25. We have some unfinished business.

**Ocean pov**

I don't think things have been the same since Octavius took me to his favourite place and opened up to me. I never thought a vampire could be as passionate and soulful as he is. All these years, I have felt nothing but hatred for the whole species, but Octavius is slowly proving to me that maybe I shouldn't see it that way. Besides, there's still a big question mark behind Kieran. If the Elite group arrived today and asked me the question Octavius dreads, I don't think I'd have the answer ready. Certainly, my choice leans more towards Octavius, but for some reason, I can't stop thinking about his brother. Something about the mysterious and aggressively dominant Kieran makes it hard to act like there's nothing drawing us to each other.

I stare out the window and wonder if my life could be better if I tried to pretend that everything happens as it should be. What if I just accepted everything as it is and stopped fighting everyone? What if I dropped everything I believe in and became the perfect submissive, the one both brothers want?

I thought that this might be the moment when I rested when I could concentrate on nothing but my thoughts. But of course, my life wouldn't be mine if things went the way I wanted them to.

The sound of someone kicking open my bedroom door startles me, and I jump around. Kieran is standing in the doorway, in all his glory, his chest rising and falling as if he's angry with me. I raise an eyebrow. "Good evening?" My words sound like a question, but the vampire doesn't seem bothered by that detail. He stomps toward me and wraps his arms around me. At first, I think he's just trying to hold me, but as soon as his lips assault mine, I know there's more to his sudden visit than meets the eye. I part my lips and let his tongue slide into my mouth. I don't resist him at all. Kieran has this dangerous aura surrounding him, but at the same time, it's almost impossible to tell him no when he kisses me like this.

His lips slowly slide down my neck as he traces open-mouthed kisses on my skin. "You reek of my brother; I fucking hate that," Kieran grows. Although he sounds pissed, I smile at his words.

"I've spent a lot of time with Octavius since you have barely been around. Speaking of which- where is he?" Since I've gotten used to speaking freely around his brother, I am no longer afraid to speak my mind when Kieran is around. Or maybe I feel safer because he didn't attack me but kissed me like only a man who misses someone can. I swear warmth spreads through my body at the mere thought. I relish the possibility of him missing me. And for some reason, my mouth works faster than my mind, and the words escape my lips before I can stop them. "Missed me?"

"Holy fuck, you have no idea how much I missed you, bunny. Speaking of which, I believe we have some unfinished business." Kieran growls and lifts me. In seconds, I'm lying on my bed, and he's already closing my bedroom door. I watch him unbutton the shirt he's wearing as he slowly walks towards me.

"I- I don't think I'm ready yet. Not yet," I stammer as Kieran's eyes take me in. The way he looks at me like I'm his prey both excites and terrifies me.

Kieran's hands reach for his belt, and he unbuckles it as he chuckles. "Not ready for what? For sex with me or the whole feeding part? Don't be afraid of me, bunny; I ate hours ago, your blood doesn't interest me," the smug smile that only a man like him could have appears on his lips, and I almost faint. No matter how arrogant he looks, there is something about him that I can't get enough of. Maybe it's the adrenaline coursing through my veins, or perhaps I've just gotten used to feeling a certain way about both brothers.

"Then what does?" I sound like I have a forming lump in my throat. I think I know the answer, but I don't want to say it aloud.

His eyes take in me once again, and one corner of his lips twitches as Kieran unzips his pants. "Haven't you figured it out yet?" He looks down at his crotch, and my eyes widen. I shake my head like a child. If Kieran thinks I'm going to discuss such topics with him, he's so bloody wrong.

Kieran laughs as he undresses in front of me. Thankfully, he doesn't take off his boxers, so he's not completely naked. The vampire walks to the side of my bed and sits down. I gulp and watch him. Kieran's hand reaches for my top, and he slowly pulls down the zipper to expose my black bra. My eyes are so focused on his face that a nuclear war could rage outside this mansion, and I wouldn't notice anything but him. He runs the tip of his finger over my breasts and down to my belt.

I know he's been waiting a while to be intimate with me, and it's not that I want to say no. It's more about my fear that I won't be good enough to please him. Why would I want to please a vampire anyway? Maybe because he might be a little rough around the edges, but he's the most honest person I've met so far? Plus, he treats me like an equal instead of acting like I'm the dirt under his shoes. And on top of that- we have never gone that far together, but somehow he's always made me feel damn good without forcing himself on me. Maybe I'm ready, but I'm just too afraid of the pain my friends have always described?

I almost get lost in the thoughts and possibilities, but Kieran's voice brings me back to reality. "It's your pussy that I'm interested in. Don't worry about my brother. We had a deal, and he had to leave the mansion for a while. The house is ours, and I can't wait for you to scream my name at the top of your lungs."

I admire how straightforward Kieran is. I couldn't say half of the things he does out loud, let alone ever think of them. "B-but what about when your brother comes back home?" I stammer. The look in Kieran's eyes is that of a hungry animal, and I'm not sure I want to play his game anytime soon.

Kieran rises from the bed, and his eyes slowly take in my half-naked body. He's silent for a moment until he offers me his hand, "In that case, since you claim you're not ready, let's play a game. It's been a while since I last set foot in the Arena, and there's a lot you should learn. Ready for an adrenaline rush, bunny?" I love that Kieran is considerate enough to teach me things instead of forcing them on me. I nod my head and place my hand in his.

We leave my bedroom hand in hand, and although I felt anxious to run into someone, the whole house is as empty as ever. It's as if Kieran has made sure no servant or maid gets in our way. It's not something I want or need- after all, he's walking around in nothing but underwear, and I'm wearing only pants and my bra. It's an odd combination of clothes, to say the least.

As we approach the Arena, my heart begins to beat faster with each step I take. Just before we near the door, Kieran stops in his tracks and faces me. "Calm down, bunny; it's just a game. I'll be careful, I promise. I may look like a fool, but I'm not one. You're a human- I wouldn't treat you like a vampire woman." His hand rests on my cheek as Kieran tries to reassure me.

Surely, some of his words calm me down, but it's only natural to fear the unknown, isn't it?

Kieran opens the door for me and waits for me to take the first step forward. I was expecting a terrifying forest scene, but instead, we enter another room. He stops at my side and throws an arm around my shoulder, slowly explaining what's going on. "So, to your right are the dressing rooms. They are a must because most of the time, your clothes are a pile of nothing after playtime." He wiggles his eyebrows as if he's suggesting something. "To your left are the showers- I've made sure there's a bathtub, jacuzzi and all the extras I could find on the market; you'll understand why after a while. Aftercare fucking matters, bunny." Kieran chuckles and leads me down a strange corridor.

We walk for another five minutes until he stops. "Now. This row of doors is pretty important. Well, it will be for us after you get a hand at how my playtime works, but it's better to tell you what's where just in case you are curious. We'll start slow, okay?" Kiera's voice is low and calm- it helps my nerves. What helps me even more is the effort he puts into introducing me to his world. I thought Octavius would take his time and explain, or even show me more, but expect the unexpected- that's what I get from the grumpy brother.

I nod my head, but Kieran quickly crosses his arms in front of his chest and hisses, "Words, bunny, I need words."

"Oh, right. Okay, I get it- this is my learning experience, and you will show me what belongs where. I'm listening, I promise."

Kieran pinches my cheek, "God damn it, you're so cute." I stare at him like the poor vampire has lost his mind, but he seems to be in too good of a mood to acknowledge my staring.

Kieran turns around and places his hand on my back to push me forward a little. We reach a bright red door, and he stops again. "Alright, each door is a different colour to make it easier for everyone to find their way around and find the shit they need. Yes, I could label the doors too, but I don't think a first-timer would like to walk past the door that has the word "DILDOS" written all over it." Kieran laughs at his joke, but I remain silent. If only I knew what he's trying to describe. "The red door is for clothes - playtime outfits, Arena clothes, or anything you need after the chase," he winks at me as we walk up to the next room.

"The green door is for aftercare products. I'll be around after each time we exit the Arena, but you are welcome to come in here anytime and grab anything you need. I'll order a bunch of products every month, so they don't run out. And before you ask me- yeah, I needed those for vampire women as well, because just because we are immortal, it doesn't mean we can't hurt each other. But for now, I'll focus on anything that will be a better fit for you." Kieran pulls me into his arms, but we don't move forward. We stand in silence until curiosity gets the best of me.

"What's behind the purple door?" I ask.

"Toys," Kieran grins at me. Judging by the look on his face, I'm sure he's not talking about teddy bears or construction sets. Part of me wants to ask him more questions, but the other quickly dismisses the idea. No, I shouldn't ask if I don't want to be traumatized for life. One tiny step at a time- bit by bit, I'll learn and get used to his world. "I'll take your silence as a sign that I shouldn't tell you more about the statement. Some other time I will, but for now, you are lucky to be a beginner. I can think of a few toys I'd be damn glad to show you, especially during our playtime."

Kieran leaves me speechless as he grabs my hand and pulls me towards the last door, well across the corridor. He kicks the door open and jokes about the lock that hasn't been working for ages. Kieran pulls me into the Arena, which still looks as woodsy as the first time I saw it. I look around until my eyes fall on the balcony, and memories come back into my mind. A shiver runs down my spine right when Kieran stands behind me and his arms wrap around me like venomous snakes. His lips brush against my ear as he whispers, "Let's have a bet, bunny."