CHAPTER 11:

JADEN'S POV:

As I lay down to sleep for the day, I am happier than I've been in decades. Hell, I'm happier than I've been in centuries. I still can't believe I finally got Catalina to see me as more than a vampire. As a man. I always had hope that this day would come, but I think deep down I never believed that it actually would.

But it has happened. Catalina is right now in the penthouse directly upstairs from my apartment. I've wanted this for so long. I fixed up the place for her, wanting everything to be perfect. Wanting her to have everything that she deserved.

Most people would think I was crazy for falling in love with a girl who wanted to murder me, but I did. The first time I saw her, I thought she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. Sure, some women are more beautiful, but there was something special about Catalina. I liked her spirit, that she was a fighter. But underneath all of that tough-girl attitude, I could tell there was a hurt little girl. It was love at first sight for me. I think it would have been the same for her also, if only she hadn't already had so many prejudices against vampires. Though, she does have the right to them.

I sought her out as often as possible over the last two years. I knew that I was three hundred years old, even though I appear in my early twenties. I knew that she was only sixteen when I first met her and that I needed to wait for her to become an adult, a woman. When she turned eighteen earlier this year, I increased my pursuit and flirtations.

The funny thing is, she thought she was the one pursuing me. And she was so cute doing it. But that wasn't the case. I frequented places where I knew she would find me. I would play the same game with her. Let her chase me, just to get a few minutes with her. I would take whatever I could get, even if it was negative attention. I always hoped that even though she was trying to kill me, deep down she didn't want to. That she felt the same attraction to me.

When she wasn't hunting me, I was still there. Following her in the shadows as she hunted other vampires. Making sure that she was safe. On a couple of occasions, when she was out hunting alone, I used mind control on the vampires she was hunting. Just to make the kill easier for her. She really shouldn't have been out hunting alone and I was worried that the vampire would get the upper hand and my Catalina would be hurt. If anyone ever did hurt her, I would make them pay. Even a human, which I've sworn never to kill.

I know that her human hunter friends will want her back. They'll try to convince her that I'm bad and that she should stop seeing me. I will do the exact opposite and try to convince her that she should give us a chance. That my dietary habits don't matter when it comes to true love. And that's what this is, I can feel it. Sure, I've had other relationships over the years, but I've never felt this strongly for another woman.

I especially have to keep an eye out for Noah. He wants her, he loves her and they have a history together. She trusts him and looks to him for a feeling of security, as much as she would probably deny the last part. He'll try to take her from me if given the chance. I need to find a way to convince her to stay here permanently. I could use my powers to make her, but I want Catalina to want to be here. I don't want to force her to choose me.

Finding out information about the vampires she's been after was a stroke of luck. It forced her to associate with me on more than just a vampire-vampire hunter level. It forced her to spend time with me. And how enjoyable that time has been.

I can't believe how quickly our relationship has already evolved. After just a few days together, we've gone from her despising me to her practically being my girlfriend. And it is everything that I've imagined. Her sweet kisses and sweet blood. We haven't had sex yet, but I don't think I'll have to wait long. The night we went to that vampire club and I bit her for the first time, she grinded herself against me until she climaxed, with a little help from me. That was so hot, hearing her orgasm. My sweet, sexy Catalina.

Tonight I'll go hunting with her. From now on I'll be able to protect her openly. No more hiding and secrets. I'll stand by her side and she'll stand by mine. I don't mind killing other vampires. They're all sadistic sons of bitches anyways.

I am going to have to associate with my parents to get the information she needs on Jonathan and Daniel. Information like where they live and how it will be easiest to kill them. They are under my parents' protection and pissing off the master of the city isn't the smartest move, but I highly doubt my parents would retaliate against me for killing a couple of their minions.

What I am worried about is my parents finding out how important Catalina is to me. They've been looking for leverage for the past three centuries to use against me. To get me to join them as a family, as they believe I should. They desire power, it's what makes them happy. They are both powerful vampires, but with me by their side, they believe they would be unstoppable. Two powerful vampires together like them isn't too rare, but three is. I am not even sure what all of their powers are. I've tried to avoid them as much as possible in the past.

If they did try to use or hurt Catalina, I would kill them. I've already debated whether or not I should kill them over the years. Hurting Catalina would just be them making my decision for me. I'm not deluded enough to believe that I could take them on together. But, I am just about as old as them and I think I could take them on, in a fair fight, one on one.

I go to sleep, content in knowing that my precious Catalina is sleeping right above me.

After dusk . . .

I wake up feeling energized. Catalina should be up by now and waiting for me. I quickly shower and dress. Either before we leave to hunt tonight or after we return, I will show her my home where I rest during the day.

I'm anxious to see how she is doing in her new apartment. I know she was a little shocked and creeped out at first, but I couldn't wait to show it all to her. I've waited long enough already. You would think that with me being three centuries old, I'd have learned patience. Nope. Not me. I want what I want when I want it. The past two years have been torture and I want Catalina with me now and always.

When I leave my apartment to go upstairs to Catalina's, Jessica is standing in the hallway, outside my door. This, I do not need right now.

Before I can say anything, Jessica says, "Who is she?"

"None of your concern," I say. I can't believe she even knows Catalina is here.

"I think it IS my concern if my boyfriend is moving some slut into his penthouse," she says with tears in her eyes.

The thing with Jessica is that no matter how much she annoys me, once she starts crying, I can't help but feel bad for her. "Jessica, I am not your boyfriend. We've been broken up for a long time."

"Does your new girlfriend know that you still drink my blood?" she asks.

"Not anymore I don't," I tell her.

"So, I've been completely replaced. Come on baby, you know you'll never have with anyone else what we had," she says, rubbing herself against me and wrapping her arms around my neck.

I easily step away from her embrace. "I love her," I tell her. I've always believed that honesty is the best and simplest way to get things done.

"No, you love me," she says and tries to embrace me again. I side-step to avoid her. After Catalina saw me at the club with Renee last night, I really don't want her getting the wrong idea about Jessica. Sure, I've dated both of them, but that was the past. The only woman I want in my future is Catalina.

"Jessica, you have to stop this or I'll be forced to make you move out of the building. We can be nothing more than friends and now I am even questioning that," I tell her.

She tears up again and the tears start falling, "This is all that bitch's fault! I'll kill her for this!"

"I'd like to see that," I hear a voice from behind me say. I turn around and Catalina is standing there, leaning against the wall near the elevator. I was so distracted by Jessica, I didn't even hear her come off the elevator.

"Whore," Jessica says and walks down the hallway to her apartment.

"Pathetic!" Catalina calls after her.

When Catalina's eyes meet mine, she still looks both amused and pissed. I wonder how long she's been standing there? "How long have you been standing there?" I ask her.

She raises her eyebrows, "Not long? Why did I miss something good?"

"No," I say, and walk over to give her a quick kiss on the mouth, "But I missed you."

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Okay, so how do you all like Jaden's POV? I was thinking of writing a short story about the night Jaden and Catalina first met, when she was sixteen, sort of a prequel. What do you guys think? Would you like that? COMMENT!!!! VOTE!!!!!