Something Bolder (Book Two)

VI. Library

I surveyed the massive library in awe. It was two stories high and the plentiful, timeless shelves were packed with millions of books. The sheer volume of knowledge left me speechless. Centuries upon centuries of knowledge stood before me. I was absolutely blown away.

I scanned the vast room, looking for Alec. A few vampires were scattered around the first floor, quietly reading and minding their own business. None of them bothered to look up at me - as far as I could tell, at least. I looked up and surveyed the second floor, and spotted Alec in the mezzanine.

I walked briskly across the main floor, my footsteps muted on the thick rugs that were placed throughout the room, to the staircase at the back of the room. I tried to calm my fluttering heart as I rushed up the smooth stone steps. I found Alec seated at a table facing away from me, bent over an aged tome.

I marched toward him with as much confidence as I could muster, but before I could reach him, he got up with his book and wandered down one of the many aisles. I hurried after him, and managed to stalk up on him just as he was returning his book to the shelf.

"Alec!" I hissed in a hushed tone.

He looked over at me abruptly with a look of surprise fixed on his face. His eyes immediately drifted down at my body; his expression morphed from surprise to bewilderment.

"Why aren't you wearing shoes?" he asked as I approached.

"We need to talk," I said indignantly, ignoring his question.

"I couldn't agree more," he said languidly as he stared down at me.

I stopped several feet away and glowered at him with my arms crossed.

"If you're looking for a mind reader, you're in the wrong coven," he said indifferently after a short silence.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, claiming me in public like that?" I demanded.

"I cannot control my sister," Alec sighed. "We've been over this."

"You didn't stop her," I contested.

The corner of his mouth twitched.

"Is something funny?" I asked, growing deeply annoyed.

"Demetri deserved it," Alec said smoothly.

"He--," I stammered. "That was none of your business!" I blushed.

"Is that so?" Alec challenged, crossing his arms, as well.

"Yeah. We're not together anymore, remember? You left me," I said hotly.

Alec narrowed his eyes at me. "You didn't want me. Do you recall that?" he shot back.

"I was in shock! You didn't give me a chance to think!"

"Well, then? You've had your time. What is it, then?" he asked sharply.

I blinked at him, taken aback.

"I see things haven't changed," he said bitterly.

"You're doing it again," I complained.

"If you still don't want me, then what exactly are you doing here," he pressed.

"I was invited," I said smugly.

"To the Yule Ball. I know. I sent you that note," he said flatly.

"Okay! Then, what the hell?" I demanded. "You're out here trying to bait me, and now you're offended that I actually showed up?"

"If you have no desire to be with me, then you have no business here," he said coldly.

"I disagree."

"What makes you think your opinion matters here?"

"Would you rather we consult Aro about how he feels? Since his word mean SO much to you," I said vehemently.

"Do not bring the leaders into this!" he commanded.

"Oh? You mean your 'masters'?" I mocked. "Why not? It's not like you don't tell them everything anyway!"

A loud, animalistic growl ripped from his throat. I flinched severely as a sharp pang of fear shot through me.

"Don't do that. Do not do that!" I yelled. "How dare you growl at me!"

"You will not come in here and run around humiliating me!" Alec roared.

"Humiliating! YOU'RE humiliated! I'm the one everyone is staring at like a piece of meat! Like I'm some little woodland creature that needs to be marked and claimed. I'm not Violet around here, I'm 'ALEC'S MATE' - and your sister did nothing but make it so much worse!" I screamed.

Heavy silence fell between us as we glared at each other furiously.

"Well." Alec said tersely. "If that was what was bothering you this whole time, then you should've just said so."

"That is one of the MANY things about you that drive me absolutely insane," I glowered.

We continued to stare at each other hotly.

After an excruciatingly long moment of silence, we simultaneously jumped at each other, crushing our lips together, and kissed each other furiously.

I wrapped my hands around his neck and my fingers tangled in his hair as I pulled him closer, deepening the kiss with fervor. His arms locked around my waist and we stumbled backwards, bumping carelessly into a bookshelf. I looped my leg around his waist, and he hoisted me up without breaking our embrace. Our kisses were desperate and frenzied, as if we were frantically trying to make up for lost time.

I pulled away from Alec abruptly and looked at him intently; he returned my gaze hungrily. I rested my forehead against his and exhaled heavily.

"Don't you ever leave me again," I threatened before pulling him into another heated kiss.