chapter 94: is it love? is it?

"Is this how you typically behave when drunk?" Serafina ventured, a delicate attempt to shatter the prevailing silence.

"Well I can't really tell you for sure, as I've never experienced being drunk in my lifetime," he confessed in a simple, matter-of-fact manner, the air gradually thickening with an untenable quietness.

"I should likely take my leave. Thank you immensely for your hospitality," he declared as he rose from his seat. However, as he attempted to move, his steps faltered, causing him to stagger perilously, nearly stumbling backwards. Seizing the opportunity, Serafina deftly intervened, preventing his fall with a swift grace. The sudden weight caused her to stagger as well, but she found herself caught securely within the embrace of his formidable arms. For a fleeting moment, they stood ensconced in this unexpected embrace, her elegant frame sheltered within the confines of his sturdy arm.

"Apologies," he conceded, courteously releasing her from his grasp. "I suppose I'll need to teleport myself home, as I'm in no condition to drive," he mused, contemplating the logistical necessity brought about by his drunken state.

"Indeed, that would be the best choice," she concurred, delicately edging backwards.

With a solemn countenance, he closed his eyes and murmured an incantation, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye. Serafina released a deep, contemplative sigh as a sense of solitude enveloped the tranquil room. Surveying the vacant surroundings, she collected the bottle and glass, making her way to the bar. Upon returning to retrieve her purse, an unexpected thud emanated from the adjacent sofa, indicating the appearance of a figure materializing out of thin air.

Hurrying to the side of the mysterious visitor, she was astonished to discover Marcel sprawled upon the sofa, visibly wincing in pain . Suppressing a burgeoning laugh, she attended to his needs with earnest concern. "Goodness gracious, what happened? Why are you back here?" she inquired, her composure colored by a mixture of curiosity and empathy.

"It seems in my current state, attempting to conjure spells may prove to be quite the futile endeavor," he expounded, his hands rubbing against his arms to dispel the pain that seemed to settle upon him.

"Please, could you share your home address so that I might safely convey you home?" she suggested, mindful of the late hour and the scarcity of taxi services during this time. "They'd certainly recognize you as a vampire and likely deny admittance. You do have a residence nearby, don't you? Transport me there," he responded simply.

"Pardon me, but could you repeat that last part? I want to make sure I heard correctly..." she queried, her uncertainty palpable as she sought clarification.

"I said, please take me to your residence, or your apartment, if you prefer," he reiterated crisply, his gaze steady as he imparted his straightforward request.

"Very well, let us leave" she acceded, aiding him to his feet, and together they absented the VVIP lounge and the resplendent club, garnering inquisitive glances from both the humans and the vampires alike.

After traversing a brief distance, they arrived at her stately estate, his weight posing an unexpected challenge as they navigated into the garage. "You are quite heavy—be careful now," she cautioned as they emerged from the garage, leading him into the opulent expanse of her home and guiding him to her room.

With a tender, guiding gesture, she gently eased him onto the sprawling expanse of the grand bed, tending to the removal of his shoes and socks. As she finished, she observed his restful repose, contemplating whether he would be comfortable sleeping in his current attire.

Deciding upon a course of action, she took it upon herself to tenderly disrobe him, beginning with his shirt, her gentle hands undoing each button with meticulous care. Her gaze lingered fleetingly on his chiseled chest as it was gradually revealed in the dim light, and she carefully removed his wristwatch, as well as the ring adorning his index finger, which she reckoned might be a family heirloom.

Descending lower, her hands grazed against a slight bulge within his trousers, inciting a strained groan and a murmur of unintelligible words. "I'm sorry but I must take these off," she whispered softly, gently easing the trousers from his frame, leaving him clad only in form-fitting boxers that elegantly accentuated his physique in the soft light of the room.

A vibrant laugh escaped her as she observed him for a moment before tenderly covering him. Retrieving his clothes, she made her way to the closet for a swift change.

Returning to the room, she donned a fiery red nightgown, a few inches above the knee. Ordinarily, she abstained from wearing any clotthes entirely when seeking rest, but due to the circumstances, she felt a courteous need to drape herself in the elegant nightgown, knowing she would be sharing the bed with him.

Gently positioning him to one side, she nestled herself into the opposite space, despite the roomy expanse of the large bed, she desired ample separation between them.

As she lay pondering this, an unexpected realization dawned upon her—she held a strange affection for him, a sensation entirely foreign, given her lifelong detachment from romantic entanglements, even including her three previous partners. Chuckling softly at the thought, she turned her back to him, closing her eyes as she drifted into a deep, serene slumber.

In the depths of her sleep, she was jolted into wakefulness as a strong arm enveloped her from behind, thwarting her attempt to turn. Yielding to his embrace, she found herself nestled within the contours of his sturdy chest, unconsciously assuming the position of a spoon with him.

Momentarily halting all movement, she nearly froze when she sensed his physique pressing against her bare butt. Attempting to disentangle from his embrace proved futile, as he remained unyielding. Sighing softly, she resigned herself to the situation, seeking to once more to sleep after grappling with restlessness for over an hour, she found solace in the embrace of sleep.

----

In the hushed silence of the early morning, as the clock gently nudged toward six thirty, a stream of sunlight delicately poured through the colossal window, darting across the room to alight upon the graceful features of Lauren.

However, as she shifted to avoid the emerging daylight, her hand unexpectedly met a hard surface, provoking her to stir from her rest.

Furrowing her brows, even in the midst of her lingering slumber, she hesitantly prodded the unfamiliar obstacle, half-expecting it to obligingly yield to her touch and permit her to resettle with ease. Yet, to her mild exasperation, the object remained steadfast and immobile.

She offered another tentative poke, this time employing two fingertips in her attempt to elicit a response, but her efforts were met with the same unyielding firmness. In a minor display of pique, she pursed her lips and delicately fluttered her gaze open, only to be confronted with a sight she had never imagined experiencing upon waking from her sleep.

Glimmering in the radiant cascade of sunlight, his face and upper frame were conspicuously displayed before her, a spectacle that surpassed all her expectations.

The reflection of light in his obsidian eyes bestowed upon them a mesmerising golden hue, while a lopsided grin danced with nonchalant elegance upon his lips, captivating her with its beguiling allure. She found herself transfixed, utterly enchanted by the sight before her.

"I'd give anything to know whats going on in your beautiful mind," he murmured, the affable smile still adorning his features. His voice, a deep and husky tone, gently reached out to her, suffusing the air with a tender intimacy that momentarily arrested the rhythm of her entire being. Her heart fluttered, skipping several beats in quick succession, while a rosy blush enlivened her cheeks.