25. Rule #25 Appreciate The Good Life

Rule #25: Appreciate The Good Life

Zoe

H aving a boyfriend was weird. I mean, like a proper one. One who was obsessed with me and only wanted the best for me. Being with someone who built me up rather than tore me down was new. I realized that I had never been in a proper relationship before. Even before my short-lived toxic relationship with Marcus, the boys at high school steered clear of me because of my sister. I never had any attachments in college. I was there for a good time, not a long time. But maybe this relationship thing wasn't half bad. When I wasn't teaching, I was with Daniel.

It was a scorching Tuesday afternoon and I took the time to ogle my boyfriend while he swam laps in the pool. I was stretched out on a lounger soaking up the sun, enjoying a rare afternoon that we both weren't scheduled to teach. Daniel cut through the water like a damn dolphin. The water sluiced off his defined back muscles and I bit my bottom lip recalling how I raked my nails down them last night. I watched as he swam up to where I lay. He stood, swiping a hand down his wet face then pushed his dark hair back. I tracked the rivulets of water that ran down his cut muscles and my eyes wandered down to where his Adonis belt disappeared into his swim shorts. His happy trail led to my happy place.

"You done eye fucking me yet?" he asked.

"Two more minutes," I replied. An insistent throb pounded between my legs when my eyes met his. His dark gaze was full of desire, his voice low and husky when he spoke. "Come here."

"But you'll get me wet," I replied with a pout.

"That's the point, darling," he said with a devastating smirk. Holy hell, this man made me quiver. I stood and walked over to where he stood in the pool then sat in front of him. He moved back a bit to give me space but as soon as the cold water hit my calves he was back, parting my thighs and standing between them.

"Have I told you how fucking hot you look in that bikini? I had to do five extra laps to stop myself from fucking you out here."

It was a plain black bikini, but even I had to admit my small breasts looked good in it. My smiles came easier these days and it was thanks to the man in front of me. Reaching out for him, I curled my arms around his strong shoulders and his cold hands dropped to the top of my thighs. Between the sun and his dirty mouth, my skin was hot. Daniel skimmed his fingers lightly over my skin, raising goosebumps wherever he touched. Then he leaned down, placing hot, wet kisses up and down my thighs. I spread my legs giving him better access and my fingers speared through his wet hair.

"Yo, yo, yo," a loud voice rang out and Daniel shot up like a bullet. "Whaddup, beautiful people?" Lewis greeted.

My face scrunched up in disgust. "You have terrible fucking timing," I complained. "Don't you have a business to run? "

He was wearing swim shorts and had a towel draped over his shoulder as he plonked his tall ass down on one of the loungers. "What's the use of being the boss, if you can't take the afternoon off to go swimming with your best friend?"

"Too true," Daniel agreed, swimming away, laughing when I splashed him.

"Besides, I miss hanging out with you," Lewis said while Daniel was on the other side of the pool.

Guilt churned in my gut. "I'm sorry I've been neglecting you. This relationship is new. But I don't want to fall into old habits again. I just gotta get better at balancing it all."

"I know. That's why I'm barging in, making sure you don't forget I exist. I didn't do it when you were with Marcus and maybe I should have. If I'd known how he was treating you, I would have gotten you out a lot sooner," he said, placing a kiss on my head.

"I think I was embarrassed. I was supposed to be strong and here I was letting him walk all over me. I didn't want you to think less of me," I stared at the water, avoiding his gaze.

His strong arms wrapped around me and he rested his chin on top of my head. "Never. You're my best friend, I'll always have your back." We sat like that for a moment before he spoke again. "Did you have lunch yet?" That was Lewis for you. His love language was feeding people. Even if he couldn't cook for shit, he was a master at ordering food.

"Not yet," I replied.

He whipped out his phone. "What are you in the mood for?"

"Burgers?" I replied.

"Yes! Burgers!" Daniel yelled, before swimming back and taking up his spot between my legs again. I draped my arms over him effortlessly. Like I had been doing it for years. In this position we were almost face to face and I lay my head on his shoulder .

"Rory would love this," I said softly.

"Swimming?" Daniel asked.

"In the sun," I replied. "Night swims are fun and all but I think she'd like this."

He rubbed my back in soothing circles as a wild idea brewed in my mind. But it wouldn't be easy. I wasn't even entirely sure it could be done at all.

"Food will be here in thirty," Lewis called as he lay his phone on the lounger then ran and dive bombed into the pool. I yelled when splashes of water rained down on me.

"Son of a bitch!" I shrieked when Daniel hauled me in with them.

Time behaved strangely when something big was looming on the horizon. It seemed to drag its feet and rush by at the same time. We were a few days away from the full moon and the closer it got, the wolfier Daniel became. He was irritable, insatiable and in constant need of cuddles. It was like he was PMSing and Hecate help us if our cycles ever synced. I don't think the house would survive. He was particularly growly this evening so he went for a run and suggested that he stay at his place tonight. I could tell he wasn't in a great place so I gave him his space, even if I wasn't entirely happy about it. But it meant that I found myself curled up on the couch having a much needed girls night with Rory and Lexi.

"Black or purple?" Rory asked as she rummaged around in her makeup box for nail polish.

"Depends on the purple. What you got?" I replied .

"Lilac, violet and this deep purple," she replied, holding three bottles aloft.

"Deep purple and black," I replied.

"Nice!" Lexi piped up.

Practical Magic played on the TV in the background as Rory painted my toenails while I got comfortable on the couch. I was so relaxed that miss ma'am would have to do my fingernails too at this rate.

"Is that a new dress, Rory?" Lexi asked.

Rory looked down at the shimmery blue wrap dress she was wearing. It made her baby blue eyes shine even brighter.

"Oh, yeah. I had some time so I put it together."

"You made that?" I asked with surprise.

"Yeah, I studied fashion design at college but…" she petered off.

"But what?" Lexi asked.

She sighed deeply. "Student loans kinda put a dent in that dream when I graduated. I couldn't find a job that paid well enough and then I kinda fell into modeling."

"How do you explain only being able to work at night?" I asked.

"Vampire modeling agency," she said, squinting at my toes, applying another coat of nail color.

"Huh, didn't know that was a thing," I replied.

"Neither did I until I was turned."

"How long have you been a vampire?" Lexi asked. She was always so inquisitive. Probably why she and Lewis got on so well.

"Five years. I was twenty-one when I was turned," she replied, staring even harder at my toenails. This line of questioning was making her uncomfortable, but she wouldn't say so.

My gaze flitted to the TV as Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman made midnight margaritas. "We should have had margaritas tonight," I said.

"You don't drink," Rory said with a frown .

"Make mine virgin," I replied.

"Oh! I think we have margarita mix somewhere in the kitchen!" Lexi said, zooming off.

"Can you even make it?" I yelled after her.

"Yes!" she called back, but two minutes later something crashed and Rory ran to the kitchen because I was of no use with wet toes. I ran my fingers through my hair, muttering a spell and concentrating on the shade of dark purple I wanted to change it to.

"Oh! I love that color!" Rory said, carrying two jugs while Lexi floated two glasses before her. She poured me a glass and I coughed as I took a sip.

"Fuck, that's strong."

"Shit! Wrong jug! Lexi got a bit carried away with the tequila on that one."

"What smashed?" I asked, coughing and hitting my chest.

"The good glasses," Lexi replied, looking sheepish. I grimaced but couldn't find it in myself to care.

"Okay, do my nails then we can get this party started," I said, waving my fingers at Rory.

Ten minutes later, we'd turned the movie off, dimmed the overheads and I threw up a handful of flickering lights while the three of us danced in the living room. This was fun. I didn't know when the last time was that my heart felt so full and happy. My magic buzzed joyfully in my veins and I felt whole. I twirled and danced and laughed until I couldn't anymore and I dragged myself to bed. I didn't want to overdo it, tomorrow night was the full moon and I needed to be ready. But when I got into bed, an emptiness settled in my chest. I didn't realize how accustomed to sleeping next to Daniel I had become. I tossed and turned for a long time before I eventually fell asleep, only to be woken by a warm body sliding into bed with me .

"What time is it?" I croaked.

"Just after three," Daniel whispered, but his voice was rough. "I need you." His hands groped my body and his touch woke me fully. He nuzzled into my neck and he growled against it, pulling me hard into his body. "Need you so bad, Hurricane." I could feel his hard length pushing into my hip.

"I'm right here," I said.

That was all the permission he needed before he crashed his lips to mine, kissing me hungrily. My heartbeat relocated between my thighs when his tongue swept across mine and a low moan escaped me. He yanked my tank top off, followed by my panties, before he discarded all of his clothes in record time. He pushed my legs open then ran a hand down my body, his darkened eyes following its trail. My body heated as he drank me in, till he zeroed in between my thighs. "Mine," he growled, diving down. My eyes rolled back at the first swipe of his hot tongue on me.

"Oh, fuck," I moaned, hands fisting in his hair. He ate me out like it was what he was put on this earth to do. Licking, sucking, biting, making me writhe in pleasure. He pushed two fingers into me, my wetness giving him little resistance as he fucked me fast and hard. He had me cresting that peak and crashing down to earth in one fell swoop.

Moving up my body, I welcomed the way his heavy body pinned me down. The way his hands roamed and explored my body and his lips worshiped my skin. He was feral and I loved it. He groaned my name when he thrust into me.

"Fuck, you always feel so good," he said. I moaned as he moved into me, hard but slow. I loved the way he stretched me. The way he felt moving inside me, rolling his hips as he hit that spot inside that made me see stars .

His head dipped as he kissed me. Slow, languid, like the way he was fucking me. Tasting me. Savoring me.

Lifting my knees, I wrapped my legs around his waist as desire drugged my senses.

"Please, please, please," I begged as he moved faster. Sliding one hand into my hair, he yanked my head to the side, sucking on my pulse point.

"You never have to beg me," he said.

He pulled out but before I could protest, he flipped me over onto all fours. Threading his fingers through my hair he pushed me down, holding me in place. "Head down, ass up," he commanded.

I was so fucking gone at this point, I obeyed. "That's my good girl," he said, and I clenched in response. His fingers danced down my spine. "I love this tattoo. It's so beautiful. Just like you." He lowered his head, kissing his way down the flowers and vines snaking down my back.

His hand landed sharply on my ass and I gasped at the sensation. It stung but the pain mixed with my pleasure and intensified everything I felt. He thrust back into me and groaned as he sunk deep. "Bloody hell! Feels like you were made for me."

He didn't hold back, fucking me hard and fast as I gripped the sheets. Mewling as I let him ravage me. I gave myself over to him, letting him have all of me. He tightened his hold on my hair, the pain shooting straight to my clit and he gripped my hip with the other. That would leave bruises, but fuck, it would be worth it.

"Oh… Daniel, yes. There, right there. Don't stop."

"Couldn't stop even if I wanted to. Fuck!"

My body went tight as my second orgasm crashed into me. I cried out garbled nonsense as I came, pleasure erupting in every part of my body in waves. Daniel sped up, losing control then swore before I felt him come inside me. My legs collapsed and Daniel fell on top of me.

"Holy hell, you're so heavy. Get off."

He chuckled then pulled out. Before I could roll over, his hands slid between my legs and two of his fingers pushed back into me.

"Didn't know you had a breeding kink," I joked.

"Didn't know either until right now," he said. "Love marking you like this."

I rolled over, staring up at him where he knelt between my open thighs. He caressed me between my legs. "Sore?"

"In a good way," I said, closing my eyes, relishing his touch. "Feeling better?" I ran a hand gently up his strong forearm.

"Much," he replied. Leaning down, he kissed my inner thigh then disappeared into the bathroom. Returning with a warm cloth, he cleaned me up then pulled me back into his arms under the blankets. His warm body curled around me as he nuzzled my neck. "Love the new hair color, by the way," he said in a sleepy voice.

Smiling to myself, I snuggled deeper into his warm body and fell asleep.