Bound to You, a Paranormal Romance (Book 3 of the Spellbound Series) (6 page)

“Did you hear that?” I spoke to my lap. My body seemed to have a mind of its own and that was the problem.

The perfectly made bed called my name, as I stood with my back to the door. The fluffy pillow waited to soak up my tears. I swiftly moved to the edge of the bed and I free fell backward onto the white comforter. I didn’t even have a place to call my own anymore, and this was the closest thing I had until I figured things out.

I sat up on the bed thinking about my actions over the past week.
Who moves in with a man...err vampire after knowing him for only days? Me.

I turned and fell back, resting my head on the pillow and staring at the ceiling, hoping a divine answer would appear. I had done a lot of stupid things leading up to this moment. I wondered if any of this would have happened if I had avoided Ben that first day at work. I thought back to the moment we met. His black eyes caught mine and I was a lost cause from there on out. He seemed so concerned about helping others and that made me like him, even more. Then, when I found out he was a vampire, I should have run away, screaming; but foolishly, I fell for him. Then there’s Hades. When I met him, we didn’t need words. I just knew he was the man I wanted in my life, forever. Our souls matched from just one look, our bodies wove together from a single touch and a kiss branded our passion.

I hugged my pillow, knowing that was a subconscious indication that I missed someone, but whom? If it was Ben, he was down the hall and I could cuddle with him; but if it was Hades, he’s a long way away—in Greece or somewhere.

There was no point in racking my brain to figure it all out, tonight. I don’t have a time limit. Hell, I’ve waited all this time; what’s another day or week or month? I’ll just get back into the groove of my life
, if I still have a job
, and I will master this blood thing and talk to Dawn. She’ll know what to do and she will help me figure this out.

Six

Ben

I’m not sure what happened in the shower, but somehow I ended up alone in my bed. I left Greece to come here and be with Antonia, but she ran away from me.

It could be a ploy for me to inquire in more or try harder to understand her. I can never understand women.

I stood up and moved toward the door. I casually made my way down the hall to the room she was sleeping. I stood outside the door, contemplating going in or not. I heard her moving about in the room, I didn’t want to go in, and piss her off any more than she already was, but I want to let her know that I am here for her. I remember when I first turned vampire; the world was a ball of emotions. The Madame that turned me treated me well; but my passion for life soared. I knew it must be the same for Antonia, dealing with the change from human to vampire compounded with the awful choice she is now obligated to make.

A thought passed my mind,
my diary
. I wrote it after I was changed and escaped the brothel where I was turned. It will help her see that what she is feeling is natural or at least I hope it will. I stepped into my office, connected to the room she was in, to grab the journal. I knew exactly where it was, so I wasted no time fiddling in the room and I found myself back at her door. I’ll knock. It’s not like she’s asleep.
Yet.

I balled up my fist and held it to the door. What am I going to say once I’m in there? “
Here’s my account after I turned vampire. Read it. I will help
.” No, I need something that doesn’t make it seem like I am trying so hard. Think Ben. Think.

It all came to me in a quick, but brilliant, plan and my frozen hand hit the wood door.

“Come in.” Her voice was soft, warm and inviting. I turned the handle, swallowing the knot that had accumulated in my throat. I leaned against the door and she propped herself up on her elbows.

“Hey, I wanted to apologize to you.” I kept the door open, moving into the room sitting at the foot of her bed. She frowned and my heart broke a little.
Was she about to chew me out?

“You don’t need to apologize. It was the heightened bloodlust.” She sat up in the bed, pulling her knees to her chest before resting her chin on them.

“I do. I came here to help you and ended up taking advantage of you.” I really did feel shitty about that, but it just felt so right. She had no clue that I wanted to do that exact shower scene with her when she was human, but I used my restraint to take her during my own bloodlust.

“It’s water under the bridge, Ben.” She waved her hand to dismiss the apology.

“It’s not really.” My head bowed and my eyes fixed on the leather wrapped journal in my lap. “I have this for you.” I extended it to her.

She glanced up at me making eye contact. Her knees dropped down, her ankles crossed, and her back stiffened as she reached out for it.

“What is it?” Her eyes searched the leather and she ran her fingers over the strap before she looked at me again.

“It’s my account from when I turned, just a few, short years ago,” I said sarcastically, my gaze holding hers. “It might help you with—“

“My decision?” She rolled her eyes and placed my journal on the nightstand.

“No, I was going to say with the change from human to vampire.” A cleansing breath escaped my lips as I said the words.

“Oh?” The sound of her statement sounded more like a question. She turned, looking at the book on her nightstand. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. I am part of the reason that you are like this, but I feel like I need to make it up to you.” Plus, this would be the perfect opportunity to show her that I am the man for her—not Hades. His name tasted bad in my thoughts and I could only imagine how it would have sounded if I had said it out loud.

“Ben, really, it’s fine.” I moved in closer and took one of her hands in mine.

“I want to take you on a date, if you will let me.” Her wide-eyed blank stare wasn’t the reaction I was hoping for. I thought she would gladly accept my proposal. Maybe I was wrong about the whole idea of us being together. Maybe she truly loves Hades.

“Date?” She responded, after a long awkward moment of silence. She narrowed her eyes and frowned like the idea repulsed her.
Turn it around Ben.

“Yes, I want to show you another side of me, since I want you to spend eternity with me.” Her raised eyebrow and averted eyes told me she was thinking about the last time I told her that. The night at the arboretum. “It will be fun, you’ll see.”

I hoped she would say yes. I needed to do something to prove that I wanted to be with her and not just sexually. I mean, the sex was hot; but I truly do care for her. Since the day we met, I knew she was the girl for me; but maybe it’s not about my wants/needs/desire.

“Ok, but I don’t want you planning a night that will end with sex. Just a night of fun.” Her smile touched me and I felt good about this. Her emotional roller coaster of feelings changed from human to vampire, not to mention the blood lust. When thirsting for blood or after you have had a meal, the vampire mind is immediately drawn to the passion inside and that ultimately leads to sex.

“Great, so I’ll leave you to sleep.” I stood up and backed into the wall knocking a picture off. “I mean, I know that you probably need to rest.” I fumbled over my words, happy that she said yes. The innocence in her smile made me feel like a grade school kid with a crush.

“Sleep well, Ben,” She said as I entered the hallway. I closed the door and cringed at our exchange. In a flash, I was in my room. I was happy she said yes, but mad at myself for looking and feeling like a fool.

I leaped into the bed began to plan the date.

Now what am I going to do?
I sat pondering the thought for what felt like hours. I replayed our first date in my head. Her giggle when I dipped her during our dance lesson. The perfect moonlight kiss we shared. I shook my head to clear the thoughts. Everything had to be perfect.
I can’t fuck this up.

I’d taken her to the arboretum, which I enjoyed, and afterward, well, it’s how she ended now being a vampire. I guess my enjoyment saved her life, but that is not what I need, this time. For this date, I need to do something that will make her forget about Hades completely, and make her feel human again.

I have to get Dawn to help me with this. She’ll know what will make Toni happy. I looked over at the clock. Maybe I should wait to call. A 5:30 am phone call might not be received with the highest regards.

I got comfortable in my bed and lay back on the pillow. I stared at the ceiling and imagined our lives together. Even though we know very little of each other, I fell for her pretty fast. I wasn’t expecting to ever love again after Catherine; but the day my eyes met hers, I knew she was all I would ever need for an eternity. I could picture our lives together, showing her where I grew up and all the places I have traveled. I would let her decide where we would live. Our lives would be filled with the great passion that burns between us when we are together. On that happy thought, I finally fell asleep.

***

I looked at the clock; it was almost four in the afternoon when I woke up. I just hoped Dawn would answer my call.

I grabbed my cell phone from my nightstand and dialed her number. As it rang, my mind raced with the possibilities of her reaction to helping me win Toni’s heart.

“Ben, is everything alright with Toni? She left yesterday and I don’t know where she went.” Her quick leap to an illogical conclusion was laced in the pitch in her voice.

“Yes, she’s fine. She actually came here in search of blood.” I chuckled at the urgency in her voice. “But I called to ask for your help,” I spoke in a calm voice and shifted the conversation to the reason for my phone call.

“My help? What do you want me to do? I’m not procuring anyone for anybody.” I heard her voice crack through the phone. I couldn’t hold back the laughter any longer. The thought of Dawn harvesting humans to become our blood donors was downright hilarious to me.

“Not at all Dawn. I have the blood situation under control,” I said, between laughs.

“I’m just saying.” She was serious and that’s what made it so funny.

“Well, I want to take Toni out on a romantic date. To help with her choice.” I was trying to be discreet because I knew that Toni was just down the hallway and could very well hear everything that I was saying. “And you, Madam Demi-god, can help in that area.”

“I knew you were a romantic, Ben. Just tell me what you need me to do. I need her to pick you over that philandering jerk, Hades.” Dawn’s words were very straightforward and she didn’t take a breath when she spoke. “I mean, why she would even like him? He’s a married, evil jerk and comes from a family of assholes. I mean Zeus.” I wasn’t sure if her long exaggerated sigh was good or bad. “I don’t even know where to begin on him. He’s a piece of work. Then there’s Hermes. He’s—” she sing-sang his name. “He’s the best.” I really liked Dawn and she was quite intelligent, but at times, she had the attention span of a gnat.

“I just need to know what she would like to do. I really don’t know her likes and dislikes as well as I should. And what is there she likes to do, here in San Francisco? We obviously can’t eat so having dinner is out and I am a little stumped.” I cleared my throat to smooth past the uncomfortable subject of eating again. I had lived in San Francisco years ago with Catherine, but things change and there is so much more to do than when we together. And besides, Toni was different. She was adventurous. She rode a motorcycle, like I did, and her affinity for caring for others was just one of the character traits that I loved about her.

“She loved your first date, Ben. It was incredibly dreamy and unique.” Dawn’s sunny smile beamed through the phone. I knew she was just as excited to help me plan. Toni was lucky to have so many people in her life that loved her, even if I was battling with one for her eternal affection.

“Do something with her that a vampire would appreciate.” Dawn’s suggestion was smart, but the only thing that that most vampires want to do is drink blood. I want her to feel human and not stuck to the shadows and darkness.

“That’s the thing… most vampires are hunters and they just hunt prey; that’s not what I had in mind for romance.” We both let out a frustrated sigh. “I am more of the outdoorsy type and I’d love to do something outside. So there has to be a place that she loves or a hobby that she has?”

“Oh, yes there is a place she likes it’s called the Grand View Park. On her days off, she would go hiking there. There’s a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge and she said that she would go there to think. As for hobbies, the only thing I’ve ever heard her mention was photography. She had some vintage cameras and would take pictures to develop at the college she attended.”

“The Grand View Park, I think I know where that is.” I pondered my options and ways that I could surprise Antonia and use the photography angle, as well. I think I remembered seeing a camera when she moved in here. I always wondered if it actually worked or was just for nostalgia.

“Thank you, Dawn, you have helped me more than you know.” It’s good to have someone who knows the person that you love better than you do. Since I loved Toni from first sight I never took the time to know her, I just fell hard and fast. But I plan on our lives together to learn more about her than she knows about herself. There is no high or low or in between that, I wouldn’t do for her.

“You know, I can use a little magic, if needed,” She muttered in the phone.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I chuckled.

We ended the call and I got ready to go to my office to look up some things on the computer. I didn’t want to use Dawn’s magic, but I just might need it to make the impossible, possible.

It hit me that Dawn could help. She could put a day spell on Toni so that she could walk in the day like I can. I could take her to watch the sunset off the bay. I picked up the phone to redial Dawn when a soft knock stopped my call and broke my thought. She’s awake and probably hungry.

Antonia eased the door open slowly.