Part 19 (2/2)
She slid around the counter and climbed onto his lap. Spreading her palms across his chest, she nipped his lower lip. ”It's the same guy. One's a lot more intense than the other, and not as handsome.”
”You think the werewolf's hideous, don't you?”
”Not at all. Just not as cute as you. There's no compet.i.tion over whom I'd pick from looks alone. Besides, the werewolf has back hair.”
”You make light of everything.” ”Severo, it's fine. The werewolf and I got along, and we had s.e.x like bunnies.”
”Like bunnies? I don't want to know. Yes, I do. Did you...enjoy it?”
She nodded. ”Might be achy today, but that's nothing given all the o.r.g.a.s.ms.”
”Christ, how many?”
”Maybe you're better off not knowing some things.”
”Tell me, Bella.”
”I stopped counting after six.”
He huffed out a breath. Then he laughed and kissed her. ”You're cool with it, really?”
”I think you've got yourself a mate, lover.”
Chapter 15.
S he did need a rest from s.e.x after three days and nights of endless pa.s.sion.
Heck, a girl could only take so much pleasure. Seriously. So tonight Severo ran Bella a hot bath and sprinkled rose petals from the hedges out back in the water. He lit candles and left her to soak.
He spoiled her. Was it guilt at subjecting her to the werewolf's overwhelming s.e.xual needs? Bella hoped he'd get over that. She could handle it. On the other hand, being spoiled was nothing to complain about.
Blowing a handful of bubbles through the air, she settled into the water and closed her eyes.
Life had a way of tossing you the good stuff, then pulling the rug out from under your feet when you least expected.
It was after Severo overheard Bella talking to Seth that he fisted his hand and put it right through the Sheetrock.
Bella hurried out from the bedroom, eyed the hole and his fist. ”I know he's up to something this time. I'm not stupid. He wants me to come to a party.”
”Elvira will be there, as well as other vampires.”
”I know. I told him I couldn't come.” Her cell phone rang again, and Bella stared at the screen. ”Seth's number. I thought I'd made myself clear.”
”Let me talk to him.”
”No.” She hit the answer b.u.t.ton. ”Seth, I said I didn't want to come.”
Severo heard the female voice over the phone and tore it from Bella's grip. ”Elvira, what the h.e.l.l are you up to?”
The vampiress laughed.
”I warned you about starting this with me,” he said. ”If you want a war, you got it.”
”Then let the games begin,” she snarled. ”You can start by retrieving the head of your b.i.t.c.h's dead friend. I've already put the body out in the sun, but you know the new ones take so long to ash.”
Severo sucked in a breath. Bella stood beside him, intently watching his face.
”It's not about them anymore, is it?”
”It never was,” the vampiress said. ”It's been so long since we've dallied, Severo. I look forward to the match this time. Oh, I've such plans!”
The phone clicked off and Bella took it from him. Severo swung around and punched the wall again. And again.
”What did she say? Would you stop tearing the house apart? Is Seth okay? What's going on?”
”Stay back, sweet.” He rubbed his knuckles. ”This isn't the time.”
”It is if it's about my friend. Where is he?”
”It's between me and Elvira now.”
”What does that mean?”
”He's dead,” he snapped. He should not be so cruel, but he had never been one to couch the truth in euphemisms. ”She killed him out of spite. It's me she's been after this whole time. She wants to twist the knife as deeply as it will go.”
”Seth is dead? B-but I just talked to him.”
Bella's body wavered. Severo caught her as she collapsed against his chest.
”Bella, I'm sorry.” His world had finally caught up to hers. It wasn't fair.
”Why is it you?” she asked. Her wide green eyes sought the truth from his. ”What did you do to her?”
She deserved the truth, and she'd get it.
”Seventy years ago, I killed her family. She owes me this.”
”You've killed? You said you'd never...”
Yes, he'd told her he'd not harmed humans. Unless it was necessary. And those deaths had been necessary. It had been too long since he'd thought of that time in his life. The memory filled his nose with an acrid odor.
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