As if our lips were meant to be connected, forged from birth to be united.
I scarcely noticed him curl my ponytail around his hand, fisting my hair as he tilted my head the other way, his Vampire taking voice in a deep growl as we ate at one another’s mouths. He nipped at my bottom lip, sucking it into his mouth, and his tongue swiped against it, gliding sensually in a heated caress. I shuddered, pressing more firmly against his mouth, wanting more, and when I felt his fangs descend I carefully slipped my tongue inside his mouth to stroke one of them. His breath caught before he moaned quietly, holding my face close, understandably enjoying the sensual stroke since a Vampire’s fangs were sensitive.
“Lil, I’ve been waiting—” Antonio’s annoyed voice sounded loudly.
Completely startled, I shrieked, cutting him off and jumping away from King Zeller…and by jump, I mean I shoved off the ground with my Shifter strength, flying backward. I ended up hitting the top of the bar clear across the room with the back of my legs, and flat out toppled over it, landing on my side behind it and taking a few bottles down with me, their thick glass not breaking when they hit the rug. I lay there, breathing heavily, my senses on full alert as adrenaline pumped through my system. Isa had made a startled noise at my shriek, but I was positive King Zeller had calmed her since I had felt a pulse of Vampire power, and she had quieted, so now I listened to make sure no one else was in the room besides those I knew were here.
“Lil,” Antonio sounded like he was trying not to laugh, “quit hiding behind the damn bar.”
Maybe I was hiding behind the bar with a whole helping of embarrassment and smidge of fear.
Sighing heavily, I slowly stood, keeping my attention firmly off the other occupants in the room and focusing on picking up the bottles of alcohol from the ground and setting them on the bar. The task done way too quickly, I ran a hand over my flushed face, only just catching my breath. My gaze flittered to Antonio and back to the bar, really not glancing in King Zeller’s direction, and I asked, “How long were you standing there for?”
The damn man actually chuckled. “Long enough to see that you two should be using your bedroom I spelled for complete privacy.”
My face flushed further at his pronouncement. “It wasn’t quite like that.” I cleared my throat, picking up a washcloth to scrub the already clean bar. “I was trying to,” another clearing of my throat, “well, it got a bit out of hand.”
Antonio laughed outright. “You’re barely even trying, Lil.” Another deep laugh. “I know you can lie better than this.”
King Zeller interrupted us, asking, “Exactly how private is her bedroom?”
My eyes were wide as I peered up at him in shocked surprise, unbelieving he had just asked that question so…brazenly.
He met my gaze steadily, even if his cheeks were still slightly flushed on his mocha complexion and his lips incriminatingly kiss swollen from our embrace. He shrugged a shoulder and readjusted Isa, who was gnawing away at her fist, which reminded me she was hungry. “Elder Farrar mentioned it.” His used the burping rag to wipe off her hand, wrist, and chin. “So, I’m curious.”
Antonio was the one to answer him, which was a good thing because I wasn’t positive I could. “I spelled it to only allow those in she verbally names, plus all the normal sound spells.”
King Zeller blinked, green disappearing and reappearing slowly. “That’s unique.”
I snorted. “And you’ve got dimmers on your bedroom lights I would like.”
Another slow blink. “I don’t believe that’s an apt comparison.”
I couldn’t help but stare at him, not really paying too much attention to the conversation at hand as I was still shocked we had kissed like that with no goals in mind but pleasure. Or it was possible the shock was from how absolutely amazing it had been. Because…fuck…it had been extremely enjoyable…and perfect. Air rushed out of me shakily, and I quickly turned my attention to Antonio, somewhat realizing what the me before the mind rape had seen in him. At least sexually. Having kissed him and seen how perfect it was for us together, and how incredibly gorgeous he was…well yeah, I could see the younger, more inexperienced me falling head first over him.
I pointed at the coffee table with one hand while grabbing a baby bottle from under the bar’s shelf, fixing Isa a bottle for bed. “Antonio, I need copies of those first two videos so I can send them to the other King and Queen, but alter that second one.” My hand flittered back and forth between King Zeller and me. “They don’t need to see us dancing and running off together.”
Antonio didn’t move from where he was standing, only a blank expression showing on his features. I blinked slowly, then groaned. Staring down at my task at hand, I muttered a curse, then glanced up at King Zeller. “He obviously can’t do it.” I shook my head. “I don’t have the equipment to make copies of those, nor do I really know how.”
King Zeller stared at Antonio, but he nodded once. “I can take care of it at headquarters when no one’s around.” His head tilted as he bounced Isa, attention still on Antonio. “Elder Farrar, would you mind amusing me for a moment while I test a theory?” When Antonio nodded, King Zeller asked, “Have you ever seen Queen Ruckler and me kissing?”
Antonio’s mouth opened…but no response came except for a gurgle.
My jaw dropped. “Holy shit.”
“Definitely,” King Zeller murmured thoughtfully. “It appears the spell won’t allow him to even speak of us now together.” His eyebrows puckered. “Elder Farrar, what are Queen Ruckler and I doing at this very moment?”
Antonio sighed in relief and stated, “Lil is making a bottle while you’re holding,” he choked and gurgled, then sighed again, stating, “Isa.”
My lips pinched in thought. “That is interesting.”
King Zeller stayed silent while I fixed the bottle, but when I brought it over and watched carefully as he fed her to see that he knew what he was doing, he stated calmly, “That spell,” his head cocked, his eyes roaming over Isa’s sweet face as she sucked at her bottle, “is also a form of protection.” His thumb lightly ran over Isa’s cheek, soothing her in repetitive motions. “Not just for us, but for our daughter.” His jaw worked back and forth, and I knew what he was thinking.
I shook my head. “There may be a way to break it without breaking their silence.”