I woke up the next day, just as the sun was setting. I had never slept that long in my life. I sat on the edge of my bed, disoriented and dazed like I had just risen from the dead. I shuffled into the bathroom and took my time showering. I didn't really feel like dressing up, so jeans and a hoodie were my weapon of choice tonight.
On my way to Daniel's house, I stopped at one of the corner stores for an energy shot. I didn't think they'd do anything, but it was worth a try. As I turned to exit, an older gentleman stepped into my path. His eyes were an electric blue, so bright it almost hurt me to look. He had a full head of hair, peppered with gray and a pristine goatee. There was a single tattoo on the side of his neck, looked like it could have been Middle Eastern. Arabic, maybe?
"Someone looks a little exhausted." He smirked. I don't know what it was, but something about him made me ridiculously uneasy.
"Maybe." I arched a brow and went to step around him.
"Daniel should learn to be more careful."
His remark made me stop on a dime. I turned back to him just as his eyes were shifting. Deep honey, just like Daniel's.
"How do you know Daniel?" I eyed him cautiously.
Your pulse is through the roof, love. His sleepy voice circled in my mind. Speak of the Devil. What is it?
"Is he talking to you?" There was an evil glee in his eye that chilled my spine. "He's actually bonded with someone. Oh, Nadine will love that!"
Can't you see him? I couldn't hide my fear, no matter how hard I tried.
No.
You can't hear him, either?
No. I'm only connected with you.
"Son of a bitch." I mumbled under my breath.
"Well, when you see Daniel again," the man stepped closer, but I was frozen in place, "tell him a couple of old friends are looking for him and his sister."
He stepped aside and I hurried from the store as fast as my legs could carry me. I swear I could still hear his laugh as if he was also inside my mind. What the hell did I get myself into?
I'm coming to you. Daniel sounded much more alert now.
No! I'm on my way.
I pulled into the driveway, almost forgetting my keys in my car. I ran into the house and there was Daniel, waiting for me by the stairs. I threw myself into his arms, unable to stop my shaking. He didn't say a word but led me into the living room to sit by the fireplace.
"He said that he was an old friend of yours." I began after a few steadying breaths. "He said that he was looking for you. He got excited when he realized that we were bonded. Said something about a woman named Nadine."
For the first time since I had met Daniel, I saw true fear in his face. I could feel it even worse through our connection. He collapsed into the chair next to me, eyes staring into the fire. "Did this man have a tattoo?"
"Y-yes." I admitted afraid to answer. "On his neck. Some sort of Arabic, I think."
I watched Daniel visibly shudder, his eyes slamming shut. "Wahid laean." He ground out through his teeth. "It's Arabic for 'cursed one'." He looked over at me, a bitter smile on his face. "He was always so proud of that damn thing."
"Daniel, was he –"
"I'm so sorry, Sylvie." Remorse poured from him in waves. "I never wanted for this to happen."
"They don't know where you are though, right?" I tried to give him at least a glimmer of hope.
"I don't even know anymore." He sighed. "I thought Edie and I were safe when we came here. We spent 10 whole years in peace, not a worry in the world about them finding us. Now, he suddenly shows up out of the blue. To make matters worse, I've dragged you into this."
His eyes finally turned to me, filled to the brim with remorse and sorrow. I made my way to him and gently cupped his face in my hands. I did my best to radiate whatever calm, peaceful feelings I could muster as I place a loving kiss to his forehead.
"Well, we'll just have to lay low for a while then." I suggested quietly, as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
"What about your job?" He inquired, his head resting against my stomach.
"I was injured on the clock. They'll understand a couple extra days." I shrugged. "Anything to keep me happy and keep a lawsuit off their hands, I imagine."
After quite a few moments of mental deliberation, Daniel nodded. "All right, but you're staying here. I don't like you being in that house by yourself, so far away."
This made me chuckle. "It's really not that far, Daniel."
"It's farther than I'd like." He lifted his head, his stormy eyes gazing intensely into mine.
"Okay. I'll need some things from home. Usually, I save the overnight bag for the winter." I gave him another kiss on the forehead. As I pulled away, I looked around me, suddenly remembering that I hadn't seen or heard a certain young lady. I mentally scolded myself for being so careless and felt a slight feeling of panic rise in the pit of my stomach.
"Still sleeping." Daniel read me like a book. He stood, placing a hand on the small of my back. His touch comforted me, and I let out a small sigh of relief.
We walked into my humble little house, and I suddenly felt self-conscious. My decorations were nowhere near as lavish and beautiful as his. I felt like such a poor little nothing compared to him.
"Don't be like that." He pulled me close, brushing my hair out of my eyes. "It's nice. Just the right size for one person." He smirked.
I kissed him softly before going to collect my things. I threw a few outfits into a duffle bag and ventured into the bathroom for a few essentials. I happened to glance into the mirror out of habit, and there Daniel was, seemingly out of nowhere. I jumped slightly whipped around.
"Sorry!" He said sheepishly. "I didn't think I would scare you."
"It's cool." I just waved him off. "This has all got me a little jumpy anyway." I walked past him to my duffle bag and continued packing. I felt arms gently wrap around me from behind as a soft kiss was placed on my cheek.
"Your mind is racing entirely too fast." He said quietly.
"Yours isn't?" I chuckled.
He turned me in his arms and kissed me. My arms wrapped around his shoulders as I pressed my body closer to his. His lips traveled from my lips to my throat, brushing against the teeth marks that he created. He gave the spot a little nip, earning a gasp from me. My fingers gripped his hair, smirking as he moaned against my skin.
My hips moved of their own accord, grinding deeply against his. A louder moan erupted from him as his hips did the same. His teeth found my throat again, fangs scraping eagerly.
"Please." He whispered intensely, his voice shaking.
This single word, the smallest of gestures, amazed me. Here he was, teetering on the edge of his self-control. He could've bitten me, and I would've gladly let him, but he cared enough to make sure it was okay. His restraint meant the world to me.
I gave him a small nod and heard him breathe a sigh of relief. He pressed another small kiss to my throat before gently sinking his fangs into my skin. Moans bubbled from both of us as he drank from me, our hips grinding harder and faster against one another.
I don't remember when, but we fell back on my bed as my legs wrapped around his waist. I felt his fingertips glide gently up my shirt and I help but arch into his touch. He gently pulled his fangs from skin as he slid my top over my head. His fingertips were shaky as they traced over the red lace of my bra, his lips capturing mine. Daniel's lips trailed to my neck, a soft moan vibrating on my skin his lips found the bite marks he made. His head dipped lower and he playfully nipped at my breast through the lace.
"You're such a goof!" My voice was a mix of giggling and moaning.
The mischief gleamed in his eyes as he unhooked the front clasp and slowly peeled the cups away. The look on his face made me think he had just found the Holy Grail. His eyes met mine and I watched that warm honey bleed into the stormy gray. I couldn't explain why, but it was the sexiest thing I had ever seen.
Daniel wasted almost no time peppering kisses and nibbles over my exposed skin as his hands nimbly worked to remove my jeans. Once I was free of them, I hurried his shirt over his head. Sadly, I wasn't as adept as removing his pants and I fumbled for what I felt was an embarrassing amount of time. He just chuckled sweetly and helped me, sliding them easily from his hips.
His mouth found his new favorite obsession, blessing my breasts with more kisses and nibbles. His hands worked the lace of my panties off my body so quickly, I almost didn't notice they were gone. That's when his fingers found me. He stroked and caressed me until I thought I would lose my mind.
"Daniel," I whimpered, my nails grazing his back, "please."
"All right." He smiled as he gave me one last nibble.
He positioned his body to line up with mine perfectly. "Are you sure?" He asked again. I gave him a nod, smiling at how sweet he still tried to be.
His eyes held mine as his length pressed slowly inside. A little "ah" escaped me as I nibbled my lip and turned my head slightly.
"Am I hurting you?" his voice was a husky whisper, "Just give the word and I'll stop."
"Don't even think about it," I moaned.
Daniel's moans grew louder as his body began to surge deeper and deeper, building the friction between us. He roughly captured my lips as he began surging into me wildly and without warning. I could myself tighten and pulse around him, my muscles desperately clenching and unclenching him as I screamed his name over and over. At the same time, he roared his own release. He growled low and sank his fangs into my neck again, coaxing another erotic implosion from my body.
I was in absolute heaven as I felt that second wave of shivers travel through me. Daniel pulled away from my neck, his head thrown back and mouth dropping open as his loud, excited moans continued.
We rode the waves until they subsided, smiling sweetly at one another. Daniel leaned on his elbow, chuckling as I used a knuckle to wipe a stray drop of blood from the corner of his mouth. He licked it away and rested his head on my chest.
"So much for just picking up a few things." He groaned.
We suddenly exploded with laughter, my fist socking his arm gently. He kissed my throat, closing the bite marks.
"Come on. Edie is wide awake by now."
We strolled through the front door, Daniel leading the way. He stopped short, tilting his head slightly.
"What is it?" I whispered.
"Do you hear anything?"
"Nothing." I instantly tensed.
"Exactly." He nodded slowly.
He lifted his nose to the air and inhaled deeply. A low growl rumbled in his chest. "Stay behind me."
We walked into the living room and all that circled in my mind was pure fear. Standing in front of the fireplace, was that man from the store. Next to him, was a woman who had a death grip on Edith's arm. The poor girl had tears flowing like a waterfall. Both her assailants just smiled at us.
"Daniel," The woman chastised softly, "aren't you going to introduce us."
Daniel looked like it was taking every ounce of his self-control not to pounce. "Sylvia," he growled, gritting his teeth, "these are our parents."