Forty-five

I threw the door open as I waited for Bradley. They were following a few steps behind.

“What time will you be home, honey?”

I looked up at Bradley.

“I’ll have her home before ten.”

“Nine.” Jennie negotiated but her voice left no room for argument.

“Nine.” Bradley promised.

Jennie shut the door behind us; Bradley took me in his arms and flew to the car. Before I could adjust to the dark foggy night, I was in the car strapped in.

I sighed.

I hoped Jennie wasn’t looking out of the window at us. I wouldn’t be able to explain how my demon sweetheart teleported from the door to the car.

“I’d been meaning to ask.” I whispered, staring down at my hands on my lap.

“Yes?” he breathed.

I looked up and our lips accidently brushed against each other, startled I sighed, he was closer than I thought. He smiled apologetically as my heart hyperventilated.

“You’ll be the death of me.” I mumbled.

“I’m sorry.” he murmured in my ear. "You just look so tempting, I couldn’t resist."

"You want to eat me?” I asked willing terror to colour my eyes and fill my voice.

Shock rearranged his beautiful features. "No Elizabeth, sweetheart, I would..."

I laughed.

He sighed. “That wasn’t funny.”

I rolled my eyes. “Are you kidding? You should’ve seen your face - priceless.”

“Ha-ha.” He grumbled. “As I was saying… before you so rudely interrupted me.” He pressed his firm lips on my cheek. I gulped. His scent made it impossible to form a coherent thought.

“Mm,” I moaned.

"The smell radiating from your skin, awakens the monster in me, it leaves me breathless" His lips traced slowly along the outline of my face, stopping briefly to blow his cool breath on my nose, his breath coming more quickly against my skin. My breath matched his as he continued stimulating me with his daring presence, and I felt woozy again. He kissed my lips then, with a burning passion that left me melting. His lips were rough against mine, his breath invading my every thought.

I froze.

And then it was black.

"Beth?" His voice was alarmed as he tilted my chin and examined my face. “You look pale. Did you… faint on me… again?”

I blinked up at him, peering at him under my drunken lashes.

He groaned. “You’re a deadly temptation.”

“Oh.” I mumbled torpidly.

“The colour hasn’t returned to your skin yet.” he said worriedly. “It’s never gone for this long before.”

“You haven’t seduced me like that before.” I accused still drunk from the kiss. “You’ve never kissed me like that before. My lips are still burning.”

“And trembling,” He mumbled chuckling lightly.

"I thought you were the only one with a desire to devour me.” I still felt wobbly. “The roles seem to be reversed.” I was still waiting for the pain that never came from the burn but instead my lips tingled.

“I’ve never realised how much I love you.” He confessed. “You are my very life now.”

“Loving you is really all that's on my mind."

“You love me?” he asked.

“As if you didn’t know that already,”

“I have no idea why you love me back though.” He shook his head apologetically.

My mouth dropped open in astonishment. He was the godly one, the perfect beautiful dreamlike being in this relationship. I was just the ordinary maladroit human.

“Really?”

“In all my years, I’ve never met a woman of your significance.”

“You’re too soft for a demon.”

He laughed. “You’re absurd."

I rolled my eyes.

As we passed and turned our backs on the welcome sign to Margate and entered a whole new territory, I realised that all the houses from this part of town were huge, tall and beautiful. Of course they wouldn’t live in that house next to my backyard, it was just there for them to appear normal, human, I guessed. And then he took the road twisting eastward, which led us to the rough roads that eventually took us to the building forest and then the trees shied away to allow room for the only street that housed the mansion Bradley called home.

The cheer beauty of the curved road lined with all indigenous kinds of flowers – the range was wider than any I’d seen in a flower shop.

We stopped at a huge metal gate that had the letters C.C engraved in the middle.

“C.C?” I asked.

“Carrie and Christopher Carter.” He answered automatically as though he’d been waiting for me to ask the question.

And then the gates parted presenting a pallid, rectangular, elegant four-story mansion that sat guided by white and purple lilies and red roses. The space was wide and open as we drove up to the garage. He parked a few feet away though. A fish pond stretched out over the third length of the house. The windows were all wall high, the sliding doors were dark, allowing no view of the decor from the outside. In the patio a glass round table sat surrounded by high chairs that looked royal, expensive and fit to sit kings and queens.

"You live here!"

"Maybe I got the wrong address." He teased. “For the past four decades revolving.”

I smiled regardless.

“Welcome to hell.” He joked. He was awfully happy today.

“It looks more like heaven but better… more beautiful.” I mumbled. “…and the angels inside just as beautiful.” I voiced with utter jealousy.

He laughed. “I wonder what Victor would say about that.” He mumbled darkly.

I was suddenly very aware of where I was. Anxiety crept up on me.

He could sense my tension as he opened the door for me. He patted my hair soothingly.

“Don’t worry I’ll protect you.”

“I’m more worried about making a good impression.”

I could’ve sworn I saw his eyes roll. “You’ll be great. They’re just demons.”

“That’s exactly the problem.” I mumbled as we walked at a human pace to the porch. “You didn’t give me enough time to prepare for tonight…” I shrugged. “Although I doubt human books would’ve helped in this situation.” I cringed when I said the word book. He laughed. "There isn't a Manuel about meeting your demon boyfriend's family."

“They’re just as nervous as you are.” He mumbled as he opened the door. “But I know you’ll charm the horns off their heads.

I had to laugh at this

Inside it was spectacular of course, the colour so rich but yet gentle on the eyes, it was how I’d imagined a wedding venue; very spacious.

His family – Christopher and Carrie were holding hands, Zane and Victor two feet behind and then Rebecca; she was alienated as far away from the rest of us as possible, her face frozen into a beautiful statue of pain, resistance and torture – were all waiting to greet us.

I’d seen them all before but I couldn’t help but be struck by their tan beautiful features, their stalling youth, and their outrageous meticulousness. Carrie showed off her curves in a strapless nude dress and twelve inch high heels – I cringed, I could never walk in those, Christopher was in a pair of khaki pants and a black long sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. And then Zane, she was in a yellow and blue bikini bare foot with Victor clad in navy swimming shorts and Rebecca covered her perfection with white and black striped shorts. They all smiled in welcome, their eyes warm. Except Rebecca.

“I didn’t know demons were swimmers.” I blurted out to Bradley, regretting the words as soon as they escaped my lips.

I looked up, back at them to see if I’d offended anyone but they were laughing now, along with the traitor next to me.

“Oh.” I mumbled extremely embarrassed

"Beth, my father Christopher you already know of course," Bradley’s voice was low but I knew even Rebecca could hear him; "My wonderful mother Carrie , my brother Victor and his mate Rebecca and my cousin Zane." though I had no idea why he grimaced when he said Rebecca’s name.

"Pleased to finally officially meet you Beth," Carrie stepped forward as she spoke, her steps measured and calculated, trying not to frighten me I guess.

"Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Carter"

I lifted my hand to shake hers but she surprised me by kissing me on the cheek and then mumbling, “I don’t do handshakes.” Before hugging me.

Christopher stepped forward as well, reaching for my hand, a permanent smile plastered on his youthful face. His actions surprised me, before today I’ thought he hated me. His black eyes were warm. His brown hair gelled back.

"I’m glad to see you again, under different circumstances Miss. White." he said earnestly.

"Likewise,” I mumbled under my breath.

"Ah, Bradley, I see you brought some lunch!” Victor’s sophisticated voice reached my ears before I saw him suddenly appear in front of me. Christopher and Carrie turned their cautious glances at him, but I smiled, his face was so welcoming, he didn’t look like he wanted to feed anyway.

"Hi, Beth!" Victor said enthusiastically, and he leaned forward to pick me up by my arms as though I were a toddler. Christopher and Carrie were now shocked staring at him with wide frightened eyes.

Bradley was frozen in place, his expression mimicking that of his parents.

Victor twirled around once and sat me on my feet. “Now I understand why my brother can’t leave you alone. I never noticed before. You are appetizing.” He sniffed me once, twice and exhaled.

I stopped breathing.

Bradley’s expression was unreadable, his eyes careful, watchful. His body was in a barely visible crouch and his lips curled back slightly as though he was fighting a snarl.

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you that it’s rude to play with your food?” I said to Victor, returning his smile.