Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Cam reaches to grab him a tumbler from the top shelf and his shirt shifts, revealing a bruise with some clearly defined teeth marks. He took me in his bed three times last night and twice he had to clap a hand over my mouth to keep me quiet. The third time I sank my teeth into his shoulder. The room was dark, and I didn’t think I’d done it hard enough to leave a mark.
“Shit, brother,” Derek says. “Who are you fucking? A vampire?”
Cam was gone when I woke up this morning, already out on his shift. But he didn’t mention it tonight and it had to have hurt.
He fills the tumbler with sweet tea and passes it to my brother. “It’ll heal. How’s Wynter?”
She’s the redhead from the wedding. Cam told me that she’s a rookie member of the crew. The station chief didn’t want to hire her, but Derek raised hell until he did.
Sometimes, I forget that as much as women’s rights have progressed in the past hundred years, there’s still so much to be done. If it weren’t for brave trailblazers like Wynter and men like Derek who support equality, then I wouldn’t have permission to drive, work, or even vote on issues that are important to me.
Before Derek can answer, his phone chirps. He pulls it out and grimaces, silencing the call instantly.
“Rina again?” Cam asks.
“Who’s Rina?” I perk up at the mention. As far as I can tell, Derek is single. Maybe he’s quietly seeing someone and hasn’t mentioned it yet. There’s a lot I want to know about my big brother but he’s a quiet guy and I worry about overstepping.
“My ex-wife,” he mutters.
Cam adds, “Her church is doing some damn forgiveness program. Think she’s trying to atone or some other bullshit.”
I want to ask about it, but it doesn’t feel right to pry into his life like that. Besides, Derek finishes his food and rinses his plate. “I’m going to bed.”
He tugs lightly on my braid. “Good night, kiddo.”
It’s what he says to me every night. Would he still be this affectionate if he knew that I was dating Cam? Or would he get angry and never speak to me again? “Night, Derek.”
He’s halfway down the hall when he calls over his shoulder, “Tell your vampire to take it easy on you tonight. That bite needs aftercare.”
My cheeks flame as Cam chuckles quietly. My brother has no idea that I’m the vampire.
10
JOURNEY
“You didn’t have to do this,” Derek says when I show up at the fire station with a collection of sandwiches from the local deli and more than a few bags of groceries. He mentioned earlier that things at the station are pretty bleak. Apparently, they’ve been so busy over the past week that no one has had much time to stock the fridge and pantry.
“I just figured I could help,” I say, suddenly feeling dumb. What was I thinking just to show up at his workplace? I didn’t even consider that my presence might embarrass him. I wish Cam were here. I can read his expressions easily. But he’s out of town, getting certified for the medical courses he’s been taking.
The past six weeks have been the best of my life. I’ve spent plenty of time with my older brother. I’ve learned that he likes basketball and puttering around the basement “fixing” things. He breaks more things than he fixes. But no matter which household project he’s bungling, he always lets me hang out with him.
Things with Cam have been amazing too. We eat most of our meals with Derek before Cam says he has to study and goes to bed early. I sneak into his room and we spend a couple of hours watching movies and making love.
My life right now is wonderful other than the bouts of nausea that are making it hard for me to eat. Early this week, I finally confirmed what’s causing them with a pink line. Or at least, I think I did. The line was super light and I keep wondering if I imagined it.
Cam and I haven’t been using birth control. We did our first night together but ever since then, we haven’t. We didn’t talk about it. Probably because the idea of getting pregnant didn’t worry me. I’ve always heard that it takes around a year of trying to conceive. Guess my man has super sperm or something.
Now though, I’m nervous. I mean, it’s pretty exciting to think I could be carrying a little piece of Cam inside of me. But I can’t help wondering if they’ll be excited. Will Cam want a son or daughter? Will Derek feel betrayed by us?
“Well, it’s not like we can’t use it,” Derek says in answer to my offer to help. He follows me out to the truck.