June, 2019

"You're really that happy?" I asked her as she buried herself into my neck.

"Did you listen to me last night? Or was there no blood left in your head to retain memories of our exchanges after we had sex?" She glanced up at me.

"I thought you were just saying all that... like whispering sweet nothings."

Her grin that was on her face was starting to falter. Though she shook her head, keeping the smile going as said, "I meant it. And our bond just coming back like this as if it were fate for us to be together makes me even happier." But as her gaze searched my face, eventually the doubt started to creep into the cracks. "Though you don't seem to be happy about this?"

The truth was, I wasn't sure how I felt about our bond invitation returning. All I could feel was confused. Confused that we were in this predicament and confused that she seemed so genuinely enraptured. It was like whiplash from the last time. So I said all that came to mind in that moment in the wake of her spiel. "It's not a bond yet. Just an invitation."

The final optimism depleted from her expression, and she turned away in the hopes to hide it. But of course, I caught it. "Yes it is. Well, I'm going to go for a shower."

And with that, she bounded out of the bed and to the bathroom, not even looking back at me as she closed the door between us. Though despite the wall separating us, I could still hear the shaky sigh leave her before she turned on the water.

While I wasn't so sure what had me on edge, I didn't let myself ruminate on it long. Because the longer I left this, the more I knew she'd work herself into some blame scheme.

Not even putting clothes on, I ambled over to the bathroom door before knocking.

"I'll be out soon," she called back; there was no missing the cracking of her voice.

"I'm coming in," I replied.

As I creaked open the door, she pivoted towards the wall.

I didn't understand why she was so desperate to hide her disappointment when she knew I'd seen and heard her despair, nonetheless I played along. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she muttered back.

I climbed into the shower with her, snaking my arms around her waist. "I thought you wanted me to know all your feelings, yet here you are hiding them from me."

"You don't want to hear it."

"Would I ask if I didn't?"

"Okay," she spun around, emerald brimming with red. "It upsets me that you know I'm excited about our bond return, but you're either indifferent or mad that it's back."

"I'm not mad."

"Uh-huh."

"Or indifferent."

"Right."

"I'm scared," I then mumbled ever so quietly, unable to meet her gaze anymore.

She was quiet for a moment until her arms wrapped around me and her breasts pressed against my chest, her proximity demanding me to look at her.

"One day you will believe me when I say I'm not going anywhere this time. And I know I may have promised that to you before and let you down, but things are so different now, Lukas. I'm not going through that pain again of losing you... unless you tell me you don't want me."

While she meant it in an earnest way, I shifted the mood in the room as I hoisted her up against the wall, breathing into her neck, "How could I not want you?" I started to trail open-mouthed kisses down her neck.

"Right? It would be absurd considering we fit together so well." Her legs squeezed themselves around my waist.

The water cascaded over our faces as we pulled apart to stare at each other, her copper hair now almost dark brown, and her green gaze loaded with lust. "I'll get there," I then promised, getting serious again for a moment. "Once each experience with you stops bringing back tainted memories from the past, I'll probably stop thinking the worst. But you'll need to be patient with me for now."

"I'll wait forever for you."

"That's a long time to wait."

"It's what I'll do for you. No one has ever understood me like you, or made me feel the way you do. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, as a friend, partner, lover, whatever you will take..." She trailed off, eyes glossing over for a moment. Then she smiled before locking her determined gaze with mine. "We once promised each other that we'd end up together no matter what. This is me still filling my end."

"You remember that?"

She nodded before biting her lip. "Something about this conversation... and this position... is bringing back many memories."

"Is it now?" I replied, cluing into her coy hint that was making me recall the very time she was referring to.

"Didn't think the only time we did it was in the shower... I've actually never had shower sex before. Except with you," she then breathed, lips coming down on my cheek, staying clear of my mouth. She kissed her way over whatever she could reach for a few moments, stirring my own desire as her naked frame squirmed over me. Then she paused by my ear to whisper, "Remind me how the last time went."

She didn't need to say anything more to convince me. I was quick to lower her over me, letting her tightness stretch around my length.

"Fuck, that feels so good," she hissed as I moved her ever so slowly up and down over me as she accommodated to my size.

"Good? I think it needs to feel better than good." So I pressed her against the wall, letting it take her weight and steady her body before I ploughed deeper and harder into her. Again. And again. And again.

Her nails clawed at my back.

She screamed my name and squirmed without shame, pressing into me as I thrusted into her, as if nothing I was doing could bring us close enough.

As I drove her to climax again and again, when I slowed down again to avoid coming too soon, she slumped over my shoulder and pleaded, "Bite me."

"I told you I don't need that," I whispered back, dismissing her request as I continued to slowly slide in and out of her.

"But I do. Bite me and fuck me until you finish."

"Ollie..."

"Oh, please Lukas. I'll do whatever you want if you just give in. I need it. I need you."

I nuzzled into her neck, inhaling her scent that was embedded in her skin and blood—the sweet smell of hibiscus and watermelon that encompassed her.

I revelled in the pulsing of her veins under my lips as I licked my way along her neck, starting to thrust into her faster.

I tuned into the rapid tempo of her heart, pounding for me, calling for me, as I slammed into her, her mouth popping open and piercing pleasure coming in cries from the woman melting in my hold.

"Lukas," she moaned. "Please, Lukas."

My head remained at her neck, mouth watering as she tightened around my pulsing cock once again, coming undone. And just as she reached her peak, just as she climaxed, thinking she couldn't go any higher, I struck.

Teeth sinking through her delicate skin, her warm blood immediately pooled in my mouth.

And, fuck, it tasted like heaven.

Better than it smelled.

Sweet, deep, and velvety delight, oozing over my tongue, coating my throat in ecstasy.

Unable to contain myself anymore, I sucked deeply on her neck, gulping mouthfuls of her blood as I gave her my final thrusts.

She sobbed joy, and I spilled into her, mouth finally breaking its seal from her as I heaved a final groan of delight.

Her body shook as she came down, eyes closing and opening, unable to focus. She trembled as my tongue lapsed over the wound on her neck, sealing the torn flesh together.

And when she finally seemed to focus on my face, I sighed, "Fuck me."

"I'll say," she breathlessly replied.

"I don't think I could drink any other blood ever again after tasting you."

She smirked, eyes narrowing in suspicion. "You better not go drinking anyone else's blood."

"It was just an expression, mein Schatz."

Her eyes clouded over in adoration, either in a state of bliss at my term of endearment, or still coming down from her high. But eventually her hand cupped my cheek as she whispered, "This the proper start of our forever. I'm sorry it took us so long... and that I took us on a roller coaster before we got here. But I'm going to make every day feel this amazing for you."

· · ───── ∘☽༓☾∘ ───── · ·

Another few hours had passed when I woke from my slumber again, though this time Ollie was gone.

Lips pressing together, I patted her side of the bed, feeling some warmth still remaining, meaning she hadn't left too long ago. But the sounds of the suite told me she wasn't close by.

The air felt lighter, so I reached for my phone to check the time. We still had a few hours until our flight, and a few until I could go outside.

I was tempted to roll back over and get another hour of sleep, but keeping me from drifting off was the faint sound of chatter... specifically the familiar, soft voice of Olivia.

My eyes opened again and I squinted over at her bedside where her phone sat on the table.

Sitting up, I glanced again at my side table, ensuring I didn't dream of handling my phone before.

Though lo and behold, mine was there too.

And the sound of her talking continued.

Is someone here?

Legs sliding out from under the sheets, I gathered my clothes and slowly slid them on, body rigid as an ominous sensation clung to the air.

Step by step, I crept out of the room, following the sound of her voice as I tried to pick up a clue on who else was here.

But I only heard her.

I had reached the end of the hallway when I could finally make out her words from where she had retreated to downstairs.

"Please just trust me when I say I will sort this out. You don't have to concern yourself anymore." She paused, as if waiting for someone to respond. "Lukas and I will figure things out just fine." Another break. "We are right back to where we were before you got between us. Whether we cement our bond is not a concern of yours, so please just move on."

Just who is she talking to? And got between us? I started to assume she had taken a call on a landline as I slowly descended the stairs, careful with my footing so as not to alert her of my approach.

But as I rounded the corner and she came into view, I couldn't spot any device.

No landline. No phone. No laptop. No earpods. No watch... just Ollie, sporting one of my shirts, her arms crossed as she glared at the empty space in the kitchen.

"To quote that cliche saying, life is a bloody fucking roller coaster, so if you're waiting for me to reach my happily ever after with no ups and downs, then you're going to be following me around for life. And, sorry, I really don't want you haunting me while I'm trying to move on with your best friend. Last night was weird enough wondering if you were watching us... I know you said you weren't, but that's also part of why you have to move on. So I know you aren't. Lukas and I are going to figure things out at our own pace. And even if he never lets me in again, it's not your concern anymore. We are back to where we were... no, further than where we were when you came along. So please just let us be, and let go of this life, and... move on to the next one. Before you get stuck here."

The knot in my stomach twisted, turned, and tightened as I listened and watched her conversation with the air. My heart pounded with each word that revealed a little more context. Until eventually I had to confirm, "Who are you talking to?"

She jumped. Eyes wide, head snapping my way, she stepped back as if she'd been caught doing something distrustful. "Lukas," she said, forcing a smile as she tried to feign ignorance. "I didn't expect you to be up just—"

"Who were you just talking to?"

"No one," she tried to play off, grin large, fake, and deceitful.

And I glared at her as the shreds of trust I had accumulated the past twenty-four hours began to snap one by one with each second passing of her fake facade.

After almost a minute had gone by, the smile dropped and she heaved a sigh. "I was on the phone."

"This phone?" I held hers up.

"You had a—"

"Or this one?" I cut her off, holding mine up.

She glanced between them, defeat in her eyes. Then she begged, "Please... don't freak out."

"Olivia Byrne... If you want to ever see me again, stop stalling and tell me right now, who were you talk—"

And the shoe I had been waiting for her to drop left her mouth. "Ben. I was talking to Ben, okay?"

End of Part 3

Thank you for finishing part 3. Let me know whether you enjoyed it in the comments and tell me your predictions for the next part.

How do we feel about Lukas and Ollie's rekindling? And the bombshell Ollie just loaded on Ben? How will Lukas take the news about Ben's ghostness?

Leave a comment, and stay tuned until Part 4 to see if you were right!