Lay It Down - The Rubens (fave song forever)

Nice long chapt.

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Like a bat out of hell, I fled. I fled because one: he was a bastard, and two: the kiss was incredible.

And of course, I was mad. He kissed me because he didn't want Feisal and his minions to see not because he, well wanted to. Not that that would have made much of a difference, I would have still been in this haze of rage even if he had wanted to.

I didn't even want to approach the giant rabbit hole of why I was this angry.

I found the room we'd be sharing on the fourth floor and strolled straight inside, leaving the door wide open for Christian to storm in no more than six seconds after me. "Are you out of your mind? What if Feisal was still lurking?"

"If he was, would you kiss me again?" I clipped back, turning toward him.

His shoulders dropped and the look in his eye promised things I wasn't sure my body was even capable of handling. I could only judge that by the certain body part on him that gave me half a salute during our kiss.

"I wouldn't not kiss you."

The asshole used a double negative. The rabbit hole was right there. Why was I this angry? Just because he kissed me? Wouldn't I just slap him, hit him, or something and move on from it just as I did on the bus? When he skimmed those soft, full lips of his across my head earlier, I was shocked. Mostly, I was shocked by how much I wished he'd kiss just that little bit lower beneath my ear, or even across my neck- stop it, Chels. Maybe this was why I was mad. It's been... a while.

"Wait, what? God, Christian you make me so... so mad sometimes I don't- I can't even-"

"If you want me to apologise, I'm not going to." He said approaching me slowly as if I were some sort of wild animal. "I said make it real, you didn't have to run your nails down my stomach."

"You didn't have to stick your tongue down my throat." I countered, blushing.

"But it made it look all the more real, didn't it?"

I bristled and moved forward to throttle him. "Are you kidding me, you son of a b-"

Just as my hands moved to his chest to push him, he grabbed my wrists and held them. I yanked at them but he held them firmly against his chest, his eyes continuing to promise sin after sin after sin.

"I fucking dare you." I seethed.

"Watch that mouth." He murmured flickering his gaze down to the offender in question. "Why are you this upset? Pretty strong emotions for something you shouldn't care about."

Good question.

I clenched my jaw and tried to shrug a stiff shoulder. "It doesn't matter. Just let me go. I'm going for a walk."

"You're not going for a walk did you completely forget who was downstairs?"

"They're clearly gone, we both saw them leave. I won't be gone long, only around the hotel and back."

"As your maker-"

"Don't you do it." I yanked my hands out of his grip and moved away. "Don't say it."

"I command you to stay in this room."

A submissive shiver slid up my spine and gripped onto that stupid protégé gene like a vice. Great. Let's just add that to the growing list of things I'm mad at him for.

His smile was wicked. "I'm going to shower. Why don't you watch a bit of TV. See what's been going on in the world the last four days. Watch a bit of Friends."

I grabbed a pillow off the bed and threw it but he'd already dashed into the bathroom. Grumbling to myself, I switched the TV on and glared out the window. I was Christian's obligation in life I wasn't one of his... playthings.

Then it hit me. I was mad because I was one of his playthings. I was his protégé, he could control every aspect in my life if he damn well wanted to. He turned me. And back when I first knew him, I absolutely hated that fact. In fact, I hated him. I probably stopped hating him when he saved me from that dark pit I put myself in after I turned. Maybe a part of me... still... h-

The bathroom door opened and I glanced over my shoulder. There he was strolling back with his clothes in his hand and a white towel around his waist. He didn't even look at me, he simply put his clothes on the chair and grabbed his backpack. He turned and I had to shake my head so I wouldn't admire the muscles on his back. Backs are so underrated.

I tried and failed not to think about the kiss but I couldn't. I pressed my hand to my mouth and sighed angrily. Couldn't it have been avoided? Maybe Kate would have said something in her note...

Kate's note.

He must not have read it yet; I remember him putting it in his pocket. I jumped over the bed and grabbed his shorts. The note was blank aside from twelve numbers and one sentence: "212 5984 45674. Beside the bed."

I frowned at first and then my heart dropped. My eyes grazed over to the bedside table at the phone. The shower was still running so I had time. I dialled the numbers like a mad woman. It didn't even ring twice before I heard her familiar voice, "We have about ten minutes before Christian comes out of the shower. He's definitely shook up over that kiss, probably just as much as you."

Just hearing her voice made me relax. "Thank God you're okay, Kate I've been worried sick about you and Cal. How's Cal is he okay-?"

"Honestly, we're great. This hotel's great and Cal, Joe and I are on the beach."

"What, the beach? That's so unfair, you know me and Chris have been running away from these goons for three whole days? I'm exhausted. And you're not using a cell phone are you? Christian said they'll be tracking those."

"It's one of those throw away ones, can't be tracked, it's fine. Anyway, did you completely miss what I just said? I saw that man suck the soul out of you about an hour ago, called that hotel and told them to give you that note. How are you feeling?"

An hour ago? "So you didn't anticipate this? You didn't see this coming a few days ago?"

"My visions have been changing nonstop the past few days. Feisal's getting smart and then confused by where you're going. They're still in town but your hotel's safe. Trust me Chels. Anyway, seven minutes. Tell me how was it? Good kisser? Looked like you enjoyed it, to be honest."

"Kate..." I groaned. "Don't."

"You like the guy don't you?"

"No, no I don't. No, he's... we're friends now."

"Yeah I know. You guys have been getting pretty damn close it's kind of sweet."

I winced. "Why are you watching us so closely, maybe you should lay off a bit."

"See you want me to stop watching you, maybe I will for tonight. I already know nothing's going on for the next twenty-four hours. Didn't I tell you Christian wasn't such a bad guy? Just... misunderstood. To be fair to you, I didn't pay attention to any of your talks, it seemed too intimate to intrude on."

"What about when we fed?"

"Nope didn't watch that. Your kiss took me by surprise." She laughed. "Told Callum about it, he's still in hysterics."

Thank God she didn't watch us feed. The shower was still running so I decided to ask: "Has Evie tried calling? Emailing? Is Joe there can I speak to him before Christian comes in?"

"I talked to Evie a few days ago but told her you were at work and you'd call when you aren't busy. And yeah Joe's here, hold on."

The phone shuffled as I settled on the bed. And then his deep voice filled the line, "Chelsea?"

"Oh, Joe I'm so sorry." I blurted out. "I didn't mean to get you involved in all of this, I know you just came here to visit but now-"

"Shh, it's okay." He spoke softly.

Joe was such a shy, lovely guy, he didn't deserve to be involved in any of this. He was a few years older than me at thirty-one. And because of how nice he was, he probably refused to leave Kate and Cal. If his family knew what he was getting up to... they'd have my head on a platter. Literally.

"Katherine explained everything to me. This Christian seems like a good guy for looking out for you this way."

"Yeah he's something." I murmured. The shower turned off and I sighed. "I haven't got long left but, stay safe please. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something were to happen to you."

"I'm part panther, a few humans and vampires won't be able to sto-"

"Chistian!" I screamed when he yanked the phone away and held a wet hand over my shoulder to keep me still. His body was still dripping, it looked like he'd barely bothered drying off before securing the towel around his waist. Thank God it was secure.

"Beaumont residence. To whom am I speaking to?" He said chirpily.

He smelt wonderful dammit.

"Joe? As in werepanther Joe? Hmph. Is Katherine with you? Yes we'll have the opportunity to meet in person don't you worry about that." He eyed me carefully. He released me and I slid away from that spot on the bed to one further away from his half naked body. "Kate, are we safe to talk? Are you okay?"

Deciding to take my own shower whilst he was on the phone I locked the door behind me, stripped and washed quickly just in case I missed anything.

"Good news." Christian chimed when I stepped back into the room dressed. Thankfully, he'd shrugged his cargo shorts back on but unfortunately, without a t-shirt. "We're safe for the night."

"And the bad news?"

"You can't leave the hotel. But it doesn't matter. Tonight, we eat in the hotel restaurant and we meet the couple that'll drive us to Al Mazar for free. Kate gave me all the necessary details to act our part."

"As a couple." I clarified remembering her first note.

"That's correct a couple."

Brilliant. "What else did Kate say? What did Joe say when you spoke to him?"

The smile in his eyes disappeared and he shook his head. "Neither said anything. I'll get us some food. You're staying here."

"Kate said we couldn't leave the hotel."

"Kate said you couldn't leave the hotel. Need anything new while we're here? New toothbrush? New tank top? You like those, right?"

"Get out."

"Suit yourself. I'm excited for our date this evening. It'll be... eventful."

As he left I narrowed my gaze at the closed door. He knew something. And Kate had completely neglected to inform me of the plan. Or she knew I'd probably hate whatever plan they'd devised.

**

"Am I underdressed?" I complained glancing down at the blue hippy skirt I wore to shisha and my tank top. "I've worn this already."

"Nobody here knows that." Christian said holding out the chair for me and moving his chair so he could sit closer to me at this circular table. The restaurant was the same as any restaurant you'd get when you'd go to a three star hotel. It was nice, quiet and there were tourists everywhere.

Christian was only in one of his t-shirts but the bastard had gone out and got a new pair of jeans. The least he could have done was get me another skirt or even a pair of jeans too. I moved my hair away from my face and frowned at the menu.

Honestly, I felt like a moody child. Inside I was still bristling over the kiss and yet he seemed as cool, calm and collected as ever. I stared at him as he ordered a bottle of red wine for the table. Smooth movements, flirty with the damn waitress too. The nerve. When she caught eyes with me, I smiled and allowed my pupils to expand as well as a few veins across my cheekbones.

Her face paled as she scurried away, and a smug smirk tugged at my lips.

Christian's hand covered my knee and out of reflex, it jerked and hit the table. Had his touch always felt this... exposing?

"Was that necessary?" He asked staring into my soul with those stupid blue eyes. "Green isn't a good colour on you, kitten."

"Red won't be when I throw my glass of wine at you." I replied, highly aware his hand was still on my leg. "And I'm not jealous. She just... lingered."

All he did was chuckle but his hand remained. The wine arrived - through a male server now, poor girl - and still his hand was on my knee. Just as the server began to pour our wine I said, "Is there a reason why your hand is still on my leg?"

"No reason at all."

"Then... do you-"

"Have you ever tasted a bottle of house made Arabic wine?"

I sighed and shook my head. "No."

"Taste this."

I glared at the glass he was offering me and the devilish smile on his face. It was almost like making a deal with the devil. Pinching my fingers around the spine of the glass careful not to touch him - despite his hand still resting on my knee - I took a small sip of the sweet wine. It was oaky, slightly dry but nothing could overpower how sweet it was.

"Perfect isn't it? A sweet woody aftertaste. Now, what food would you like? A main? Starter? Dessert, or would you like to wait until later."

His eyes promised many things. Too many things. And I started to realise he was egging me on. He wanted me to react to the way he was talking to me, the way his hand slowly edged a little further up my thigh.

I crossed my legs beneath to table which effectively dropped his hand away. But all he did was glide his fingertips along my calf.

"I'll break a finger." I protested but even to my ears it sounded weak. I cleared my throat and leaned forward so I could speak quietly. "What's your motive here, Christian."

"I have no motive." He so obviously lied. "I just can't help myself."

Nah. He's definitely got a motive that sounds like utter bull-

"Wait, what are you doing," I breathed when he leaned closer. I clenched my jaw when his hand restarted its slide up my thigh.

"Kissing you again."

I remained as stock still as possible as he leaned closer. "Why?"

"Because."

I edged back again narrowing my gaze. This was for show. They were here weren't they? "Because you have to." I stated.

His fingers brushed my hair away from my cheeks and smiled a smile I wasn't familiar with. "Because I want to."

And just before as his lips touched, he also murmured, "But I do have to as well."

I didn't have enough time to move away before he was urging me into a kiss I wasn't ready for. It was just like earlier. I was too shocked to respond and it was one of those... hook, line and sinker kisses. It was slow, controlled but it teetered on the edge of frenzy. Desire. He burned me, seared my skin with the way he nibbled and plunged his tongue past my lips. And I couldn't bring myself to do anything but respond.

I've never been consumed by a man's mouth and hands before. He possessed every inch of me, mind, body, my unfortunate soul. His fingers tickled the nape of my neck as his other hand was so dangerously close to the open flame that grew between my legs.

Was there a table cloth? I couldn't remember. Hell, I couldn't remember my own name at this point. All my treacherous body could do was slowly, uncross a leg and feel the tips of fingers teeter along my inner thigh. Had he meant to go this far? Who knows.

Too suddenly, he leaned back but at the same time I heard, "We'll have whatever wine they're having." Along with a robust hearty laugh.

I incredulously watched as Christian burst out into a laugh so unlike him and thanked the stars that lustful bubble was popped. I had to duck my head and hide my darkening eyes. Breathe.

The couple on the table beside us were American, tanned, and it seemed as if they were ready to drink the entire restaurant under the table with their two empty bottles. They must have been here when we got here.

They looked like they were in their late fifties, both dark haired, a little tipsy judging by their change in scent and the slightly unfocussed stare coming from the guy. Definitely well-travelled, tanned as hell; probably just a shade lighter than Christian and I - considering how long we'd been baking under the sun the past few days.

"The two of you remind me of me and my misuses during our own honeymoon period. Can't keep your mitts off her can ya?" The bear of a man joked.

Before I could clip a retort back, Christian squeezed my thigh - there was a table cloth, thankfully - and said, "Funny. We have yet to plan our honeymoon. We're engaged."

The light bulb above my head lit up. This was the couple. The ones that would take us to Arish. I glared through my forced smile at Christian and he smiled lovingly right back. I knew he'd been playing a stupid game.

He moved me around like a damn board piece and I happily complied.

"Yes," I agreed with a sickly sweet smile. "Been engaged for a while now. He latched onto my heart and I just couldn't escape."

"Oh," The woman gasped. "A handsome Englishman and a stunning American crossing paths and falling in love. One of my favourite scenarios."

...what.

"She's a sucker for love stories." The man explained. "Absolute sucker."

And now I see how we get them to give us a ride.

"I'm Jed. This is my wife, Helen."

"Christian, and this is Chelsea."

"So how did you meet, was it love at first sight? I can imagine it was I mean look at you both."

I snorted and Christian squeezed again. Time to act the doting lover. "Goodness no." I said. "He was a pain in my backside from the moment we met but things... change." I squeezed one of his cheeks and smirked when he glared right back. "Total turn around on his behalf though."

"And hers." He interrupted. "Believe me when I say this kitten scratched. I'm glad to have her but our story hasn't been an easy one."

I could see a million and one questions in her eyes but both of our waiters approached the table. Christian ordered two things off the menu for us, both meals easy to swallow clearly so we could speak in between bites and the couple ordered dessert and the house made wine just as they'd joked.

The waiters even asked if we wanted to join our tables and thankfully, Helen jumped at the chance before we could. Any other time, in a situation like this, if I'd heard this beef of a man say something like 'We'll have whatever wine they're having' I would have made a few choice comments on how what we were doing was none of their damn business. But we needed this free ride and I wasn't about to sabotage it.

"Why hasn't your story been an easy one?" Helen asked once they left. "Of course, if you don't mind me asking."

"It's okay. We don't mind at all. Chels and I have a significant age gap between us." Significant being the operative word. But I suppose appearance wise I was only twenty-one so playing the "age" card was a good one to play for our tragic love story. "To us it's only nine years but we met a year ago and with her still being in university, her parents thought our relationship to be... unwise."

The two looked completely engrossed in our story. And too be honest, if all else fails I can imagine Christian compelling them both. I suppose that was easier but this way... was a little more fun.

"She's still finishing university, I'd proposed and her family were against it. They wanted her to finish, get a job and-"

"And," I interrupted taking his hand from my leg finally and putting our intertwined hands on the table. "I wanted to take a gap year and travel with him. We wanted to travel, see the world together, but my dad wanted to keep me from him, from this new adventure. And as soon as my parents gave me that ultimatum, I thought no. I went to college because they wanted me to not because I wanted to.

I didn't want to be a doctor. I wanted to travel. To learn, to challenge myself, not academically but spiritually and emotionally. And Christian does exactly that. He is all of those things. So we ran away here to Egypt with nothing but our passports and enough money for flights. We've survived until now, but to be honest the little things don't matter. Wherever I go, he goes. And wherever I go... to be honest, he's not that far behind."

There was very, very little truth to any of that Oscar Winning performance. Sure the last few days he'd challenged me emotionally and he followed me damn near everywhere. But that was all. Christian watched me obviously pleased. I was surprised I managed to reel that out so smoothly and it looked as if he was as well.

"Oh wow,"

I turned from his gaze to Helen and watched as she wiped beneath her eyes. "I don't usually cry like this, must be the wine."

"Must be," Jed said gruffly clearing his throat. Maybe I should have taken acting as a second major... "We're so sorry you've had to go through so much so young. It isn't fair. Life I mean it throws you too many curve balls. Me and Helen have been roaming around the Middle East since our forties. We love it here, I know exactly why you would choose Egypt as your first destination."

"So rich with culture." She added after a sip from her glass. "Hope you youngsters have seen the pyramids."

"It was the first place we hit." I laughed filling in Christian's silence and giving his hand a light squeeze. "Chris, why don't you tell them what happened when you proposed again by the pyramids. He tells it better than I do."

Our food came just as Christian turned to them to spurt out some elaborate lie about how romantic he was and how we'd snuck onto one of the tours and proposed before security chased us away. Thankfully, as he spoke I drank my soup and finished most of the humus and flatbread. Can never get enough of this stuff.

Christian had barely touched his as the couple and him joked about something, I wasn't really listening, I was too busy sneaking spoonful's of his meal. I'd even finished the bottle of wine, only refilling Christian's glass once.

Meal's over, we'd moved from the restaurant to the bar. I was exhausted but Christian was still going. Still buttering the couple up. They'd already told us they owned a business spanning across Europe that showed tourists around. Christian didn't comment on it much but only congratulated them, keeping cool.

By midnight, I was ready for bed. I glanced at Christian's arm hanging over my shoulder first before tilting my head up and whispering, "I'm going to bed. Good luck with this."

I smiled politely at the other two as I stood. "I'm sorry to cut this short, but I'm going up to bed. Chris, I'll see you upstairs. Guys, it was so nice meeting you, hopefully I'll see you again before we leave."

For display purposes only, I gave Christian a light kiss on the cheek, accidentally lingered a little and dragged myself up to our room. Undressing, I thought about today's events and how much had happened. Almost getting caught by Dante, talking to Kate and Joe and then our kisses. Plural. Despite saying he wanted to, he still had to get the attention of Jed and Helen. Katherine probably told him what to do earlier on the phone and in order to make it... real she probably told him not to tell me.

What is it with him making our kisses real?

Begrudgingly grabbing his stupid t-shirt to wear to bed, I brushed my hair and frowned at my reflection. I admit, I'd always thought Christian was attractive but that was before he followed me around. Before he was an asshole. And now that I'd been in his presence for longer than ten minutes without shouting at him...

Son of a bitch.

I was attracted to him. I didn't want to be, hell no. But it's the little things isn't it? The little touches, the hugs, the intrigue in his eyes whenever he'd look at me as if I was the one with a thousand years behind me. Without even realising it, I'd slowly but surely started to see him as more than, "that dick that follows me from north to south."

I dropped the brush and touched the black veins beating along my cheekbones and neck. But I was also his protégé. He turned me. Three types of protégé's, I reminded myself. Maybe I'm no different after all.

Sliding into bed I faced the window and stared at the clouds passing along the sky.

I'd probably just started to drift off when the door opened - I hadn't locked it after me and it was a standard key in-unlock door - and closed. My back was to the door and his footsteps were barely audible. Now here was the test. Will he sleep on the floor? The chair, beside me? For the sake of me moving so much in my sleep... I hoped it was the former.

And for once, I was right except it was the armchair not the floor. I heard the creaks and cracks of the chair as he settled into it and unlike our night in the hostel, I didn't complain. I didn't tell him to stop being stupid and join me.

A number of thoughts were running through my head, have been since the moment we stepped foot in the desert three days ago. And judging by the beat of his heart he was still awake. So without turning, I murmured, "Why did you turn me?"

The silence was heavy, silent, and to be honest, I didn't know whether I preferred an answer over the quiet. So I prodded further. "You said it yourself, you've only turned three people in your life. Two of them were family and the other you loved. You didn't know me when it happened. So why turn a stranger?"

"I knew Evie. I trust her judgment in people."

"Kate told you I was going to die and you put blood in my drink, barely even thinking about it before doing so." I turned over and faced him. His entire figure was dark, even to my eyes. I couldn't make out his features. "I could have been another Florence, another immortal bitch in this world."

Christian leaned forward in the chair, his face only somewhat visible as he spoke. "As I said, I trust Evie's judgment in people and you didn't deserve to die because of her. It was unfair to you, to your friends. Too many people died because of that woman, because of me."

Because of me. He thought it was his fault. Of course he blamed himself for Florence's actions, if I were him I probably would have. He made her. I thought that way at one point. I blamed him, hated him for all of this.

"You turned me because you were guilty."

His silence was my answer so I turned back around. It was a win-lose situation really. I survived but as this? Forever feeding on the blood of the humans? As a vampire? I knew I wasn't ready to die so young but I used to think was this worth it?

The bed dipped behind me and I held my breath as he dragged the sheet back away from my torso. I glanced over my shoulder, he sat up against the headboard.

"Guilty, is one way of describing it without lying to you." He spoke, dropping his hand to my forearm and tracing his fingers along my skin. "Do you remember the very first time we met? Before you turned?"

Staying as still as I could, I shook my head.

"We met in John's kitchen. I'd said hello, you smiled and after you left the room, you'd said something to Amy about the amount of good looking men wandering around Canada."

Of course I did.

"I listened to you and Amy speak and heard nothing but laughter, happiness, about your plans after you graduated and how excited you were. You were a young woman with her headstrong and you were ready to tackle your future. So yes, Chelsea. I was guilty for the girl that wouldn't get to live her life. And trust me when I say that I'm not a man built to feel guilt."

Once again, I turned away but for a whole other reason. The back of my eyes stung but I refused to shed a tear. I felt better knowing, but I was scared. I was scared of the man sitting beside me.

When I didn't reply, he moved his hand but remained on the bed. He didn't lie down, he didn't try anything, not that I thought he would anyway. Just one more day and I didn't have to be alone with him. I'd have my friends to act as my new wall. My new defences.

I succumbed to slumber only to wake when my traitorous hand had curled onto Christian's forearm in my sleep. I glanced to his sleeping face and released it very slowly. God help me get through the next twenty-four hours.

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Ta-da! nice long ass chapter for you guys. Drop a comment!