Thaddeus’ grip on my hips tightens, and his nails dig into me, making my heartbeat pick up. Leaning forward, I kiss him, trying to distract him. Thaddeus instantly reacts and kisses me back. His tongue tastes every inch of my mouth hungrily until I pull back and offer him my neck.
A scream escapes my lips as his fangs puncture my skin. As his grip tightens, I feel the fog slip over me, rushing over me in a cold wave. His bite is no longer painful, and I feel arousal coil within my belly. My core pulsates, and I roll my hips against him. His tongue moves over my neck, lapping at my blood, making me moan at the sensation. I feel his teeth leave my skin and then, they’re replaced with his tongue that runs over his bite mark.
A shiver runs through me as I slowly pull away from him, to find Thaddeus just watching me. His hand moves to my face, and I lean into his touch, loving the smell of his skin.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” he whispers, pulling my face toward his and kissing me as softly as ever.
I feel Ryland’s hands move over my waist, making me look up. He smiles down at me and quickly pecks my lips. Thaddeus’ lips move to my neck, but he seems more interested in running his nose across my shoulder than the actual kissing.
“You smell divine,” he says, making me laugh when I feel his stubble run over my skin, tickling me.
Ryland bends down, pushing his face into the crook of my neck, inhaling my scent. “That she does,” he whispers, as I feel his hand move over my stomach to the front of my pants. Ryland slips his hand under the waistband and cups it over my pussy, his fingers tracing my slit. I throw my head back against him, moaning at his skillful fingers teasing me. He pulls his hand away from me all too soon, and I instantly miss his touch.
Thaddeus chuckles, kissing my lips. “Have you eaten today?” he mumbles against my lips while still kissing me. I shake my head, and Thaddeus pulls back. His eyes observe me for a bit, and he leans closer to kiss my cheek and tap my butt. “What do you want to eat?” he asks, and slowly sets me on the chair next to his. My eyes follow him as he looks in the pantry.
“Ramen noodles,” I answer, and Thaddeus nods.
He grabs them and fills a pot with some water. When they are done, I get up and start cutting the sachets of seasoning open while he drains the water out and mixes it through the noodles. He hands me a bowl and then hands Orion and Ryland theirs. I sit on Ryland’s lap, stuffing my face while Thaddeus picks at his. I can tell he isn’t very hungry after feeding on me.
I get up to get some milk, since my tongue is burning from the noodles. I used to leave the chili out when I made them; now, I remember why, I think to myself, as I gulp down the glass.
“They’re not even spicy,” Orion says.
“To me, they are,” I tell him, and he just shakes his head, finishing the rest of his bowl. When we finish, I wash the bowls. In the meantime, Ryland walks out and soon returns with a pair of boots.
“Want to come hiking with me?” he asks.
“Hiking? Where?” I ask, wondering where there is to hike beside the huge-ass mountains surrounding the place.
“The mountains,” he states, confirming what I thought he might say.
Looking out the kitchen window, I look up at the mountain; it is covered in thick trees and so goddamn high. “That will take me all year to walk up,” I tell him, and he chuckles.
“Probably longer than that, shorty.”
“I am not short; you’re all just freakishly tall,” I tell them.
“Nope, you’re short,” Thaddeus tells me as he walks over and places his elbow on my head. I am only up to the middle of their chests.
“This is the average height; I will have you know. Not everyone can be giants,” I tell him, pushing his arm off me.
Ryland shrugs and reaches for me, pulling me over to him. I stand between his legs as he wraps his arms around my waist and stands up, making my feet leave the ground. “See? Short,” he chuckles, kissing the top of my head. I smack his chest and slide down.
Orion comes out with my shoes, and I put them on, but groan when he pulls me to my feet. Then, we head outside, walking across the field towards the forest.
Evelyn
We trek through the thick brush for what feels like forever, going up, and I am starting to get a cramp from walking. Grabbing a skinny tree trunk, I use it to pull myself up. Thaddeus pinches my ass, which is in his face, making me yelp. I look over my shoulder and glare down at him.
“What? You put it in my face! I will bite that sweet ass of yours next time. Now get moving; we are falling behind,” he tells me.
Orion and Ryland are way higher up already, while Thaddeus is staying behind to help me. When we reach the flat, I almost squeal in joy, only to see another mountain. “Argh, that’s it. I’m done,” I tell him, collapsing on the ground with a huff.
Thaddeus walks over and looks down at me. He hasn’t even broken a sweat, while my shirt is so wet with sweat, it sticks to me like a second skin. Thaddeus reaches into his backpack and hands me a water bottle. I pop the lid off, drink down the entire bottle, and fall back, laying down.
“If you get up now, we may just make it to the next peak by summer next year,” Thaddeus says, smiling down at me.
“I’m good; I will be here when you get back,” I tell him, too sore to move.
Whoever said hiking is fun is insane; every muscle hurts, I am sweating where I shouldn’t be sweating, I feel dirty and sticky, and there are bugs; it is horrible. Thaddeus laughs as he rips me upside down, holding me by my ankle, and dangles me in the air. The blood instantly rushes to my face.
“Thaddeus, put me down!” I scream to him, but instead, he jiggles me like a teabag, still laughing. I can feel the noodles coming back up. “Thaddeus, you’re making me feel sick,” I screech. Thaddeus chuckles and tosses me in the air. Somehow, he manages to catch me, which does nothing but make my stomach drop.
He wraps my legs around his waist and places his hands on my butt.” Hold on,” he warns.
“No, no running,” I tell him, shaking my head. I don’t think my stomach can handle it.
But alas, he doesn’t listen. Instead, Thaddeus takes off, and I tuck my face in his neck, already waiting for it to be over.