Chapter 26

Chapter

Twenty-Six

TALULLA

I don't even know when we arrive at Flynn's building, but as soon as we get to his place, he walks me to his bathroom and pulls out an emergency kit.

"Sit," he says, his voice so soft I barely hear it. But I do as he says.

"What are you doing?" I ask him, still in a dazed state. I feel as if my entire body is completely numb. No sensation, just nothing.

"Your hands," he starts. "Give me your hands."

I do as he asks, and as he gently touches my fingers, I relax and slowly open my fists. "Fuck, I didn't realize I cut myself."

"I know," he says, kissing my forehead before looking down again.

I try to get my palms away, feeling like this might be too hard for him, but he stops me. "I'm okay, Talulla. If my self-control wasn't as good as it was, I would have bitten you the first time I saw you."

Tilting my head to the side, I say, "I didn't have blood on me that time."

"You did."

My expression is blank. "What?"

"Your lip was cut. Actually, you do that a lot."

"Oh," I say before adding, "I'm sorry."

"And why are you sorry?"

"For what happened tonight…"

"That was not your fault, Tal. That was Monica and your moron of a father. I'm sorry you had to be there for it."

He never called me Tal, but it sounds so nice coming from his lips. "I'm used to it," I reply, shrugging my shoulders.

"Used to your father verbally abusing you?"

"I—"

"Do not find an excuse for his actions. I know that deep down, he might do it to protect you, but he could have found another way to show his affection. I shouldn't have given him the chance to say a word."

I snort at the irony of things. "Trust me, there's no affection. He always saw me as a weapon, nothing more, and when things don't go his way—"

"Did he do other things to you?"

"I—Can we talk about other things? I'm not living under his roof anymore."

"No, and you never will again. I won't allow it."

"I know."

He grabs both of my bloody palms, the blood now almost dried, then lowers his head down, and for a split second, I wonder what he's going to do. My heart quickens, but not from fear, from something completely different. It's anticipation, as if this is something that's supposed to happen.

His lips softly brush my cuts, a gentle caress that transforms into warm kisses. I stop breathing as he continues to press his mouth to my skin, not to harm me but to comfort me. Then he guides my hands under the faucet, and he washes my hands with such tenderness I truly question if the creature beside me is capable of what my father always taught me to believe. Because even if I know his true nature, I'm certain he didn't choose this life, just like I didn't choose mine. But we still remain here, present and ready to fight for a different outcome.

He goes to grab a Band-Aid, and I cup his cheeks. "Thank you," I say, bringing his face to mine as I get on my tippy-toes. His arms wrap around me, and we both melt into the embrace. Our tongues become entangled with one another, and every possible worry shutters into a thousand pieces because, despite everything, we are here.

"I'd do anything for you, Tal. Anything."

Tal again. That's the second time that he's called me that. It feels so intimate, so familiar. The corners of my lips lift into a smile. "Anything?"

"Anything."

"Would you even punish me for letting you spend an entire day with Asmodeus?"

He shakes his head, his mouth curving into a smile. "You don't need that right now, darling. You—"

"I need to forget about what happened tonight because if I think about it, my anger will get the best of me."

"You were incredible."

"What?"

"Your speech, it was remarkable."

"Oh," I start, feeling my cheeks warm up. "That was nothing."

"That was everything, Talulla. That was what you were born to do."

My eyes widen at his affirmation. "Thank you."

"Can I ask what you love about your studies?"

"Human evolution, how we evolved as a species… I love how cyclical we always end up being."

"Humans are creatures of habit, it's true."

"My specialization is in ancient civilizations. That's what I'm working on right now, and, well, I love analyzing human artifacts and remains. It's what made me get a minor in anthropology."

"You are quite the fascinating creature, Talulla Popescu."

"Why? ‘Cause I like bones?" I cock an eyebrow.

"Because you light up every time you get the chance to learn something new and every time you get to talk about what you love. It's a synonym of intelligence, and you, my dear, are an extremely intelligent being. It's what I admire the most about you."

"Interesting."

"What is?" he asks as he starts to play with a lock of my hair, the gesture making me close my eyes in relaxation.

"My entire life, I was brought up believing everything I liked was basically useless and that my love for books was just getting in the way of my training."

He shakes his head, his jaw tightening as he lets the words settle in. "I think you did quite well for yourself. You are passionate about your interests, and you are truly a deadly weapon, little hunter. I find that combination very attractive."

"You gotta stop saying things like that."

"Why?"

"Because I'll start believing you."

"You should always believe me, Talulla." Then his head dips, and his lips brush mine. "What is your dream?"

"What?"

"Your dream life—dream job. What do you want to do after you're done here?" Flynn's mouth caresses my temple and then starts a trail of kisses from my ear down to the hollow of my neck.

I gasp as he continues his slow reverence of my skin. "Work at a museum, I guess. I'd love to work in the archives of a museum and maybe curate exhibitions too… The dream is the Natural History Museum in London, but there are literally never openings, and I need to save up for that."

The smile he gives me is heart-stopping. His eyes radiate brilliance, the gray in them almost shining. "Interesting pick."

"You're more of a British Museum guy?"

He shrugs his shoulders slightly. "I donated a lot of pieces to the British Museum. They do adore me."

His little cocky statement makes me chuckle. "Of course they do."

"You would absolutely love London, my dear, and if I can help you get there, I will do anything in my power to do so."

"Not even you can materialize a job opening right at the perfect time, but thank you."

"What about right now? What can I do for you now?"

I tilt my head slightly. "You already did so much, Flynn. So, so much." Then I brush my lips against his once more. "But I wasn't joking when I asked for my punishment."

"I can't—"

"Then let me rephrase it this way… Fuck me until I forget my own name because right now, I really don't want to think about anything else except you coming inside me."

His eyes darken, and he throws me onto his bed before I even finish my sentence. "You have such a dirty mouth sometimes."

"Sometimes?"

"Such a brat."

"Are you gonna do anything about it?"

"Get up," he demands, and I do as he says. Before anything else happens, he turns me around and bends me down over the bed, my face against the mattress. "As much as I like this dress on you, I do prefer you without it." Then I hear him working on the zipper, and the sudden air feels cold on my back. My nipples harden fast as his hands caress my spine and stop right at the base of my back. Yes, because Flynn just realized I'm not wearing underwear or a bra, and I don't know if he's happy or upset about it.

"You planned this."

"Actually, if I recall correctly, someone you might know took my pretty pair of panties as hostage."

"So you thought not wearing any around him would be a good idea?"

I turn my head a little to look at his expression. Dark, penetrating my soul. "I had a pretty good idea of who was taking me home tonight, Flynn. You promised."

"But—"

"No buts, mister. Just rip the rest of the dress off and fuck me already. I'm growing tired."

And he does just that. He keeps his eyes on me as he tears the rest of the fabric off. Piece by piece. He gashes it to shreds. "I'm gonna have to put a collar on you if this is how you walk around other men."

"Try and see what happens if you do that," I spit back, getting him worked up just like we both want. "There's a clip to unhook the garter right on the inner thigh, by the way…"

"Oh, I'm not taking the stake off. It's staying right there." I gasp at his words and firm movements. "It's hot as fuck," he adds before I'm bent down once more.

I hear his belt buckle clinking, and then his belt is off and around my wrists. He ties them behind my back, and I stay like that, bent down, with wetness now dripping down my thighs.

His hand gently rubs my bundle of nerves, and I can hear him groan as he takes his fingers to his mouth and sucks my essence off them. "You are so wet already. It's insane."

"Imagine what would happen if you actually did something."

He chuckles before he does, indeed, do something. "You are truly my perfect match." That's all he says before pressing my face down into the mattress. Before I know it, his free hand lands on my ass. Hard. My cry of pleasure dies in my mouth as he keeps me pressed down.

"Is this what you wanted, darling?" Another spank, another faded moan. "Because I'll be your servant until the end of times." Another spank, but this time he lets me come up for air, and I can't contain the sounds I make as he continues to bring his hand down on my ass. The initial sting of pain turns into an even deeper bliss as he continues to mark me.

"More," I ask as his torturous motions continue.

"More?"

"I need more of you, Flynn. I need all of you."

"You'll always have all of me, Talulla."

He drops to his knees, and before I can even look down to see what he's doing, his tongue flicks at my entrance and then moves up and up to my ass. I clench as his tongue continues to play with both holes. He helps me get on the bed. I'm still at the edge of it, but now I'm on my knees and my ass is up and more exposed for him. His hands caress the places he turned red, and then down they go.

"Oh my god," I pant as his fingers find my clit and his tongue dives inside my pussy—a gentle dance of movements that makes my legs quiver. "I'm gonna come, Flynn. I—Oh my god, that's so good."

But then he's off me just as I'm about to explode. Because that's what he does. He tortures and tortures until I can't take it anymore, and then he gives me the best release I could ever imagine. "Really?" I groan as I hear him chuckle. His pants come right off.

"You know I'm always going to give you what you want. Be patient."

"Yeah, well, I'm not in the mood for patience."

"Then you might be really disappointed."

"Flynn," I whine, and his chuckle turns into a sweet laugh.

"All right, all right," he says before positioning the head of his length at my entrance. "Be a good girl and take all of me now," he says as he pushes inside me in one quick motion, the sudden fullness making me gasp. I try to turn to look at him, but his hand is quickly on the back of my head, pushing me down to the mattress once more. "The way your body reacts to me is so delightful. Unique. Nothing and no one will ever compare to you, my darling," he continues his praises as his thrusts get harder and deeper every time. My moans reach him, even if my face is stuffed onto the bed, and my eyes roll back as he hits that perfect spot and continues with his methodical movements. He drives me insane, and he can tell I'm close to coming again. As I start to feel the orgasm erupt, he slides out of me and laughs at my groan of annoyance.

"That was so mean," I whine as I hear him opening a bottle of something. I remain in place but turn my face to look at him. He's pouring himself a glass of blood, and on the nightstand, he has a vibrator. "What are you doing?" I ask, eyeing him curiously.

"This is clearly for me," he says, raising the cup to his mouth and drinking slowly. His Adam's apple is going up and down, and my mouth opens in admiration. Every single movement this vampire makes is pure sex, and he's here, with me, giving me exactly what I want. When he's done with his drink, he looks at me, his lips curled into a smirk. "This though," he says, now grabbing the vibrator, "this is for you."

"I'm pretty sure I don't need a vibrator to come, Flynn. You were doing all right on your own."

"I know I was, but I'm not gonna stop thrusting until I come inside you, and this will help with the duration of your orgasm."

"What?"

"You heard me. When I get back inside you, I'm not gonna hold back, and this will help enhance your experience ."

"I never want you to hold back."

"Good." He props himself at my opening once more. "Remember your safe word, darling."

"I don't need to use it."

"I know, but you need to know you have an escape from me."

Then he slides back inside hard, and before I can say anything, his hand wraps around my neck and he brings my back to his chest. With his free hand, he positions the vibrator right on my clit, and when I close my eyes to let him know he has the perfect spot, he starts tightening his grip on my throat and resumes his game.

I roll my eyes as the orgasm builds up once more. This time, so much faster and more intensely than the one before. I explode as he continues to thrust into me, his hand still choking me, making it almost impossible to even scream from the pleasure I'm experiencing.

I've never felt anything so fiercely with anyone else or even on my own, and before I even move on from the ecstasy of the first orgasm, a second one arrives, even stronger than the one before. I feel my vision start to blur as he continues groaning and moving.

"Fuck, Tal, you take me so well," he says, releasing my throat just slightly, and I moan as the constant pleasure continues. I feel my tied arms plop to the side as the third orgasm arrives, and he isn't stopping his rhythm for anything. He continues to drive his dick deep inside me, harder with each thrust, and I can't help but sound like a cat in heat with the noises I'm making.

"Flynn, oh my god," I say as his grip around my neck tightens once again.

"You're being such a good girl, darling. I wonder what would happen if you came for me again."

And then I feel it, his cock twitching inside me, letting me know he's close to his release. My pussy clenches around him once more, and this time, as he drives his length in and out of me, I hear him growl as he empties himself inside me, taking me over the edge one last time with him. And I pour myself out as well, a wave of pleasure that feels like an earthquake coming from within me. A rhapsody of contentment. Joy.

He releases my throat, but only after whispering something in my ear. "This, right here, is my favorite shade of red on you, my darling." A tingle starts from the back of my neck, traveling down my spine.

I feel his hands on mine as he unbinds me, silky skin caressing my own. "Look at you, making a beautiful mess on the bed."

And then I see it. Yes, because besides his cum slowly coming out of me, there's much more on the sheets. "Did I—" My hand covers my mouth. "I'm so sorry. That has never happened before." This is so embarrassing. I can't even close my eyes, I'm in legit shock.

Flynn is on top of me in a split second. "Don't you dare apologize for enjoying yourself," he says, his lips less than an inch from mine. "Your pleasure is all I care about."

"But—"

"No buts, Talulla. This is probably the hottest thing I've ever witnessed in my very, very long life."

"Okay, but now it's—"

"Next time, you're gonna do that on my face." His lips crush against mine, and I melt, my arms wrapping around his neck and our body molding into one once more. Because the truth is that we can never be done with each other. The kind of pull we have is so strong and constant that nothing can stop us from being connected like this.

I don't even know when we stop our declarations of love, but at some point, we end up in his bathtub, my eyelids heavy, my body sore, and my mental state just pure serenity.

"I don't think anything can top this," I say, closing my eyes as Flynn rubs a sponge on my skin. My back is pressed against his chest.

I feel his lips on my temple. "I plan on giving you this every day."

"Promise?"

"I promise, Talulla. I am your servant."

"I thought I was yours. Didn't you say you wanted to tame me?"

"I did, but the reality is that I think you tamed me."

And with that, my eyes close for a few minutes. I reopen them in bed, which now has clean sheets. My lips never stop smiling. "Can I ask you a silly question?"

"Your questions are never silly."

"Do you believe in mates? Like fated mates, soulmates?"

"Like the werewolves have?"

I bite my lower lip. "Yeah," I say, before shaking my head a little. "I know, it's stupid."

"Not stupid at all." Then he's lying beside me, bringing my head to his naked chest. "I choose to believe you're mine if that gives you reassurance."

"Yeah?"

"Yes, because what kind of masochistic creature would fall for his mortal enemy if it wasn't fate, destiny, or whatever force you believe in?" He chuckles. "The day I walked into the Bear Creek campus, even before I saw you, I knew my life would be changed forever."

"You did?"

"I had this gut feeling, some sort of pull toward it. I just knew I had to go on with whatever I was doing. At the time, I thought it was my brain telling me I was right for wanting to end my life, for finding a way to go on my terms—as a human. But then… Your eyes met mine, and deep down, I already knew the pull was toward you and nothing else."

My eyes widen at the thought of being the reason he decided not to give up on his life. "I felt it too. I still do."

"Then, even if the werewolves might say we're crazy, why can't we believe we're fated just like they can be?"

"I always found it unfair how they have that one person and no other being does."

"I'm surprised you're even questioning it."

"Why?"

"Because doesn't every civilization, every religion, every creature kind of have their own way of defining a union?"

"I never thought of it that way."

"Then think of it this way, darling," he starts, his lips brushing my forehead. "It's you and me as long as you want me."

"But I'll always want you."

"Then it's you and me, always."

"And forever," I add, my hand caressing his cheek and jaw.

"Always and forever." He kisses my knuckles as I close my eyes once more, knowing that what we shared tonight is the acceptance of a life with each other.

My eyes open wide as my phone and his buzz at the same time.

Picking up mine, I see seven missed calls from Cassandra and various texts.

The last one reads:

CASSANDRA:

I saw something tonight that I don't know how to interpret. Just tell me you're still with Flynn.

TALULLA:

Still with Flynn, staying at his place tonight. Are you okay?

CASSANDRA:

Yes. We'll talk tomorrow.

"Cassandra had a vision of some sort," I say, keeping my eyes on my phone. "She seems okay but wants to talk to us tomorrow." I finally turn to look at him, and his face is blank and focused on his phone. He's paying no attention to what I just said. "Are you okay?" I ask, gently touching his arm.

"Yes, I—It's Evanora."

"Is she okay?"

"Yes."

"Then what is it?"

"She says the cure will be ready tomorrow at noon."

My stomach drops, and my jaw clenches. "And what do you want to do?"

His eyes finally meet mine. "I want you to come with me if you are okay with that."

"Of course I'll come with you."

The corners of his lips lift into a smile, his eyes brightening. "Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me. I wouldn't let you go through this alone." And this is how we fall asleep: in each other's embrace, knowing that we are finally not alone and that we won't be ever again.