Belle Morte Bites (Belle Morte 4.3)

The Lake Cottage

Modern Day

Jason pushed open the door and looked out at the clusters of sunshine-yellow daffodils that surrounded the cottage. Behind the small stone building, huge fir trees soared towards the early evening sky, and further back were the humped shapes of hills and mountains.

It was the first time he'd visited the Lake District, and although they'd already been here four days, he still wasn't used to the beauty of the place.

Gideon rested his chin on Jason's shoulder. "Looking at anything in particular?" he said.

"No, just looking. I'm glad we came in the spring," Jason said.

This romantic getaway had been his first Christmas present to his fiancé, and he'd initially intended to book it for January, eager for some time with Gideon outside Belle Morte. But as a human, he felt the cold a lot more than Gideon did, and even though a log burner sat in the cottage's living room, Jason hadn't relished having to bundle up every time he went outside. Plus, when he'd explored the cottage's website, he'd loved the sight of daffodils and snowdrops everywhere, and bright green buds just starting to emerge on the trees. Something about the newness of it had appealed to him.

Last year had been one hell of a rollercoaster. He'd come to Belle Morte as a donor, got caught up in a violent and bloody power struggle between vampires, gone on the run, become the face for the campaign to grant vampires human rights, met the girls who'd become his best friends, and got engaged to the love of his life.

Now things had settled at last, and he and Gideon had a chance to enjoy themselves, away from the mansion, away from everyone.

"Do you want to watch the sunset down at the lake?" Jason asked.

Gideon nodded.

Lake Derwentwater was a ten minute walk from the cottage. The land sloped downwards, a rough dirt trail framed on both sides by endless daffodils, and the green shoots of bluebells that hadn't burst into flower yet, before flattening out, the trees petering away to reveal the sprawl of the lake, framed by more rugged mountains. The sun had half-sunk behind those mountains, and the sky was a vivid, brilliant orange.

They stopped a short distance from the edge of the lake and sat on the grass.

"This is nice," Jason murmured, leaning back against Gideon's chest.

Gideon placed a small kiss just under Jason's ear.

They watched as the sky blazed even brighter, the last efforts of the sun before it finally slid from view, and the mountains became a series of black, humped shapes, blurring together in the twilight.

"I have an idea," Jason said.

He jumped up and moved closer to the lake before pulling off his jumper, and then the T-shirt he wore underneath.

"What are you doing?" Gideon asked.

"Going for a swim."

"Here?" Gideon looked around.

"Why not? There's no one around," Jason said, unbuckling his belt.

Gideon watched as Jason unzipped his jeans and peeled them down, boxers and all, and a hint of red crept into his eyes.

"Come on," Jason said, holding out both hands as he walked backwards to the lake. Gideon never could resist him when he was naked.

"It'll be freezing," Gideon said.

"You're a vampire, you won't feel it."

"You will."

Jason flexed his biceps. "I can take it." He turned and plunged into the lake, ducking his head under and disappearing. A split second later he emerged with a hoarse shout.