Dare to Bleed (Emily Sullivan Series) (15 page)

Chapter Sixteen

I was stomping down to my room as fast as possible when Ezra caught up to me.

“
Whoa, Emily. Hey, stop for a second.”

I threw his hand off of my arm and found my room. I slammed the door but he caught it. I went over to my bed, threw a few things in my purse and grabbed my phone.

“
Ezra, I have to get back, with or without your help.”

“
Emily, let me just talk to you first,” he said, softly stroking my arm. He was smiling, which pissed me off even more. How could he be so happy when the people I was closest to were in danger? I tore away and glared at him. I grabbed my bag and started for the door.

“
No, Ezra. None of you care about my mom or Kimmy, but I do. They are all I have. I have to get them. I hope you can understand. I would do the same thing for you,” I yelled as I grabbed the doorknob.

“
Emily, they’re already here,” he said.

This took me completely by surprise. I turned on my heels. “What did you say?” I heard him. I just needed to hear it again.

He grabbed my purse and threw it on the bed. “I went and picked them up earlier while you were sleeping.” He smiled, obviously proud of himself.

“
Under Roberts’s orders?” I asked softly.

“
No, I did it without his approval. I knew you would want them close since they didn’t find Damon. I didn’t want you to do something rash like storm off to save them. Looks like I know you pretty well.” He tucked my hair behind my ears.

I looked into his beautiful, big bright blue eyes and realized I was truly falling in love with this guy. I didn’t believe in love at first sight or anything but he would do anything for me and I felt the same thing for him.

He grabbed my face and planted his delicious lips on mine. I wanted him so badly. I pushed him backwards to the bed and crawled on top. He rolled over so he was lying on me, but our lips never parted. His tongue frantically searched my mouth. I kicked off my shoes and ran my hands down his smooth back. He reached under my shirt and slipped his hands under my bra. I had to break free to breathe. I was almost panting. My body was aching so badly for this, and finally I would get what I’d been dying for, Ezra.

“
I want you,” he breathed into my ear, and I almost had an orgasm.

“
Umhmm,” I moaned. That’s all I could get out. He grabbed my shirt and started pulling it off. I was so aggravated that I had chosen a darn turtle neck. They are so unsexy coming off. I threw it off and went back in for more. His kiss was so sweet and cold, but the temperature difference felt good in my mouth. His teeth had grown as he was kissing me, making it slightly awkward like there wasn’t enough room for both our tongues and his big teeth. He bit at my lip, and I thought he would draw blood. He gently scraped my face down to my neck.

Once he reached my neck, he started kissing me softly, teasing my throat with his teeth and biting down ever so slightly. I felt more pressure as he bit into me, a pop in my skin before he pulled away. Blood trickled down my neck. I was so close to ecstasy. One bite, and I was going to have the best orgasm in my life. I couldn’t wait for the pleasure my body was about to receive and didn’t understand why we would stop. I finally opened my eyes, confused.

He wasn’t even on the bed. He was standing, staring at me hard. I could still feel the blood running down my neck.

“
Ezra, it’s no big deal. I don’t mind if you bite me. Just don’t leave me here bleeding to death, please,” I said, slightly embarrassed.

“
Emily, it’s not that,” he said, finally looking me in the eyes. I was getting annoyed that he had stopped our make out session, like being drenched in cold water. I grabbed my shirt and held it to my chest. I know it sounds silly, but I felt uncomfortable being so naked in front of him.

“
Then what the hell is your problem?” I asked. I was becoming grumpy, I didn’t want to stop.

“
I didn’t know you were so hurt yesterday.” He sat back down, took my head in his hands and positioned me so he could get a better look. His hands gently stroked my bruise.

“
It’s really not a big deal, I’m fine. Or should I say
was
fine, I just don’t know what I have to do to make you have sex with me. I’m getting blue balls being with you.”

“
I’m just worried about you. I could have been too late getting there to save you. I shouldn’t have waited. I’m sorry,” he said softly, looking sincerely worried.

“
Seriously, you saved my life. I didn’t even expect you to be there. It’s really not—“ I started but he interrupted.

“
Don’t say it’s not a big deal. It’s your life. It’s a huge deal to me. I don’t want to take a chance with your life.” He was starting to get upset and I knew that sex was out of the question at this point.

“
Ok, Ezra, I got it. You are forgiven of all wrongs you have committed here and forth on. Now, I know the hanky panky is over, but can you please do something about the bleeding coming from my jugular?” I pleaded. I was exaggerating that a bit, it wasn’t really bleeding anymore but I had to get his mind off the topic. He gave me an eye that said he knew what I was thinking. Why does he always listen to the crap I don’t want him to hear but never hears the pleas to just do me?

“
What do you want me to do?” he asked, sighing. His question caught me off guard and I was surprised, I didn’t know what to say.

“
Uh, I don’t know. You’re the one who made it bleed. Can’t you make it stop?” I asked, about to freak out. I was going to die from a bite during foreplay and I didn’t even hit a home run. I barely made it to first base.

“
Do you want me to bite you?” he asked. This threw me completely into left field. I mean I know he was a vampire but I didn’t know anything about vampires anymore except they eat blood.

“
Um, that’s ok. I’ll just bleed,” I said softly.

“
I was just kidding, Em.” He laughed as he grabbed a towel from my shower. “Maybe I should explain a few things before we go any further with us,” he said as he cleaned up my neck. I was curious, and if this is what it took to finally get my hump on, so be it. I really did want to know. I was just afraid to hear it. I gave him a ‘go ahead’ nod.

“
I do drink blood, and it’s an extremely sexual act. The venom in my bite can cause multiple orgasms immediately.” That didn’t sound too bad. “You wouldn’t turn into a vampire from one bite.”

“
So how does one become a vampire?” I asked curiously.

“
It’s sort of a ritual that has to happen and it’s very difficult. If not done correctly you become a zombie.” He paused to let me soak it in.

“
Excuse me? A zombie? Like dawn of the dead or something?” I asked.

He laughed “Not quiet that dramatic but something like that. There are zombies out there. But that is why my kind is very scarce.”

I thought about it a minute, trying very hard to keep him out of my head and according to his expression it was working.

“
So, what you are saying is biting me means you have to sleep with me? That’s it?” I asked.

He scoffed and looked upset. “Emily, I am a dangerous creature. Why would you want to be with me?”

“
Whoa. You were about to do the bedroom tango with me and you don’t want to be with me? What happened to that ‘oh, Emily, I care so deeply for you, if anything were to happen to you I don’t know what I would do with myself?’” I was pushing my luck but at this point I was so confused. He was hot then cold for me, and I was tired of him playing with my emotions.

“
Don’t turn my words. I do care for you. That is why I want you to really think hard about what you want. Being with me is not good for you.”

“
So you think I should date, say, Gavin, because he doesn’t seem as dangerous as you?” I regretted the words as soon as they left my lips. I knew it would hurt him, and his look confirmed it.

“
No, I don’t want you to date Gavin. And just because he is a wizard doesn’t mean he isn’t dangerous. Looks can be deceiving. I want you. I want only you, and I want you to only want me.”

“
Good, then we have it all cleared up. I only want you. So there, we’re done, what more do you want?” I asked.

“
I want you to know what you are asking for.”

“
Cheese and milk, Ezra, just please leave,” I stated. I was finally tired of the conversation.

“
What?” he asked, surprised.

“
I said, please leave.”

“
But, why? Emily, I’m just trying to make you understand what it means to be with me,” he said but I was done listening.

“
Ezra, I want you, but I don’t want this drama you keep bringing to the table. I have enough going on right now.” I walked him to my door and gave him a gentle shove out.

“
Good bye, Ezra, please just leave me alone until you figure out what it is you want.” I shut the door on him. Men! I find a good guy and now he’s acting like a woman. There is no such thing as ‘Mr. Perfect.’ And I hate whoever came up with that phrase.

Chapter Seventeen

I sat on my bed, thinking and feeling sorry for myself. Damon was still out there. My love life had just fallen to pieces. My mother and father were under the same roof. I picked up my phone and called ‘Dumb Dog.’ He picked up after two rings.

“
Emily? Please don’t tell me you stole Ezra’s car again,” he answered.

“
No, nothing like that. I’m in my room,” I replied, glad he wasn’t mad at me. I couldn’t take any more lectures. Axle probably found the entire situation humorous.

“
Um, you mean the room right across the hall from me?” he asked sarcastically.

“
Good point,” I said and hung up. I ran to the door and opened it, He was standing in the doorway of his room with only a pair of work out shorts and some Nike’s on. He was slightly damp, like he had been working out.

“
You, uh, been hittin’ the gym?” I asked nodding his direction.

He laughed. “Yeah, you going somewhere special?” He gave me a wide eyed look, and I realized I was standing there in nothing but my jeans and my black bra. Ah, fuck it, he’s a big boy I’m sure he’s seen it all before.

“
As a matter of fact, I was thinking about going to work out,” I replied.

“
I would love to be your personal trainer,” he said, looking me up and down. I rolled my eyes. I can’t lie. The compliment made me feel good, in more ways than one, but I couldn’t let him know that.

“
I have a question for you.” I needed to get on with this conversation before it went too far.

“
Shoot, baby,” he responded. I was going to get a headache from my eye rolls if I hung out with Axle for too much longer.

“
How did you guys get my mom here exactly?” I asked curiously. My mother never dared leave her home unless there was some great gossip going on going on somewhere, or to get her hair done.

“
Do you really want to know, sweetheart?” he asked, and I wasn’t really sure I did.

“
Axle, quit messing with me, I’ve had a really craptastic day,” I begged.

“
Oh, I like when you beg. He put a spell on your mother. She thinks she is at home right now in a room in the basement. Apparently, it was a little easier for Kimmy, something about a sausage fest was mentioned.” He looked excited.

“
Hey, down dog. Leave her alone,” I commanded.

“
Ok, Ok. Not like I would want to with you looking all hot and bothered right across the hall from me. And these ears can hear literally everything that goes on in this house. So, I know you are in need of some love, and I just need to put my offer in. If Ezra can’t take a hint, I sure would love to fill his shoes.”

I glared at him and slammed my door. I really did need to hit the gym to burn off some steam and relieve some stress. I found some very tiny running shorts and a tank top in my dresser, along with a sports bra. Nelly really did prepare me for everything. I put on my shoes, pulled my hair up and grabbed my IPod. It took me a while to find the gym. Unfortunately it was down the same hall as Ezra’s room and I tip toed by, not like he would know it was me and come running out begging for my forgiveness. Maybe I was dreaming. I really needed to run Ezra out of my head.

I opened the door marked GYM and braced myself. It was bright and smelled quite pleasant for a gym. I was impressed. There were three people working out, two I didn’t know and one was Gavin. I nodded to Gavin, hoping he would catch my drift that I really wasn’t in the mood for talking. He was wearing some shorts and a grey t-shirt, only barely sweating and still looked delicious. He continued lifting big weights that I wouldn’t even be able to pick up with both hands. The other two guys still stared, but I didn’t mind. In a house filled with men, I was getting used to being the only eye candy around. Kimmy was right. It was a sausage fest in this house, no wonder she jumped at the opportunity.

I started running on a treadmill in the corner and kept a good pace. I was actually proud of the fact that the running seemed much easier. I put in my ear buds and started blasting my music. I was in my happy place, which is not normal for me. I was lost in my music and time passed quickly. I realized I had my eyes closed while I was running. It was a strange sensation to run blind. I was shocked I survived the workout without hurting myself. I felt much better after working out. I stepped off the tread mill, stretching my arms above my head. I noticed Gavin was the only one left. He was staring at me, still lifting weights. I paused my music.