Chapter Twelve:
"Three months, Godric. It's been three months!" Grace ignored the strong desire to throw up again and instead glared at the vampire that hadn't spoken a word for the past 10 minutes. It was infuriating her. He couldn't just sweep on in when his progeny was being an idiot and pretend nothing ever happened.
"Grace…" he sighed heavily, his eyes closing as he tried to calm the raging beast from within. It was still clawing for release, his anger at his progeny and Grace's parents still at large. His human had no idea how close he was to grabbing onto her and locking her away himself, only to ensure he never had to lose her again.
"You said you would come back," she reminded him, doing her best to control how hurt she really was. She had tried extremely hard the past few months to move on, to act like he hadn't become a key part of her life. "I know you're this all and powerful vampire, and I was likely nothing but a good…"
She never had the opportunity to finish, Godric closing the distance between them in only a blink of an eye. His fingers were tangled in her hair as his other hand cupped the back of her neck, tugging her to him. She barely had the chance to catch her breath before his lips were claiming her own. She felt that fiery passion just as she had the first time they kissed, and it was nearly overwhelming. How could one stupid vampire get in her head like this? She was an independent woman, damn it!
"If you think for a single moment," he pulled away, breathing heavily despite the fact that it was unnecessary. He leaned his forehead against hers as an arm secured itself firmly around her waist. He wasn't about to let her go anytime soon. "That you were just some distraction or some fuck, I obviously didn't do a good enough job in claiming you."
Her heart fluttered but she silently cursed at herself to keep her composure together. There was no way in hell she was just going to fall into his arms, like she had sometimes fantasized about doing. Oh no, this vampire may have gotten to her, but she was sure as hell going to make sure he worked for it.
"You only claimed me because you thought I was in danger," Grace pointed out.
A low growl rumbled in his chest as his fingers dug into the back of her neck. "I claimed you because I had every intention of making you mine."
"But you wouldn't have if…"
He grasped onto her chin forcefully, his eyes narrowing. "It took every ounce of strength I had not to claim you that very first night, my love."
Grace frowned. "Why didn't you?"
"I didn't want to scare you away. I didn't want to overwhelm you."
"No offence, but you didn't do a very good job at that," she murmured, trying to fix her gaze on anything other than him. He wouldn't allow it, however, and jostled her chin until their stares met once again. "I'm not supposed to be the girl that mopes around waiting for a guy."
Godric's expression softened. He had been worried she would have just moved on, not cared at all that he had disappeared from her life. Three months meant very little to a vampire, but to a human, it was as an eternity had passed. It was one of the reasons he feared contacting her again. He wasn't sure he would ever be ready for her rejection. She was his, and he couldn't just let her slip away from him.
"Don't give me that look," she pushed at his chest, but he didn't budge. "I'm mad at you. Just because I found some way to sort of start to maybe get over you, it doesn't mean I'm not extremely pissed off."
"Well then, perhaps I will just have to show you how sorry I am, and beg for your forgiveness," his thumb ghosted across her bottom lip. "I have a few ideas…"
A shudder ran through her. Damn him. She had worked hard on finding her own path, to not let her feelings for a vampire she barely had known for more than a week determine her life. But he knew exactly what he was doing as a hand came to rest on her hip, his fingers toying with the hem of her shirt.
"Oh that is definitely not happening," she leaned back. Grace was just lying to herself. That was all she wanted to do. Hell, she would happily be all right if Godric wanted to shove her against a tree right then and there and take her. She wouldn't mind one bit. But Grace needed at least some resemblance of self-pride.
A chuckle sounded from the vampire as his arm tightened around her waist, his fangs retracting as his human teeth nipped at her ear. "I'll work on persuading you otherwise. Elsewhere, of course. I don't suppose we should remain standing in the middle of the street."
Her hands were still splayed across his chest. "Probably not a good idea."
"Shall we then?"
"But Eric took the car…oh no, really? Is that really necessary?" Grace groaned, knowing exactly their mode of transportation.
Godric snickered, quickly lifting her into his arms before she could put up much of a fight. "It'll be the quickest."
A shriek sounded the night sky as Godric leapt upwards.
"I apologize for the hotel," Godric latched the room door as Grace peered around the sitting room. "I didn't want to impose on Eric, especially after my betrayal."
Grace had just peeked into the bedroom before shooting him a glance. "I take it didn't go so well with them?"
"I do not blame Eric for his anger," Godric shrugged. "I did betray them. I led them both to believe I was dead. I caused them misery, and no amount of time will change that. I only hope that one day Eric will be able to accept me back into his life as we once were."
"You're just talking about Eric though. What about Nora?" she couldn't deny that she was curious about his family, about the vampires he had told her all about.
Godric couldn't help but smile as he thought about his youngest, his only daughter. "She was more than willing to forgive me, it seemed. Her own mistakes had taken a toll on her."
Grace nodded as she gave the room one last glance before resting her focus on the vampire before her. The longer they were alone, the harder it was becoming to not just throw herself at him. She was more than happy to see him, to be able to talk with him again. She had missed meeting with him in the park across from her apartment, him stealing her swing and teasing her about it. She just missed his company. That had been the worst part of the last few months. Godric had somehow made her feel less alone than she had been in only just a few days of knowing him. Not having that in her life had been difficult. Amy had been helpful, but was rightfully distracted when her boyfriend proposed. All Grace really had left was her family, and they were obviously off their rocker.
"Nora would like to meet you, I'm sure," Godric mused, motioning Grace to the couch. She was still pale, a slight sway to her steps. It killed him to know this never would have happened if he had just simply contacted her months ago, if he had swept her back into his life like he should have. "She wouldn't leave me alone when she learned about you."
"I'd like to meet her," Grace gladly took a seat beside Godric, both for her throbbing head and just for the excuse to be closer to him. "And Eric. Maybe when he's not kidnapping me though."
A scowl appeared on Godric's lips. "He will be punished for such, I can assure you. There was no reason for him to go to you, to interfere with your life."
"Just reminding you that while his popping up out of nowhere and sort of kidnapping me was a bit of a shock, he did make sure I wasn't locked up in some mental institution," Grace pointed out. "Don't be too hard on him…oh!"
"Hm?" his lips dropped into a frown. His gaze swept over her, ensuring everything was all right. "Grace? What is it?"
Her heart flipped at seeing his concern. It was becoming incredibly hard to remain distant and angry with him. "It's nothing, It's just…I realized I have no idea what happened after I was drugged. Do you think…well, do you think Eric killed them?"
Godric wouldn't put it past his progeny. Eric had killed for much less. Even if his child wasn't thrilled with the fact that Godric had claimed a human, he knew without a doubt that should Grace ever be in danger, he would act accordingly. He may not want to admit it, but Eric had acted as Godric hoped he would have.
"I doubt it," he assured her. "He wouldn't want to deal with the mess."
"Has that ever stopped him in the past?" she raised an eyebrow, chewing on her bottom lip nervously. Her parents might have lost their minds, but they were still her parents. A small, tiny part of her didn't want anything truly horrific to happen to them. Even if they obviously didn't care about her in return.
Godric's hand crossed the distance between him, landing on her knee and squeezing gently. Grace jumped at the contact, her cheeks flushing a nice shade of pink. She had to bite down hard on her lip to keep from throwing all of her dignity out the window and throwing herself at him. "If it would ease your worries, we will question Eric tomorrow."
Her gaze was focused on where his hand lay for longer than she should have before realizing he had spoken. Blinking, Grace tried to remember what he had only just said. "I thought you were going to go there tonight?"
"He can wait to be punished until tomorrow evening," Godric shrugged. If nothing else, it would let Eric stew about what his punishment would be. And give time for Godric to consider it as well. He understood Eric's curiosity, but it was one that could have ended much different. Would a too severe punishment push Eric further away than he already was, however? The last thing Godric wanted was for their fragile relationship to be thinned further. No, Godric needed to think.
Or not think at all.
His thumb began rubbing small circles on the outside of her knee while his hand inched ever so slowly upwards. Yes, not thinking at all would be suitable.
"Oh no," Grace shook her head at him, trying to brush his hand away. She wouldn't admit to him that it felt good, that she could use his touch to rise even higher, to touch her where he hadn't touched her in far too long. But that would be losing, and she really didn't want to lose. "You were gone for three months, Godric. That is not happening."
Grace wanted to groan as that smirk of his crossed his lips. It caused her to shudder as her lower region clenched. One look, that was all it took. And Godric knew that. A single whiff and he could already smell her arousal, his smirk growing at the scent that was beginning to litter the air.
"I did promise to show you just how sorry I was," he turned completely towards her now, his knees knocking against her own as a hand flew to her hip, tugging her towards him with ease. She had to press her lips together firmly as Godric playfully pried her knees opening, quickly settling a leg between them so she couldn't close herself off from him. "And I do intend to work for your forgiveness."
Her mouth went dry as her eyes widened. Her dissolve was melting away as he tugged her even closer by the hip until his knee was pressing against her. Her hands clenched at her sides as she tried to keep her moans at bay. It was becoming difficult though, as he situated her again, causing friction against her. She cursed herself for only wearing a loose t-shirt and yoga pants. But she hadn't been expecting her parents to be psychotic, Eric to kidnap her, and a sudden reunion with her…well, whatever Godric might be.
"Godric," her voice sounded hoarse as her hands flew to his chest as the hand on her knee moved to the tangled web of her hair. Grace couldn't contain the moan this time as his fingers entwined with her locks, yanking her head to the side with just enough force that her entire body tingled with desire.
"I am truly sorry, my love," Godric leaned forward, his lips brushed across her jaw before meeting with her earlobe. His human teeth nipped and played with her, his hot breath driving her inside. All the while, his knee would grind against her just enough for her entire body to grow flush, for her to ache for him. "Let me show you how sorry I am."
This wasn't part of the game plan. She wasn't supposed to fold this quickly. But damn it, he was good. How in the world was she supposed to keep up her charades when he knew exactly how to push her?
"Will you let me do that?" her hands clutched onto the fabric of his shirt as his lips trailed down to her pulse point, his teeth gently teasing her. "Hm, my Grace?"
When he bit down, not hard enough to bring her any pain, Grace couldn't help the tiny whimpers that escaped her lips. She almost wanted to plead with him to bite her instead with his fangs. He had never bit her the last time they were together, only tasting her blood when she had injured her leg. She was ashamed to say she had researched more about vampires after Godric had initially left, wanting to know everything possible. She already knew so much, having always a keen interest in the supernatural world. But after the first experience of being with him, her interest was so much different than it was before. Apparently a vampire's bite could be the most erotic experience, and Grace was starting to find herself wanting to know just how right that might be.
But Godric kept his fangs in place as he sucked on the patch of skin gently, the scent of her blood growing considerably stronger, mixing with her arousal. Grinding his knee against her once more, Godric almost wanted to chuckle at her reaction. Grace was doing everything she could to keep up her little game, but he knew he was tearing down her walls.
"Allow me to prove just how sorry I…" his ministrations were abruptly stopped, however, as Grace frantically began pushing at his chest.
Raising an eyebrow, Godric raised from her neck, only to realize just how pale she truly was. One of her hands flew to her mouth as her eyes widened. She continued to push at his chest until he relented, hurrying backwards as she immediately shot off the couch. She twisted and turned before searching out the bathroom and darting as quickly as she could into the room. Godric sighed, fixing his own hardened arousal, before appearing beside Grace.
"I'm sorry," she cried out, her cheeks a deep shade of red as she pressed her forehead against the toilet seat. She felt mortified.
"You're apologizing?" Godric shook his head as he swiftly pulled her hair back as she leaned back over the toilet bowl and emptied whatever might have been left in her stomach.
"We were just…" she peeked at the vampire from the corner of her eye, her face growing even redder if it were at all possible. "And then I…oh god, I'm the worst!"
He did chuckle this time as he caressed her cheek. She moaned as she moved into his touch, but keeping her hands still clutched around the toilet.
"You were drugged, as it turned out. You were sick when I found you with Eric, and I'm surprised you were not sick from flying," Godric frowned as he realized perhaps flight hadn't been the best option after all. "I should have brought you here in more conventional methods, perhaps."
"I thought I was okay," Grace mumbled, wiping her mouth with the back of her hands before reaching up and flushing the toilet. Her stomach churned, but it had calmed to the point that she felt confident she wouldn't need to be by the toilet for the rest of the night. "I'm sorry."
"Stop apologizing, love," he hushed her. "How are you feeling? Shall I make you more comfortable?"
Grace shook her head. The last thing she wanted was to spend the night on the bathroom floor. "I think I'm all right now. What a reunion this is, huh?"
"There wasn't even supposed to be a reunion," he reminded, only to curse at himself silently when her eyes were suddenly downcast. "But despite my child's disobedience, I am glad you are here. I've missed you greatly, Grace. I hope you realize that."
"I can always go back tomorrow," she suggested sadly, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "Eric did bring me here without you even knowing; I don't have to stay."
Godric caught her chin, forcing her gaze to meet his. A chill ran up her spine, goose bumps rising on her arms at the intensity of his orbs boring right through her. "If you think for a single moment that I'm going to let you go for a second time, you obviously haven't been paying attention."
His thumb ghosted across her bottom lip, ignoring the fact that only moments ago, she had been vomiting up her dinner.
"Now, shall we get you to bed?" he didn't wait for a reply as he quickly gathered her into his arms and began towards the bedroom. Grace squeaked, but didn't struggle, not even as he settled them both into the middle of the king sized bed, his arms trapping her against him. Not that she minded. Not at all. "Rest now, my Grace, you will need all of your energy for tomorrow. I very much plan on continuing to gain your forgiveness."
A hand lowered to her upper thigh, squeezing lightly before remaining there. She had to suppress a moan as she tried to shift. But Godric wouldn't allow it, keeping her in place with her back pressed against his chest.
He had very little intention of ever letting her go again.
A/N: Just a little warning for the next chapter, there WILL be lemons galore. Also, have I mentioned how much I love you guys for all the reviews, favourites and follows? Yeah, amazing. very amazing you all are!