Reese walked out of the ice cream shop, her steps light with excitement. In her hands was a small box filled with different flavors of ice cream.
"Brother Vladimir, I got one for you too!" She said cheerfully. But her smile faded when she noticed only Kael standing by the car.
"Where's brother Vladimir?" She asked, her voice softening.
"The young master had business to attend to, so he left, " Kael replied politely.
The box slipped from Reese's hands, hitting the ground with a soft splat as ice cream filled across the pavement. Her eyes dulled, her expression blank.
Kael hesitated, watching her quietly. Then he added gently, "The young master said you should take care of yourself... and not skip dinner."
Reese only nodded slowly, saying nothing.
She walked to the car and climbed in, shutting the door softly behind her.
As she leaned her head against the cool, tinted window, Kael glanced at her through the rearview mirror before starting the engine.
The car pulled away, leaving the forgotten ice cream melting on the pavement behind them.
*******
"S—Sir Vladimir...?" Hazel whispered.
Vladimir took slow, deliberate steps toward the bed, his gaze never leaving her face.
Beads of sweats clung to her skin, her damp hair sticking to her flushed cheeks, giving her an unintentional, almost seductive look.
"You were dreaming," Vladimir murmured, his voice dark and low. "About who?"
"No one," Hazel muttered quickly, avoiding his eyes.
Vladimir leaned closer, one knee sinking into the mattress as the bed dipped under his weight. His large, cold hand brushed against her cheek. She leaned into his touch without thinking, her eyes fluttering shut.
A faint smile curved his lips. Slowly, he withdrew his hand and straightened.
"Alright then," he said softly. "But tell me—why are you so sweaty, when the window's open?"
Startled, Hazel wiped her forehead and hurried to close the window.
"We were ordered not to leave our windows open at night—after curfew," she explained, her voice weary. "But... how did you get past the gate without the security noticing?"
Vladimir's eyes glimmered with amusement.
"I have my ways. What? Worried I'd get caught?" he teased.
"No, it's not that... just—forget it," Hazel mumbled, lowering her gaze.
Why was she asking him—knowing that he's a vampire so he can roam around if he wants.
Hazel's voice trembled as she spoke. "Why... are you here?" she asked slowly, her gaze fixed on him. His figure seemed to radiate loneliness beneath the dim light.
"I was missing you, "Vladimir said bluntly.
Her heart skipped at his sudden confession.
"B—but we're not that close," Hazel whispered. She lifted her head—and gasped. He was suddenly standing right in front of her.
But he'd been across the room just a moment ago. How did he—
"We're not that close," Vladimir murmured, taking another step closer, "and yet... you dream of me. Don't you think there's something between us, my love?"
Hazel's eyes widened. How did he know about that dream?
"I—I don't... " Her words faltered.
"Please... stop appearing in my dreams," she whispered.
Vladimir tilted his head, a faint smirk curving his lips. "You keep whispering... are you trying to seduce me?"
Hazel shook her head quickly, her cheeks flushing.
"It isn't possible for me to stop appearing in your dreams," he murmured, his voice low and soft. "it's you who can't get me out of your mind. That's why you keep seeing me. "
His cold palm brushed her cheek, sweeping a stray of lock hair behind her ear. She shivered as her heart raced under his touch. His fingers trailed down, stopping at her waist before pulling her against him.
"I love the way you react to my touch, my love," he whispered huskily, his forehead resting gently against hers. "Tell me, Hazel... you don't react this way to other men, do you?"
"I don't... " she breathed, her voice barely a whisper. "But why do I react this way only to you?"
Vladimir's hand slid around her waist, his fingers tracing slow circles along her back.
"Because you belong to me, Hazel," he said coldly, his words both a warning and a confession.
With his words, Hazel's heart began to race widely—she unconsciously licked her lips.
Vladimir's gaze darkened at the sight.
"Hazel...?" he murmured, his voice low and rough. "Can I try something?"
Her innocent eyes met his, she gave a faint nod.
Vladimir leaned closer until their noses brushed. His breath mingled with hers before he pressed his lips softly against hers—a slow, testing kiss that deepened with every passing second.
He drew her closer, his hands gripping her waist as his kiss grew hungrier. A soft gasp escaped her when he bit her lower lip, and before she could react, his tongue slipped past her lips, tasting her deeply.
His mouth trailed down to her neck, kissing and sucking as if savouring something only he could taste.
Hazel shuddered under his touch.
With his fingers wrapped around her wrist, pulling it forward but then his movements froze as his gaze sharpened.
"What happened to your wrist, Hazel?" he asked, his tone suddenly cold.
Hazel blinked, startled by the change in his voice.
"N—Nothing... It's just a scratch," she whispered, trying to pull her hand back.
She hadn't realized that the way Chris had grabbed her wrist earlier had actually left a mark which was slightly red.
"Tell me the truth, Hazel," Vladimir demanded, his crimson eyes fixed on her face.
"I... I hit my hand somewhere," she mumbled softly, trying to steady her racing heart.
"Hmm," Vladimir's gaze lingered on her wrist, the corner of his mouth twitching into something unreadable. "How about I take a bite here...?" His voice was low, more like a statement than a question.
Hazel's breath hitched.
"Will it hurt?" she asked nervously.
"It won't, my love," Vladimir murmured, his tone soft and dangerously soothing.
"it might sting a little, but just relax for me, okay?"
He lifted her wrist closer, brushing his lips against her skin. A shiver ran through her as he licked and sucked gently, his cold breathe fanning over the sensitive spot. His fangs slid into view before sinking smoothly into her skin.
Hazel gasped softly at the sudden sting, but the sensation quickly melted into something warm and dizzying. Vladimir tasted her slowly, his eyes darkening as her sweet blood filled his mouth. For a moment, he hesitated to pull away.
Finally, he released her wrist and rested his head on her shoulder, his breathing uneven. His red eyes gleamed, still hungry... still wanting more, she tasted so good.
"Are you okay?" Hazel asked gently, brushing her free hand against his arm.
"Yeah. " His voice was low and rough. "You should sleep, it's late."
Gently, Vladimir guided her onto the bed, tucking her beneath the covers as he sat at the edge.
"Won't you lie down?" Hazel asked quietly.
Vladimir raised a brow, his lips curving into a teasing smile.
"What? So eager to eat me up already? Don't worry, I'm all yours, my love. "
Hazel frowned, heat rushing to her cheek.
He was such a shameless man!
"Don't make that face, little girl," he drawled lazily. "If I join you on the bed, I don't think you'll be able to use your legs in the morning."
Hazel's face flushed an even deeper red as she turned away from him, refusing to meet his gaze. Vladimir only chuckled softly behind her.
Moments later, her breathing slowed—signalling she was fast asleep.
Vladimir stood up quietly, pulling out his phone.
"How's Reese?" He asked coldly.
"The young miss is in her room sleeping, " Kael's polite voice came through the line. "But she was upset that you left, sir."
"Hmm," Vladimir hummed lazily.
"Will you be coming—"
"I'll be home late," Vladimir cut in, his gaze flicking to Hazel's sleeping form.
"Understood." Kael's voice echoed briefly before the line went dead.
Vladimir slipped off his suit jacket and climbed into the bed. The mattress dipped under his weight. Leaning down, he pressed a gentle kiss to Hazel's forehead before pulling her close against his chest.