Thirteen

Moon

W hen we make it to the area where the showers are, there’s no one in sight. From what I can tell, the arena they had us in for the VR challenge was a giant circle, and there are multiple sets of showers spread out for easy access.

“I think we are safe,” I tell Daire, as I reach the back of the room and turn the first shower on. Daire moves to another one, turning it on as well.

“Safe-ish…let's just shower and get out of here,” he grumbles.

“Okay, and look, fresh supplies.” I grin, pointing at the pile of black bags.

I remove my clothes before stepping into the cubicle shower that’s lacking a curtain, and moan as the hot water soothes my aching…everything.

“Oh, man. This feels heavenly.” I stick my face in the stream of water and give it a scrub with both hands.

“Can you stop moaning, please?” Daire grunts, and I grin like the devil I am.

“Mmm, oh gods, yes…yes, it feels so good!” I really get into it, moaning loudly, and then chuckle when a bar of soap is launched at me over the top of my shower. “Hey, rude!” I tease, and Daire scoffs.

“What’s rude is you moaning like you’re being fucked. If you need a hand, just say so.”

“You offering to fuck me, or just finger me?” I question since he said hand, rinsing my hair under the water.

“Anything you want.” Daire’s smirk is mischievous when I open my eyes and find him standing right in front of me. It startles me to see him there suddenly, but I can’t say I’m disappointed.

I’m not nervous about being naked in front of him, and I’m starting to think every man I’ve ever found attractive is one of my Heart Bonded. Daire hasn’t said anything about a Bond, but sweet heavens, he’s glorious without clothes on, and it’s very distracting.

“Anything?” I gesture for him to come closer with a crook of my finger, and he doesn’t hesitate.

“Can I have a little taste?” He swallows hard, as he steps into me, and rests his hands on my wet hips. Daire’s glasses are off, making his red eyes stand out.

“Can I have a kiss?” I ask, wanting to feel like more than just dinner.

He doesn’t say another word, just grabs my neck, and pulls me into him for a sensual kiss. My breasts slide against his chest, making my nipples harden. Wrapping my arms around his neck, and pushing my fingers into his hair feel so natural.

“Daire,” I whisper, as I pull away from the kiss.

“Yes?”

“You’re one of my Heart Bonded, aren’t you?”

“I am.” He smiles at me like he’s not only proud of that fact but proud that I realized it on my own.

“Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”

“You’ve had a lot going on, and I didn’t know if I was ready to tell you, honestly. I came here because I need to win, not to find my Heart Bonded, but I can’t complain. You’re everything I never knew I wanted.”

“Because I threatened to flash you?” I tease, and he shakes his head.

“No, because you’re stubborn, prone to chaos and disaster, and you look like fucking sin. Especially like this.” His voice is husky, as he trails his hand down from my neck, across my arm, and back up again.

“Why do you need to win?” I ask because he sounded different when he said need. Like he’s worried.

“My sister. She’s got a rare blood disease. There’s a cure, but it’s expensive. Like, pay with an Elven Crystal, expensive.” He frowns, looking away from me and staring at the wall. I use my hands, which are still pushed into his hair, to turn him so he’s looking at me again.

Even though Vampires can walk in the sun, despite what the Humans believe, they still tend to be cold and pale, given that they’re dead in a way.

Daire isn’t cold, not to me, and he isn’t pale at all. Not in a dead-body-walking kind of way. Maybe a bit stony, like a sculpture, or a carved statue.

“Fuck,” I can’t help it, I need to hug him. My heart hurts for his pain. I don’t have any siblings, but I can imagine how scary it must be to face losing a loved one. “If I win, I’ll give you one of my crystals,” I vow, making him freeze. He grabs my shoulders and pushes me away from him slightly so he can look into my eyes.

“You’d do that for me?” He sounds so shocked, and I’m almost offended by that.

“Of course. Even if you weren’t my Heart Bonded, I’d give you one. The Champion gets three. I only need one to free my father from the Fae prisons. You can have one of the other two.”

“Moon,” he whispers my name and then crushes his lips to mine once more. The kiss is hard and desperate, but it feels amazing. Like coming home when you didn’t even know you were homesick.

Daire kisses me like he’s never loved anyone before. Like I’m the air he needs to breathe.

“We can’t stay much longer,” he whispers when he pulls away from the kiss, and I nod my head in agreement. As much as I would love to be fucked against the shower wall… “We’ll be out of here soon.” He grins like he read my mind, and I can’t resist smiling back.

“I can’t wait.”