Chapter Text
Waking up some hours later my eyes were met with a strange sight. Adjusting to the shadowed outline silhouetted by morning light.
Was Ed. Leaned over on his side. At elbow height above me. Hovering slightly. As if he'd been sat like that for quite a while. In restful silence. Observing my repose. His orbs hooded and deep.
"Hey," he whispered.
Glimmer of a smile touching his face. Which was slightly stubbled giving it a more rugged appearance. Hair tousled by bed head and probably a hand or two as he tried to tame the unruly nature it exuded right now.
I swallowed slowly, self conciously.
"Hi, eh.... were you watching me sleep?"
"Yeah," he admitted voice low, dead pan to his face. Not a hint of guilt or awkwardness at the confession, "you talk when you dream, do you know that? "
"Talk?" my cheeks reddened.
Sweet holy hell, what in the world was I mumbling when not conscious of it. While awake I could keep leash on my rather flowery language, but while sleeping?! Not a chance, with all probability all sorts of profanity and grievances spewed forth.
He nodded,"who's Dwane?"
"Oh, "I chuckled, relaxing," he's my best friend. We were out last night, until the whole Jones thing..... "
"Best friend looking to be boyfriend?"
I spluttered somewhat incredulous, what business was it of his exactly, "if I had a dick then probably yeah."
He knotted confused brows together scrutinizing me with intense blue orbs.
Squinting up at him,"Dwanes my sister from another mother. "
"Oh so he's.... "
"Yeah," I cut, "not that it's any of your business. We HAD been having a much needed catch up, which was cut short...."
"Sorry about that...," he said leaning closer and my heart skipped a beat. Shrugging his shoulders in innocence, "We didn't even notice until he fell over the coffee table."
The genuine look on his face putting my little temper outburst into an ice bucket. Last night had been a doozy, but it hadn't been his fault. In fact he seemed a bit befuddled by the whole thing. From the Jones situation down to Alex impromptu orgy.
"It's okay," I stammered eyes dropping to his lips.
My God why did he have to smell so damn good. And be laid this close. His orbs panned out hand moving to scoop hair off my forehead.
"You're beautiful."
My breath caught. Who'd have thought those two words would have left me speechless. But maybe it was the intensity of his presence, the gentle touch or even the way he whispered it in such a revered way. Opposite to the guys who seemed to say such things just to get into your pants. He spoke as if he truly meant each syllable. Eyes betraying his honesty. It was enough to stay the nervous laugh in my ribs. Chest heating rapidly.
Here I was basically in the clutches of a stunning man. I'd appreciated his appearance on many occasions but shot down the thoughts.
They were unprofessional and inappropriate. I mean I worked as his 'image consultant' a terminology which The Company labeled me with some time ago. It wouldnt draw undue attention if my station was one the public was used to.
I wasn't employed directly by him, but my position was one where I had to put client needs first. So he was in a loose essence my boss. Or at the very least like a boss. So each time I had untoward thoughts they were shut down by that notion. It'd be some uncrossable line that would get me fired. Yet he'd slept in the same bed as me last night. Emphasis on the 'slept'.
But here he was now in a more compromised position. Practically pinning me to the bed and for some insane reason I didn't care. In fact my body suddenly sprung into action yearning for more. Praying for some devine miracle that he couldn't read my thoughts. Hoping I could leash my own racing pulse before things got out of control.
"I uh...."
Inching nearer he swept any response away. Lips grazing mine ever so slightly. My heart lurched. Unable to stop the intended embrace, completely unprepared for it.
A jolt of electricity sparked through me. Unbalancing any rational thought. It was as if every fiber in my body was alight within seconds. And a hunger suddenly over took everything. A shaky desire to get lost in his lips. He was warmly cool to the touch but not cold. And his scent was intoxicating, wrapping us up in it's fragrance like a musky promise.
Attempting to catch up with the reactions invading each spare inch of torso. My brain failed it's rational senses to pull away. Let the reigns drop entirely. Allowing to be ruled by something baser. My body and it's desire. Melting itself towards his. Angling a little I kissed him back. Locking mouth smoothly along his ever so exploretive one.
His hand dropped to my waist scooting nearer, pressing down so that I laid back fully onto my pillow. Clutching a shaky hand around his neck. I pried fingers through his short hair. Ed huffed. deepening the embrace. Tongue gliding into meet mine in an enticing way. Heavens, veins raced. He was intoxicatingly fluid at this. Switching expertly from subtle grazes to deeper embrace. Playing a push me/pull me lip wise. Urging me to fall apart. Prodding towards that heady excitement that could escalate quickly into something else.
To hell with musical genius. Try kissing one. Things were being said to my body without words. Promises made. Pulse ignited. Stubble grazing against my top lip, a moan escaped me. Damn he was good, and that friction was one which drove me wild. It was then as his grip tightened and breath drew raggedly out that his teeth became present. Almost piercing the flesh of my mouth as it tousled with his.
Pulling back haggard he seemed shaken.
"Ed," I questioned instantly on edge, "what's wrong?"
Wanting no more than for his lips to reclaim mine. But suddenly aware that he may have seen the error of his ways. What boundary had we crossed professional wise. He attempted to retreat but my hands flew to his face, preventing it. Forcing him to look at me.
"Leni please I don't want to hurt you.."
"You won't," I drove, trying to erase the worry creasing his brow." You've been perfectly fine all night..."
"You don't understand," he muttered," this urge....it's..."
"Urge,"I repeated.
"To bite you, " he continued.
He shuffled back on the mattress and out of my hold. Orbs drawn to the pulse racing through my body. Ed stared in a daze as if honed in on veins. If I could hear my rushed beat it was entirely evident to his vampire ears. My heart fluttered. Excitement spiking through me in a sudden rush. Thoughts rushing in at once. How would it feel to be bitten?
His lips on mine had been so arousing. What kind of sensation would a feed be like. Enough people certainly seemed to like it. After all there was a cult following.
"I should go find Alex, "he mumbled.
"What ...why?"
"Theres bound to be a fang-zie hanging around that hasn't left yet."
"No, don't go...."I stuttered sitting up quickly hoping to stop him from leaving.
There was a rush of something that felt ridiculously like envy surging through me. The thoughts of him sinking fangs into some groupie made me wildly territorial. Emotions that confused me. But I couldn't unravel them yet, not when I needed to do something, say something to prevent his departure. So out flew rash words.
"Feed from me....I want you to."
He looked skeptical hand hovering on the door knob.
"You want to be bitten.."
Christ did I? It was a pretty obvious question but the answer still surprised. I had seen the effects of his appetite, dealt with two dead girls aready. Witnessed their lifeless forms first hand with a mixture of horror. Yet every fiber in my being wanted just that. To feel what they had. But without the mortality of course.
Ignoring the small voice shouting at me to 'wake up, one slip and he could loose himself. Do you wanna be corpse number three.' Shuddering that notion down my eyes returned to focus on Ed. He'd asked me a question, and I'd zoned out for a tad too long.
I nodded sheepishly.."If it's 'you' yes...."
"You don't know what you're asking."
Blue orbs held mine. The certainty behind them slightly irritating.
Heck, did he not remember that I was there when Alex went through very thorough explanations.
A spark of anger flashed up into my chest," yes I do. You're hungry and need blood. Hardly rocket science. "
He sighed, "okay. That's not what I meant, offering yourself is.... You haven't thought this through. Not fully."
"Just," I paused," take what you need. You weren't comfortable in that orgy remember."
He chuckled, "this is different. Anyway that party is long done by now. "
"Yeah, and if it's not? Are you suddenly psychic?"I jarred my chin out in disbelief.
What in the hell was wrong with my blood anyway? He was being purposefully standoffish on the subject. So fang-zie's were fine, me not so much.
"No need to be psychic," Ed pointed out gesturing to his ears.
Fuck! Bloody vampire hearing, of course. Curse my faux pas.
"Look I offered, can you not just take what you need."
Crossing my arms in indignation. Aware that this was beginning to sound a lot like pleading. Hell, maybe I should just let him leave. But that kiss. Damn that hot, steamy kiss. It had fried something in my senses.
He spirited to my side. "No Leni don't pin this on my needs, it has to be your decision. Do I stay or go, what do you want?"
What did I want in reality?
"For you not to sink those into some random girl..." I spoke barely above a whisper." Taste me instead."
His exhale was one of abandon, "really?"
Lifting my arms away from my body in acknowledgement," yes just don't leave a mark. Somewhere it won't be noticed okay."
He nodded folding closer to me, "right, so maybe here?"
Questioningly pointing to my upper arm. I hummed an agreement.
Thanking my lucky stars that he hadn't wanted to try the wrist line that Alex spoke of. If the positioning was tricky I wasn't down with letting myself play pin cushion.
Ironically.
Swallowing hard I held my arm up and out. Here goes nothing. Heartbeat thunking in my brain. His orbs darkened, pupils pinpricking in sharply.
Shakily I watched as he positioned himself beside me. Arching with the soft touch of his lips as he traversed from wrist to elbow. My pelvis became very much alive. Twisting with yearning. Sweet heavens my skin was on fire.
"Leni, just try to relax, "he breezed sending delicious shivers running through me."I won't hurt you."
The voice in my head erupted into giddy laughter, 'no just gonna take a quick chunk out of you is all!!'
Breathing deeply, to remind myself of Alex's warning. Aphrodisiac. Slow the heart. Don't do anything to put yourself into more danger. But God he smelt so good. Cologne dark and musky. All manly. And that stubble so close to my skin I could almost feel it's insane texture.
"Ready,"he husked.
Sending a zing rushing through my core. Damn straight. I nodded spell bound. Watching as his teeth pinched into my flesh.
The gasp that escaped me embarrassingly shaky. Pain had been small, briefly shocking. Replaced by glorious pleasure. The feel of his lips suckling soft and wet against sensitive skin of my inner arm, was fantastically good. God this was insane. Nothing like I ever imagined.
Coaxing a had through his ginger locs, letting my lids slip closed, fully giving myself to the sensation. Awaiting each sure pull of fluid into his mouth. Soft slurp one which made me innately happy. My heart beat faster, knowing we were connected. Feeling it deep in my chest. I could feel my world slipping deliciously in an arch of euphoiria.
"Leni, "Ed whispered. I'd been wrapped up in the whole scenario that I hadn't fully noticed he'd stopped. "You alright? "
"Yes, "I breathed, "fine."
His hand suddenly clasped my hip. My eyes shot open.
Ed's flesh was taking on a pinker tone. Desire evident in his gaze as it roved my body. Snapping my hand out of his hair quickly. Aware that this situation may be misconstrued.
Did he want more blood? Me? There was our embrace then the feed...
What was actually what?
"Ed I... "
"Miss Leni," the rap on the door not necessary as Alex barged in without any evident answer. "Can we speak? "
Ed rose sharply from the edge of the mattress. Guiltily moving to the other side of the room.
"Eh.., " I stuttered trying to react to the situation,"what the hell you can't just bust in here!"
His orbs held lights of mischief, gesturing to the open frame, "I did knock first."
"But I didn't give you permission to come in, fuck sake I could have been naked or anything!"
Two sets of eyebrows shot up. Christ wrong phrasing.
Alex smirked, "I knew you wouldn't be, he's here so... "
The tall blond nodded towards Ed. A man who looked like he wanted nothing more than to vanish into thin air.
Shaking my head in disbelief, "what do you want Alex?"
"A word in private, " he strove, peering at Ed until the ginger singer nodded and sloped slowly out of the room.
Bloody irritating man this Alexander was.
"Okay so you have your privacy what gives?"
He strode over to throw blankets off me. Ignoring my shock.
"Get dressed first."
"What is so important you had to speak about right now, as in this exact moment now. Not after I get change.. "
Oceanic orbs observed me, "I wish to talk about certain deeds, but not here. "
"Deeds, what deeds?"
"Miss Leni," he whispered directly into my ear, "I don't wish my young protégée to be privvy to this. Get dressed or I shall do it for you."
Uh, demanding as he was I knew he was right. If Ed could hear him, that worked vice versa. Holy mother of everything holy, this was bad. As in judgement day bad. I knew he'd been earwigging everything. His eyes held the knowledge of it all. The boundary I'd crossed. Damnation.
Quickly I pushed past him and into the ensuite to make myself presentable. If I was to be given the chastising to end all chastisement may at least slap on some comfy clothes.