Finally, I ended up using some lemon scented dish-soap I found in the kitchen while making my tea. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted but getting a hot, soothing bubble bath for the first time in years was such a treat I didn’t care. Back at our old apartment, Addison and I had drawn up a regular bath schedule because there wasn’t enough hot water for both of us to have one on the same night. I treasured my bath nights, even though our little tub hadn’t been nearly as deep and luxurious as Victor’s.
I piled my hair on top of my head and secured it with a pencil I found lying on the bedside table. Really, I was going to have to get Addison to bring me some things. I thought about calling her up and chatting about my new temporary house right then, but from the looks she and Corbin had been giving each other, I was certain she was busy.
A little smile crossed my lips when I thought of my tough-as-nails Vampire Auditor best friend finally giving in to her attraction to the big blond master vamp. Corbin had been after her for ages—intent on making her his from the first minute he’d seen her. I was glad she had finally realized how sincere he was and allowed herself to find love. If only that could happen to me…
But it wasn’t going to—not now. Once, back when I was human, before Celeste had taken me and turned me, I had thought it would be possible. I used to imagine finishing vet school and opening my own small animal practice somewhere in Tampa. Treating my four-legged patients and then coming home to a loving husband and a sweet little boy or girl at the end of the day. Maybe both—why not? I had always loved kids and I was sure I would make a great mom.
Back when I had the ability to become a mom, that was. Vampires can’t have kids—the blood flowing through our veins is too cold and there isn’t enough nutrition in it to nourish a fetus. Not to mention the fact that even if I could get pregnant and carry a baby to term, I still wouldn’t do it. Because getting pregnant would entail having sex with someone and that was something I had sworn off forever.
“Never again,” I whispered, sinking lower in the tub, letting the lemon-scented bubbles cover me. “Never…never again…”
I don’t know how long I stayed in the tub, dozing and sipping the soothing chamomile tea. Hours, probably—I just kept adding hot water. Anyway, it was long enough to finish my tea. I wondered idly where Victor had gotten it. He didn’t seem the type to drink any kind of tea—let alone the fussy herbal stuff. Maybe it was a present from his mom? An old girlfriend? Imagining him with another girl made me uncomfortable for some reason. I closed my eyes and let my mind drift to other, more pleasant subjects.
“Want me to scrub your back?” he’d say, coming in to the bathroom while I was taking a bath.
“Sure.” I would sit up, gathering the bubbles around my breasts demurely, and presenting him with my bare back.
“Mmmm…” His voice would be a deep growl of approval as he sat on the edge of the tub and slid one big, warm hand over my naked, shivering back. He would soap me for awhile and then his hand would slide lower, slipping down under the waters to find my pussy and cup me there. I would feel those long fingers parting me, letting the hot water rush in to stroke my silky folds until I moaned…
This time I didn’t try to fight the fantasy. I didn’t know why I kept having these visions—it was bizarre to say the least, since I didn’t even really know the big were—but I was tired of trying not to imagine him. He might be big and scary and rough around the edges but he was much nicer to think about than the horrible things I’d gone through while I was at the mercy of Celeste.
The feelings grew inside me until I couldn’t help myself anymore. Slowly, my hand dipped beneath the bubbles. I gave a little moan when I cupped myself—I couldn’t help it. I had thought this part of me was dead and yet, here tonight, it seemed very much alive. I slipped my fingers into my pussy and caressed the hot little bud of my clit. My own touch felt wonderful but I could feel my body aching for more, begging for the rough yet gentle touch of someone else…
I touched myself slowly at first and then more rapidly, giving in to the pleasure that overwhelmed me again and again. And yet, I still wasn’t satisfied. Why—?
A long, desolate howl suddenly cut through my pleasurable contemplation. My heart pounding, I sat up in the tub with a jerk that sent a wave of lukewarm water over the side. Looking up at the window located in the shower stall, I was shocked to see the first gray-pink tendrils of dawn creeping in.
I felt a stab of shame. What was wrong with me? How long had I been lying here, touching myself and indulging in fantasies I had no business imagining? What would I do if Victor came back home right this minute? After all it was dawn—weres everywhere would be shaking off the call of the moon and going back to their human forms. A were or shape shifter can’t take their animal form during daylight hours—at least, none that I had ever heard of. So no matter where he was, Victor was probably human. And if he came home early and found me lounging in his tub, touching myself…