You can't have me {A Vampire Romance}

You can't have me {A Vampire Romance} [#24]

Original Publish Date: 1/17/2009

 “Go on without me!” I yelled from under the covers, hiding from Sebastian as my wounds throbbed endlessly.

 “My love, you can’t stay in that bed all day.” He tried to reason.

 “Sure I can! Just watch me!” I said and heard Sebastian sigh heavily. “You have no idea how much these things hurt.” I mumbled and felt the bed depress to my left as Sebastian sat down next to me. “Go away.” I said and I could hear his breath exhale in a slight laugh. He put his hands on either side of me to lean down where my head was under the covers, and began whispering.

 “Launa…” His voice trailed off. Oh no. Nononono! He was using that voice, the one that sent shivers all over and the one I absolutely was defenseless to. I sucked in my breath and held it so I wouldn’t say anything. It took all of my discipline to keep from throwing back the covers and tackling him, which, I reminded myself, would be very painful.

 “Launa…” He said again, but this time it was so much more. His voice had become husky and desperate, on top of its seduction and beautifully low octave. Sebastian began purposely sending me dirty images through our psychic link and I swore in probably fifty different languages. I tried desperately to hold onto my sanity, my utter determination not to give in to him, but it was so. Goddamn. Hard. Sebastian pressed himself against me and put his lips right against my ear. That was just it.

 I threw the covers off of me and grabbed my vampire to engage in one of the greatest kisses ever. Yeah, I was defenseless against him. So what?

 After a few pretty hot seconds passed between us, we pulled away at the same time. “Ow.” I said, and laughed, which only made it hurt worse. I groaned in hopelessness and Sebastian picked me up – slowly and carefully.

 “Quite the predicament you got yourself into.” He mumbled and I couldn’t help but smile. Yeah, that was me. Sebastian moved slowly too, apparently very afraid.

 “Where are you taking me?” I demanded and he smirked.

 “To give you a bath and dress your wounds.” He said in a professional voice. I tried really hard not to laugh, but I slipped and gave myself a load of pain. Sebastian opened the door strategically and set me ever so gently in the bottom of the tub so he could start the water. He then made me sit up so he could remove the bandages. As painful as the process was, it was a relief afterwards – as long as I didn’t look down.

 The water level had to remain low, so it wouldn’t turn red, and Sebastian took his sweet time. Bathing and bandaging seemed like one of the greatest things he’d done in a while, judging by the look on his face.

 Getting ready took me about three times as long as normal, but my mate didn’t mind. He just watched me get ready agonizingly slowly and offered help anytime he thought I would need it. I couldn’t help but wonder what every vampire that knew him would think if they saw this side of him.

 When I was finally ready, I walked out of the bathroom and looked at Sebastian, who was casually lounging on the bed. He looked up and laughed at the look on my face. I was exhausted already and I’d only just gotten ready.

 “Well, I’m glad you were able to at least accomplish that. Who are we visiting first?”

 “I don’t care; I just want to go back to bed.” I said, and then thought about it for a moment, all the while Sebastian watched my every move. “Maybe we should ask Ariella, she seems to know everything that goes on around here.” I suggested, and my mate nodded. He sprung off the bed to take me by the arm and help me move gently out the door into the hallway – where he graciously picked me up and used his great speed to carry me to Ariella.

 She was sitting properly on the edge of an elegant chair, reading over a stack of papers that were obviously important. There were files and some manila envelopes on the end table beside her, and she looked up slowly, as if she were completely interested in what she was looking through. I smiled at her and her eyes widened.

 “What the hell are you doing Sebastian? She shouldn’t be out of bed!” She exclaimed as she tossed the papers to the side and raced up to us.

 “Yeah, I know, but we want to know where Trace is.” He said, giving her a curious look. She was wearing a total business suit – a knee-length skirt with tights underneath, a crisp white shirt with a suit jacket the same color as the skirt. She reminded me of a lawyer or a politician. As Sebastian observed her, I felt a tiny pang of jealousy and felt totally guilty about it. The only woman Sebastian would ever desire was me, and he wouldn’t desire Ariella even if there were no such things as mates, but I couldn’t stop the feeling. I was going to have to step it up a notch for both mine and my mate’s sakes.

 Ariella paused and thought for a bit. “I haven’t seen him in a while, and – come to think of it – no one else has either. He just kind of, well, disappeared.” She said in a far-off voice. She shook her head and looked down at me. “How are you feeling, anyhow?”

 “Just beautiful.” I grumbled and Sebastian smirked at me.

 “My little ball of sunshine.” He laughed as I glared at him and Ariella smiled. I whacked Sebastian in the middle of his chest and he grunted. “She’s getting quite strong too; even in her wounded state.” He commented. Ariella nodded and looked Sebastian straight in the eyes.

 “Maybe you should give her some blood. It helps the healing and I know you don’t let her feed off anyone but you.” Her serious tone had taken place again and my mate nodded. I felt so left out.

 “Good idea.” Sebastian said in a low voice, and Ariella turned to assume her work.

 I looked up at my mate and his smile had disappeared. The happy expression in his eyes had melted into a seductive, dark stare. His every move became temptation in itself.

 “Oh god.” I mumbled under my breath. That stare was pulling me in, but I was frustrated at myself for not being able to resist him – as much as I didn’t want to resist. Sebastian bent his dark head to my neck, where he grazed over my pulse with his perfect teeth and played with my skin in an utterly exciting way. He then put his hand gently on the back of my head and brought my lips to his neck.

 “You must drink my love, you need the strength.” His voice was hoarse and strained, as if he restraining himself tackling me and having his way with me. My skin caught fire and my lips curved in a wicked smile. My fangs lengthened appropriately and I sank them with the precision of an expert into his pulse. His sweet, rich blood flowed into my mouth, nourishing all of my cells completely, and I felt more alive than ever. When I pulled away, Sebastian was growling and his entire body was strained with the effort to hold back.

 I forced myself to take my eyes off my mate and look at my wounds. Already they were looking better, about a third smaller than they used to be. I stood up, as I realized Sebastian and I had somehow gotten to the floor, and found that I was once again able to walk without much pain. I smiled at Ariella, who was giving me an approving look.

 “Are you alright?” I asked Sebastian. His head nodded a fraction of an inch, a movement I barely caught. I wanted to help him but I figured it was best that I not touch him, so he recovered alone. As my mate stood beside me I sighed in wonderment and nodded my head. “Alright, well, off we go to find our missing friend.” I spared a glance at Sebastian, and he had a set expression on his face, as if he were determined not to give in to something he was battling with. I think I knew what it was he was fighting.