How much, I’m not sure, but I’m willing to take the gamble so to speak. I don’t think my father will disown me as he says becau
se I have too much dirt on him. I could destroy his empire with one phone call. He may think of me as a tart, an airhead he employs to bring in business, but my notes are meticulous and damaging.
Then there’s Leslie. Once she finds out I’ve slept with Roman, our friendship is over for sure. Thing is, I can’t let her find out, not just yet, and I also can’t keep ignoring her because she’s liable to show up at my apartment, and when I don’t answer the door, there will be a barrage of questions, like where have you been.
At Roman’s, being thoroughly fucked. I can easily say I’m a proud member of the once you go vamp, you never go back club, and will be leading the charge as president. Lana did not go into detail about what sex is like with a vampire. Although come to think of it, I doubt I would either. There’s no way I’m sharing details of what Roman and I do in his bedroom.
The black scarf I tied around my neck hides the leftover bruising. It’s faint but still visible, and today I’d rather not comment on my sex life. Over the silk material, my fingers rub where the marks have healed, closing my eyes as I recall the moment Roman’s fangs sunk into my skin.
The instant rush of adrenaline was something I’ve never felt before. My fight or flight kicked in, and I chose to stay, and let him feed on my vein. Of course, the fact that he was deeply embedded inside of me, making me feel like nothing I’ve ever felt before did help the situation. Having him fill me, stretch me to encase his girth has left me yearning for more. It’s all we’ve done for the past few days, in every room of his house, on every surface. I’ve let him command me, control me, and in return, he’s given me the most delicious orgasms of my life. The biting put me over the edge; giving me this endorphin I didn’t know existed. I’m addicted, and I want more.
Thankfully, I won’t be the only person in hundred degree weather trying to cover up. It’s a common thing these days, but still not favorable to a lot of humans. Without a doubt, I will get stares and snickers, and you know what sucks to be the person not on the receiving end. Giving myself to Roman has been the most glorious thing I have ever done. Lana’s right; don’t knock it until you try it.
Before leaving my bathroom, I make sure my cross is centered between my breasts. I still wear it and plan to continue doing so. It doesn’t bother Roman, and it’s not like it keeps my virtue intact, and he should never have any reason to compel me. The only place I can’t wear it is at Clutch. Roman knows I’m still unsure of his hang out, but have promised him we’d go because it’s really the only place we can be free without people commenting or staring at us in disgust.
Downstairs at the pool, my two best friends wait for me. Already, I can sense the tension between them. Since Lana’s admission of sleeping with the vampire at her gym, she and Leslie have been at odds. Maybe having lunch with them today is a mistake, although I do look hot in the new outfit Roman bought for me. It’s like he knew I needed the new Lanvin hat and matching scarf, which is perfect for today because there’s is no hiding the bruising or explaining it as anything other than what it is, a bite mark. Groaning internally, I take uneasy steps toward the table where they’re sitting. I hate feeling like I have something to hide, even though I do.
“Good afternoon, ladies.” I sit and purposely leave my ensemble intact. It’s not exactly kosher, but I’m all about change these days.
“Is that the new Lanvin?” Leslie asks.
I nod. “It is. Did you know Olivier Lapidus took over? His design eye is simply amazing.” When Roman presented me with this wide-brimmed hat, I thought he was joking. The demand is incredible, and unless you go to France, getting one stateside is extremely hard. I asked Roman if he went to France while I slept, and he laughed, telling me that despite his ability to move lightning fast, he couldn’t, much to his chagrin, walk on or through the water. He would have to fly or take a boat like an ordinary human.
“Your sunglasses are new too. Did your father give you a raise?” Leslie wants to know. She’s right about the sunglasses, but they were a gift last week from Roman, not yesterday. He gave me the Dolce and Gabbana’s the same day he tried to kill me with the flowers.
“Someone has a beau,” Lana says, making me wish I had told her beforehand. Honestly, I don’t know why I didn’t. Maybe it’s because I want to keep Roman to myself, enjoy him a little before we have to play the couples game. It’s okay going out with Lydia and Damen because they’re like us, but Lana isn’t serious about her vamp, at least not that I know of.
“No, nothing like that,” I say, feeling about three feet tall for lying. I’d love to stand on top of the table and shout that I’m falling in love with Roman, who oddly enough doesn’t have a surname name. I asked Lydia how that works and she said she’s known as Lydia, wife of Damen. Nothing more is needed when it comes to their laws. Also, there isn’t a single vampire in the world with the same name. Color me shocked.
“Wait, you tried those on the other day when we went shopping,” Lana says.
“You went shopping without me?” Leslie looks hurt, precisely what I wanted to avoid.
“We ran into each other,” I lie, and hate myself for doing so. I look at Lana and wish she could see my eyes as I plead with her to shut her mouth. I’m not in the business of hurting Leslie, at least not on purpose. “I went back and bought them.”
“Daddy’s black American Express getting a workout, huh?”
“Something like that,” I smirk at Lana, thinking I should’ve sat closer to her so I could kick her for being a bitch right now.
The waitress appears, wearing a scarf. I want to laugh, but the realization on Leslie’s face is anything but a joke. She looks from her to me, and it’s like I can see the wheels spinning slowly in her head.
“Is this a new trend? I must’ve missed it.” She picks up her phone and starts pressing the screen rapidly, undoubtedly surfing through one of her many fashion magazines, looking for this current fad.
“What can I get you, ladies?” the waitress asks, wholly disenchanted with Leslie’s issue.
“I’ll have the Cobb salad and iced tea, please,” I tell her.
“Same,” says Lana.
“I’ll have…” Leslie flips through the menu, one she’s seen well over twenty times in the past month, to decide. Leslie finally orders, but it isn’t without some fanfare. She wants a cobb salad as well, but everything has to be on the side. It’s only after the waitress has left, does she look at me. “I shouldn’t have ordered.”
“Um… why not? We’re here to have lunch,” I point out.
Leslie folds her hands on top of the table and looks in my direction, at least I think she is, but I can’t tell for sure because of her sunglasses. “The trend says this is a new fashion for women to wear if they’ve been bitten by a… I can’t even bring myself to say the word. Anyway, they’re calling the new line of scarves, Once Bitten. I find it funny you have their number one seller.”
I swallow hard at her statement and begin to laugh. I figure if I play it off as a coincidence, she’ll be none the wiser.
“You got bit, didn’t you? Did you sleep with that sexy vamp I met?” My mouth goes dry at Lana’s outburst. Right now, I want to crawl under the table and hide, while simultaneously beating the crap out of Lana and her big mouth.