Bite of the Night

Chapter 6: Scarlett Makes Out with the Vampire

The next morning, there was a new note slipped under my door.

Courtyard as soon as you awake. I have something to show you. - Dimi.

The soft hues of dawn painted the courtyard with a delicate palette of colors as I made my way there, following Dimitri's request. He stood near a cluster of roses, their petals bathed in the gentle light of morning. As I approached, he turned to me, a warm smile playing on his lips.

"Good morning, Scarlett," he greeted, his voice soft like the morning breeze. "I thought we could use a change of scenery for our next lesson."

I returned his smile, feeling a sense of calm wash over me in his presence. "That sounds lovely," I replied, curiosity piqued by the sight of the roses.

Dimitri gestured to the flowers, a glint of nostalgia in his eyes. "These roses have been here for centuries," he explained, his voice tinged with fondness. "They were planted by the original owners of the mansion, a symbol of love and devotion."

I couldn't help but admire the beauty of the roses, their vibrant colors standing out against the lush greenery of the courtyard. "They're stunning," I murmured, reaching out to brush my fingertips against the velvety petals.

Dimitri smiled, his gaze lingering on me. "They hold a special significance," he said softly. "Just like us."

I felt a warmth spread through me at his words, a flutter of anticipation in my chest. "What do you mean?" I asked, unable to hide the curiosity in my voice.

He took a step closer, his eyes locked onto mine. "I meant what I said before, Scarlett," he replied, his voice low and intimate. "When I mentioned the side effects of the biting."

My heart skipped a beat at the memory, the fear and desire swirling together in my mind. "What side effects?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Dimitri's expression softened, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "You become addicted to each other's taste," he explained, his voice laced with a mixture of longing and caution. "It's deeper than a kiss."

I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks at his words, the implications sinking in. "How... how is a kiss?" I stammered, feeling suddenly self-conscious.

Dimitri smirked, a playful glint in his eyes. "We've kissed before," he said, his tone teasing. "Or have you forgotten?"

I looked away, embarrassment flooding through me. "I... I forgot," I admitted, feeling a rush of heat rise to my cheeks.

But before I could dwell on my embarrassment, Dimitri closed the distance between us, his lips capturing mine in a passionate kiss. Fireworks exploded behind my closed eyelids as our lips moved together, the world falling away as we lost ourselves in the moment.

His tongue teased mine, igniting a fire within me that threatened to consume us both. I moaned softly against his lips, my hands reaching up to tangle in his hair as I pulled him closer.

Time seemed to stand still as we kissed, the heat between us building with each passing moment. I felt dizzy with desire, my heart pounding in my chest as I surrendered to the intoxicating sensation of his lips on mine.

"Scarlett...Scarlett!"

But then, just as the passion threatened to overwhelm us, Dimitri pulled away, a low growl rumbling in his chest. I blinked in confusion, the sudden change in his demeanor catching me off guard.

Before I could react, he pushed me away, his expression clouded with anger. I stumbled backward, my skin grazing against the thorns of the roses, a sharp pain jolting me back to reality.

Ouch. The thorns had left sharp marks over my skin, the gown I was wearing barely shielding me.

Dimitri's expression softened as he realised, regret flickering in his eyes as he reached out to me. "I'm sorry, Scarlett," he said, his voice tinged with remorse. "I lost control."

He flicked a thumb over my skin and I winced. 

His anger resurfaced, his tone sharp and cutting. "If you're not ready for the biting, don't provoke me like that," he snapped, his words biting like the thorns of the roses. "Vampires are dangerous, Scarlett. You need to remember that. Look what happened!" 

I recoiled at his words, stung by his harshness. The warmth of the morning sun seemed to fade, replaced by a chilling sense of unease. As I looked into Dimitri's eyes, I saw not just anger, but also fear—fear of what he was capable of, and fear of what we were becoming.