Chapter 24

“Come on in, Allie,” Vince called from the kitchen.

“Smells incredible. How can I help?” Her stomach rumbled angrily.

Crap! I should have eaten dinner before dinner.

“Er … sit there and don’t touch anything?”

“Will do.” She hopped onto the counter. “I see my disastrous reputation in culinary arts class speaks for itself.”

“I hear it’s epic,” he said, pausing long enough for a kiss.

After dinner—and her monumental effort not to stuff her face—they settled on the couch to watch a movie. She rested her head against his shoulder, feeling almost normal for the first time in weeks. Since her Awakening, so much had changed. She often couldn’t find her equilibrium, but when she was with him, all the chaos faded, and she felt like her old self again. They were good together. He was everything she needed in a boyfriend, and there were no impossible expectations to live up to.

“When will your dad be home?” she asked.

“In a few days. We have the house to ourselves for as long as we like.” He pulled her close, and they tumbled back onto the sofa. His kiss was slow and deliberate. Allie’s heart pounded in her chest, and she luxuriated in the gentle caress of his hands as they moved slowly over her rear.

She did her fair share of exploring his body, carefully removing his shirt to run her palms along the rigid muscles of his chest. She could barely draw a breath when he unbuttoned her shirt, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze.

“I’m a lucky guy.” He kissed her throat, trailing kisses down to the soft swell of her breast, his hands inching up from her hips. She shivered when his lips moved to claim hers, and his hard body pressed against her softer one. He continued to torment her with his teasing tongue and wandering hands. Her fingers tangled in his hair as she drew a shaky breath. She felt faint from the power stirring in her chest.

Could I hurt him?

“I’m sorry, Allie.” He pulled away like he always did. Vince rarely showed any hesitation with her, but he always stopped things just when they were getting good.

“Y-you don’t have to stop,” she murmured, feeling embarrassed as he helped her back into her shirt.

“Yeah, I do.” He brushed the loose curls from her face. “What’s wrong? You think I’m not trying to convince myself to get you out of that ridiculously sexy bra before you change your mind? I want you to be sure I’m the one you want. I’m not going to be that guy. I’m not going to rush you into sex just because I can’t keep my hands off you.”

“What makes you think I’m not ready?”

“I’m the first guy you’ve been serious about, and I love that you’re having just as much trouble keeping your hands off me, but we’ve only been dating a few weeks. I like where this is going, and I don’t want to screw it up. It’s different with you. So uncomplicated.”

“And drama-free.” She smiled. “You have no idea how much I’ve needed that lately.” She nuzzled up against him.

“Allie,” he groaned. “I’m trying not to be a total douche-bag here, but you pressed up against me isn’t helping. I’m gonna need a minute. How about dessert?” He stood to put some distance between them.

“You never have to ask that question.” Her laughter caught in her throat when she realized it was getting late. “Vin, what time is it?”

“Crap! I forgot about the stupid boat, it’s way past midnight. Carson’s going to shoot me, isn’t he?”

“It’s all right. I’ll just go call Sasha, but I still want that dessert.” She slipped out to the patio to make the call.

“Hey, you home yet?” Sasha answered on the first ring.

“No, I missed the friggin boat. My parents are going to kill me.”

“Well, you could just swim. We’ve all done it, but you’d probably freak out and get lost—”

“Sasha, be serious!”

“Calm down. Text Lily and tell her you’re spending the night with me again, and I’ll come get you. She’ll buy it this time, but you can’t do this again.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

Allie relaxed after she texted her mom, who never questioned her activities much these days. They had some sort of unspoken agreement that she could do whatever she needed, but it made her sad. The distance between them was growing by the day. She just didn’t have much time for her family anymore.

“Everything okay?” Vince asked when she joined him in the kitchen. He was drizzling caramel sauce over one very large piece of cake.

Allie’s stomach grumbled at the sight, and she vowed to eat before their next date.

“Crisis averted. Sasha’s coming to get me. That piece is mine, right?”

“Allie, share,” he growled when she tried to steal it from him.

“I’ll let you have a bite.” She giggled as he picked her up and set her on the counter. She forgot all about the cake and greeted his kiss eagerly. Allie ran her hands up his bare chest as he trailed soft kisses along her shoulder.

“Vin?” she moaned. “You should probably think about stopping that … or maybe not.” When he kissed her like that, her power blazed hot within her and she didn’t want him to stop.

“I have quite the goodnight kiss planned for you, Allie.” He gathered her in his arms and took her back to the couch. He captured her mouth in a slow, possessive kiss that made her dizzy, his hands wandering again.

“When will I get to see you again?” she asked. Life was so busy for both of them, nights like this were far too rare.

Vince laced his fingers with hers and pulled her close, burying his nose in her hair. “Football season will be over soon, and I’ll have more time—not much, since baseball starts in the spring. But I will definitely make more of an effort because this was perfect.”

“Your dad go out of town often?”

“Yes, actually. Let’s just not forget about the ferryboat next time.”

They were interrupted by the ringing doorbell, and he reluctantly released her.

Allie felt a tremor of rage when she sensed Aidan’s arrival.

“Guess who,” Vince drawled irritably.

She met Aidan’s glare, and their eyes flashed at each other in the darkness. “Should’ve seen that coming.”

“Relax, Lex. I was already here. Just get in the car; it’s late.” He ignored Vince, who stood by coolly, shirtless with tousled hair and his jeans riding low on his hips.

Allie reached for Vince, reluctant to end such an amazing night this way.

“Don’t be sad, we’ll do this again soon.” He brushed her lips with a kiss. She ran her hands up his chest, and his arms snaked around her in a gesture of complete confidence and familiarity. She knew she was twisting the thorn in Aidan’s side, but she didn’t care.

“Night, Vin. Call me in the morning?” She hugged him tightly.

“Of course.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“Later, Vin,” Aidan mocked. He moved to drape his arm around her as they walked to the car, but she sidestepped and almost managed to slap him. He caught her hand with an angry glare.

“Dude, don’t give her a hard time,” Vince called. “It’s my fault we lost track of time.” There was more than just a hint of warning in his voice. “Text me when you get home, Allie.”

“I can’t believe you just did that!” Allie hissed as she slipped into the front seat.

“Relax, Lex—”

“No! How dare you crash my date, you overbearing jerk.”

“You needed a ride. I was on a date with Kayla, but now I’m here, giving you a ride, simple as that. You’re the one flipping out.”

“Wait, you’re dating Kayla? Cheers to that.”

“Well, she actually likes me.”

He was so good at playing it cool, but she knew he was upset. He was gripping the steering wheel so hard she thought he might break it. She felt bad for him and angry with him all at once. When he pulled into the garage at the marina, she reached out and gently pried his hands loose.

“I know you were just worried about me, but Immortal, strong and powerful, or not, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

“Yeah, I can see just how well you’ve managed to protect yourself tonight. You missed a few buttons.”

“Aidan, you’re my best friend, and I love you, but I’m with Vince. You have to accept that.”

He gripped the wheel tightly again. “I won’t lose our friendship over that tool. Date your mortal.” He got out and slammed the car door. “If living in complete denial makes you happy, go for it!”

Neither of them spoke as they boarded the boat kept docked here for just this purpose. He started the engine and eased out into the bay.

“Will we be okay?” She was afraid she might have to choose between the two most important people in her life.

“We’re fine, Lex.” He forced a smile.

“Look on the bright side. When we get home I’m going to murder your sister for calling you.”