CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“ W e’ll be fine. Go,” Willow insisted. “We have a lot of planning and shopping to do.”

Brianna flicked through the magazine, taking in a grand total of zero information as she pretended not to be affected by the male vampire standing by the door. The same one who was pretending not to stare at her.

But she knew he was. She could feel his eyes all over her body. It felt as if electricity was bouncing between them across the room.

She chanced a look, aaand yep, he was staring at her.

He looked away.

“Yeah, we should go, Brayden. The women will be fine. Timmy’s outside.”

They’d been introduced to Timmy—who looked nothing like what she thought a Timmy should look like—who was to be their escort and security for the evening while Brayden and Craig went on their secret undercover something or other. She really hadn’t been paying attention.

What she had been focused on was the absolute horror of waking up and finding herself sprawled across the large blond male. One leg had been bent and lying across his manhood, and her arm had been over his chest, gripping his bicep. They had been facing each other, and so when she’d opened her eyes and realized where she was and with whom, she’d frozen. Of course, being a vampire, the subtle movement had awoken him. His eyes had flashed open, and they had lain staring at each other for a few long seconds.

The worst part? Instead of breaking away in disgust, the two of them lay there staring at each other. A long moment of waiting for the other to act.

Then she blinked and moved, apologizing.

He stopped her, gentle but firm, holding her on him.

“Bri...” he said softly, huskiness in his voice.

“Yes?”

It was such a dumb thing to say. She immediately felt like some swooning damsel in a historical romance novel. But that’s what this monster of a man did—he took all sense out of her brain.

His hand moved up her leg, and she began to feel that delicious heat blossom in her. As his fingers found the edge of her panties, her breathing stuttered, and he halted.

“Tell me to stop.”

She opened her mouth to do just that, her nipples going rock hard, but nothing came out. With a hiss, his fingers continued to move across and down the seam before pushing underneath. With a small groan and lidded eyes, he dipped between her folds and found her wet.

“God, Bri.”

The way he used his fingers, spreading her wetness around her pussy as his eyes held hers, had her heart pounding. Her own moans escaped, and she pressed into his hand.

“Bri.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

Craig pulled his fingers free, and as she was dealing with the devastating loss, he slipped them into his mouth and closed his eyes. “Gods.”

She moved her legs so she could squeeze them together while he sat and bent over her.

“I had to stop. You know that, right?”

She nodded, but didn’t.

“You wanted me to stop, right?”

She nodded, but again, she didn’t.

Desire burning between them, she couldn’t stop her hand from reaching out to touch his face. He grabbed her wrist.

“I’m trying really fucking hard to be strong for both of us, Bri. You have to help me.”

This time she didn’t nod, and he dropped his mouth down on hers with a deep, guttural groan. Their tongues rolled together in an erotic dance as she tasted herself on his lips.

“Little witch,” he moaned against her mouth after a moment, releasing her wrist and taking a long breath.

“I need to touch you.”

Watching as his eyes closed painfully, she knew she wasn’t being fair, but then again, he’d just had his fingers inside her.

He shook his head. “Bri, I can’t. If you do, I won’t be able to stop.”

“Maybe we don’t need to.”

He had blinked twice, then a shadow had appeared in his eyes. “Yeah, we do. Get in the shower; we need to leave soon.”

And just like that, he had shut down.

But neither of them could deny what they’d shared. Desire off the charts, yes, but there was always something else too. Something more.

As if reading her mind, Craig turned and stared at her from across the room, and simply blinked. But it was the intensity in his gaze before he’d blinked which said everything.

That something more.

Brayden planted a kiss on Willow’s lips, and the two vampires left the room. Brianna let out a sigh.

“What was that?”

“What?”

“That look Craig just gave you. Your sigh. Is there something going on between you two?” Willow asked.

Good damn question.

“No. And before you drill me, how about we talk about how Brayden is a friggen’ vampire. Oh, and then, hello, now you’re one!” She gave her friend two very raised eyebrows.

“Touché.”

“Start talking, princess.” Brianna crossed her arms and leaned back in the chair. She’d been waiting for some alone time with her best friend to drill her. Initially, she’d needed time to adjust to the news that vampires existed. She still was. But she didn’t feel scared, and that in itself was confusing.

Now, though, she wanted some answers. Oh, and she was totally not above using it as a diversion to Willow’s questions. She knew her friend was smart and would circle back around, but they both needed to discuss what had happened after Willow had left LA.

The new vampire leaned back in her chair and let out her own sigh.

“I know you want answers, Bri. Soon you won’t have these memories, but it’s nice to have the opportunity to share my story with you,” Willow said. “A gift I never thought we’d have.”

Bri frowned. If she hadn’t traced Willow’s phone and gone looking for her, neither of them would have this time together. Yet, that led her to wonder if the vampires would have wiped all of Willow’s friends’ memories, or simply let her become a missing person? Would Willow have done that to her friends?

To her?

Yet seeing her friend so happy and in love, knowing the complexity of the situation—because, hello, vampires—how could she be upset about it. She knew Willow. It would have been the hardest decision of her life.

Brianna hid her sadness and focused back on their conversation. “I knew you two were really into each other, but he really moves fast, huh?”

Willow shrugged. “It’s different for vampires. First, when I found out, I had to decide whether to be with him or leave. I would have returned to my life and forgotten I ever knew Brayden, like you will.”

Seeing the way the two of them loved each other, Brianna couldn’t imagine the heartache her friend would have endured should she have chosen the latter. And to not understand why? That was messed up.

“I was so terrified, Bri. Out of my mind. Brayden could have just bitten and changed me, but he loved me enough to let me choose,” Willow said, then shrugged. “Well, that, and his father changed his mom without warning, and she apparently harbored a lot of resentment for a long time, so he promised he’d never do that to his mate.”

“Wow, that’s...wow.” She couldn’t imagine a vampire just biting her before announcing he was her mate. “That’s one way to hate your forever husband. Mate. Whatever.”

Willow let out a laugh.

“You can’t hate your mate. It’s impossible, really. The powerful feeling of love just zeroes it out. But you can resent them, and that would be horrible for both mates.”

Brianna gave a brief nod as she tilted her head. “So what made you choose him? I mean, I know you really liked him, but you had only known him a few days.”

Willow smiled. “It came down to his life or mine. It’s a long story, but he’s the most powerful vampire in the race, and without his mate, he would have destroyed himself. Or...”

Brianna watched as her friend looked away, clearly reluctant to continue.

“Or?”

Willow shook her head.

“Willow.”

“Or Craig would have had to do it. He’s immensely powerful, Bri. Just be careful around him, okay?”

Bri flinched. She knew Craig was strong—hell, he looked like a walking Muscle something that’s hidden. I won’t lie; I am concerned he’ll snap.”

“He won’t hurt me,” Bri muttered before she could stop herself.

“Bri.”

“He won’t hurt me. You are right; he’s highly protective and doing his job.”

Willow shook her head. “Has something happened between you two?”

She shrugged. “We kissed once. Back in LA.”

“At the bar that night?”

Brianna nodded. “It was nothing. We both realized there was no spark, and then when we saw you and Brayden and connected the dots, that was that.”

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

“Well, I guess that’s good then,” Willow said, nodding. “At least we know you’re not his mate or anything crazy like that.”

Anger suddenly plowed through Brianna, her cheeks flushing. Why was it so crazy to think she could be someone’s mate? Bri knew she was being irrational, but she couldn’t stop. Instead, she snapped.

“Why not? It happened to you!”

Willow’s mouth dropped open. “God, Bri, do you have feelings for him?”

“No! I just think it’s rude you don’t think he could feel that way for me.”

With a shaking head, Willow held out a hand. “No, Bri, it’s not that at all. Craig had a mate and lost her. Centuries ago.”

Oh.

“There’s only ever one mate for a vampire.”

Brianna began nodding, her temper subsiding. “So it’s only about sex for a vampire once that happens?”

Willow shrugged. “I guess.”

Her mind flashed back to their conversation in the car. If Craig had loved and lost and wasn’t capable of deeper emotions, then why had he stopped? It had been the reason he’d given, after all.

Something snapped inside me. I couldn’t just fuck you. You felt...more. Just. More.

If there was one thing she knew, it was that Craig was attracted to her. Today had proven that. Yet he had stopped once again. For some reason, he wouldn’t let himself have sex with her.

Was it that he did have feelings for her?

I need you to know, Bri. It pained me to stop.

Or did he think she was going to fall for him?

She frowned to herself. He wasn’t being completely honest with her. Willow was right, though; he wasn’t emotionally available, and neither was she.

Perhaps he had been right to stop them. Both times.

“What I really want for you, Bri, is to go back to your human life after this and live a long, wonderful life doing all the things. Get married, have children, get wrinkly and die. Sorry, but you know what I mean.”

Brianna laughed. “Thanks, friend. I hope you die one day too.”

They both laughed.

“I know I’m being selfish wanting you here, but when you found out about vampires, I just had to ask.”

Bri shook her head. “Don’t be. As crazy as all this is, we’re best friends. I love you. It’s a special occasion.”

The unsaid hung in the air.

They would have to say goodbye.

“Bri...”

“No. Let’s just focus on your ceremony.”

Willow leaped up and threw her arms around Brianna, stopping just before she reached her to gentle her approach. Because vampire power.

“I am going to miss you so damn much.” Bri felt tears on her cheek and heard them in her friend’s voice.

“Same.”

They sniffed and wiped their eyes as the room filled with a team of female vampires, dressmakers, and the like. They gave each other a small smile before diving into the planning.

There wasn’t much to go on because this was such a rare occasion. Kate, whom Willow insisted she would love, and Vincent had been the last couple to be officially bonded. However, because they were the king and queen, it had been a slightly unique occasion. This would be more low-key. If you could call streaming it live to millions of vampires around the world low-key.

Brianna listened and took in all the details of a race that had lived alongside humans for thousands of years. She was in awe of Willow, who seemed to take it in her stride and accept it so easily.

Willow was to be a Moretti. One of the royal family, bonded to the prince. She was a vampire.

And Bri was a human who would soon not remember a single thing. All these people, her feelings, and thoughts would vanish. It seemed impossible. Bri would grieve and not understand why while Willow would keep her memories and the pain of their lost friendship and of her entire life.

Brianna wasn’t sure she would have given up her life for Christian, no matter how much she had loved her husband. She still loved him. She had lost him, and now she was losing her best friend.

She’d asked if they could allow her to keep her memories if she promised to keep their secret, but it had been an all-resounding no.

“It’s too dangerous,” Brayden had said. “For you and for us.”

He was right. Humans were dicks and destroyed everything they feared before thinking. She knew little, but from where she was sitting, the vampires were nice enough. They’d been around a long time and not wiped out humanity, so surely that had to count for something.

“Bri, check out these designs. I’m totally having pockets in my dress.”

“Oh, me too.”

An hour later they began packing up all the samples and books the other females had left and stretched.

“Come on, let’s go check out this enormous place and get something to eat.”

Brayden and Craig had both explicitly told them to stay in the royal wing, so Bri looked at her friend in question.

“Brayden...”

“Is not the boss of me. Let’s go.”

She let out a whoop and followed her friend out the door...where they were abruptly stopped by Timmy.

Oh.

“Sorry ladies, but the adventure stops here.” He winked.

Willow glanced at her, then back at the large vampire “You know, Timmy, I don’t think so. Winking at the prince’s mate is a little inappropriate. You saw him wink at me, didn’t you, Bri?”

She nodded fast. “Most definitely.”

“Wait just a minute...”

“And I feel quite threatened and dirty.”

The guy’s face went blank and ashen, which was saying something given he was olive skinned and Italian. In other words, gorgeous.

“Fine. But I am coming with you and you only have one hour.” He sighed.

The two girls grinned as they sauntered off with their personal guard behind them.