Vampires of Eden (Alexander #2)

33. Daniel

CHAPTER 3 3

Daniel

W ith his hand in mine, Alexander guides me down several warmly lit and quiet hallways. Not even Raphael makes an appearance along the way and it feels as if everyone in the house is sleeping except for us—and Buffy, who never leaves Alexander’s side. He told me via text that she’s been this way since he got back to the estate. I almost feel like I owe her an apology for hoarding him to myself for a week.

Almost.

We turn a corner into a proper chef’s kitchen. The space is huge but cozy because of all the oak finishings. A series of contemporary metal lanterns hang from the wood-beamed ceiling. Alexander forgoes the main lighting and turns on the discreetly placed recess lights situated beneath the cabinets. The creamy marble countertops sparkle. Clean and organized with rows of attentively labeled glass canisters.

“Have a seat at the island,” he says, letting go of my hand and heading over to the stainless-steel fridge. A tall rectangular table fashioned from warm wood is stationed in the center of the room. There are matching stools situated around it. I pull one out and make myself comfortable.

To my surprise, Buffy hops onto the stool at my side, then climbs up on the table’s surface and sits. Watching me. I narrow my eyes. “You have to share him. I want him, too.”

She looks away from me, disinterested. She watches Alexander at the sink.

“Are you alright with chai?” he asks over his shoulder. “I usually have it before bed if I’m up late like this.”

“Sure,” I say. “The caffeine doesn’t bother you?”

“Nah, my only weakness is alcohol. I like the spices in chai. The taste is comforting.”

With the kettle on, he turns and heads toward the opposite end of the counter where some baked-good situation is set beneath a glass cake stand. I watch silently as he moves, confidently gathering things in his dazzling ensemble.

Soon, there’s a beautiful but humble feast in front of me. A neatly arranged platter of cherries, red and green grapes, macadamia nuts, salted almonds, pumpkin seeds and dried mangoes. He’s also brought a plate with two squares of a moist and delicious-looking apple-crumb cake. Last, but certainly not least, a steaming pot of chai, two cups and a small jug of warmed oat milk. He’s even brought little crystal containers of cinnamon and brown sugar.

Amazed, I chuckle. “Not beer, peanuts and popcorn, then?”

Buffy makes her way around the hoard and into Alexander’s lap. He sits back, letting her get comfortable atop his thighs but he blinks up at me. “Would you rather have those things? I can grab some.”

“No, I’m joking. This is wonderful. Do you do this often?”

He nods, taking hold of the kettle and pouring tea into my cup. “More often than not. It helps me decompress after a big social event. Usually, I’m alone. Sometimes, Raph sits with me and we talk. Or someone from the kitchen staff will join me. They’re great. They always make sure something is prepped in the fridge so I can grab stuff when I get home.”

“Is it difficult for you to be in large social settings?” I ask, bringing the chai to my lips. I take a tentative sip and it is indeed comforting. Spiced perfection.

“Maybe, but I’ve only recently noticed how taxing it is. I can do it, you know? I’m good at it. Schmoozing and working a crowd. But afterward, I want to come home and hibernate for days. Eat cozy foods and binge watch Buffy . I’ve never been given much time to do that, though. Especially when the engagement rituals with Oliver were in full-swing—oh shit. That’s what I keep meaning to tell you!”

“Go on.”

“Oliver came here today. That’s why Raph called you.”

This revelation and the fact that it slipped his mind makes me pause in my relaxed grazing. I fold my arms and listen as Alexander recounts Oliver’s surprise visit.

I understand why Raphael called me. Undoubtedly, he was expecting some kind of dramatic relapse of Alexander’s emotional and mental well-being. That he’d fall back into the confused, depressive and bitter state he was in when he and I were bickering with each other.

Maybe Raphael hasn’t witnessed Alexander’s healing process the way that I have? The slow warming and reopening of his heart. The steady introspection and subsequent understanding.

Listening to him retell the meeting, it’s clear that he was ready for it. Not only that, he seems to have benefitted from it in some perceptible way.

“So yeah, that’s basically it,” Alexander says, casually breaking off a piece of apple crumb cake with his fork. His free hand lovingly rests on Buffy’s back. Why am I jealous of this fucking cat? “Raph freaked the hell out for no reason. I guess I don’t blame him—but the truth is, I feel lighter after the visit. It was good for me.”

“Oliver gave you a sense of closure,” I say, having finished my own cake and two cups of chai. I reach for a couple cherries. “That’s an important part of the healing process, if you can get it. ”

“Were you able to get closure with Josefina?”

“For me, it was more about acceptance than closure. Just letting it be and not dwelling on what happened between us… In a way, you’ve given me closure.”

“Really? How so?”

I pop a cherry into my mouth and let the sweet flavor flood my senses as I consider, then speak around the pit. “I told myself that I was fine. That I had forgiven her for the part she played in deceiving me. But the hostility I felt toward both you and Oliver when you showed up at the cottage was an obvious and frustrating sign that I had not truly healed. I’d only secured myself within the safety of a purebred-free bubble—aside from Leoni, of course—so, it seemed like I was okay. And maybe I was, but… obviously, I still had a lot that I needed to work through.”

Alexander leans over Buffy to rest his elbow against the wooden top of the island. His chin is in his palm as he watches me intently. “That’s a relief to hear. I worry that I’m always making things more difficult for you.”

“No. You’re always making my life better.” I take two more cherries because these things are really good.

He smiles. Maybe it’s the dim lighting, but it seems as if his eyes keep lingering on my mouth as I eat. Once I discard the pits, I take a deep breath. “She never fed from me when we were together. Not once.”

Alexander’s brows rise in disbelief. “Josefina?”

“Yes,” I say quietly. “If ever there was a telltale sign that she was not serious about me, it was that. But I… I kept telling myself that she needed time. Even after years of avoiding it, I made excuses for her like an idiot. I was feeding from her regularly, but she never once desired me that way. What you did this morning—the way you indulged and gave me such beautiful…”

I pause, truly at a loss for words. The recollection of his soft and loving thoughts swells within my chest, making my throat tight.

Sensing my emotional anguish, Alexander lifts, upsetting Buffy and allowing her to jump down from his lap before he leans across the distance and kisses me. A sweet, concentrated peck against my lips once, then twice before he rests his forehead against mine.

For every red flag and warning signal Josefina gave me, Alexander offers a green one in its place. Not just green. Golden. Wholesome and true. His love and affections aren’t unblemished. He’s been hurt before, too, so he’s cautious.

This makes me trust him even more. That I’m not some thoughtless action, deviant curiosity or fleeting sensation. Far from it.

These lofty and romantic words are hard to express, so I meet his gaze and tell him what I want instead. “May I stay the night with you?”

“Of course,” he responds, smiling sweetly.

“Can we fuck?”

Alexander starts and huffs as his cheeks blaze. He tumbles back down onto his stool, grinning. “‘Let’s take it slowly’ has left the building.”

“I know we said that, but then we had really delicious sex this morning. If you’re not ready to do more, we don’t have to?—”

“I’m ready, it’s just… just know that I’m fairly novice when it comes to these things.”

“That’s alright. We can learn together.”

Alexander bites his bottom lip, nodding. When he swallows, his Adam’s apple bobs in his throat and I find the whole thing incredibly sensual. “I… don’t have any lube though. We should probably get something while we’re down here.”

“No problem, kitchens are stocked full of lube possibilities. Lubricants behind every cabinet and cupboard.”

Alexander smiles and shakes his head. “Hey Raph.”

I’m confused by the way he’s casually called his manservants name, as if he’s standing in the room with us. But a millisecond later, Raphael’s voice registers in the entryway behind me. I swivel on the stool and he’s there. Breezy and with his palms clasped behind his back.

“Yes?”

“Will you take Buffy with you tonight, please?”

“I sure will.” He walks into the kitchen, then dips to pick up Buffy near our feet. “Daniel, I’ve put your bag, extra towels and a robe in Alexander’s ensuite bathroom. Is there anything else you need?”

My mouth is slightly agape as I look back and forth between them. “Were you standing there and listening the entire time?” I thought he was asleep. I thought we were alone.

Raphael shrugs with the cat in his arms. “It’s my job to stalk him. Are you good for the night?”

With my fingers, I rub the space between my eyebrows. My God. “Yeah, I’m all set, thanks.”

He flashes a smile and scrunches his nose. “Great. Have fun tonight.” Raphael moves toward the entryway, then turns. “There’s olive oil in the pantry. Almond oil, too. The almond oil smells nicer, but absorbs faster, so be aware of that. Goodnight.” He turns, then disappears.

My head whips back to Alexander. “Are we seriously getting lube recommendations from your manservant?”

Alexander shrugs. “Trying to hide this from him would only be more stressful for me. It’s better that he knows.”

“Knows,” I repeat, “and is very supportive.” Wow.

Alexander steps backward and toward what I’m assuming is the main pantry. “Do… you have a preference? Olive or almond?”

I exhale a breath. Half disbelieving and half thrilled. “Bring both. We can test and decide together.”

With his eyes sparkling, he nods. “Sounds good.”