Chapter Seven

Flick sat huddled in the over-sized rocking chair on the back porch, a mug of lukewarm coffee nestled in the palm of her hands. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, her body aching in response to barely a few hours of sleep. Every time she'd close her eyes, her mind would be pummelled with Paul's face, those eerie glowing eyes the colour of burning embers and the words 'I'm immortal' replaying like a broken record over and over. Then, the image would change and he'd be on top of her, his hands caressing her flushed skin as his tongue set her skin on fire. She was left in limbo between two extremes, inherent fear and core trembling desire.

Her talk with Dwayne last night had helped a little and she fully believed that Paul had wanted to tell her the truth but had been too scared of her reaction to go through with it. However, ultimately her mind still felt muddled. The only thing she wasn't confused about was the fact that she was hopelessly in love with him and she needed him like she needed air to breathe. Time seemed to pass so slowly without him and the gnawing pain she felt in his absence was almost suffocating.

"You planning to spend your first night of parental free freedom sat on the back porch staring into space?" Sam's voice startled her out of her internal reverie.

Flick glanced over her shoulder, hoping that her distress wasn't obvious, the last thing she needed was Sam's hackles rising and him and his two dorky friends running around town playing toy soldiers. "I'm heading out later," she shrugged. "What about you? Got any plans?"

"I'm staying over at Edgar and Alan's, they've got some new video games we're gonna try out."

"Sounds like nerd heaven," she teased, hauling herself up onto her feet, making her way into the kitchen.

"You can't shame me," Sam shrugged with a boyish grin.

"I'm gonna head out soon, wanna walk to the boardwalk together?" he offered.

"Sure, let me just get changed, I'll be down in a minute."

~/~

After a long day of insufferable heartache and confusion, it was actually nice to be out in the fresh air, she felt like she could breathe again. After dropping Sam at the comic store, she'd found herself aimlessly wandering the boardwalk, picking at a bag of cotton candy as her mind drifted. Unwittingly, she found herself immersed in a bustling crowd in the pit surrounding the open-air stage, fighting off memories of the last time she was here, on account that the recollection of Paul and his roguish smile made her heart ache and she didn't want to be known as the girl who stood in a corner and cried surrounded by a crowd of metal-heads and nose-ringed rockers.

After a while, Flick found herself starting to relax, immersing herself in the music when out of nowhere, everything changed and the atmosphere that had only minutes ago felt tangible, electric and wild, suddenly felt heavy and oppressive, like there was an impending threat lingering on the outskirts, just out of sight. Following the unsettling shift in the atmosphere, Flick's mind begun to feel like it was filled with cotton wool, her thoughts becoming hazy and chaotic whilst an unsettling sensation of eyes on her made her skin prickle, sending creeping tingles down the length of her spine.

She scoured the crowds looking for anything that was amiss, searching for the cause of her adverse reaction and that was when she saw them. The four of them, standing a little further up from where she stood, all four sets of eyes on her, their hunters eyes glittering in the dim light, prompting her of the danger that lurked below the surface of their handsome exteriors. Flick's heart pounded, the sound of her blood rushing through her veins deafening in her ears when the strobe lights flashed, bathing the four immortals in ghostly blue light, giving their pale complexions an eerie silvery glow.

Drums pounded, guitars screeched and her body vibrated. Another flash of light and her eyes widened in fear for each of the boys faces were now covered in blood with razor sharp, crimson-stained fangs protruding from their lips, their predatory eyes glowing. Flick's breath hitched. Another flash of light and their faces were back to normal; she shook her head incredulously as she begun to feel tears stinging her eyes. She was losing her mind. Her eyes met pale blue and her chest grew taut. She could run to him, she could run into his arms and relish in the comfort and warmth she found with him. She could beg for him to ease the yearning she felt inside her, but her legs remained frozen in fear, her feet heavier than lead.

Paul's face was pale and dark bruises circled his eyes, he looked like he hadn't slept in days and it had only been one night. It would seem it wasn't only her left tossing and turning in the wake of last night's revelations. His usual charming smile had been replaced by a sorrowful frown and her core ached seeing how much he was suffering. He broke away from the boys and jogged over to where she stood. "Babe, can we talk?"

"I-" she wanted to talk to him, she wanted to talk so badly but she just couldn't, "-I need to go…" she flustered, sprinting away from the Paul and the hurt expression on his face.

~/~

Flick tiredly ambled up the winding dirt road leading from the town centre towards the house, the journey feeling tedious and she had half a mind to just stop and sit at the side of the road amongst the scattered rocks and cry. However, she forced her legs to keep moving, propelled by the thought of changing into a baggy t-shirt and slobbing out. The weather throughout the day had been stifling and so far, the night wasn't much cooler, being constricted in a pair of tight jeans wasn't the greatest for optimum comfort.

She'd almost reached the end of the drive when she had the overwhelming feeling that she was being watched. Flick paused and glanced over at the forest, peering into the dark tree-line but she couldn't see anything of significance. She glanced over at the cornfield on the opposite side and again, she found nothing that would cause such a strange sensation. She shrugged, too mentally drained to give it much more thought and continued up the drive.

She'd just stepped through the garden gate when the sensation she'd felt a few moments ago heightened once again and she turned to face the road, finding it devoid of life yet the sensation grew so strong that she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Her head snapped up and she swore she saw a flash of movement amongst the trees of the forest and for a fleeting second, she had the stupid idea that it was Paul when it was most likely a deer.

Flick sighed, wringing her hands as she stared out at the inky, star-studded horizon, wishing more than ever that she'd stayed and talked to Paul, she didn't think she could bare another night alone, tossing and turning, yearning for the comfort of his arms, for the knee-weakening weight of his mouth on hers. Her eyes once again drifted to the forest and she found herself speaking before her brain had a chance to catch up. "Paul, is that you?" she spoke into the ether, feeling more than a little stupid, that was until a familiar figure stepped out of the tree-line, a sheepish expression on his face.

"I just wanted to make sure you got home safe…" he explained, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

A tidal wave of emotion washed over her, threatening to bring her to her knees and unable to ignore the magnetic pull she felt tugging at her core, she sprinted down the drive and leapt into Paul's arms, clinging to him desperately. "I'm sorry…" she whispered, her voice breaking as a lump formed in her throat.

"Ssshh, it's OK babe, you have nothing to be sorry for," he soothed, holding her tightly in his arms. "I need you Flick, I don't wanna lose you…"

"I don't wanna lose you either, I'm yours Paul, I swear I'm yours," she uttered against his neck and she felt his shoulders sag with relief. He pulled back, gently hooking his finger beneath her chin and raised her head, kissing away her stray tears. He ghosted soft kisses down her cheek until he found her lips and he kissed her with a need that took her breath away.

"I love you Flick," he mumbled between tender kisses.

"I love you too," Flick sighed with a smile, resting her forehead against his, cupping his jaw in the palm of her soft, warm hands.

"Does that mean you accept what I am?" Paul brought her hands to his lips and kissed her fingers.

"Yeah… I wanted to tell you last night but I was scared…"

"Scared of what?"

"Everything," she admitted.

"You don't need to be scared babe, I'll never hurt you, I swear," he urged, kissing her hard on the mouth.

"I trust you," she smiled softly, giggling when his grip on her tightened as he showered her face with kisses, nuzzling her neck.

Perhaps she really had lost her mind… or perhaps Dwayne was right, she was meant for him, fated, destined…

Irrevocably…

~/~

Flick stared across the room at the fluttering drapes, her bedroom lit with the soft, silver light of the moon and the dim, yellow glow of the blinking streetlights. She sighed contently as she lay with her cheek resting on Paul's chest, not at all phased by the lack of a rhythmic rise and fall as his lungs expanded, nor was she phased by the silent void where his heartbeat should reassuringly thud. The heat of his skin and the feel of his body beneath her was all the validation she needed to know that he was real, that what they had was real.

Flick smiled when she felt Paul's fingers comb through her thick, chocolate curls, his touch tender and sweet -a complete paradox to what you'd expect from an immortal killer- lulling her into a state of zen. She rolled onto her side, propping herself up on her elbow, her cheek resting in the palm of her hand as she gazed into his eyes. "I talked to Dwayne last night when he brought me home…"

"Yeah? What did you guys talk about?" he arched his brow, his thumb drawing circles on her hip over the thin material of her t-shirt. She'd shuck off her jeans, feeling far too restricted in the stifling, clingy material.

"He explained about the whole soulmate thing… and he told me a bit about the abilities you guys have… I can't believe you guys can fly, you don't turn into bats do you?" she eyed him sceptically.

Paul snorted a laugh, his shoulders shaking as he palmed his forehead. "Babe," he chuckled, covering his face with his hands.

Flick giggled, burying her face in the pillow. "I'll take that as a no then…" she laughed, her voice muffled.

"We don't turn into bats-" he clarified, his laughter fading, "-it's just something we can do, I don't even know how to explain it…" he shrugged.

"I asked him if you guys enjoyed killing and he told me that human blood is like the most powerful drug to you guys, is that true?"

"Yeah," Paul nodded. "You feel invincible, like nothing and no one can touch you. On a few occasions I've blacked out 'cause the feeling was just that euphoric."

"Wow - sounds intense…" Flick commented.

"It is," he agreed. "What else did you talk about?"

"Like I said he just gave me some insight into what you guys are – Oh he told me that I smell like blue raspberry jolly ranchers," Flick smirked.

"You taste like them too, why do you think I can't wait to get my mouth on you," Paul grinned and she yelped in surprise when he grabbed her by the waist, effortlessly lifting her body to straddle his hips.

"How the hell are you so strong?" she flustered, staring at his hands. She still couldn't fathom it, he wasn't outwardly intimidating like Dwayne, his power was well and truly hidden.

"I dunno babe, why are you so weak?" Paul countered with a smirk.

"Hey, I'm not weak, I'll fight you right now," Flick sat upright, planting her hands on her hips and Paul barked a laugh.

"OK – fight me," he grinned up at her, his grey eyes dancing with mirth.

Flick chewed her bottom lip, her eyes once again drifting to the hands that she now knew wholehearted were capable of crushing her bones. "Maybe later…" she smirked and Paul chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

"I wouldn't waste your energy, you wouldn't win," Paul drawled, his hands disappearing beneath the hem of her t-shirt.

Flick bit her lip as the skin beneath his fingers tingled, a path of heat burning in their wake. "Hey, we were having a conversation, you can't just distract me," she pouted, batting at his wandering hands.

Paul sighed in mock frustration. "Babe you talk too much."

"Yeah well you're gonna have to deal with it, aren't you, your immortal majesty?" she beamed, leaning over his body to drop a playful kiss to his lips.

"I dunno, I have ways of keeping you quiet," he winked and Flick giggled, kissing his jaw. With his hands planted firmly on her hips, Flick sat back and lightly tugged at the hem of his shirt whilst Paul stared up at her with his eyebrow arched in question. "I thought we were having a conversation?" he smirked, his eyes tracking her hands as she guided the thin cotton material up his body and over his head.

"This particular conversation happens to involve you being shirtless, is that a problem?" she echoed his smirk, gesturing for him to sit up as she tentatively pushed his shirt over his shoulders, leaving it to fall away from his arms.

"Do I have a choice?" he countered, cocking his head to the side.

"No," Flick beamed, yelping when Paul dug his fingers into the soft flesh of her hips in retaliation. She sat back on her heels, her rear resting on Paul's solid thighs as her eyes roamed the firm contours of his pale, bare chest.

The past twenty-four hours had been a rollercoaster ride of emotions, hurt, fear, immense pleasure, uncertainty, confusion but the main overriding emotions during it all had been the gnawing ache of affection she felt in her core and the warmth that furled around her heart, the warmth she knew was the insatiable love she felt for the immortal. Paul wasn't a monster, he wasn't beastly, perhaps a little psychotic but he was nothing but sweet and protective with her.

Sure, she now knew that she'd been right in her initial judgement that danger lurked beneath the surface of his handsome exterior -that he had a darkness within him- but Flick knew that wasn't all that he was, he'd proved that in the way he was with her. Flick met Paul's eyes and her lips curved up in a soft smile, her chest flooding with warmth and she swallowed around the lump of emotion lodged in her throat.

"I asked Dwayne if he'd ever kill me…" she murmured, observing Paul's eyes widen in shock.

"What did he say?" Paul replied darkly, his eyes flashing with anger.

"He said that he wouldn't, that I'm part of the pack, I'm your soul-mate, that puts me off limits…"

"Damn fucking right it does," Paul scowled.

"So I asked him if I wasn't your mate, would he kill me then?"

"Flick-" Paul started but she cut him off, gently pressing her finger against his lips.

"-He said he couldn't answer… he didn't know and you know what? I respect his honesty, he didn't tell me what he thought I'd want to hear, he was honest and sincere and that meant more to me than sparing my feelings."

"You need to stop thinking about the boys hurting you, or even me, it's not gonna happen, do you understand? I'd kill for you Flick, you need to believe that," Paul assured her, gently guiding her head forward, his lips ghosting her forehead.

"You'd really kill for me?" she whispered.

Paul nodded. "If anyone tried to hurt you, they wouldn't live long enough to see the results."

"You're sweet, you know?" she smiled and Paul chuckled.

"I'm sweet even though I've just told you I'd kill for you? I think you're a little warped babe," he teased.

"Yeah but you're not really evil like people think vampires are."

Paul scoffed. "You really are fucking adorable," he chuckled. "Don't make excuses for what I am babe, I'm evil, I'm a killer, there's nothing good about me."

"I can see the good in you," she whispered.

"That's 'cause you're naïve," he countered bluntly and Flick tried to ignore the sting of his words. "Despite you considering yourself a bit of a rebel, you're innocent Flick, you're pure, you're good – I know in time I'll only taint you with what I am but I don't wanna let you go."

"I'm not asking you to change who you are. I'm not asking you to stop killing, I accept the darkness inside you but at least don't doubt that there's something other than evil inside you. I might be naïve, and compared to you I'm innocent but regardless, we're in this together right? And if I choose to see the good in you, then that's my choice," Flick stated.

"I'm yours Paul, are you mine?" she sucked his bottom lip between her teeth as she grazed her palm over his crotch.

Paul exhaled sharply, his fingers inching beneath her t-shirt, working their way up towards her aching, wet heat. "I belong to you babe," he drawled, biting her earlobe whilst his fingers teased the damp crotch of her knickers.

He had the most startling effect on her, he'd barely touched her and she was already so damn wet…

Flick's breath hitched when Paul ripped off her underwear with a rumbling growl. "Hey, I'm on a limited supply of those," she pouted, eyeing the puddle of black lace on the floor.

"I don't know why you bother babe, they just get in my way," he smirked, his fingers digging into the flesh of her ass, causing her apex to throb in response. "Take off your shirt," he ordered, his tone low and husky as he sucked her throat.

Flick moaned, feeling her self-control fading fast, it always ended the same way, with her completely at his mercy. He dominated her body, her mind, and her heart, despite how hard she'd initially tried to fight it due to fears of getting hurt. Paul propped himself back on his hands, watching her hungrily as she worked the t-shirt over her hips, bunching the cotton fabric over her waist before working it up over her head, leaving herself completely exposed.

She straddled his thighs, peering up into his captivating pale grey orbs from beneath her lashes earning a throaty groan. Paul cupped her face in his hands, taking her breath away with a gloriously wet, salacious kiss. His tongue slipped between her parted lips whilst his deft fingers tangled in her hair, his nails grazing her scalp. Flick moaned, savouring the taste of him as she reached out to run her hand through his tousled dirty blonde hair. Paul dropped his head towards her chest, his mouth covering her breast, her sensitive bud stiffening with every caress of his hot tongue before repeating the action with the opposite breast, each teasing caress of his tongue stoking the desire burning her from the inside out.

He slid his hand between her thighs, penetrating her with two fingers and Flick whimpered, her hips involuntarily bucking against his hand as her apex throbbed with yearning. "You're so fucking wet," Paul groaned, his fingers lazily grazing her inner walls in a come hither motion, barely brushing her g-spot before she was once against left empty. She exhaled sharply with a mixture of frustration and lust eliciting an amused chuckle from Paul.

Before she could call him out for being a sadistic jerk, he gently lifted her by the hips, setting her on the bed beside him whilst he kicked off his jeans, beckoning her back onto his lap with an enticing curl of his finger. She straddled his hips, whimpering as beads of pleasure burst low in her stomach when her apex grazed his stiff cock, the pressure against her bundle of nerves delicious. Her low whimpers turned into breathless moans when his thumb nudged between her folds, finding her engorged nub whilst his fingers slid back into her warm, wet heat.

Flick bit her lip hard enough to draw blood as she bucked against his fingers, the pressure of his thumb on her clit and his fingers filling her was almost too much to bare – she needed more. He sucked her breast, his thumb brushing her clit whilst his fingers thrust deeper, the ripple of pleasure so great that a strangled cry escaped her, mingling with her panting breaths.

"I need you inside me," she whimpered, meeting his hooded gaze before her eyes drifted to his pulsing cock, feeling her apex ache with the yearning to be filled.

"What're you waiting for?" he smirked, raising the fingers sticky with the remnants of her desire to his lips, slipping them into his mouth with a low groan.

Ugh… sexy bastard…

Flick licked her lips, positioning him at her ready entrance, the two of them moaning in unison as she lowered herself onto him, shuddering as the feel of his thick, delicious hardness consumed her; he was buried so deep, leaving her fit to burst. Flick's inner walls reflexively squeezed him as her apex pulsed with need and Paul's groans soon joined her whimpers. She managed three glorious rolls of her hips, each movement sparking pleasure low in her stomach before the sensation became too much and she had to pause to catch her breath. She braced her hands on his shoulders, fearing that if she didn't use him as an anchor, she'd drown in her own desire. She could feel her juices trickling down the length of him, leaving both their thighs sticky and wet.

Flick experimentally raised herself up until she reached his tip and lowered herself back down onto him, eliciting a husky moan. She rolled her hips, tangling her fingers in his tousled hair as she kissed him fiercely, moaning into his mouth with each deliberate roll of her hips. Paul cupped her breasts in his hands, rolling her peaked buds between his fingers and Flick felt a familiar pressure building at speed. Her whole body tingled and her skin felt flushed with heat, between her legs was throbbing, her heart racing. She whimpered, every nerve in her body was on fire as she slowly rolled her hips, finding her rhythm. Paul groaned as he fell back against the pillows, his hands reaching out to rest on her hips. Flick continued her torturously slow pace, enjoying every graze of her g-spot and every nudge against her bundle of nerves. She braced her hands on his chest, feeling herself climbing ever closer to the summit of her pleasure, her breathless pants punctuated with low moans.

Paul's moans spurred her on, stoking the flames of her desire; the sight of his hooded eyes, his bottom lip caught between his teeth, the sound of his sensual moans and the sensation of him buried deep inside her pushed her over the edge and she experienced one of the most intense orgasms of her life. Her head dropped towards her chest, her teeth biting down against her lip as she whimpered and shook, her hips still rolling forwards, coaxing Paul to fall with her. Her walls squeezed around him and he reached his peak, his fingers digging into the soft flesh of her hips as he groaned, his hips arching to meet her, burying himself deeper as he spilt his seed.

Flick collapsed against his chest, trying to catch her breath as Paul tenderly stroked her hair, the aftershocks of his orgasm leaving his muscles quivering. She softly kissed his chest, feeling a flood of affection for the immortal warm her from head to toe. "I love you," she murmured, smiling against his chest.

"I love you too babe," he replied, kissing her crown softly.

~/~

Paul glanced over his shoulder, drawing the tab of his joint to his lips as he inhaled a lungful of pungent smoke, his eyes appraising Flick as she stood leaning against the kitchen counter sipping from a bottle of water. His eyes fell from her flushed face to her deliciously thick, bare thighs and he bit his lip hungrily, his appetite for her still not sated. He could go all night, being immortal came with the benefit of having no refractory period but he was conscious that Flick was human and expecting her to succumb to his needs was a little selfish. He didn't want to physically hurt her.

He flicked the tab of his burnt out joint into the corn field opposite and strolled back into the kitchen, scenting the sweet, musky scent of his mates desire as her eyes tracked his every movement. She had such an overwhelming effect on him, his need for her was insatiable. Paul knew no matter how many times he filled that aching emptiness within her, it just wouldn't be enough. They were connected, one soul inhabiting two separate bodies, he knew she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. Flick smiled over at him, feeling adoration flood his body with growing familiarity. "How're the legs?" he smirked, referring to her earlier stumble across the bedroom.

"I think I can walk without fear of collapsing, so I'd say better," she grinned.

"Hmmm… good – for a second there I didn't know whether to be smug or concerned," he smirked, grazing his teeth over her bottom lip in a way that he knew made her centre pulse.

"Smug, definitely smug," she giggled. "I need something sweet," she declared, turning her back to rummage in the snack cupboard. Flick reached for a bag of marshmallows and Paul wrapped his hands around her hips, his stiff cock pressing against her bare ass and a jolt of excitement hit him low in his stomach when she teasingly ground her ass against his bulge as he sensed her desire peak.

"I wanna bend you over, bury myself deep inside you and listen to you moan…" Paul whispered in her ear, his tongue teasing the outer shell and he felt her shudder.

"I'm yours," she replied, breathless with anticipation. The sound of metal scraping against metal mingled with the sound of her laboured breathing as he tugged down his zipper. Flick braced her hands on the kitchen counter whilst Paul nudged her feet apart, effectively spreading her legs. He placed his hand on her lower back, pressing lightly and her body responded to his command, her back arching sexily as she eagerly pressed against him.

He slid inside her hot, wet heat and she moaned with pleasure, he was hitting her from a whole new angle and judging by her low whimpers and breathless moans it felt good. Paul's fingers dug into her hip as he thrust himself hard and deep, every graze of her g-spot spurring her sensual vocalisations. His strokes became faster and her legs started to shake, her breath descending into short, shallow pants – she was close. Paul slapped her ass, his fingers squeezing her flesh between his fingers and that was all it took to send her over the edge. Flick cried out, her body trembling with another powerful orgasm.

"Fuck, I belong inside you baby…" Paul groaned. His hand struck her ass once again and she hummed with pleasure whilst Paul growled, his hot, sticky seed trickling down her thighs as he filled her to the brim.

He reluctantly pulled out and Flick twisted her body, sandwiching herself between him and the counter. Flick sighed with contentment, grazing her hands over his torso, clearly enjoying the way he shivered beneath her touch. Paul tenderly kissed her forehead and reached up behind her, presenting her with a marshmallow. She smiled gratefully, biting into the sweet, gooey treat enthusiastically whilst Paul did the same. Flick finished her third marshmallow and hummed when Paul gently sucked her bottom lip, his tongue searching for any remnants of the sweet treat that had stuck to her lips.

The sound of an approaching motorbike caught Paul's attention and he drew back, listening to the distant rumbling engine growing closer to the house. "Babe, I think you should go put on some pants," he murmured, trying not to let his irritation to the intrusion show.

"Why? I thought you said they just get in your way," she smirked, toying with the belt-loop on his jeans.

"Mmm baby they do-" he drawled, kissing the underside of her jaw, "-but your brother is gonna walk in any minute."

"What? How do you know?" Flick's eyes widened.

"Perks of immortality, now go," he growled, slapping her ass eliciting a giggle as she skittered out of the kitchen and up the stairs just as the lock on the front door turned with a heavy thunk.

Paul tossed the bag of marshmallows onto the table and slumped into one of the chairs, his body growing rigid when a familiar scent became intertwined with the scent of Flick's brother. He kept his expression neutral as Michael and an unfortunately all-too familiar brunette wandered into the kitchen hand in hand. The girls eyes grew wide when she spotted him sat at the table, his head cocked curiously. "Who the hell are you?" Flick's brother stated, his body language turning defensive.

Paul heard Flick's footsteps on the stairs and smiled as she skipped into the room, collapsing straight into his lap with a giggle. "Hey big brother, what'cha doing back so soon? Shit date?" she smirked and Paul instantly picked up on the slight tension between his mate and her brother's date.

"Screw off Flick – who's this guy? Your latest dealer?" Michael sniped and Paul's hackles rose, what the fuck was the son of a bitch implying about his mate?

"-Paul," Michael's date scowled, her arms folding over her chest with hostility.

"You know this guy?" Michael frowned whilst Flick glanced at him with curiosity.

"Unfortunately," she muttered and Paul scoffed.

"Knowing you wasn't such a pleasure either Star," he countered, resting his chin on Flick's shoulder.

"Star?" Michael held out his arms waiting for an explanation that Paul knew she didn't want to give.

"She's my friends ex-" Paul interjected, not giving Star a chance to sugar-coat how shitty she was to David, "-pretty much used the poor bastard for money and a fuck, then when some other dude came along with a fat wallet and a hard dick, she scampered off, poisoning the next poor bastard who fell for her doe-eyed innocent act."

Star's scowled deepened and Paul's smirk grew wider. "Fact is man, she's a stone-cold bitch with a heart to match," he declared, his skin tingling when Flick leant against his chest, toying with the rings on his fingers as she observed her brother's expression falter.

"He's lying Michael, his friend was an abusive asshole – I was scared for my life," she practically whimpered, clinging to Michael's arm, tugging at the poor saps heart-strings. She turned her attention to Flick, her eyes flashing with jealous irritation, "you should watch your back, he'll just use you until you have nothing left – unless you're into that kind of thing," she stated coldly and Paul felt instinctual rage bubble inside him and shot to his feet, steadying Flick before rounding on Star.

"Listen you stuck-up bitch, you might be able manipulate him-" he pointed in Michael's direction, "-but you don't fool me. I know who you are and what you're capable of which brings me to my next point, if you so much as look at her-" he gestured to Flick, "-I'll make you wish you never fucking met me."

"You can't speak to her like that," Michael started peacocking, puffing out his chest in mock bravado.

"Yeah? I think you'll find I just fucking did and there's fuck all you can do about it," Paul snarled.

Michael's eyes flashed with indignant anger, clearly not used to being put in his place, arrogant bastard. "You know what? Fuck you and fuck whatever your problem is," Michael argued.

"And you-" he turned to his sister, "-I hope this asshole treats you like his friend treated Star, then maybe you'll have some more fucking compassion rather than sticking your nose up at someone who's obviously been through hell!"

Paul growled, his innate protective instincts for his mate overtaking his brain and he found himself lunging in Michael's direction. He felt a pair of delicate hands on his chest, the scent of blue raspberry snapping him out of his red misted rage. "It's OK Paul, just leave it, he's not worth it," Flick murmured, peering up at him, her sea-green eyes pleading.

Michael scoffed. "Whatever," he huffed. "C'mon Star, let's go," he ordered, leading Star out of the kitchen, the front door slamming shut moments later.

"Your brother's a fucking wanker," Paul glowered in irritation.

"I know, but apparently the sun shines out of his ass," Flick shrugged.

"Why do you let him speak to you like that?" Paul frowned, drawing her into his arms.

"Mike's inherited my dad's personality along with his temperament, it's easier to ignore it than it is to get in a slanging match with someone who'll never admit they're wrong. His arrogance and self-righteous attitude is off the charts."

"What about your younger brother? Is he the same?"

"No-" Flick smiled, "-I mean he can sometimes be a bit self-centred and bratty, but can't we all? He's generally sweet if not a little annoying but he's nothing like Michael. Michael's the same with him too when our mom isn't around but when mom's around, he's acting the angel-child she thinks he is."

"Like I said – wanker," Paul scoffed in disgust and Flick giggled.

"Quit pouting," Flick rolled her eyes with a smirk, beckoning him into a playful kiss, his irritation melting only to be replaced with desire.

~/~

Paul heard a car pulling into the drive, "order's up babe," he smiled, kissing her crown as he breezed down the hall.

Flick padded into the lounge just as he was passing through to the kitchen with their pizza. "Shall we eat in here? I think I'll be more comfortable," she exclaimed, gesturing to the couch.

Paul doubled back, setting the grease-stained pizza boxes on the coffee table. "What's wrong?" he frowned, stroking his hands down her shoulders.

"Nothing's wrong-" she smiled, "-I'm just a little sore…"

"Shit sorry babe, was I too rough or something?" he sighed guiltily, stroking his thumb over her jaw.

"Nah, you weren't, you don't need to be sorry, it's totally worth it," Flick smirked and he chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

"Sit your sexy ass down," he grinned, playfully swatting her ass.

~/~

With their appetites sated, they ended up cuddling on the couch, the TV playing quietly in the background. Paul lazily shovelled a handful of peanut M&M's into his mouth whilst Flick worked her way through a bag of sour patch kids. "Paul?"

"Hmmm?"

"Which friend were you talking about, who dated Star?" she asked curiously.

"David," he sighed and Flick sat bolt upright, her brow arched in surprised.

"David as in the ice-man David?"

Paul chuckled pulling her back down into his arms. "The one and only."

"Did she really hurt him?"

"He'll never admit it, but she definitely got to him in some way. He didn't speak to anyone for like a whole week after he found her fucking some other guy in the very bed she'd fucked him only the night before."

"What a bitch," Flick shook her head in disbelief. "She doesn't know what you guys are, does she?" she inquired, concerned she might seek some kind of twisted revenge on Paul for outing her as a cold-hearted bitch.

"No, but David came close to telling her, he was gonna ask her to officially join us , that's how fucking serious he was about her," Paul exhaled. "Good job he didn't huh? I'm honestly surprised he didn't kill her."

"So am I," Flick mused, shuddering at the thought of incurring David's wrath. Though Dwayne was the most physically intimidating of the boys, David was definitely the one she feared the most, those piercing blue eyes devoid of all emotion beside silent contempt with the occasional flicker of amusement.

A comfortable quiet fell over the two of them and Flick begun to ruminate on Paul's answer 'he was gonna ask her to join us officially.' What did that mean exactly? How was that possible? Is that what Paul wanted from her too?

"Hey Paul?"

"Yeah babe?"

"What did you mean by David was gonna ask Star to officially join you guys ?"

"He was gonna ask her to be one of us, to become immortal…"

"How does that even work?"

"There are two ways to do it-" he started, turning onto his side to face her, "-the first way is by drinking the blood of an immortal and the second is for an immortal to bite you."

"And that's it, you're a vampire? Like… living dead?"

"No," Paul chuckled. "Those things only make you like a hybrid, so like you're still human but have the traits of a vampire. You don't become fully immortal until you drink human blood."

"Well shit…" she exhaled slowly, hooking her leg over Paul's thigh.

"Is that what you want from me? For me to become like you? Immortal?"

Paul sighed, averting his eyes, his throat working as he swallowed. "Flick you're my mate, of course I want you to be like me, how else am I gonna get to keep you? But you gotta understand that I'm not gonna force you into anything, it's your choice…"

"I'm not sure how I feel about it all honestly Paul, I mean… there's so much to think about…" she swallowed, toying with the ends of his hair.

"Don't stress about it babe, there's no rush, I told you, I've got all the time in the world," he smiled, softly nudging her lips.

"Is there any way that like… we can make what we are official without me actually becoming one of you?" she asked curiously, eager to solidify their relationship.

Words and labels just didn't seem enough…

"I could claim you," Paul murmured, his eyes flickering with a mixture of uncertainty and feral hunger.

"How does that work?"

"I bite you."

Flick's eyes widened in surprise. "Bite me as in… with your fangs?"

Paul nodded. "Claiming you is an instinct babe, when we find our mate, our initial need and urge is to claim them as our own, putting our mark on 'em, you know? I wasn't even gonna bring it up, not so soon… but I can't deny that I wanna do it."

"What happens exactly?"

"It bonds us in a way you can't imagine. You think how you feel about me is intense now? Well if I claim you, it's gonna double ten-fold." Flick swallowed, her mouth suddenly feeling much too dry as Paul regarded her intently. "I haven't upset you talking about this shit, have I?"

"No, I asked," she shook her head. "I'm just thinking…" she smiled, squeezing his bicep.

"Alright, well can you think a little closer?" he smirked, holding out his arm and Flick beamed, nuzzling into his chest, snuggling into his side with a content sigh.

~/~

Flick couldn't stop thinking about what Paul had told her he wanted to do. The thought didn't scare her, rather, it intrigued her, and she found herself lost in thought, wondering how it would feel for his razor-sharp fangs to pierce her skin. The more she thought about it, the more the gnawing ache in her core pulsed, his words replaying in her mind – 'it bonds us in a way that you can't imagine.'

Flick wanted Paul in every way. She wanted him as a man, she wanted him as a lover and now, it would seem she wanted the side of him that she'd initially feared. However, if she was going to agree to fulfil his desires, then she would ask him to fulfil hers - she wanted to see him, she wanted to see the side of him that she as a human feared. Flick believed that both actions left the both of them vulnerable in different ways and knew that in return, those actions would help build back trust.

The credits for the movie that had been playing on the cable channel rolled on screen and she stretched her pleasantly aching body with a yawn/ "What time is it?" she mused aloud.

"Around two," Paul replied. "I gotta leave in a few hours."

Her heart sank. "I wish you could stay…"

"I know babe, but you know, you can always stay with me, right? The boys won't mind…"

"I don't wanna cramp your bachelor lifestyle," she teased, and Paul chuckled, kissing the underside of her jaw.

"I want you to stay with me," Paul drawled, his tongue drawing patterns on her neck.

"Mmm'kay," she murmured between a breathless moan.

Flick slipped beneath the cool cotton sheets, propping herself up against the headboard, mentally preparing herself for what she was about to ask and do. She smiled, feeling her heart race when Paul slid into bed beside her and it was then that she knew that she'd made the right decision – she was ready for this, there was no going back, she'd made her choice the moment she decided to run back into his arms.

"Paul, I've been thinking about what you said earlier, about what you wanna do and… I want you to do it…" she exhaled nervously.

Paul pushed himself upright, positioning himself cross-legged beside her. "Babe-" he started to protest, and she gently pressed her finger against his lips with a smile.

"-I know what you're gonna say but I'm sure it's what I want, however, there is something that I want you to do for me first."

"What do you want me to do?" Paul tilted his head curiously.

Flick mimicked his position and sat cross-legged in front of him. "I want to see you."

"I'm right here," Paul frowned.

"No, you dork, I wanna see that side of you."

Paul's eyebrows shot skyward. "I don't think that's such a good idea Flick, I don't wanna scare you."

Flick reached out and caught his hands, stroking her thumb over his palm. "I'm not gonna lie and say that that side of you doesn't scare me, it's only natural to fear something that you don't understand, right? But that doesn't mean that I fear you Paul. I trust that you won't hurt me and that's why I wanna do this. You revealing yourself to me leaves you vulnerable and me allowing you to claim me, leaves me vulnerable and I kinda think that it'll strengthen us and build back our trust in each other."

Paul slowly exhaled with a nod. "Alright, if it's really what you want – I'll do it."

Flick's heart started to race with anxious anticipation when Paul lowered his head -his wild, dirty blonde mane obscuring his handsome face– and she mentally braced herself, knowing that when he raised his head, he'd be the creature she admittedly feared. Once again, her heart accelerated when he slowly began to raise his head, her breath catching in the back of her throat when she came face to face with his immortal form.

She exhaled a shaky breath, unable to take her eyes off his for they were truly striking, glowing like the burning embers in the bed of a blazing fire, his irises glittering with flecks of gold. His lower forehead and brow jutted out slightly, as did his usually chiselled cheekbones. Her eyes drifted from his entrancing eyes down to his lips where she caught sight of the sharp points of his fangs between his slightly parted lips. Flick cautiously reached out and brushed her thumb over his jaw, shivering when he leant into her touch, his lips grazing against her wrist. She stared at him in complete awe, she'd expected to be horrified by the supernatural side of him, but she could still see the man she loved behind the creature he'd morphed into. She could still feel the softness in his gaze, she could still see his handsome features and to her, the dark side of him was still so – "beautiful..." she whispered, and Paul looked at her like she'd lost her damn mind.

She probably had, was there any other explanation for her knelt willingly in front of a being that could tear her apart.

Flick shuffled onto her knees, curving her hands over Paul's shoulders, feeling him stiffen beneath her touch. She hesitantly leant forward, ghosting her lips over his mouth, feeling the hard resistance of his elongated canines. "Flick…" Paul whispered, his arms wrapping around her waist, drawing her against his solid body as he deepened the kiss. She lost herself in the feel of his hands burning against her skin -the heat of his touch seeping through the thin material of her shirt- and the feel of his lips covering her mouth. When Paul pulled back, his eyes were once again the two grey orbs she fell in love with – he was once again the man she was infatuated with.

Flick smiled lovingly at him and he returned her smile, cupping her cheek in the palm of his hand as he gently pushed her back against the pillows. She relished in the feel of him as his weight settled over her. "Are you sure this is what you wanna do babe?" he asked, his forehead resting against her own whilst his warm breath caressed her lips.

"More than anything," she replied, nudging his mouth.

"Babe, you know I'd never hurt you but please try and keep still, yeah?"

"I understand," she smiled reassuringly, knowing that if she struggled, it could trigger his predatory instincts.

Paul drew her into a slow, soft, kiss and she automatically melted, sinking into the warmth of him, finding herself less anxious about the pain that she knew was coming. He trailed soft, lingering kisses across her jaw and down the length of her neck, his lips pressing maddeningly lightly over the spot where her pulse fluttered with nervous anticipation. Flick closed her eyes and curled the cool sheets between her fingers, trying to focus on anything but what was about to happen.

Seconds later and the most intense flare of white, hot pain she'd ever experienced in her life hit her full force and despite her best efforts, she cried out in pain whilst warm, wet tears trickled from the corner of her eyes. The pain subsided slightly when she felt Paul gently sucking and kissing her neck whilst his fangs remained embedded in her sensitive skin. She felt slightly light-headed and tried to stop herself from flinching when the white-hot pain hit her once again before it morphed into a dizzying euphoria.

Flick felt a release of pressure before she was comforted by the ghost of Paul's lips on her hot cheeks as he kissed away her tears. She opened her eyes to find him gazing down at her with warmth in his eyes and concern in his expression. She could feel that he was about to apologise and ask if she was OK but truthfully, all she could feel in that moment was an intense love for him and a burning need for him to sate the desire that left between her legs aching. She could feel something between them had changed and intensified and she needed to seal whatever it was that had altered. "I want you..." she whispered, stroking her thumb over his stubbled jaw.

Wordlessly, Paul slid off her shorts and shuck off his jeans before positioning himself between her thighs. She hummed against his lips when he captured her in a deliciously sensual kiss whilst he gently cradled the back of her head in his hands. She hooked her ankles over his muscular calves and a breathless moan escaped from between her parted lips when he entered her, filling her completely. His lips never left her own as he slowly worked himself inside her, grazing her apex at the perfect angle. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down against her, his lips automatically seeking the bruised, tender flesh of her neck. Flick's back arched, her body trembling when an intense heat rocketed through her as she reached her peak, moaning and writhing beneath him.

Paul gave a few deep, hard thrusts and groaned into the crook of her neck as she felt him pulse and throb inside her, filling her with his hot, sticky seed. "I love you Flick," Paul mumbled against her chest.

"I love you too," she replied with a soft smile, combing her fingers through his hair.

He really wasn't the monster her mind had made him out to be. He was Paul. He was sweet, dorky, funny and a total rogue. He'd quickly become her everything, the force of the connection she felt with him metaphorically knocking her off her feet. She didn't know what was going to happen now that she knew, now that he'd claimed her and they'd sealed their fated bound.

All she did know was that she was irrevocably in love with the immortal in her arms, death wish be damned.

~/~

Paul sat perched on the rail of the boardwalk, drawing the smouldering cigarette hooked between his fingers to his lips as he stared out at the dark horizon. "Planning on getting your ass fried?" a familiar voice quipped from behind him and Paul's lip quirked up in a smirk.

"I'm working on my tan," Paul retorted earning a snort of amusement.

"Man, you stink-" Marko sniffed the air, wrinkling his nose, "-I take it you managed to work your charm on Flick, huh?"

Paul swung his legs over the metal rail, turning to face his best friend with a smug grin. "On multiple occasions," he winked, and Marko chuckled, shaking his head with glee.

"She walking like John Wayne?" Marko grinned impishly. "You got friction burn on your dick?"

Paul laughed, shoving the cherub faced blonde's shoulder, offering him the last few drags of his cigarette. "Nah, but my dicks stuck to my jeans," he grimaced, palming his crotch.

Marko chuckled, resting his hip against the rail. "I'm happy for you man, it's weird as fuck seeing you all starry-eyed over some chick but she seems good for you…"

"Honestly… she's-" Paul sighed dreamily, "-I can't even fucking describe it man…"

"Sappy bastard," Marko scoffed teasingly. "So, she's cool with what we are, yeah? It was a one-off freak-out?"

"Yeah – we made it official…" Paul arched his brow, biting his lip.

Marko's eyes widened. "You claimed her? Holy shit, you know what that means, right?"

Paul nodded. "She'll be one of us one day man, I can feel it."

"Freakin' A," Marko shook his head in disbelief.

"It isn't all rainbows and roses though dude, I've got some intel that's gonna put a certain someone's nose right outta joint," Paul sighed, hopping down from his perch.

"Yeah, what do you know?"

"What's one thing Sutherland hates?"

"Earth, Wind and Fire? Society? Shit man, the dude has a general distain for everything and everyone."

Paul barked a laugh. "Think deeper dude."

Marko chewed on the strap of his leather biker glove, lost in thought. "Star?" he took a guess – there was nothing like talk of the girl who fucked him over to get the beast in their pack brother rattling the bars of its cage.

"Bingo," Paul nodded. "She's currently got her poisoned claws in Flick's older brother Michael - who's a raging fucking asshole by the way," Paul scowled.

"You sure it's the Star?"

"The one and only. She walked in with Michael whilst me and Flick were fucking around, looked at me like I was shit she'd just scraped off the bottom of her shoe and when challenged about how we knew each other, she gave Mickey some bullshit about David abusing her and her being scared for her life. I put him straight, but she'll just poison his mind, he's under her spell already."

"What a bitch, Dave should have ripped her heart out man," Marko screwed up his face in disgust.

"Right?" Paul agreed. "She started getting pissy with Flick and I almost ended up doing the job myself."

"We need to tell Dave…"

"Tell me what?" David materialized out of nowhere, Dwayne flanking him, his eyes blazing with delirium, their faces smeared with fresh blood.

"Paul claimed Flick," Marko chirped before Paul had the chance to reply, the curly haired blonde shooting his friend a pointed look.

"Really? Right on man," Dwayne grinned, patting Paul's back encouragingly.

"Congratulations," David's lips quirked up in a crooked smile and Paul knew there was still a way to go before the designated leader of their pack fully accepted his mate; he could only hope Flick could handle it.