Consumed

I shifted uncomfortably. “We haven’t been together long enough to be talking about Binding.”

“That’s a human answer, Ava. We’re not human anymore. It doesn’t work like that for vampires. We’re immortal. Time comes to mean something different when it’s not running out. How many times in your human life did you stress over something because ‘the time’s not right’, or ‘it’s too soon’, or ‘it’s too late’? None of that applies now. So, I’ll ask you again: don’t you want to Bind with him?”

“No, I don’t.” At her doubtful look, I added, “It’s not something Salem would ever be comfortable with. I couldn’t yearn for something that would make him unhappy.”

“Fletcher’s right; you are too nice,” she mumbled, making me giggle. “I have another question. What makes you think that it would make him unhappy?”

Surely that was a rhetorical question. But when she looked at me expectantly, I explained. “Salem’s not the type to expose himself. You know that Binding with someone means being completely naked to them; it’s about being willing to share every single part of you, including your soul. Salem guards his soul, and refuses to be vulnerable to anyone.” I shrugged, trying to seem aloof about it when in reality the emotional distance hurt. It wasn’t something I took personally, though – it was just the way he was. “And let’s face it, he’s not the romantic type.”

“No, but neither is Jared.”

“What made you so sure about Binding with Jared? From what I heard, you two hadn’t been together that long when it happened.”

“Well, like I said, we’re not on a timescale anymore. When it comes to making decisions about taking huge steps, there’s no timescale to measure against. It forces you to rely on your instincts. We’re predators now. Predators possess and guard what’s theirs. I just…felt like Jared was mine. And I accepted it.” She paused. “For the record, I happen to think you’re wrong. I think Salem would feel good about Binding.”

“As you often say…bollocks.”

She laughed. “You were right in all the other things you said about Salem. He’s very self-contained and private. But he’s open to you. He treats you differently than other people – he has since minute one.”

“You mean he acknowledges me as an actual person,” I joked. Sam seemed thrilled with the answer, though.

“Yes, that’s exactly it. See, Salem’s only interested in the people who he considers important to him on some level. In that sense, everyone else is pretty much interchangeable to him, so he finds it easy to keep them out and ignore them.

“But you’re not the kind of person anyone could fail to notice. You’re pretty, and shiny, and loud. You grabbed his attention straight away. It was strange to watch his reaction to you. Like a kid that’s spotted something new, interesting, and possibly fun to play with, but who’s too unsure to reach out and touch it – still, he ain’t gonna let anyone else touch it.” Her smile widened. “Trust me, it’s only a matter of time before you two are Bound.”

Yeah, and I would start farting rainbows.

Not gonna happen.

CHAPTER EIGHT

(Ava)

I sighed tiredly. “They’re just cushions.”

Salem was looking at them like they were ticking bombs. “They’re pink. And they have sequins. And they have diamonds. And they’re frilly.”

“What’s your point?”

“They’re girly.”

“I’m girly.” I wondered if I should point out that the current flush on his cheeks perfectly matched the shade of the cushions. It had appeared the moment he entered my apartment to find all the things I was taking with me stacked in the living area.

“I’m not putting them on my sofa.”

“Why not?”

“Ava, they have ‘I’m a princess, bow to me’ printed on them!”

I placed my hands on my hips. “Tell me something. Is your apartment going to be my apartment too? Or am I just a lodger?”

A muscle in his jaw ticked. Ooh, how amusing. “You’re not a lodger.”

“Don’t you want me to feel comfortable in my own home?”

“I already compromised by agreeing to bring that plastic coffee table that’s shaped like a cat.”

“Only because it was black.”

“And the weird bird-cage lamps.”

“Only because I agreed to put them in the bedroom so no one else will see them.”

He pointed at one of the boxes. “Why do you need all these fucking candles? We’re vampires, we have perfect night vision.”

“They’re scented candles.” He just stared at me blankly, like I was speaking in biblical Hebrew. “I light them when I take a bath.”

“And what the hell is that?”

“A French sofa.” I ran my hand along the sloped, intricately carved back of the pink single-ended sofa. “I kept this in my bedroom so I could relax on it when I wanted to read, or do my nails, or play Minion Rush on my iPad.” He dug the heels of his hands into his eyes, and I had to smile. “Reconsidering the moving thing yet?”

“No.” He actually looked shocked that I’d assumed that. He scooped me up, curling my legs around his waist. “I want you with me. Besides, I’m pretty sure I could fuck you on that sofa.”

“You could probably fuck me while I’m sitting on one of my bean bags too.” I gestured behind him, and he tensed. I realised then that he hadn’t noticed them yet.

He seemed genuinely afraid to look. “They’re pink, aren’t they?”

“At least they match the rest of my stuff.”

His response was a grunt.

With the help of Reuben and Damien – who were clearly biting back laughter at the situation – we moved my things into Salem’s apartment. The expression on his face as his very manly space was increasingly invaded by pink was absofuckinglutely priceless. I honestly thought he was going to snap when he saw my ‘Hello Kitty’ coasters.

Once we were alone, I shrugged at him. “I warned you I was girly.”

Staring at what I personally believed were serious improvements to his living area, he nodded. “You did.”