Page 28 of Just One Bite

Chapter Twenty-One

Parker

Shit. This is real. I honestly thought giving her an orgasm would fix this link between us, but it’s worse. I just spent the last hour in class trying to fight the urge to sniff a lock of her hair.

I’ve never been this possessive with a girl before.

I’m going to have to mark her. I haven’t told her that yet, but it’s a bit of an intense question to ask a girl you’ve known for a week and a half.

“Yes, it’s completely necessary that you have my mark on your neck because it’s a visual reminder to everyone that you belong to me.

You’ll have my scent on you twenty-four seven, and it will scratch this possessive itch in my brain.

Did I mention you won’t be able to cover it up? ”

She’ll love that, I’m sure.

I’d beamed as I kissed the top of Olivia’s hair when I led her through Noxx House and we passed Aster and Cane and their buddies.

She smells so deliciously like me now, so it’s hard to focus on anything else.

I also want to bite her again. Blood wise.

Which is strange because I’ve never had the urge to bite anyone.

I guess when you do nothing but drink cold blood bags, you don’t know what you’re missing.

Now I know I was missing her heartbeat, her warm delicious blood in my throat, and bringing her to the edge of orgasm, and I kinda want to do it again. Like right now.

I briefly broke away from Olivia to catch the last few minutes of practice, and I make it just in time to watch them doing their final runs on the ice .

“Our captain has returned from death’s door!” Zant shouts.

“Just in time for sudden death.” Chase is in his goalie gear, motioning to the ice. His blonde hair is dripping with sweat from underneath his helmet.

He’s always been a little shit.

“Let’s not kill him today,” Ryker says. “Maybe tomorrow, though? Double sudden death.”

“Love that you’re all harboring murderous feelings for me,” I say, stopping at the edge of the ice to observe them.

The other guys spout a string of loving insults my way as they finish out practice, including the triplets, who throw darts at my picture they have pinned up in one of their dorms. Zant showed me the picture and almost choked at dinner laughing at it.

Sudden death tomorrow will be hell, but no way I’m missing going with Olivia to hear her audition results. She told me she was nervous, so I offered, expecting her to say no, but she immediately told me to meet her outside the studio at a certain time.

Zant drags me into the corner of the locker room once they’re done. They’ve done a shit job of keeping it tidy on my one day off. Punishment can wait till tomorrow.

I swipe someone’s sweaty T-shirt onto the floor so I can sit.

“Wait, so tell me again. The whole set up from start to finish.” Zant shakes the water out of his hair and towels it dry.

“She comes in to check on me. I tell her I’m sick as shit and I’m bedridden for the day and then she offers her blood … so I drink it and … yeah.”

“Uh-huh. That’s it?”

I nod, and he sniffs the air. “Sure, that’s why your hair smells like women’s hairspray. I dated a dancer once. I know the smell.”

“You can’t call your one-night stands dating.”

He once slept with Octavia when they got too drunk after a council meeting. She let him down easy after, and he pretends he doesn’t care. He talks about her a lot, though.

“Beside the point. What did her blood taste like? I’m curious.”

“Like … I don’t even know how to describe it to you. Does it always feel like you don’t want to stop and just keep drinking forever?”

“Sometimes. Depends on a lot of things. Having the hots for your source definitely adds to the experience.”

I’ve had the hots for girls before, and this isn’t comparable.

“So is she your source now?” That whole sentence is foreign.

“Yeah … I think so.”

“At least you won’t miss practice anymore.”

We arrive at the ballet studio, and a group of women and men are all standing around swaying anxiously.

Everyone is dressed in leotards and tights, and I stick out, but no one cares because they’re all mumbling their worries to each other.

Olivia’s got that determined look in her eyes.

She’s in a light-blue leotard and leg warmers, with some see-through fabric covering her shoulders, and I think it may be the best thing I’ve ever seen her in. Okay, fuck .

Now that we are actively crossing boundaries, it would probably help for me not to think about her like that. I need to keep my urges in check. And today is all about Olivia.

I try not to be happy about giving her an orgasm on what is likely the most stressful day of her life. But I am. I love helping.

The director comes out with Octavia beside her, and I give Olivia a comforting squeeze.

Zant was right about the smell of hairspray.

The whole room is enveloped with it. Everything I know about Octavia is what Zant has told me, but she’s mirroring the director’s updo today, down to the little pieces by her face.

“Okay, everyone. I’ve got the list here. Please be aware, if you are not accepted into the company, you are still free to use the studio and attend our weekly all-open classes.”

She starts down the list on her clipboard, and Olivia’s heart drums erratically. She’s bouncing, so I place my hand on her head to steady her.

The minutes tick by and the room stays at a low whisper. I’m taking in the amount of mirrors and the muted orchestra music playing in the background when I hear it .

“Olivia Osborne.”

She reaches for me with a staggered breath.

“That’s good, yeah? You’re in.”

She’s nodding, her eyes wide and glossy. There are more names, but she’s still holding on to me.

“Alright. That’s all for now. We will decide on our first performance by voting this afternoon.”

The whole room erupts into chatter and excitement. I keep a protective field around Olivia while they push around.

“I did it.”

“You did it!”

She wraps her arms around me, and I smother her, then she stands back with her eyes sparkling as she wipes the wetness from them.

“Hey, Olivia.” A lanky man with fluffy brown hair comes up to her and waves.“Congratulations.”

“You too.”

“Oh, hi, Parker.” He turns to me with a smile.

“Hey, congratulations, man.” I extend my hand, and he awkwardly shakes it.

“Thanks …”

Shit. I’m not blending into her world. Is shaking hands not a cool congratulation thing? In Rage, it’s a little formal but widely accepted, and this is much more formal than my sport.

“I’m going to go talk to Octavia real quick, I’ll be right back,” Olivia says.

There’s a silence between this guy and me, and his unease is lingering in the air.

“So, uh, so it’s likely I’ll be one of her partners …”

“Oh, cool. What was your name?”

“Theo. I just want you to know it won’t be weird. I’m not trying to date your girlfriend … or mate.”

“Oh.” I’m surprised he even cares enough to bring it up. “Good.”

“The last thing I need is Parker Owens barreling in here to beat me up for touching her waist.”

I chuckle. “I wouldn’t … but I might if you drop her.”

He swallows.

“Just give it your best and make her famous. I’ll be happy. ”

I stay watching Olivia talk with Octavia across the room.

They’re arm in arm, already looking friendly for having just met.

I guess the same can be said for Olivia and me.

The entire room is roaring with sound and movement, but she’s easy to see.

Her eyes are bright, and her smile stretches all the way across her face.

I’ll do anything to keep her smiling like that.