By the time they were ready to set sail, the sun was high, and the breeze carried the crisp, salty scent of the ocean. Julian took the wheel as they departed from the dock, expertly maneuvering the yacht they rented out into the vast blue expanse.
Solana let herself enjoy the view and the sun's gentle caress on her skin, wanting to forget about last night.
Unlike the stories mortals thought of, she did not sparkle. Nor did she feel weak or show signs of burning against its harmful glare. However, the same could not be said among her kind. She was merely built differently.
A few minutes later, when they finally reached the middle of the ocean, Julian cut the engine, letting the yacht sway gently with the waves. Solana turned to him with a bright smile, her eyes hidden behind oversized sunglasses. "It's a perfect spot, darling!" she shouted.
Julian agreed with a nod, smiling broadly in her direction. He moved to lower the anchor, his mind rehearsing the steps of the plan. His hands felt slick with sweat, the tension building in his chest like a coiled spring.
Once anchored, he fetched the basket that Solana had prepared, containing another bottle of wine and their lunch. She watched him hastily setting up the deck. She didn't want to think about what was running through his head or about his ridiculous attempt to kill her in the middle of the vast sea. Instead, she wanted to focus on the solitude of their surroundings and his presence.
Several seconds passed before Julian called her over. She happily obliged, sitting beside him. He seemed relaxed, but his hands were trembling a little.
"Darling," she called out, immediately catching his attention. She smiled ruefully, accepting the glass of wine he handed over. "You seem anxious."
Julian licked his lips, chuckling as he studied her face. "Am I? Well… this is the first time that we're alone, on a faraway island. No reporters, no bodyguards. I guess it's… I'm kind of scared that you'll get bored of me or just realize that you don't actually like my company."
It was Solana's turn to chuckle. She leaned in and gave him a quick peck.
"Bored of you?" she echoed, putting the wine glass aside. She continued to close the gap between them, her eyes full of mischief. "Never."
Julian briefly hesitated before pulling her in for a kiss, forgetting about everything else for a while and savored the feel of her body pressed against him. Panting, Solana pulled away, and looked at him with so much love and passion, it made him gulp nervously.
"You are my endgame, Julian. I do not want anyone else. Just you."
Unable to hold back, he leaned in and kissed her again, deeper this time. His hands roamed down her back, memorizing the softness of her skin, the curves of her body. And she responded in kind, her hands pressing against his chest, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her skin.
When they finally parted, both breathless, Julian rested his forehead against hers, his heart racing in his chest. He stared into her eyes, now dark with passion. "Solana…" he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "Let's take this somewhere more comfortable, yes?"
Without hesitation, Solana nodded, her eyes locked on his. She knew for a fact that at least his feelings towards her were truly genuine. Otherwise, she wouldn't have reciprocated his affection.
They took their time walking toward the cabin, their steps slow and unhurried as the gentle sway of the yacht rocked them with the rhythm of the waves. Solana found herself leaning into Julian's strong, solid arms, the warmth of his body offering a sense of comfort she craved. Their eyes met, and in that shared gaze, unspoken memories of their first night together surfaced—full of heat, passion, and an undeniable connection that still lingered.
As they reached the private quarters, the scent of saltwater hung in the air, mingling with the deeper pull of desire that thrummed between them like an electric current. Julian's hand slid down to her waist, guiding her toward the small, plush bed nestled against the cabin wall.
The moment they reached it, he pulled her into him, their lips meeting in a deep, passionate kiss. Solana melted against him, her lips parting to welcome him in, the taste of him intoxicating. Every inch of her skin came alive under his touch, her own desires awakening in response to the growing heat between them. Her hands roamed his broad back, her fingers tracing the muscle beneath his, her nails grazing him lightly—just enough to make him shudder in response.
They fell onto the bed, bodies entwined and their kisses deepened, turning urgent as they fell onto the bed, tangled together, the world outside fading into a distant hum. Julian's lips traveled down her neck, his breath hot against her skin, teasing her with the promise of something more.
Solana's head tilted back, her breath hitching as he kissed the sensitive spot just beneath her ear. Her eyes fluttered closed, and a soft moan escaped her lips, her body arching into him as his mouth continued its ravenous exploration. His tongue traced a slow, deliberate path along her collarbone, leaving a trail of heat in its wake, her need for him growing more insistent with every touch.
Slowly but surely, his hand slid beneath the thin fabric of her dress, his fingers grazing the bare skin of her thighs, igniting a fire within her. Solana's breath came faster now, her own hands eagerly finding their way under his shirt, feeling the warmth of his skin, the tension of his muscles as he moved against her. Her fingers curled around the fabric, tugging it over his head, eager to feel him, to have him closer.
Solana's hands slipped lower, gripping the waistband of his pants, pulling him toward her as their bodies moved in perfect harmony. With a low, throaty growl, Julian kissed his way down her body, his lips lingering on every inch of her skin as if he wanted to memorize her, savor her. The sensation sent shivers cascading down her spine, her body trembling under his touch, her every nerve on fire with anticipation.
"Julian..." she whispered, her voice barely audible, breathless with longing as his mouth found the soft curve of her hip, teasing her in ways that made her toes curl. Every stroke of his tongue, every kiss left her craving more, and as she reached for him, pulling him back up toward her.
But just as the heat between them came to a breaking point, she saw flashes of red, a sudden sensation bursting inside her—the urge to feed, to taste his blood, to satisfy her thirst. The hunger roared to life inside her like a beast awakened from slumber, clawing at her insides.
Solana pushed him away, abruptly getting out of bed, leaving Julian bewildered, hanging. She stepped back, finding it hard to breathe. The room seemed to close in on her, the walls tightening as her vision narrowed, focusing solely on the veins pulsing under Julian's delicate skin.
"Solana..." he whispered, concern evident in his voice. "What's wrong?"
She shook her head, trying to steady herself, but the bloodlust was overwhelming, seeping into every thought, every movement. She couldn't let it take control—not here, not with him. Not like this.
"Let's go back to the island, please," she begged, turning away from him. "Now."
"Solana…"
"I said now, Julian!" Solana screamed, erasing the last traces of their intimate escape. The tension inside the room immediately shifted, causing Julian to take heed, leaving the cabin confused and utterly frustrated, his plan failed yet again.