Chapter 14

GRACE

Haven was clearly agitated by the phone call. It must be someone significant. I didn’t want to interrupt, but I also didn’t want to move away from him. Especially not when he was on the verge of revealing something important.

He hadn’t exactly answered my question about what I meant to him, but he had mentioned the ladies. Was he trying to make me his? Was that why he picked me? Could I dare to hope?

The fear of rejection was still fresh, so I decided to keep quiet until he brought it up. That seemed like the best approach.

I began to shiver in his arms. He was cold, and a towel wasn’t enough to keep me warm. Without a word, he moved to his closet, continuing his phone conversation. I assumed he was talking to his father, relaying what Silas had just told him.

Silas didn’t seem anything like Haven, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to meet him. The thought of encountering a vampire capable of such violence was unsettling, even though I was confident Haven would protect me.

“Are you serious?” he asked sharply, emerging from the walk-in closet with a hoodie.

He wrapped me in it while he listened to the response on the other end of the line. “I can’t welcome him here in my city. No way. I...I just can’t. For personal reasons.”

There was a pause, then a voice came through more clearly.

“Yeah, that kind.”

He pulled me closer, his arm tight around my waist. I rested my ear against his chest, noticing that his heartbeat was much slower than mine.

It was fascinating. His heart was beating so slowly, I wondered how I hadn’t noticed it before. It felt like it could stop at any moment. That was probably why he was so cold.

“Yes, Mother. I’ll make sure to do so. What are we going to do with Silas? I can’t have him here for obvious reasons, so should he go to you?”

There was another long pause, and I could see Haven growing impatient. He wasn’t a patient man, but it seemed he couldn’t talk back to his parents.

Would I have been the same if my parents had lived? No, I would probably be dead considering how they treated me. Haven’s parents seemed like better people than mine.

“All right. I’ll tell him. Goodbye.”

Haven finally ended the call and sent a text, likely to his brother. I buried my face in his chest, wanting to melt into his arms. I wasn’t ready to let go.

It was funny. Earlier, the idea of staying here with him had stressed me out. Now, the thought of leaving seemed impossible. I didn’t want him to be alone with his thoughts, and I realized I still wanted to be pampered a bit longer.

“Don’t worry, baby girl. Silas won’t be coming here. He’s going to my parents and will stay there until the situation is resolved,” he said, his voice soothing.

“I’m not scared,” I replied, smiling up at him. “I just... I don’t want to be apart again.”

It was bold of me to say that, but he needed to know how I felt. He gave me a small smile and kissed my forehead.

“We won’t be,” he said. “We’re going to get your stuff, and you’re still moving in with me. More now than ever since my brother will be in the country.”

“He’s that dangerous?” I asked.

“Worse.” He frowned. “Long ago, there were no blood banks, so we had to...keep donors at home. They were our humans, if you will. We were responsible for their safety and health. My brother liked to rape, torture, and kill mine whenever I would leave them unattended. That’s the kind of person he is. I won’t ever let him do that to you, so you’re not leaving my side.”

Did he see me as one of those humans? Was I just a blood bag? A willing donor? I didn’t like that thought. It hurt to think that way, so I looked away and slowly pulled away from him.

What was I thinking? Of course, that was all I could be. I had nothing to offer him. How could he want me for anything more than my body and my blood? I felt stupid and conceited for thinking otherwise.

I moved away from him without meeting his gaze. I wanted to go home now, to protect myself. I didn’t want to be just another blood bag.

My heart was protesting, but I couldn’t bear the pain of realizing I was nothing more than another human to him. Being away would help me calm down and find some clarity before I faced him again.

“Do you have clothes for me?” I asked.

“Sure.” He frowned. “Are you cold? There are women’s clothes in the closet.”

That stung. He really did have a regular blood donor. Did he sleep with them too?

I bet he did. He had told me that a bite was very intimate. But then...he said he hadn’t taken blood from anyone else since we met. Could I trust that?

“Is something wrong, Grace?” he asked, concern in his voice.

I didn’t want him to worry. Damn it, I was weak to that tone. I wanted to make things better, but I needed to protect myself.

I didn’t answer, focusing instead on the clothes in the walk-in closet. They all looked brand new and very expensive. There was a section for men’s clothes and another for women’s, as if we were living together.

I almost laughed at myself for thinking that. I picked out something I would normally wear and took off the hoodie. I put on a matching red bra and panties, then found some high-waist beige pants and a white blouse.

Everything fit perfectly, as if he had chosen these clothes for me. As if...

“Answer me, Grace,” he said firmly, standing behind me.

I could sense his tension radiating off him, even without turning to look. He wasn’t a fan of being ignored. Not my vampire with a penchant for control. His dominant nature thrived on being in command, so he wouldn’t let me be until I responded like a good, obedient girl.

I swiveled around to face him, and his displeasure was evident as he scrutinized my face, his eyes narrowed, searching for an answer. I let out a sigh before dropping my gaze.

I felt a twinge of embarrassment at having to voice my feelings. Couldn’t he see why I was upset? Maybe he thought being another donor was enough.

“I don’t want to be just a willing donor. I want to be more.” I frowned, lifting my gaze to meet his.

His eyes reflected confusion. My statement was probably too vague without context. I sighed, trying to formulate a more detailed explanation.

“You mentioned that your brother used to...treat your... What do you call them? Willing donors? The humans you kept at home. He treated them terribly. I want to be more than just food. I want to be... your partner. Maybe I’m being presumptuous, but I don’t want to engage in intimate acts with you without being...certain of my standing with you. I’m an equal. Not food. That’s what I’m trying to say.”

His expression shifted to surprise before he pulled me tightly against his chest. I gasped at the abrupt movement, too quick for my brain and eyes to process.

“Grace, no. You’re not just a willing donor to me. You mean so much more.”

The urgency in his voice was palpable, pleading for me to believe him. And I did. Maybe I was setting myself up for heartbreak, but I wanted to believe him. I wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his chest.

“Am I...your girlfriend, then?” I asked, my cheeks heating up. I was grateful he couldn’t see my blush from this position.

“Sure,” he replied, amusement lacing his voice. “You’re my girlfriend.”

His confirmation filled me with such joy that I rose on my tiptoes to meet his lips. He returned my kiss, and I felt the towel around his waist loosen.

I pressed my body against his, feeling his arousal for me. My body ignited with desire, ready to welcome him once more. I wanted to reconcile in the most intimate way possible.

“More. Please, Master. I want more,” I murmured against his lips.

He chuckled, peppering my lips with soft kisses. His hands tore the towel from his waist, guiding my hand to his erection.

“Continue what you were doing while I was on the phone with my brother, you fucking bitch. Were you trying to make me cum while I was on the call? Answer me.”

I let out a sigh as I wrapped my hand around his cock, moving up and down his length. He felt so hard, so perfect in my hand. Anticipation had me clenching in response.

“Yes, I wanted Master to relax. You seemed so tense,” I replied, my voice breathless.

“Then you know what to do, slut. Make your master come on your huge tits.”

I dropped to my knees, resuming my movements. I was eagerly anticipating what was to come next.