Chapter 138

Tessa’s POV

The words that have been making a nest in my heart for what felt like an eternity have finally been spoken out loud. I couldn’t stop them once they filled my heart and escaped my lips. Joseph was still breathing hard after his climax, and he remained on top of me.

I said those words between his lips as he kissed me and then once the words registered in his mind, I felt his entire body freezing.

“You don’t have to say it back,” I said quickly, running my fingers through his hair. “I just thought you should know how I was feeling.”

For a moment, I thought I saw pain flashing through his eyes, and I wondered what that was about. I ran my fingers down the side of his face, and he closed his eyes, leaning into my touch. I leaned up and kissed him gently on the lips.

To my surprise he deepened the kiss; his tongue explored my mouth curiously and I loved every feeling of it. Even though he didn’t say it back, I felt lighter now that he knew how I felt. I was glad he knew how I was feeling.

He kissed down my torso and positioned himself between my legs. I threw my head back and gasped as he used his tongue to tease my center. Chills spread throughout my body as he ran circles around my clit; building up the very orgasm that took me out only moments ago.

“Oh, Joseph…” I moaned, digging my nails deeper into the bed.

He continued to please me with his tongue, licking the juices that poured out of me. He gripped my thighs firmly, making it almost impossible to get away. Not that I wanted to get away from him.

Soon, the orgasm returned to me, and I moaned loudly, trying to muffle the sounds with my hands to not alert my neighbors.

By the time he was finished, I was panting and gasping for breath. He kissed my body again and then kissed my lips. I smiled into his kiss and ran my fingers down his body until I reached his erection.

I wrapped my fingers around his shaft and peered into his lust-filled eyes.

“My turn to please you,” I whispered as he kissed me again.

I ran my and up and down his shaft; he closed his eyes, pressed his forehead against mine, and breathed deeply. I used his juices and mine as a natural lubricant and continued to tug at him gently. I loved the feel of his thickness in my hands and telling from his deep moans that emerged from the depth of his throat, I knew he liked it too.

I pressed into him, rolling him onto his back and he went willingly. I kissed his broad chest and ran my tongue down his incredible abs until I positioned myself between his legs. He watched me tenderly and I saw the hunger and lust in his eyes.

I gave him a shy smile, feeling my cheeks warming under the intensity of his stares. He ran his fingers down the side of my warm face and gave me a tired yet extremely satisfied grin, giving me silent permission to keep going.

While keeping my eyes on his, I allowed my tongue to draw circles around the tips of his penis. He took a deep breath upon first contact, his body tensing, but he soon relaxed as I continued drawing those slow and seductive circles. I brought the entire tip into my mouth, sucking on it tenderly as if it was candy and I couldn’t get enough.

I deepened him inside my mouth, and he lightly thrust his lips, running his own fingers through my hair. I moaned with him as I felt his penis jerking in my mouth and soon, I was tasting the saltiness of his seed.

He was breathing heavily as I lay beside him, draping my fingers through his. I looked at him and I saw that he was keeping his eyes closed. Once again, I found myself wondering what he was thinking about.

I nuzzled against his side, burying my face in his neck, and taking in his scent. He wrapped his arms firmly around his body and held me close to him. I knew it was going to be dawn soon and he probably wanted to get some sleep. I found myself exhausted as well, but I wanted to get my sleeping pattern back in order before school on Monday. These next couple of days were going to be brutal.

“I really do need to take care of some stuff before Monday,” he whispered against me. He kissed my temple gently. “But I’ll call you later, okay?”

I nodded, trying to keep the disappointment off my face.

He kissed me again before untangling himself to grab his clothes off the floor. I watched him as he quickly dressed. Soon, it looked like nothing had happened between us. He gave me a small smile before leaning down and kissing me again.

“Bye Tessa,” he breathed against my lips.

I closed my eyes, feeling his nearness and basking in it.

“Bye Joseph…” I whispered in return.

When I opened my eyes, he was gone.

…..

Later in the day, I decided to go to Ruby’s apartment. I was exhausted because I’ve been awake since yesterday and I needed her energy to keep me awake. When I got to her apartment, there was part of me that was hoping maybe Bernard didn’t take away her memories, or that maybe his abilities didn’t work on her.

I held out for that hope until arrived at her apartment. She was the same energetic Ruby that I loved so much and to my utter disappointment, her brain was completely clear of all things vampire.

“You have to tell me about your vacation,” Ruby said, pulling me into her apartment and toward her couch. “Did you end up meeting his entire family? Are they nice?”

I chuckled and curled up on the couch.

“He doesn’t really have family,” I told her. “Most of them are dead. But I did meet his friends and those he considers family. They were incredible.”

I felt my face growing warm as she shrieked in excitement.

“Oh my god. I’m so happy for you!”

I smiled at her, but the smile faltered, something she had noticed.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

“I might have done something earlier…” I said, biting my bottom lip as shame washed over me.

She frowned.

“Go on…”

“I told him I loved him,” I blurted before I could stop myself.

She gasped almost comically loudly.

“What?!” She nearly shouted. “Do you really love him?”

I nodded, feeling another smile tugging at my lips.

“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it,” I told her.

“That’s a huge deal, Tessa,” she breathed. “Especially for you. Did he say it back?”

More shame washed over me as I stared down at my hands.

“Not exactly…” I murmured.

Her face fell immediately.

“What?” She asked, furrowing her brows together. “He didn’t say it back?”

I shook my head, burying my face in my lap as I pressed my knees to my chest.

“No… he didn’t.”

“Oh…” she said and then after a moment asked, “What do you think that means?”

“I’m not exactly sure,” I said in return. “I thought he might love me because of how protective and gentle he is with me. But now I’m not so sure.”

I hate how true that was despite not being able to tell her the entire truth.

“Maybe he’s just not ready. You said it yourself that he hasn’t been in a serious relationship in a long time. So, maybe he’s just afraid to take that next step. Maybe just give him some time.”

She was right; I was totally stressed out about this for nothing. I was thankful to have her by my side with her encouraging and comforting words.

“How was your vacation?” I then asked her.

She shrugged.

“It was fine,” she said, but then a frown decorated her lips. “It was weird… it felt like I lost some time. Like it went by so quickly that I barely grasped it. But I don’t think I really did much. It was weird.”

It made sense that she felt that way considering she spent a little over a day in the mountains and then her memories were erased.

“I also had a weird dream that I was kissing this really cute guy. He had blonde shaggy hair and these drop-dead gorgeous brown eyes that made my heart stop,” she said, her cheeks growing red. “He seemed familiar, but I don’t think I ever met him before.”

My eyes widened at her words.

She just described Conner…she remembered Conner.

What did that even mean?

“Maybe you’re a prophet,” I teased.

She laughed.

“Maybe I am,” she said with a grin. “If I ever meet him, I’ll let you know.”

I chuckled.

We spent the rest of the day catching up and watching movies, and then we made dinner and drank a lot of wine. By the end of the night, I could hardly stand on my feet. It was partly because I was so exhausted. But I was also a little tipsy from the wine.

“I should get back to my apartment,” I said after I cleaned up.

“Are you sure? You can sleep over,” she said, frowning at me.

I nodded.

“I want to see Joseph tonight,” I told her.

“Okay. Let me at least give you a ride.”

“I’d prefer to walk,” I said, shrugging as I grabbed my purse off the counter.

“You can hardly walk in a straight line.”

“I’ll be fine. I need some air and some time to think. I’d like to talk to Joseph, and I need to figure out what to say,” I explained.

She narrowed her eyes at me.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to wander around outside drunk.”

“You were drinking too,” I pointed out.

“But I’m not drunk. I’m sober enough to drive,” she said in return, folding her arms across her chest.

“The walk will sober me up and I need to be sober before I see him,” I told her.

She was quiet for a moment but then she sighed.

“Text me when you get home,” she said, hugging me.

I hugged her back and said goodbye before heading out into the night.

It wasn’t far away, maybe about 15 or so minutes. It was a nice walk and not many wandered around outside since the new vampires terrorized the humans. Now that they were captured, I knew I’d be safe. I wasn’t worried in the least.

That is until a car slowed down beside me; something I hadn’t seen until the window was being rolled down, I started getting catcalled by strange men.

I felt my entire body freezing as I tried to walk quickly.

“Let us give you a ride baby girl,” one of the guys shouted. “We won’t bite.”

“And if we do, you’ll like it,” another teased.

A chill got sent through my body. I didn’t respond to them or look at them, but I felt straight panic when the car halted, and I heard one of the doors opening. Soon, the presence of the man was so close I could practically feel his breath on my neck.

As he grabbed my arm tightly, a strong memory of that new vampire's touch invaded my mind and I was soon back in that hideout, reliving that horrid nightmare.