The Other Switch (The Forever Series, Book 7.5): The Forever series, Book 7.5 (2 page)

Chapter 2

I awake in this strange bed with these god-awful sheets, alone. I peer at the clock and it is only 4:45 AM.

“Cole?” I call for him. I want him to make love to me again like he did the five times last night.

He comes in from the bathroom, wet and sexy, and I want him right now. “What is it, baby? Did you have another dream?”

What is this dream thing all about? “No, I want you. Come back to bed,” I say to him.

He chuckles. “Insatiable little thing, aren’t you? I wish I didn’t have to say no, but I have to get going.”

I frown at him. “You are saying ‘no’ to me?” I am not used to being denied.

He frowns back at me and my tone. “Liv, sweetie. I have to go to work. You know that.”

Work? He works? She lets him swan off at this ungodly hour to work? I will never understand this woman.

“Fine. Go and work,” I say in a mood now and he crosses over to me in an instant.

“Don’t be like that with me,” he says and he kisses me. “I will make it up to you when I get home, I promise.”

I cheer up at that thought. Oh, I can get him to make it up to me in ways his young Vampire self has never even thought about. “You had better,” I say. “Or I will be most unhappy.”

“Well, I wouldn’t want that.” He kisses me again with the most delicious half smile that makes my heart skip a beat. “Go back to sleep, now. It is still early for you.”

I nod as he tucks me back under the sheet, and I feign sleep as he bustles about getting dressed.

He is her charge and I want what he can give me. I find it incredible. But then, he isn’t her only charge, I think with a wicked smile. Maybe it is time to embrace the life of this woman and go and see Devon. He is gorgeous and older than Cole. I’d say around five hundred years or so. I am sure he can also give me what I am looking for. He says he is in love with her and she says she loves him in their messages together. I can find out just how much once I touch him and when he touches me. I shiver at the thought as Cole kisses my forehead before he leaves. I sigh. I could get used to this life. It doesn’t seem she has any regiment whatsoever. She is free to do as she pleases, with whomever she pleases. She has no regular feedings, which, while that is irresponsible, it is quite liberating. I haven’t fed this body since I got here. I suppose I should, really. There is no one insisting she do things the right way, and no servants milling about. To my great sadness, it also appears she has no daughter. I do miss my Cassis. I hate the argument we had about that awful man she insists on being with. Everyone thinks he is so wonderful, but I don’t see it. He is too perfect. She is the only thing I will mourn if I don’t get back to my life. Everyone else is here with the added benefit of not one, but two charges. And speaking of, time to go and find charge number two.

Having the presence of mind, I go to shower first. I can only imagine the reaction when they sense each other on her skin, and it is probably not the best way to encourage sex. I find a suitable outfit to pull on. I have seen her style from the photos on her phone and I can only assume I am magicking up these outfits from her own wardrobe, wherever that is. It certainly isn’t here. Which reminds me, I still don’t know where I am. I saunter over to the side table with the phone and all the hotel bits on it and see that I am in Miami, Florida. Interesting. A city I have never been to or thought of going to. With a swish of my twirly, short black skirt, I turn on my heel and Astral to wherever Devon is. I land in a suite similar to the one I came from and scare the life out of him as he spots me.

“Christ, Liz. You scared the crap out of me,” he says, but with a smile as he comes to cuddle me. Oh my. This is a strong bond. He is dressed only in a towel and I think my mouth starts to water at the sight and feel of him. I wonder for a moment why he calls me Liz, but then tilt my head up for him to kiss me. He looks down at me in surprise and then drops his mouth to mine briefly. “I thought you were on hiatus,” he smirks.

I don’t know what that means, but I say, “I want you.” And it has the desired effect.

“It’s Tuesday,” he says slowly. “Isn’t there somebody else you should be propositioning first?” he adds slyly, but with humor.

Is there? I have no idea so I shrug and pull him towards me by the towel. “Kiss me,” I demand and he doesn’t need asking twice. My body responds to him eagerly and I want him, right now. I can already sense how these two feel about each other and it is driving me crazy with lust.

“Not here,” he says, pulling away. “Jess.” He shrugs almost apologetically and I realize he has someone else here with him. Jess. The pretty girl with the dark hair and blue eyes?

I Astral us back up to my suite without a word and don’t even wait to reach the bed before I pull him to me again, running my hands up his chest and into his hair. Oh, the need to touch him is strong. The need to have him touch me is stronger and I gasp as he runs his hands under my skirt. I pull him towards the bed and he shakes his head. “Not the bed, Liz,” he whispers before he kisses me again
.

Why not? But I am all for a bit of adventure.

He picks me up and pushes me against the wall, ripping my panties off me at the same time. Oh, now that is a bold move. I like it. I like it a lot!

I pull on the towel so it drops to the floor and within seconds he is inside me.

“Oh, yes,” I moan as I feel him pushing into me. She definitely does have a type, this one: tall, gorgeous, and well endowed. I feel a rush go through me and I orgasm almost straight away. This bond of theirs is like nothing I have felt before. It is so different to the ones I have with Constantine and Sebastian.

He groans into my mouth as he feels me throbbing around him and he pulls back from his kisses to bite me. My heart speeds up as I feel his fangs in me and he groans again, sending vibrations going all through me. He releases me and looks into my eyes. “You taste different. More,” he whispers. “Powerful.” He closes his eyes and I want to bite him. Doesn’t seem like we are in a place where we need to ask, so I just do it and he comes instantly, thrusting into me as I suckle from him. Cherries, I think. Luscious, luscious cherries.

“Fuck, Lizzie. What was that?” he asks as he leans his forehead against mine. “Everything about you seems different.”

Oh dear. I really do need to try and act more like her
.

“I was just anxious for you. I missed you,” I murmur against his lips.

“Anxious?” he murmurs back, but stops speaking as I delve my tongue into his mouth. I do like this side of me, all free and easy. He is ready for me straight away, as I expected, and muttering to him to let me please him, he drops me and steps back. I don’t give him the chance to question whatever it was that was forming in his mind as I push him to the bed and climb onto him. I take him with great abandon, relishing this role of another me. I know I am so restrained at home. It is the way it is. The way it is fitting for my station. Even when I am with both Constantine and Sebastian together, I don’t get to feel this and act this way. I let go completely and I am lost in her life.

Unfortunately, our time together is cut short by Cade Sinclair. I am still unsure of his role here, but when he snaps at me to get ready for a run, I do as bid. I am sure that is what she would do. I kiss Devon goodbye wistfully, wishing we could spend more time together. These bonds she has are just so precious. I don’t have any charges. I have never had any charges, so I have never felt what it is like to bond with someone in this way. They love her so completely as she does them. Is this the way that Constantine feels about me? And also Sebastian? I would do well to remember this if I ever get home, I think as I get ready to go running. It is a curious sport, but obviously something she does. I feel a pang for my sire and husband and for my Faerie soul mate. Are they missing me too? Or is she doing a good enough job of being a better me that they haven’t even noticed I’m gone? I know that her little group has seen the differences, Devon most especially, but she must be somewhat volatile, as they pay it no mind and blame it on her circumstances. Namely, I am guessing, The Thirteen. He is a disconcerting foe, I remember with a shudder at my own encounter with Remiel.

“Ready?” Cade says to me as I step out into the sitting room.

“Yes,” I say.

“Good. I thought the whole point of this week was to stay away from them?” he asks me somewhat rudely. It is none of his business. Or is it?

“I missed him,” I say, averting my eyes.

“Humph. You need to get a grip, lady,” he sneers at me.

Well, maybe Liv is used to being spoken to like that from a Hunter, but I most certainly am not. “How dare you?” I hiss at him. “Do you know who you are speaking to?”

“Oh please, don’t try and pull that bullshit with me,” he says, rolling his eyes. “You know you don’t scare me.”

I narrow my eyes at him. They are awfully free with the swear words over here, just throwing them into conversation willy-nilly.

“Let us just run,” I state.

“Let us,” he says, mocking me.

I follow him outside and he sets the pace and I keep up. I can’t say I have ever run for pleasure before. It is quite invigorating.

I end up having quite a pleasant time, in spite of the unpleasant company. We are out most of the morning and I am feeling fantastic in both body and mind when we get back to the hotel.

“Thank you,” I tell him stiffly. “That was enjoyable.”

“Sure,” he says, giving me a curious look.

I clear my throat and say, “Well, I am off to take a shower.”

“Don’t you want me to stay?” he asks and my eyes widen.

Him too? What is with this woman?

“You aren’t supposed to be alone,” he adds at my look.

Oh. Oops. Good thing I didn’t just throw myself at him. He is rather good looking, even if his origins are distasteful.

“No, I am fine, thanks,” I try to say casually and he reluctantly accepts it and nods at me. I nod back and head towards the shower.

I sit with her phone again then, seeing as I am alone and go through all of her emails and meetings. It seems she has days designated to each of her lovers.

How organized
, I think sarcastically. I note that “CK” gets two. Tuesday and Wednesday. That must be what Devon meant earlier.

Oh Constantine, I sigh. Why did you have to do what you did? I am still so upset with him, but I am starting to miss him now. If we ever do get switched back, I will tell him I forgive him. I can’t bear the way we have been living these last few weeks, especially as Sebastian has been away at Court. That brings my thoughts around to Drake. My father. I hate him. He is a frightening, mean beast and he can go and shove his Court up his arse! Yes, I actually quite like this swearing, it does make one feel better.

I nearly jump out of her skin when Sebastian pops in out of nowhere.

“Calling on my second for the week,” he says as he casually leans against the end table.

Second what?

“Oh?” I say, arching an eyebrow at him. I am madly curious as to this relationship that they have or don’t have.

“Yes, it is Tuesday already and I have only had you once.”

Hm, perhaps there is more to this than I first thought. I have to say, I am itching to get my hands on him.

“Come back to my room, no one will bother us there,” he says as he grabs my hands and Teleports us to his room.

I feel slightly guilty. If Liv doesn’t have a sexual relationship with Sebastian, I shouldn’t go about initiating one, but I look at him and all I can see is
my
Sebastian. He notices my look and says, in that forthright way I love him for, “That is the second time in two days I have seen you look at me in that way. What gives, Livvie? Are you finally coming to your senses?” He then smirks.

“You want that, don’t you?” I say. “You know why we would be so good together.” I step closer to him and, startled, he stumbles back, hands up
.

“Okay, hang on a minute, Queenie. What exactly are you saying?”

Oh to Hell with this, I want him. My inner whore has been unleashed and I just want him and all of them. If she gets to do it, then why can’t I?

“I am saying that I want you. I want to be with you.” I pull him towards me and he hesitates for all of a second before he kisses me and I feel the connection lock into place. It is weak, not yet fully formed. That makes sense as she doesn’t have her Fae markings yet, which means she probably hasn’t been acknowledged by Drake yet. But the bond is there all the same, blood to blood. That has to be how it works. The bond we have in my world is a force to be reckoned with and I crave it, but this will do. It will have to do…for now.

“Oh fuck, Liv,” he whispers to me. “Are you really here? Are you really here for me or because he asked you to be?”

I have no idea what he is talking about, but I do know I, at least, am here for him, so I tell him so.

He pulls me towards the bedroom. “I want to do this properly,” he says as he slowly removes my clothes from my body, leaving me naked and wanting as his hands blaze across my skin. Oh yes. This is the life I want.