Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 25~

~Raelyn~

After my shower, I padded over to my vanity, towel-drying my hair as I stared at my reflection. The mark on my neck was still fresh, a deep, undeniable claim of what Colby and I had. But for now, it had to stay hidden. With practiced ease, I dotted concealer over it, blending it seamlessly.

I slipped into the silk robe Colby had gotten me—pink, trimmed with black lace—paired with the lingerie set he had surprised me with for Valentine's Day. The black lace bra and matching thong fit perfectly against my skin, hugging my curves just right. As I adjusted the straps, the mirror caught movement behind me.

Colby leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, a slow smirk stretching across his face.

"You know, I should really start picking out all your outfits," he mused, pushing off the frame and making his way toward me.

I rolled my eyes but smiled as he came up behind me, his hands resting on my shoulders before he started kneading them gently. A pleased sigh escaped my lips as I tilted my head back into him, biting my lower lip at the way his fingers worked through my tense muscles.

"That feel good?" he murmured, his voice laced with amusement.

I hummed, nodding as he kissed the top of my head. His arms wrapped around my chest in a loose embrace, and for a moment, everything felt still—just the warmth of him and the way he fit perfectly around me.

As I finished blending the concealer, I stood and moved to my closet, browsing through my clothes.

"Hey, baby?" I called over my shoulder. "What should I wear?"

Colby leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, his gaze slowly trailing over me. "I think what you've got on is just fine."

I snorted. "Uh-huh. That's helpful."

He chuckled. "I mean, I'm just saying, if you wanna stay like that, I'd be totally supportive."

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed a pair of black yoga shorts and an oversized white sweatshirt. As I pulled the sweatshirt over my head, Colby suddenly swooped in, grabbing me by the waist and tossing me effortlessly over his shoulder.

"Colby!" I shrieked, smacking his back as he carried me toward the bed.

"Damn, baby, you look hot," he murmured before tossing me onto the mattress.

I landed with a bounce, glaring up at him through strands of messy hair. "You're an ass. I look like I just rolled out of the rack."

Colby flopped onto the bed beside me, propping himself up on one elbow. "Bullshit. You're the hottest thing I've ever seen."

I shook my head, laughing, before curling into his side. Tracing the inked lines of his bleeding rose tattoo along his ribcage, I hummed in contentment.

"Did I ever tell you my dad met one of the Beach Boys in the '80s?" I asked, grinning.

He blinked at me. "No, you didn't. Your dad was a vampire, right?"

I nodded. "Yup. My mom got turned after I was born."

"So, your sister's full vamp," he mused.

"Mhm."

He smiled softly. "Did I ever tell you that I think you're beautiful?"

I smirked. "You tell me every day, B."

"And yet you still need to hear it," he teased, snuggling closer.

We put on a horror movie, the dim glow of the screen flickering against the walls. I ran my fingers absently over the keyhole tattoo on his chest.

"Can you see the mark at all?" I asked.