I let out a groan, slamming another book shut and pushing it away across the table. This was not going well. There was nothing I could do. Out of eleven books about vampire law, rituals, arranged marriage, blood mating, there was nothing to suggest I could fight against this… this betrothal.

Dougie sat beside me, staring at the book he has open in front of him. He's been engrossed in it for a full ten minutes now. I jumped as he sighed, frustrated. He noticed my gaze, blushing a little, before trying to explain himself.

"I thought I was on to something then." He grumbled. "But to use that as an appeal, you need to have been blood mated three months prior to the arrangement, at least, and be pregnant." He glanced at me. "And you are neither of those things. You find anything?"
"No." I replied. "But I found a detailed description of the ritual. It's very… Hands on. Touchy Feely."
"We're a sexual race. Every book in here will have some reference to sex." Dougie shrugged.
"It's not just that. Mates have to exchange blood before witnesses, before they say their vows." I opened up the book again, pulling it towards me. "How you seen these vows?"
"No. Never taken much interest in that book to be honest. I didn't think I'd need to." He answered. "But, carry on."
"It's like some kind of twisted marriage vow." I continued. "Seriously, listen to this. 'And as I drink from this cup, I understand I will honour my partner, only drink from he/her, and honour his/her genitals." I read from the page. "I mean, Genitals, Doug!"
"Our ancestors were nymphos?" Dougie suggested. A light hearted joke for this inexplicable, surreal situation. I smiled at his attempt at trying to make me laugh. It was comforting to know he was making an effort for me. "Claire, it will be okay."
"You have no idea how much I want to believe that." My voice began to waver as a familiar lump lodged itself in to my throat, painful as I tried to oppress it.
"Seriously, Claire, it'll be okay. Everything turns out okay in the end." He pulled me up from my seat, the both of us standing up as he pulled me in to a warm and welcoming embrace, one hand on the small of my back as the other combed through my hair.
"I don't want to do it." I whispered, not sobbing, my head buried into Dougie's chest, his T-shirt becoming a make-shift tissue for my fast flowing tears.
"Shh." He cradled me, side to side in a gentle rhythmic motion. "Let it all out, Claire. You don't deserve this pressure. Not all at once."

I sniffed, wiping my tears on the back of my hand as I lifted my head up to look at him.
Oh dear.

"Doug?"
"Yeah?"
"Kiss me."

A forever seemed to pass before he acknowledged what I'd said. His mouth opened and closed in a goldfish-like manner as he tried to form words; failing miserably of course. I looked to the floor and at my feet, examining the carpet underneath them.

"It… Never mind." I muttered. Oh lord. How very embarrassing.

Dougie placed a hand either side of my face, resting on my cheeks, bringing me to look at him again, moments before his lips crashed against mint. I relaxed as his hands slid down from my blushing, burning face, resting, as if naturally, on my hips.
"Don't push me away." He murmered in to the kiss.
"I won't." I whispered before locking my hands behind his neck, fingers playing with his hair, pulling him closer to me, parting my lips. This was different to before. This was different on so many levels. "Should we be doing this?" I break from the kiss slowly, still so close to one another, eyes closed.
"No." he replied, grasping hold of my hands, pecking at my lips once more.

I began to question myself. Why had I invited him so close? Why had I been so forward? Why do I want to continue in doing so? I watched Dougie smile nervously.

"Can we do that again?"

I was silent, finally thinking this through. Harry seemed pretty damn serious about 'marrying' me off. So I really want to risk everything for the sake of one kiss, a fumble? Dougie?

"You're allowed to say no." Dougie let go of my hands. I grabbed hold of them again, taking of his undivided attention at the same time.
"I'm not entirely sure why I did that." I said. "But I liked it… it felt good."
His gaze dropped to the floor almost immediately.
"But you don't want to do it again, because you don't actually like me" he concluded with his own theory.
"As pitiful as it sounds, you're wrong. "I walked a little way from him, palms of my hands flat on the table top as I leant my weight on to my arms. "And it's frustrating. You're hot, and then cold with me. Which irritates me. But right now, I just want to… I just want to kiss you. And that is annoying in itself."
"Okay. So seen as we're being honest with each other." I turned to face him when he spoke up. "I like you. I like you a lot. I didn't think you'd want anything to do with me after I… you know." He took a breathe, a long pause, hesitation. He clasped his hands together tightly. "I was jealous. You got so close to Dan, and in so little time. You'd never have eyes for me."
"Wow." I breathed, pushing myself up to sit on the table.
"And this isn't even normal! I barely know you, and… Look at me! If the guys knew I was like this, I'd never live it down." Dougie brushed his fingers through his floor, staring in to space, his own imagination I guessed. "You can go if you like."
"I'd like to stay." I smiled, kneeling in front of him.

"Okay, so relax." Dougie smiled. We sat, cross legged on the floor, opposite each other.
"You think this will work?" I chewed on my bottom lip anxiously. "You're more experienced in this than I am."
"Actually," he blushed pulling a large leather bound book on to his lap, avoiding my gaze. "I've never done this before. Tapping in to your abilities can be a little risky."
"Is there a chance we could die?" I interrupt.
"Well, no. But…"
"Then do it."

Dougie glanced up at me, a small sigh causing his lips to part slightly. A small smile appeared before he took hold of my hands in his.
"Concentrate, okay?" he rubbed the backs of my hands with his thumbs. I nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Eyes on mine at all times. Imagine I'm an open book. You're trying to read me."
"It's like trying to read Russian." I remarked.
He rolled his eyes, chuckling. "Think of something you want to know about me. Favourite colour, animal…. Sexual position." He smirked. "And imagine trying to find it. Focus Claire."

Now I think of it, this wasn't so bad. Dougie's eyes were kind of nice. Inviting. They had this glint about them. There's a noticeable flash of light. The backs of my eyes tingle. Focus Claire! Okay. I'm in Dougie's head. How very peculiar. What's the first thing I should look for? Favourite sexual position sounded intriguing. And he wouldn't have mentioned it if he didn't want me to look.

I'm still staring in to Dougie's eyes. He's looking straight back at me. Like a blank canvas. I see something. I hear him. Yet, he's not even talking. As if it's something he's said before.

"Now that, is personal. Nice try." I hear. He smirked and actually becomes vocal. "I thought that might work."
"It's urm… Weird. How do I stop it?" I asked.
"Close your eyes." He replied. I did as he instructed and there was silence. Normality. "Well?" he asks as I opened my eyes again. He stares, waiting for me to speak. I smirk and he blushes. "I don't have a favourite. I'll experiment after I lose my-"
"Shut up!" I laughed. "I don't care. I'm just chuffed I got in to your head."
"Feel privileged." He smiled.
"Why?" I asked, a little puzzled.
"Because I've never let anyone that far before."