Why I was headed downstairs. Klaus was down there. Maybe I wanted to show him that I wasn’t afraid of him, or I was gluten for punishment? Either way I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. If I thought the bedroom was destroyed this morning, I was sorely mistaken. Tables, chairs, vases, and pieces of walls were smashed to smithereens. I couldn’t believe the extent of the damage. I know that Klaus and Xander are vampires, but my God they both act and look like nothing happened. They were physically fine; I knew it was their mental state that I had to totally worry about. Was I ever going to get use to any of this? Before I made it to the bottom of the stairs, Xander was right beside me, with the girls trailing just a few steps close behind.
All the sudden I heard Nicole gash “Xander not again, why do you both destroy everything when you get together?”
“Oh, come off of it Nicole. It’s not that bad.” Xander shot back.
“Not that bad, I’m afraid to see what bad is!” I exclaimed.
That is when Klaus popped out of nowhere, scaring the shit out of me.
“Oh love, you haven’t seen anything yet, now has she dear brother.” Klaus butted in.
I have never been able to handle nick names. Especially coming from a confident jerk like Klaus. Before I knew what came over me, I lost it. Maybe it was the stress of the situation, but I started walking towards Klaus, feeling Xander grab my arm to hold me back, “Listen, I don’t know who the hell you are, but I have a fucking name. It’s Ava. Don’t call me, Love, Sweetie, Babe, or any other fucked up name. Did I make myself clear? I have had enough of this bull shit from the both of you.” I said turning to look at Xander as well.
I could hear Xander grinding his teeth, but Klaus’s hole body started shaking in laughter. He stood in front of me. Checking me out. It was quite unnerving.
“So little brother, this is the long awaited prophesied mate. She’s feisty one, isn’t see. I wouldn’t kick her out of my bed.”
What? I couldn’t believe this arrogant prick.
“It would be a cold day in hell, before I’d ever get between your sheets.” I spat at him.
“Well, I can see you have your hands full brother.” Stepping towards me he said in low tone, just above a whisper, “By the way, nice rack.” Then spun around and walked towards the dining room, saying to everyone, “It looks like lunch has been served.” Disappearing round the corner.
I turned to Xander, “Did you hear him, I know you heard him. What the hell?”
“Girls, get something to eat. Ava and I will be there in a moment. Please, whatever you do, don’t tempt Klaus. I think there has been enough excitement for the day. ” Xander motioned the girls to go ahead of us.
Taking my arm and spinning me towards him, I could see a hint of fear mixed with anger behind Xander’s eyes. Oh, shit. I knew I was in for it.
“Ava, are you trying to get yourself killed. Didn’t I just tell you upstairs not to provoke him, and look what you do? Don’t challenge him. You don’t understand my brother. The minute he can make something into a game, it becomes interesting. He won’t stop until he wins. He knows your my mate. The last thing I want is lose you, in any way. You know what he did to Nicole. To him that was child’s play.”
Taking a deep breath, and keeping my tone even, “Well, first off Xander, I don’t want to get into it with you on the whole mate thing, and truthfully I hate that word mate… if you can’t tell already there is a huge list of words I don’t like. Anyway, just because you have chosen me, doesn’t mean that I’m going to fall at your feet. Yes, I haven’t missed the fact that I’m overly attracted to you, and something keeps pulling me towards you. That is beside the point. Second, you have to believe me; I have no interest in your brother. There is something about him that I don’t trust, and I plan to keep the hell away from him. I just don’t understand why the hell he is here, especially now. Third, you can’t control me either. If you continue to try, you’re just going to push me away.”
“So you think I’m sexy!” He said with that drop dead smile.
“What the hell, I knew you were listening at the door. You jerk!”
With that Xander took my face into his hands, and kissed me unexpectedly. I parted my lips, allowing him to deepen the kiss. Tasting his tongue exploring my mouth once again; I couldn’t help but moan with delight. Feeling my body melt into his, I wrapped my arms around his neck. Grabbing the ahold of his hair at the base of his neck, I deepened the kiss myself. Trying to take control over him. Xander took that as a sign to reach down and cupped my ass with his hands, picking me up off the floor; instantly I wrapped my legs around his waist, refusing to break contact with him. I could felt his mouth move from my lips, trailing kisses down my neck. Feeling his teeth graze my skin, sent chills throughout my body. Slowly he backed me up against a wall, bracing my body, so he could free his hands. The hunger between us was growing. All the sudden I wanted to feel him inside me.
Gasping I said, “Xander?”
“Hmmm?”
“Lunch… Girls… We can’t… Klaus.” I said between breaths. I knew I needed to stop this before we go too far.
With a groan, Xander allowed me to slowly release my legs from his body, as he let me slid to the floor; I was able to feel just how excited he was from our little make out section. Knowing this, sent a smile to my lips.
“You know, you can be a real naughty boy, if I let you.” I joked, trying my best to look seductive.
“Ava, don’t temp me.” Returning my smile.
“Go, get some lunch. I need a moment.”
“I’ll wait.” Knowing damn well if I did, I’d be in deep trouble, the temptation was too hard to pass up.
“Ava.”
“Ok, ok. I’m going.” I laughed and skipped out of the room. Knowing how nice it is to have that kind of power to make my vampire, to make him go weak in the knees.
*
*
*
Walking into the dining room I noticed the girls on one end of the long table and Klaus at the other. There he sat, with his feet kicked up on the table, lounging back in the chair. Acting as if he was the king of the castle. I had thought that Xander was arrogant son of a bitch, but Klaus gave the word a whole new meaning.
“So, where is lover boy?” Klaus asked.
“He’ll be her in a minute. He’s, um… taking care of something.” I replied. I could feel my cheeks turn red, remembering what just went on between us.
I walked over to the buffet and grabbed half a turkey and cheese sandwich and some fruit. There was so much food, but nothing looked good, still I know I needed to eat something. All I had for breakfast was some toast and coffee. Noticing a decanter of bourbon at the end of the buffet, I poured myself a double. Taking a huge gulp, before returning to the table, I could feel the burning sensation going down my throat. Hey, it’s got to be after 1pm, and considering this morning I may need another before this meal is over.
I sat as far from Klaus as possible, next to the girls. Trying to avoid his stare. Even though he features were golden, there was a darkness about him. The same type of darkness that I had first encountered with Xander. Still, there is something about Xander that is changing. I can see the light in him more and more. Could the change in him, be me…. I wonder. I know there is something changing in me too. I guess I have 29 more days to figure that out.
“So, A-v-a” Klaus said, punctuating my name to make a point. Breaking my train of thought.
I didn’t respond. Just took another shot of bourbon. Man that stuff burns like a son-of-a-bitch. This prompted Klaus to get up, walk over to the buffet, pick up the decanter and plop down on the chair next to me. I looked up to see both Grace and Nicole’s eyes pop out of their head. I just looked at them, shrugged my shoulders, and took a bite of my sandwich. I was shocked how good turkey and bourbon went together.
Klaus took my glass, and refilled it. Turning to face him, I tried to be as polite as possible. “Thanks.” As I lifted my glass and took another drink.
“Well, A-v-a, why don’t we get to know each other a little better? So tell me about yourself, Ava.”
“Nothing to tell.”
“Oh, now, now. Don’t be that way. We all have our stories. I’m sure you’ve heard a few about me. All good, I hope.” He said, shooting a look to Nicole.
Both Grace and Nicole just sat in silence. Watching the scene unfold.
“As I said nothing to tell. Just a boring suburban mom.”
“Come on, there is more than that. I can tell for a fact you’re not boring.” Leaning in closer, “You’ve already proven you’re a feisty little Philly, especially when you get all hot and bothered.”
Before I knew it, Klaus’s hand was on my knee, as he moved it up my inner thigh.
“EXCUSE ME!” I said, as I tried slapped his hand away. He didn’t seem to get the hint; he just squeezed my thigh a little too hard, and let out this husky laugh, the kind of laugh that unsettles your nerves. I’m sure I’m going to have a nice bruise there later.
“Klaus, leave her alone.” I heard Xander say, when he walked into the room. Thank goodness my rescuer had arrived. I didn’t know how long I could handle Klaus. I don’t know if it was being this close to Klaus or the bourbon, but I wasn’t feeling too hot.
“Oh, dear little brother. I am just trying to get to know my soon to be sister –in-law.”
“Sister-in-law?” I stuttered, downing another gulp of bourbon.
With that, Nicole stood up and pulled Grace up with her. “We’re going to go watch a movie or something.”
“Good idea. I’ll catch up with you to later.” I replied.
After the girls left, Klaus and Xander were talking or bickering. I really didn’t know which, I couldn’t follow the conversation. As far as I was concerned they could have been talking about purple elephants and pink monkeys wearing stripper heals.
I finished the last few bites of my sandwich, downed my bourbon, and stood up. I needed to get out of that room and fast. Being in both there presences was making my head spin. After a few steps I could feel myself swaying some. The alcohol must of hit me fast. Then again, I really don’t know how many shots I had since Klaus kept filling my drink. I should have known better. Damb it. I grabbed the door jam, trying to straighten myself.
“Awe, poor girl can’t hold her liquor. Maybe I should help her upstairs for you brother.” Klaus offered.
Before I could move, Xander was at my side, while Klaus was still seated at the table, playing with the bottle of bourbon. The only thing I could think to say was ASSHOLE, but I don’t think it actually came out.
Taking me up in his arms again, Xander brought me upstairs to our room. Looking around I noticed it was missing a few key pieces of furniture, but was cleaned up. Who were these little elves he has working here. I haven’t seen them anywhere. I need to remind myself to ask about that later.
Xander laid me on the bed, and slipped off my shoes. Pulling a blanket over me, he laid down next to me pulling me into his arms. Curling into him, I let the alcohol take me to sleep.