Page 72 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver

“Oh…” It’s awkward. I look away because I don’t know what to say. “I’m sor—”

“Don’t do that,” he says, turning his head and considering for another moment. “Why didn’t you express this last night?”

“Because I’ve been nervous about asking, I think.”

“Hm.” He considers, working his jaw as he looks at me. “May I ask a potentially inelegant question?”

“Yes?”

“Have you done this before? Perhaps with Alexander or some other vampire?”

“I haven’t… Does that matter?”

“Yes,” Aries says, his face softening. “It absolutely matters.” He climbs over me and stands from the bed. “Where is that oil that you used before?”

Hopeful, I sit up slightly. “In the bottom cabinet on the far right, just behind the shampoo.” A messy, emotional mix of excitement and nervousness swishes around in my chest. He strides, naked and god-like, into the bathroom. Does this mean we’re doing it? Is he giving me what I want?

“I can’t give you what you want,” he says, returning to the bed with the jar of coconut oil. “Not completely.”

“Oh.”

“You’ve never done this before and Camille will be here soon. We don’t have much time.”

Looking over at the analog clock high on the wall, I estimate. “Well, we have some time. But if you don’t want to do this—”

“It isn’t that I don’t want to.” He sits along the side of the bed, holding the jar against his thigh. He’s silent for a moment. “I just… don’t think that I should be the first vampire to touch you this way. Who am I to be doing this with you?”

I draw back, frowning. “What does that mean? ‘Who am I?’ You’remychoice, Aries. You’re the one that I want to do these things with. Doesn’t that matter?”

This is absurd. He already holds the title for so many of my “firsts.” He’s the first vampire that I’ve ever wanted to indulgently kiss—the first that my eyes and nature intensely responded to. The first that I’ve ever willingly made love to. Offered my blood too.

Everything with Aries is a first, so why should this be any different?

What’s more, I would choose him for my remaining firsts. I’ve never had my aura pulled while someone fed from me, and I’ve heard that can be pretty earth-shattering. Nor have I ever bonded with another vampire. If I thought he was willing, I’d want these things, too.

He turns his upper body, facing me. “Of course it matters.”

Sitting all the way up, I lean forward, resting my forehead against his temple. “I want to know how this feels, with you.”

Aries chuckles. “You might not like it.”

“Well, if I don’t like it with you, I probably won’t like it with anyone.”

He tilts and presses a swift but luscious kiss to my mouth. “I think you have too much faith in me. Would you lie on your back, please?”

Grinning, I scoot and rest back down against the bed, thrilled as my nature burns and twists.

“I’m only going to stretch you with my finger, so you’ll know how it feels and whether or not you might enjoy it,” Aries says, positioning himself in between my knees.

“That sounds fine.” Already, there’s pressure in my groin and lower back. My body and nature are aroused from simply talking about this.

“You should know that anyone who does this to you quickly and without properly stretching you is either desperate, callous, ignorant or selfish. Likely all of the above.”

“Noted. See? I’ve chosen my ‘first’ well.”

Shaking his head, Aries picks up the small jar, examining the label. “You and this oil. I’ll never be able to smell or see a coconut again without thinking of you.”

My smile is devious as I writhe. Perfect. What else can I do so that he won’t forget me? What can I do so that he remembers me whenever he breathes air?