The Game of Hearts

7. Warmth

  I woke up to the feeling of warmth spread over the left side of my body. Being dead had it's issues... for example being cold to the touch twenty-four seven. Vampires can feel it; the coolness. Our bodies just adapt to it after a few decades. It was nice to have that feeling for the moments I was with another, I'd forgotten it. I kept my eyes closed, just enjoying the heat that the woman beside me emitted. Not that I'd call her a woman... she was a girl with the soul of a woman. I felt her shift, an indication she was slowly stirring awake. Shifting as well, I caused Aria to hum in disagreement. She wanted to stay as comfortable as I was.

The air smelled of iron and salt once she had shifted, making my nose crinkle. I opened my eyes finally, noticing the blood on her shoulder and down the sheets. I frowned as a familiar hate burned in my stomach.

I loved blood, I just hated how it controlled me no matter what. It was fun at the time, but I'd love to go without eating my guests for a second. Groaning, I shifted underneath Aria until I was beside her. Looking at the blood again, I felt a little relieved. At least it wasn't as much blood as the night before. My urges knew better than to suck her dry.

It would sound weird, but I enjoyed having her around. Not in any emotional way. Emotions weren't really my thing, despite the fact that it sounds depressing. I was almost literally incapable of it, and that was how I liked it. The idea of sexual company sounded more content to me, including the physically warmth it gave me. Almost like blood, physical warmth was a craving amongst vampires. Lesser than blood, warmth made us feel human again.

I saw Aria's eyes shoot open and she took notice of me watching her. At first her eyebrows furrowed tiredly, like she was processing where she was and what I was doing.

Realization made its way into her features once she shifted again. "Aw, shit," she grunted and sat up, the sheet falling onto her nude lap. This girl seriously seemed comfortable with herself, attracting me further. "Again? Seriously?" She shot me an angry look, which I responded to with a shrug. That hate still festered in my gut, but I pushed it low.

"You knew what you were getting yourself into. I can't help it," I told her. She touched her shoulder, gingerly pressing into the new wound. "I'll fix you up, give me a second."

When she realized her new problem, I had heard her heart. It jumped. The sound of it pumping furiously against her bare chest gave me shudders. Would it be bad if I bit her again?

I decided against it and lifted myself off the bed to grab some supplies from the bathroom. I quickly pulled on a pair of pajama pants then went to grab the gauze and cleaning supplies. A thought crossed my mind however. A shower or bath would probably be a better way to clean her and the wound. Blood ran down her body like she was in the new Carrie movie, and the sweat that broke out of her the night before was intense. "Hey, lets just get you in a bath or something. It would be easier."

I heard her shift in the next room as I gathered supplies. I could tell she was thinking about it. "Bath it is," she sighed. I heard movement from the bed and glanced into the room.

I wasn't shocked to see nothing on, it was just the fact that she had such a unique body. She was at least 150, with curves that could kill a man if she tried. She caught me staring, and I smirked when I caught her eye. "Hey, eyes off the merch. I'm wounded," she exclaimed. I rolled my eyes before going to start the bath.

"I said I was sorry," I grinned.

"You so didn't," her echoing laugh sounded as she entered the bathroom.

"Right, oh well."

"Dick."

I chuckled.

The water filled slowly. I put my hand into the jet, shuddering while the heat hit my skin. It felt nice. She must've noticed. "So, you like warm things?"

  I turned to find her sitting on top of the counter, legs cross. My eyes lingered for a moment before they fluttered back up to her face. "How could you tell?" I asked as I walked over to the counter and began to lean next to her on the counter, facing the mirror.

"While you were sleeping you held me a bit tighter than when you were awake. And just now, you seemed to enjoy the water," she smiled a bit, like she had it all figured out and she knew everything. That was a bit annoying, but I let it slide since she was technically right.

"Busted," I smirked then turned around, looking at the bath. It was finished. "Looks like it's ready," I cocked my head in its direction, telling her to get in. She watched it for a moment, then stood and made her way to it.

"You're joining me right?" She asked with a slight tug at the corners of her mouth.

"I would love that." She approached me. "I have some unfinished business with a couple of my guys, but feel free to stay as long as you'd like," I finished as she started dipping her toes in to test the water.

"It could wait? Maybe?" She questioned.

"I guess I wouldn't want you missing me," I grinned and grabbed her by the hip to pull her in, kissing her. I heard the faintest giggle.

"In your dreams."