to not let the tears start. “Did you tell him?” I wasn’t sure if he meant the attack or the blood, but the answer was the same to both. I shook my head again, wrapping my arms around myself. “Gaby…” I knew he wanted to scold me for not taking his advice, but seeing how upset I was, he reached out like he was going to hug me but changed his mind at the last moment and instead rubbed his hand up and down on my arm trying to comfort me. His fingers grazed mine then he stopped and cupped my fingers in his. “It’s going to be alright, but you should tell him. You need someone who knows.”
“You know.”
He shook his head. “Someone that you can talk to.” I looked up at him from under my lashes. He fumbled on his words. “I mean, you can…if you want to. Of course you can talk to me if you want.”
I gave him a small smile. “Thank you Sebastian.” He returned my grin. “No. I mean it. Thank you.” I did my best to push my true meaning, without saying the words, Thank you for getting to me in time.
“Any time, Gaby.”
When I turned to go back in the room, I saw Grayson watching us with a pinched brow.
A few days later, I awoke before Grayson. It was the weekend, but with waking early every day of the week, his body tended to try and keep up with the routine, even on the weekends. Waking up before him was a challenge.
Grayson never asked about my conversation with Sebastian at The Angelo Tower. He also never brought up my panic attack. In the days that followed, he seemed to be careful with me, treating me as if I was made of glass. He barely kissed me, most likely worried that I would have another attack.
Lying in bed with him now, I watched the ease to which he slept. Nothing weighed on him. That was how I wished he could be during the day, which was why I wouldn’t tell him about the attack. It was also why when another letter arrived the day before, I discreetly threw it away before he noticed.
I rolled over until I was pressed against him. I ran my hand up the defined muscles of his bare chest.
“Mm… Good morning,” he mumbled sleepily.
“Morning,” I responded as my hand followed the same path only in reverse, sliding past the band of his boxers.
“Mmm,” he moaned as I rubbed him, feeling him growing in my palm. His eyes locked with mine. They were full of hunger and desire. They scanned my face, looking for some sign of how to proceed. I tilted my chin up claiming his lips. The kiss was soft and tentative. It took a moment before he responded and kissed me back. I broke away pulling the t-shirt I was wearing over my head, tossing it to the floor. Then I returned to kissing him. His hands gently explored up my back before rolling me over putting himself on top. He broke away with his hands on either side of my face pressing my hair back.
“Are you sure?” I nodded timidly. I wanted this, but I was still nervous. Seeing it written on my face, Grayson responded. “I’ll go slow.” I gave him a hesitant smile before pushing my lips to his again.
He kissed his way down to my neck and when he placed a kiss over the spot where the coin had burned me, I didn’t wince. His hand roamed my skin. His fingers traced every contour. He kissed and sucked his way to my breasts taking his time to gently tease them both, making sure that which ever had his oral attention, the other had the pleasure of his skilled fingers. When he tried to travel further down, I stopped him by leaning down and grabbing his face between my hands, claiming his lips with mine.
Grayson removed his boxers and lifted me onto his lap. I wrapped my arms around him almost as if I was afraid to let him go. When I felt the gentle rub of him at my entrance, I started to feel the same fear rear up, the same way it had that first night. The image of the blonde vampire flashed through my thoughts. Feeling me tense, Grayson stopped.
“Gaby?” He spoke, trying to get my attention. “Gabriella, look at me.” I hadn’t even realized that I had been clenching my eyes closed until he beckoned for my gaze. “Look at me.” I opened my eyes and saw the man I loved before me; no one else. “It’s me, Gaby. Okay?”
“Okay,” I whispered feeling my anxiety settle.
“Keep your eyes on me.” He waited for me to nod then I felt him once again at my entrance. This time I didn’t panic. I let myself relax and welcome him in. When I felt our bodies connect, I wanted to close my eyes, to throw my head back and revel in the feel of him, but I didn’t. I kept my eyes on Grayson. I kept them on him as he slowly pulled my body against his. I kept them on him as he helped me move up and down on him. I kept them on him as the orgasm ripped through me and I was able to see the moment that his burst through him.
Afterwards, Grayson and I were lying in bed. My back was pressed against his chest as we both basked in our afterglow.
“Well that was a hell of a way to start the day,” he spoke breaking the silence.
“Who needs Folgers,” I giggled.
He tilted my chin so he could see me over my shoulder. Grayson placed a gentle kiss on my shoulder before I felt him tense. “G
aby, are we ever going to talk about what happened?”
This time I tensed then pulled away from him. I wanted out of the bed and out of the conversation.
“Gaby, damn it. Talk to me.”
I reached for some discarded clothing, wanting to cover myself feeling entirely too vulnerable. “Grayson, I’m fine. Okay?” I spat pulling the clothing on. It was one of Grayson’s work shirts.
“You’re not fine. You almost had another damn panic attack. Please just tell me.” I could hear the urgency in his voice, but I still didn’t speak. “Something happened while I was gone. You’re not talking to me. You’re not talking to Shawn.”
“If something had happened, and I’m not saying that it did, don’t you think I’d talk about it if I wanted? Having you send Shawn in to interrogate me or having you bombard me with questions, wouldn’t make it any easier.”
Grayson studied me for a moment. He let the silence grow. When he spoke again he was much calmer, his tone was gentler. “You’re absolutely right,” he sighed. Standing he made his way to me before wrapping his arms around me. I could see in his eyes he wanted to press the issue. It was taking a lot of will power to refrain. “Just promise me that you’ll talk to someone about it? I hope it’s me, because you know you can tell me anything, but if it’s not…” he let out a deep breath. “I just don’t want you to let it fester, alright?” I nodded. “Good. I’m going to get dressed.”
