Page 30 of Those That Don’t Exist (Hidden Vampires #1)

“I would expect nothing less,” he reassures her.

Seemingly satisfied she links her arms through both of ours, dragging us further into the group.

Ty gets introduced to Claire, which goes well thankfully, and to most of Bree’s ballet group, half of whom I don’t even know the names of.

After a few minutes of slightly awkward conversation Bree’s date pulls her attention back.

Ty replaces his hand on my waist, pulling me into him to move to the music once more.

Our spat over text still lingers in my mind, but I like the feel of his body against mine so I choose to drop it for now, and enjoy this moment of having him here. And he can really dance.

“I need some water,” I tell him after several tracks, before walking off the dancefloor towards the crowded bar. There’s plenty of bartenders serving the crowd down here so I don't make the effort to go upstairs to get a drink. It won’t take long to reach the front.

I didn’t think about the fact Ty would follow me until his arms wrap around my waist from behind, enveloping me in his scent. I lean back into his chest as we slowly move towards the front of the queue.

I notice how he subtly shifts every time someone walks past us, or is at risk of jostling me. He isn’t allowing anyone to brush up against me.

My earlier anger resurfaces as I realise he’s making sure I don’t touch anyone. Does he not trust that I can control myself? Is that why he really came tonight? Maybe he didn’t want to see me, he just wanted to make sure I protected our little secret.

Thoughts sinking my mood, my earlier excitement is gone.

I get further annoyed at the way my body erupts in sheets of goosebumps every time he brushes against my back and my ass as we jostle through the queue. Liquid heat starts pooling in my belly at the slight friction between us.

“Do we need to get out of here?” he asks against my ear as he moves again to stop the guy next to me brushing my arm.

Ty’s chin brushes my bare shoulder as he speaks, I practically shiver as the feel of his short stubble ratchets up my temperature further.

We may as well be in an empty club for all the attention I’m paying anyone else at this moment.

It’s not blood I’m thirsting for right now.

“I’m good,” I squeak, my throat dry.

“I can feel you getting tense,” Ty replies. “Don’t try to fight it if you’re struggling. We can leave.”

“I’m fine,” I retort, keeping my teeth clamped. I’m anything but fine, especially as Ty’s hand splays on my stomach.

Maybe him saying he wanted me last week wasn’t what I thought.

My lust must be one sided or he’d know what is the real cause of my reactions.

If I was having the same effect on him I would surely be able to feel the evidence against my ass.

No, he’s definitely holding me firmly in case I suddenly launch myself at the nearest artery.

His thumb moves, making me hyper aware it’s sitting on my lower ribs, just below the underside of my breast. One little wiggle and he would caress it.

“You’re practically panting,” Ty whispers in my ear, his lips against the shell of it in the barest of touches. Holy gods, how does he not recognise he’s the problem right now.

“It’s not fresh blood I want right now, and can you cut it with the overprotectiveness already?” I try to shrug off his nearness but it makes him hold me tighter.

Ty’s chest expands against me as he takes a deep inhale. He stiffens behind me, making my eyes dart around, looking for whatever has him spooked.

“Whatever you’re thinking about, stop it,” Ty warns in my ear, his voice raspy.

“For the last time it’s not blood I want.”

“I believed you a moment ago. I meant whomever you’re lusting over needs to stop now.” He pauses to clear his throat. “With that dress you're wearing I can scent certain things.”

My cheeks flush crimson as I register what he’s telling me - he can smell the physical effects of my arousal. My thighs instinctively clench.

“Ppffftt,” I feign, my voice surprisingly level.

“Maybe the textbooks you’ve been reading missed certain things out.

I’ll enlighten you.” His voice drops to a deeper baritone.

“Being what I am means I can distinguish the blood type of every single person in this room. I can pick up other scents too. I can tell when a person is intoxicated, scent alcohol or drugs in their system. I can tell who has showered today or is just relying on deodorant. I can tell who has been recently sexually gratified or who is aroused right now.”

I swear feeling his breath against my neck as he speaks has me nearly combusting. My insides tense, right where his hand is splayed against my stomach. Of course he feels it and spreads his fingers wider.

“I can’t help my body's reaction to your hands all over me.” I aim for indifference but fail entirely.

“It's me?” he whispers. “I’m getting you this turned on?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know how hot you are, I’ve hardly held back my interest in you,” I say, tilting my head to the side so I can talk low enough only he’ll hear.

“Red, you’ve not told me outright how you feel, or what you’d like us to be. I told you my intentions towards you on the night we spent together, but you never reciprocated. I thought…” He sounds genuinely surprised.

Is he right? Oh shit…

Is that why he has been distant, and responding to my constant texts in a more professional manner?

“Well, let this be me making it clear, I want you. Though can you cut the alpha-hole bullshit? I have been fine looking after myself for months.”

“Not a chance, Red,” he growls at my ear.

“I need you to trust me when I say I’m not feeling like I did at the party.”

“Then let me be clear.” His voice cuts to my bones. “Be as it may you don’t feel thirsty right now, I have been around enough newly turned to know our instincts can flip like a switch.”

I go to interrupt him, he might be experienced but he can’t assume everything about me, I don’t even have fangs. But he continues talking, an edge to his voice which quickly kills my objections.

“However, the main reason I’m not letting another living being touch you is because I don’t want a single person in this building to think they have even a remote chance with you.

And now you’ve given me a green light to pursue you.

I won't be holding back.” My breath hitches.

“I don’t think you fully comprehend, Red, what you’re doing to me.

” He brings his body flush to mine from behind and I feel it, the effect I’m having on him against my ass.

His hard length grinds into me as I heat up another few degrees.

“So, yes. I’m going to act protective and possessive because I want you to only see me. I should be the only one who gets to touch you. Especially when you’re wearing a dress like that, and smelling so fucking incredible you have me clawing to hold on to my own sanity.”

His lips brush the skin behind my ear again as he talks. I swear there’s a light press of something harder and far more deadly. His fangs. The sensation sends skitters of electricity flashing down my spine.

I don’t know how to respond other than to push back against him, into him, and take another hit of delicious friction between our bodies. Screw this club night.

“Let’s get out of here,” I rasp.

“Do you think I’ll get fangs?” I muse as we stroll down the tree lined street alongside the river.

The cool breeze coming in from the coast calms some of the raging heat I felt in the club, but also clears the air between us.

I see the growing frustration for what it was now, Ty thought I wasn’t interested in him.

“Yes, but hopefully it won’t happen for a while, your change seems to be on a very slow trajectory so far.”

“You don’t want it to happen?” I link my fingers through his as we walk side by side. I’m going to be clear from now on. I want him.

“It's not that. Now I know you’re changing, I'd rather you got your fangs. They’re a very handy way to defend yourself. But as soon as you get them I won’t be able to hide you from Adicious any longer. As soon as you drink for yourself I’m under orders to deliver you right to him.”

“And you think he’ll force me into a mate bond?”

“Yes.”

“And you don’t want that because you want me?” I say it hesitantly but I’m going to triple check we’re on the same page now.

“Yes, Red.” I hear the smile in his voice. “However, I want you to be able to choose. It’s barbaric what he’s trying to do.”

“So noble,” I tease, trying to keep the lightness even though we are talking about some real dark shit.

Ty laughs.

“Don’t put me on too high a pedestal, Red. I’m not planning on letting you near any other males until you choose me. And if you do - choose me, that is - I don’t share.”

“I think I’ve already made my choice.” I look up at him as we walk, admitting my truth. “I’ve wanted you since I first saw you reading under a tree in the courtyard, and nearly getting taken out by a ball.”

“You saw me then?” He halts our stroll to stare at me, wide eyed.

“Yes…” I reply, elongating the word. Is that a bad thing?

“Haha,” he chuckles. “I thought my stalking abilities were much better. I didn’t think you spotted me until weeks later in the gym.”

He shakes his head in disbelief, I can’t help giggling too, finding him incredibly adorable.

We resume walking for several minutes in silence. Our hands linked, swinging between us. It’s a companionable silence between us. The kind which feels comforting and without any need to fill the quiet. Although a question pops into my head.

“As far as first dates go, this one sucked pretty bad right?” I keep my tone teasing.

“You think this was a date?” Ty side-eyes me, brows raised.

“Well, there was drinking, and dancing, but arguing isn’t a good sign is it?”

“No, I didn’t like it. I did like the way you admitted you find me attractive though. I liked your body's reaction to my hands on you even more.”