Chapter 45:

A small teaser. It is going to get rather graphic. I know what I personally like in bed so I'm going to write that. I changed the rating. Yeah, it's M for sure now from here on out. ;)

Erin flipped her head up running her fingers through it to add additional volume. Hopefully it wouldn't go flat. But she didn't exactly plan to stay long at her department's Christmas party so flat hair wouldn't be a problem. She lined her lips and applied a cool berry color to them. Her eyes were shaded lightly in tones of grey. She ran a finger over her eyelashes making sure they wouldn't clump.

Clicking the bathroom light off she slipped into her black suede high-heels. She adjusted her long-sleeved purple cocktail dress in the mirror and sighed as she picked up her long black coat, scarf, and purse. She headed downstairs into the kitchen.

Brigid and Larten were playing a game of chess. Speed chess was a favorite for vampires, however, Brigid had won every single game which angered Larten to the extreme.

"Checkmate." Brigid said smiling.

Larten looked angry.

"Hey, don't feel bad. I'm a genius, remember?"

"I do not understand. I have actually been in battles! Strategy is one of my strong points."

"You're not taking any risks. You're good at calculating, but, well, gotta take a chance every now and then."

Larten glared at Brigid.

"Another game." He said fiercely resetting the pieces.

"Do you want to change colors?" Brigid asked teasing the vampire.

"No." Larten snarled.

"Okay, okay. Hey, sis!" Brigid called from the living room. "You look great! Hope that creep, Devon, doesn't drink too much and do something inappropriate like last year."

Erin threw back her head. "Uuuugh, I hope not, too. I totally forgot about that. Haven't had anything blip on my radar and I'm only making an appearance so there shouldn't be enough time for anything stupid to happen. Go in, say hi to everyone, leave. That's it." She threw her coat on and pulled out her keys.

"We'll probably be here when you get home so no worries!" Brigid said smiling brightly, moving her first pawn.

"I did not say I was ready!" Larten snapped before returning his attention to Erin. When she had walked in he had easily been struck by her figure. Of course, he was always struck by her, but seeing her all dressed up and going someplace without him by her side disgruntled him, though he would not admit it!

"Okay. I'll be back soon."

Larten stood quickly.

Erin smiled at him cheekily. She quickly stepped into the living room placing a quick kiss on his cheek before walking out the front door.

Larten followed her with his eyes. Glancing down he noticed Brigid smirking to herself.

"You're move, Prince Charming."

Larten's neck reddened. He resumed his seat on the floor and moved his first pawn. The game continued in silence.

"So…are you excited for Christmas?" Brigid asked keeping her eyes on the chessboard.

Larten just grunted as he thought out his next move.

"How about those vampire hunters, huh? I thought no one believed in your kind anymore."

Larten looked up sharply.

"No point worrying about it right now. I'm just curious is all." Brigid shrugged.

She captured his rook. Larten gritted his teeth.

"I should leave, hunt them down before they come." Larten said quietly.

"Yeah, that worked out great the last time." Brigid huffed.

It was his move. He stared at the board thinking hard. Brigid watched him.

Slowly Larten made his move; with a triumphant grin he called out, "Checkmate."

Brigid's face broke into a huge, approving grin.

It was 11:00 P.M. when Erin returned home. She announced her arrival with a severe door slam causing both Brigid and Larten to jump. Before either of them could speak she was disappearing up the stairs, another door slam, and then heavy silence. Brigid and Larten looked at each other. In seconds, both were ascending the stairs, stopping short in front of Erin's bedroom door. They could hear sniffling, a pair of shoes making a thud as they were thrown. Brigid went to open the door.

"Brigid, don't come in. I'll be downstairs in a minute. I just need a moment." Came Erin's muffled voice.

Larten and Brigid made eye contact again. Brigid swallowed.

"Okay."

Both turned and went downstairs. They sat down on the couch, the chess matches long over, Brigid had started another intolerable Christmas movie. She glanced at him again unsure, picking up the remote she pushed play.

Larten sat tense, listening with his vampire hearing. He could hear Erin shuffling about upstairs then the opening of a door and footsteps on the stairs.

Erin entered the kitchen in a short-sleeved grey striped shirt and dark blue pajama pants. Larten and Brigid turned their heads watching her as she grabbed a mug and went about making a cup of tea. Her nose was still slightly red, her eyes obvious that she had been crying, but they were angry, not sad.

"What'd he do?" Brigid asked, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

Erin shook her head. "Nothing. I'm fine."

"No, what did he do, Erin?" Brigid pressed.

"What did who do?" Larten asked starting to catch on.

"It's fine. I don't want to talk about it." Erin said stiffly.

"Erin-" Brigid began.

"Fine. Devon followed me out to my car and got a little too hand-sy and grabbed me when I said stop. I punched him and sent a jolt to his head that will give him a migraine for a few days. It's fine. I'm fine. It's not a big deal. I'm just…" She took a sip of her tea. "I'm fine."

"Are you filing harassment charges?" Brigid asked angrily.

"Yes. I'm calling the hotline and informing the head of the department." Erin sat her mug down a little too hard, sloshing hot tea onto the counter. Before she could react, Larten was beside her with a dish towel. He looked at her bare arms.

"You have bruises." He gasped, gently turning her arms. Erin pulled them out of his hands.

"I know. I've taken pictures already for evidence when I file a report. It's just…" Erin slammed a fist onto the counter. "Why do men think they can just do that?"

"They cannot." Larten said furiously.

Erin swiftly grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

"I'm fine. I am. You both can calm down. It'll get taken care of and it's not like he didn't pay for it right then."

Larten pulled her hand up and kissed it.

"It seems I am useless in keeping you from getting hurt." He said, his voice tight, upset.

Erin turned their hands over and kissed his, a reassuring look in her eyes.

"You are infuriating. Here I am to console you and yet you are trying to console me. Stop! I cannot stand it." He snapped harshly.

"You can console me later."

Larten's features quickly turned to confusion.

"Come on. Let's finish the movie. I like this one."

Larten pursed his lips as she pulled him behind her to the couch. Brigid switched to the loveseat so Erin could stretch out, laying her head in Larten's lap. The vampire gently ran his fingers through her hair, silently frustrated inside. It wasn't that he felt his masculinity was being challenged, but you protect those you love—wait, love?!

Larten quickly glanced down. Erin was absorbed in the movie. He thanked the gods she hadn't "heard" that. He tried to nonchalantly look at Brigid. She, too, was absorbed in the movie. Larten shifted his eyes back to the screen.

Did he really love Erin? Had his heart really gone that far? Was he just now cognitively realizing it from his subconscious? He looked down at Erin once more, rubbing his thumb across her cheek. He felt the corners of his mouth tug up as he let the feeling spread through his chest. Maybe it seemed outside his demeanor to give in so freely, but he had not expected another real love to ever enter his life again. Ever. This would hurt. It would hurt them both in the end. But maybe it wouldn't. He scoffed at himself in his own head. There is always pain. It is completely unavoidable in life. Especially a vampire's.

He must have sighed out loud because suddenly Erin turned her head to look up at him.

"What's wrong?"

He shook his head. "It is nothing, my dear."

Erin smiled at him, turning her head back to the t.v. Not five minutes later the credits were rolling and Brigid was stretching in the loveseat.

"I'm going up to my room. I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night." Erin said, she didn't move from Larten's lap.

She turned onto her back and looked into his face, smiling.

"What do you want to do now?" She asked.

"I want to kiss you." He answered quietly.

Erin sat up shifting to sit in his lap. Erin noticed the different look in his eyes. She tilted her head slightly in question. Larten only pulled her closer, her breath on his face, he gripped her face with his hand firmly, but gentle. He closed his eyes as he brought his mouth to cover hers. He pulled away, nuzzling her face. Erin placed soft kisses around his face both hands now holding the sides of his head. She held it still and pressed her lips once more to his. She massaged them, Larten only encouraging her by tangling his hand in her hair not allowing her to stop. Eventually they did have to break to breathe, both feeling the heat in their faces as they touched. They glanced into the other's eyes, something unspoken passed between them. Erin smiled against his face, his own, too, though only for a split second before he pulled her mouth to his once more.

Suddenly Erin was gripping Larten's shirt swiftly unbuttoning midway, running her hands up his chest to his neck, adjusting herself against him. Larten pulled her face away from his, Erin about to protest, before he began placing meaningful kisses along her suave neck down to her collarbone. Slowly he pulled away when he got to her necklace.

"What?" Erin asked trying to claim his mouth again.

"Have I told you I am rather fond of you in green?"

Erin cocked her head, laughing. "And I am simply stuck with you in red."

Larten grinned. "It soothes my nerves."

"Maybe I can start helping with that." Erin said running her nails teasingly down his bared chest.

Larten felt goosebumps tingle across his skin. He brought his mouth to Erin's neck once more. The heat of his breath and mouth against her skin was causing her to flush. She pulled Larten's shirt off his shoulders throwing her head back to expose her chest. Larten's nails snagged in her shirt almost ripping it in half. She gasped in surprise. Larten stopped and looked into her eyes. Was that a bad gasp?

She looked down and then back at him. He swallowed, embarrassed. Mischievousness glittered in her eyes as she yanked it off.

"Well, you made that incredibly easy." She breathed in his ear.

"Efficiency is one of my strong points." He breathed back.

"Show me." She said, slowly rolling her hips against him.

Larten was starting to breathe heavier, nuzzling her chest. The tops of her breasts were soft against his lips in her demi-bra. He heard Erin moan. That was the perfect reason to go further to the point where she would be doing nothing but gasping and crying his name out.

However, before he could make her completely bare, a huge BAM was heard upstairs and a stereo turned on full blast with Christmas music.

"Oh, shit!" Erin squeaked almost leaping out of his lap.

Larten had felt his heart stop, his body immediately tensing. He was gripping Erin against him, completely still, listening. The Christmas music now had a voice singing along. Both of them looked at each other shocked and unsure.

"Maybe, ah, we should stop here and, um, continue this at a more convenient time." Erin said shakily.

"Yes." Larten said breathless.

Erin moved from his lap as he fumbled to button his shirt.

"Um, Larten?"

"What?" He said quickly like a caught schoolboy in trouble. His nerves were still rattled.

"Could you use your vampire speed to get us up to my room? I don't exactly have a shirt anymore." Erin held a hand to her mouth trying to stifle a laugh.

"I prefer you without one." Larten said without thinking.

This made Erin hide her face in her hands blushing still trying not to laugh.

Larten couldn't stop a grin from splitting across his face as he looked at her.

"So, should I jump on your back then or…?"

Larten cocked an eyebrow at her. Before she knew it, they were in her bedroom. The Christmas music was almost deafening. Erin opened a drawer and pulled out another shirt pulling it on. Larten went to open the closet door.

"No, no. You sleep in bed with me."

Larten shifted uncomfortably.

"Obviously we will not be continuing what we started. At least not tonight." Erin said glancing down almost shyly.

"The unbearable Christmas music does put a damper on things." Larten grunted.

Erin laughed as she plopped into bed. Larten huffed as he got in as well. He lay flat, staring at the ceiling sourly. Erin scooted over to him resting a cheek on his shoulder. She traced his facial scar lightly. He turned his head and kissed her forehead resting his nose against it.

"I hope this does not sound inelegant but I, ah, well…" He stuttered lamely.

"I know." Erin said nipping his ear lobe.

"Do not tease me."

"I'm not, I promise." Erin smiled, relaxing against him.

Minutes passed in silence neither falling asleep though.

"Larten?" Erin whispered.

"What?"

She raised herself to look into his eyes. He looked back. He knew exactly what she was asking.

"Yes." He said quietly.

She smiled in the dark before placing a gentle kiss to his lips.

"Me, too."

Larten searched her eyes now for reassurance.

His reassurance burned there brightly.

He returned the kiss.

"Go to sleep now." He whispered.

Erin lay back down against his shoulder, curling close to him.

He listened as her breathing began to grow slower and slower. He eventually allowed his eyes to close yet unable to stop a smirk on his lips.

He would be on the lookout for a more convenient time with all due diligence.