Bloodlust

The Big O's

— VENICE —

Liam looked furious. He sat down after his outburst but hadn't uttered a word to anyone since.

I half-expected him to throw me over his shoulder and run to our room like a caveman. He radiated dangerous, threatening energy.

For some inexplicable reason, I felt surprisingly excited at the thought. I shifted my hips and bit my lip. The pressure in my core was mounting higher and higher.

I couldn't wait for this meal to be over so I could be alone with Liam again. He didn't exaggerate about Rob in the slightest.

The man was unnervingly forward with his words and actions. He was obsessed with wanting to know how long Liam and I had been together. He referred to our sex life more than a few times.

I knew Liam would blow a gasket if he knew what all had been said on this side of the table. Ophelia was noticeably silent until she opened up to Liam.

At the risk of sounding hypocritical, the sight of her inching closer to him and the batting of her long fluttery eyelashes endlessly aggravated me.

She was a shock of unusual beauty. Every ounce of her aesthetic perfection matched Liam's. They would look like a freaking power couple.

Why am I even torturing myself with these ridiculous ideas?

A leg nudged mine under the table. It came from the direction of Rob. I risked a glance at him to see him speaking with a male crossbreed.

Rob's blood-red eyes met mine. He winked at me.

What the fuck.

Clenching my jaw, I shifted my body as far away from him as I could. I couldn't seem to escape the reach of his long legs, though.

I sat painfully still through three courses, which were actually all delicious. With each passing meal, more crossbreeds popped over to talk to Rob. I was grateful to be left alone, though now I had to watch Ophelia giggle and flirt with Liam.

Ugh. 

I glumly stabbed at the chocolate cheesecake with my fork. I was just tired now and ready to get out of this dress. That big cuddly bed was calling my name.

Liam cleared his throat and Rob stopped talking to acknowledge him.

"Thank you for dinner, Rob," he told him. "Everything was excellent. Please excuse me and Venice. It's been a long day and I think some rest is in order for us."

"Of course, my friend. We will all be lounging about if you decide you aren't ready to go down for the night."

Nodding, Liam rose to his feet and dipped his head at me. I placed my napkin aside and stood up as well.

The warm glare of eyes on me prickled at my skin. I didn't dare look down at the table because I would get panicky under so many scrutinizing gazes.

"One more thing," said Rob.

Liam and I shared a look.

"I wanted to let you know that I dealt with Finch and Beck, the two responsible for your attack," he told us. "As part of their punishment, they will be serving you personally. If you think of anything you need, anything at all, just let them know. They'll be camped outside your room all night."

Perfect, I thought sarcastically as I rolled my mind's eye.

How was I going to lose my virginity tonight knowing there were guards with highly sensitive hearing outside our door?