Made By Design (Blood Bound Series Book 2) (18 page)

“It’s okay.” There was a loud exhale and a thump, as if Ty had dropped his forehead against the door. “You had a vision, right? That’s why you’re starving.”

“And that makes it okay?” I bit out between grated teeth.

“It’s a learning curve,” Ty said, still right outside. “It doesn’t make you a monster.” After a silent pause he said, “Amelia, you need blood. Open up and let me help you. Let me
feed
you.”

The shudder that ran down my entire body had my stomach turning and my fangs aching. “No!”

There was no way I was going to risk lunging at Ty like the monster I was, even if he could hold me back.
Monster
by Skillet started looping in my subconscious, a devious reminder of the thing that lived right beneath the surface. The thing I may never have full control over.

“I don’t want you to see me like this. I just need…”

“Blood,” Ty said. Footsteps moved away from the door. “Got it.” A few long seconds later he returned and knocked. “There’s a glass full right outside the door. Drink it when you’re ready. I’ll be waiting on the balcony.”

When I was sure he’d left the room and closed the balcony door behind him, I cracked open the door. Ty’s sweet-smelling blood waited in a topped glass beyond the barrier. My hand shot out and claimed the glass. In seconds it was empty. I took a few deep breaths, watching as the blood returned my features to normal and took the edge off. Then I meekly slid out to the balcony.

Ty smiled up from the deck chair. A small bulb on the wall lent light to the darkness of night. All that filled the night air was the roll of waves slicing around the ship. “Better?”

I nodded, still feeling shitty over what I’d tried to do to him. Thankfully, Ty changed the subject. “So what did you see in the vision?”

“I’m not sure.” I sank into the spare deck chair, staring out over the railing. In the moving darkness of the surrounding ocean, I imagined those burning red eyes again. Their crazed hunger reminded me of how I looked just minutes ago. I shivered and blinked. “I think the vision might have been of Kendrick. Something with fangs and red eyes was about to attack, when I—” I broke off not wanting to say, when I came to and tried to attack you.

Without hesitation Ty took my hand over the table. “Think back. Did you see snow? Was it cold?”

I remembered the cool gust of wind and shadows. “No. It had been cool, but not cold like being in the snow. And it was windy. So wherever this happens, it’s outside.” Relief washed over me. “It couldn’t have been at the ski resort.”

“Then it must happen once we’re all back,” Ty said. “And now that we know it’s coming, we can prepare.”

“How?” I asked, wondering if Ty planned to stake out this threat and take it down.

Ty stood, pulling me up before him. Anticipation transformed his face. “As soon as we get back, I’m going to train you to fight.”

“Are you coming?” Ty called out from the low rippling waves as a flock of gulls squawked overhead.

His voice pulled me from my distracted stare down at the yellow, gritty shore of Lifou, our second port of call in New Caledonia. Abandoning my unending worry over Kendrick’s continued silence, I sighed, glanced out at the crystalline aqua sea…and almost collapsed to my knees. The sun dipped over the waves, defining each ripple that made up Ty’s six-pack. Even lower was the indentation that ran diagonally from his hips to disappear below the waist of his board shorts.

I covered my lingering gaze by dropping my towel, revealing a skimpy purple and silver bikini with lace-ups fastening the bottoms around my hips. With all this sun and lack of clothing needed, along with Ty’s approving glances, my self-confidence was growing.

“Coming,” I called, wading through the salty water to join him.

With a smile I placed my hands on his shoulders. I leaned in to almost kiss him, a ploy, before I pushed him under. The distraction caught him off guard and he laughed, spitting water as he broke the surface.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” he mock-growled. A wicked smile curved his mouth as he grasped my waist, throwing me through the air to bomb through the swells.

I flitted back to the surface as Ty’s familiar hands grazed my thighs and waist. He’d swum over to me in the time it took me to fall through the air. “You’re quick.”

He pressed a hot kiss to my lips. “Faster than you.” His full lips smiled, teasing.

I glanced around, checking that the other cruisers weren’t watching us. Then I challenged his words by saying, “then catch me,” before diving under. In my full power I torpedoed through the thick seawater, out the protective alcove, and around the island. I peered back for a split second. Ty was right behind me, so close that he could almost touch me. I pushed on harder and swam up the river’s mouth. In the shallower water I darted around boulders as well as fallen and submerged trees. None of it slowed Ty down. And soon I was running out of river. I twisted below the surface, slowing before coming to a dead end.

Ty’s hands connected with my hips and pushed me up, breaking the surface. We floated there, my hips pressed to his chest. His irises blazed. “Caught you.”

My cheeks heated up and I glanced around. Surrounding the lagoon on almost all sides was a lush tropical forest. It was vibrantly green, providing contrast to the gushing waterfall plunging right behind us from eighty feet above. Its clear, mirror-like surface was an awe-inspiring sight. “Wow, this is so beautiful.”

The perfection of this natural setting amazed me. I had seen the most picturesque waterfall, compliments of Ty and his ability to create any setting in a dreamscape, with unbelievable perfection. The smells, sights, and sounds made each dream with him so close to reality that I had, on a few occasions, allowed myself to get swept away with it all. But this setting we were floating in
was
a reality. And I was here with Ty. Alone.

“You’re beautiful,” Ty said. He lowered me to the rocky ground below until our faces were less than an inch apart.

Motionless, with our bodies grazing, we stared into each other’s eyes. Ty took a few steps forward, submerging our bodies under the waterfall. Then he ran a hand up my side. A shock of electricity crackled along my skin at his touch, stopping as his palm met my cheek. The water tumbled over our bodies, each drop like massaging fingers. Ty’s head dipped, his hair falling over his forehead. His firm hand connected with my waist. In preparation, I built up the walls around my mind. Kendrick was still absent, but that didn’t mean I wanted him butting back in any time soon.

Ty waited until I nodded and smiled. Then any and all restraint vanished. Our lips met with the hungry passion I’d been restraining since my close call with death. It was passion that had existed between us from the start. The same undeniable draw I had always felt since I’d fallen for him at first sight. And now with Kendrick absent, this
was
a completely personal experience. Knowing that had my heart drumming in my chest, in rhythm to Ty’s hammering pulse. My entire body pressed harder against his, trapping the amulet between our hearts. Still needing him closer, my arm curled around his neck, my lips coaxing his to open. Our tongues grazed as Ty’s hands folded around my back. His heated fingers slid over my cold body with hungry pressure. Within our kiss I sensed a pause as Ty lowered his hands. They hovered above my thighs before gripping tight to lift me off the ground. Gasping, I wrapped my legs around his body. Being this close to him heightened every one of my senses. Every stroke of his fingers ignited my flesh. His breathing raced along with his pulse. The scent of him overwhelmed even the taste of salt on his skin. Every heartbeat was clear and distinct, begging me to taste.

Lost in the moment, I tore my throbbing lips from Ty’s, trailing rough kisses over his chin and along his sharp jaw line. Ty’s arms tightened around me and his head tilted to the side. An unmistakable invitation. Feeling in control, I let my fangs extend as I ran my tongue over his collarbone. My grip on his neck tightened and I bit down. The second his fiery sweet blood hit my tongue, an uncontrollable surge began to throb through me. Ty groaned, sliding a heated hand roughly up my side. His touch softened, slowing as he cupped my breast. I gasped through embedded fangs, reveling in the touch of his strong, massaging hand. An expectant bulge pushed against my pelvis, flaring a deeper yearning at my core.

Stop!
a sudden and soundless voice screamed. Nausea, anger, and depression flooded me like a tidal wave.

I ripped my fangs from Ty’s neck and froze. This had to be the worst timing ever. Kendrick had resurfaced and he wasn’t just hearing my thoughts. He was inside my mind. Living
this
experience.
So now you’re freaking back?

Ty’s hold on me remained tight, his hand still cupping my breast and his breathing as fast as mine. I closed my eyes, focusing everything I had on forming a block. I knew I needed to talk to Kendrick and find out what was up with the disappearing act. But right now he could wait. Ty, who still held me close, was studying my features. He deserved an explanation.

Once I felt our privacy in check I bit my lip, dreading Ty’s reaction. But his face was curious, not angry or confused. I leaned my head back, allowing the water flow to wash away the traces of Ty’s spilled blood from my mouth. Pulling my head back out of the water, I gazed into Ty’s intense eyes. Mine were a sight I imagined, with gleaming silver irises and scarlet-stained whites. They were the eyes of a predator. But Ty didn’t seem to notice. “You’re not angry?”

Ty frowned in confusion. He breathed slowly, in and out, his hammering heartbeat at odds with the slow breaths. “Are you kidding?” His perfect lips twisted into a seductive smile. “You were amazing.”

With Ty’s blood surging through my body, I could feel my cheeks flare vibrant red. “But I…”

Ty raised a finger to my lips. “Shh.” There was a knowing glint in his eyes as he shrugged. “I know. Kendrick’s back.” His voice was so soft and calm and not pissed in any way. “But we made progress.”

I smiled. Ty was right. We had kissed and touched intimately, and I had even drunk from him without worrying that I couldn’t stop. Until the last few seconds we had been alone, completely unrestricted and lost in the moment. It may have only been a few minutes of pure unadulterated bliss, but it was still progress. Most of our luck may have more to do with Kendrick blocking me, but right now I was keeping him out. Usually a flurry of emotions or desires would cloud my ability, but in this moment I was succeeding. A surge of hope lit my heart. Perhaps one day I would have enough control to block and keep Kendrick out completely. Maybe even long enough to truly be with Ty. A triumphant smile spread across my face. “You’re right.”

Ty pointed to a large flat rock centering the lagoon. “Let’s cool down.”

My body was still humming and I needed to talk to Kendrick. “Good idea.”

We swam over and pulled ourselves out of the water. Ty reclined on his back, closing his eyes as the sun coated his body with golden light. I drew my knees to my chest and let the walls in my head fall.

Where the hell have you been?
I demanded, trying to keep the fury from my body language. I probed into Kendrick’s memories. I wasn’t in his head,
thank God,
but I could access him mind. He had been snowboarding, day and night, apparently having a ball and getting to know…
You met a girl?

Kendrick didn’t answer.

Dammit, Kendrick. Do you know how worried I’ve been?
I wanted to shake him, the glowing sunlight bearing down on me further boiling my blood.
I thought something had attacked you. Hell, I even thought you could be freaking dead!

Regret poured from Kendrick.
Sorry. I didn’t expect to…meet someone.

I slapped my forehead. Ty had said that Kendrick was probably having fun, but I had kept my skepticism. Never for a second had I expected Kendrick to meet someone. Not when his feelings for me were so strong. A pang of jealousy flooded me, like water filling my lungs. It wasn’t because I couldn’t imagine him with someone else. Well, not really. I had always thought of Kendrick as mine, my best friend, and now my soul’s mate. Since his confession of love, the thought of him moving on had never even crossed my mind.

It’s not like that.
There was no uncertainty in Kendrick’s voice.
We’re just having fun. It’s nothing permanent, nothing like that.
His emotions touched on a twinge of guilt.
My feelings for you haven’t changed, but I need to live, too.

And now I felt terrible. Had I actually expected Kendrick to stay mine, in the only form I would have him and not in the way he truly desired? His feelings for me had kept him from living his own life. It had created a dependency between us. But I couldn’t give Kendrick what he wanted. It was out of my power. And he deserved to experience all that life had to offer, with whomever he chose.
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. It’s not my place and you
should
be having fun. I want you to be happy. I do.

Kendrick covered his guilt, though a touch still remained, probably from worrying me like crazy.
I’m gonna go now. I feel dirty and I need a shower.

Understanding that he wanted to cleanse himself after being part of what Ty and I had been doing, I nodded.
Sure. We’ll catch up later.

With that our link severed and I was alone again. Still beside me Ty was now reclined back on his elbows and watching me. “What?” I questioned, shrugging.

Ty sat up and leaned towards me. The streaming sunlight caught his irises, making them gleam like chips of gold. “I just find you…amazing.”

I frowned and pursed my lips. I wasn’t about to start lying. “You know where I was, don’t you?”

Ty placed a hand on my thigh. “I know. You were checking in on Kendrick.” The missing irritation from his voice surprised me. “Is everything alright?”

Ty was asking about Kendrick’s well-being? Had I entered the twilight zone? Seeing the interest and perhaps even a pinch of concern in Ty’s face, I answered truthfully. “He’s fine, it would seem. Better than fine.” I gave a nonchalant shrug. “He’s met someone. That’s why he’s been blocking me.”