Devour (16 page)

I just want to swoon when I’m around him.
Our kisses are the magical kind you always see in movies, but never really thought were real. That’s one myth I’ve managed to dispel.

We pull into the
movie theater and park. Cody comes around and helps me out, but doesn’t elicit anything more. He must be on his best behavior. I’m not sure if I like that or not. I’m growing used to the attention.

Cody buys us tickets to the girly movie of my choice and I’
m grinning from ear to ear. I’m stoked to see this movie and it’ll be even better with him.

We make our way through the theatre and find ourselves a cozy spot in the back.
This way we can canoodle all we want. The security detail will sit by the doors, so I know we’re covered.

As the previews start, I pull myself closer to Cody and snuggle into his arms.
I can smell the scent of cinnamon and man that is unique to Cody. I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of that smell.

I make it most of the way through the movie without shedding tears.
Damn, I didn’t even think of that. It’s a particularly emotional part of the movie and I sniffle. Cody leans into me and lifts my chin to meet his eyes.

Tears are forming and have begun to stream down my cheeks.
Cody takes the pads of his thumbs and softly brushes the tears away. My eyes flutter closed for a minute at the feel of his hands touching me so intimately.

I finally get ahold of myself and let out a deep breath.
I can’t think of a more perfect movie Moment. I am growing to cherish every minute we have together. If we are with each other for five more minutes or five hundred more years, I will always be grateful for the time I have with him.

I’m so wrapped up in my own sappy thoughts that I don’t even realize the movie is over.
Cody stands and gently pulls me up. I thank him and we make our way out of the row of seats and into the main aisle. The guards nod to us and I smile back at them.

“Thank you for taking me here tonight.”

“No problem, princess. It was worth it to see you happy.”

I don’t say anything to
that, just quietly follow Cody’s lead as we walk out of the theater and to the truck.

Worry settles over me like a blanket as my thoughts stray to Chase.
I quickly divert my attention and force myself to focus on anything else I can grasp at. I look over and sag in relief that Cody didn’t notice my almost panic.

I’m so busy warding off my unwanted thoughts that I don’t even realize we have turned off the main road and are heading to parts unknown.
When I finally realize it, my brows furrow and I peer at Cody skeptically.

He s
ees the look on my face and flashes me a crooked grin. “We’re just taking a detour. I have a small surprise for you.”

“A surprise, huh?
I’m not big on surprises. You better just tell me now,” I reply, only half joking.

“Relax
, princess. We’re almost there.”

I like how he calls me princess.
When anyone else says it, it feels stiff and formal. When he says it, it’s full of affection and warmth.

We finally pull
onto a gravel road and Cody cuts the engine. This is my surprise? I think he must be delusional, because all I can see is a field. Huh.

“I know what you’re thinking, but I promise you’ll like this.”

“Okay,” I say skeptically.

Cody gently pulls me out of the truck and then reaches back behind the seat for something.
I don’t have to wait long to see what he’s after. He pulls out a folded up quilt and shuts the door.

I don’t say anything, just look at him quizzically.
He grasps my hand and tugs me gently forward. We walk through the field and I’m thankful that it’s been mowed down recently. I didn’t want chiggers. I like being the predator, not the prey.

Soon, we stop and Cody lays out the blanket.
Ever so gently, he pulls me down next to him. I slip off my flip flops and then look over at him.

“Lie down and look at the stars with me.
It’s an amazing view out here. I come out here when I want to think or just be alone. I know it’s not much, but I wanted to share it with you.”

My heart swells with joy.
He took me to the one place that meant something to him. Suddenly the field didn’t feel like a strange place anymore. I lie on my back with my legs folded and look up.

It’s a clear night and the sky is bright with stars.
The view is more amazing than I would have imagined. I reach for Cody’s hand and he folds mine into his. We scoot closer to each other and soak up the peaceful Moment.

I don’t even care that there is a security detail somewhere nearby.
This Moment is perfect. It becomes even better when Cody shifts to his side. He brings his mouth down to mine and entices me into an earth shattering kiss.

I could stay
here all night like this. Being with Cody is truly special. He has such a big heart and I’m so happy I found him. I don’t know how I could have missed him up until this point. Maybe it was just fate because the time wasn’t right. I guess we’ll never know.

Finally
, after being locked in a passionate embrace, Cody sits up and the Moment cracks a bit. It shatters altogether when I see our security detail sitting on the hood of their car, just behind Cody’s truck.

“I guess this means we have to leave.”

“I think so, princess. It’s getting late anyways. I’m sure your parents are going to worry about you if you don’t come home soon.”

“Fine, but we’re coming back here one day soon.”

“You can count on it. Now let’s fold up this blanket and head back to the truck.”

I grumble a bit at our
Moment being over as I slide my flip flops back on. Cody folds up the blanket and we walk, hand in hand, back to the truck.

Our security detail has gotten back in their car and pulled to the end of the gravel drive.
I’m glad for a little privacy. This time, when Cody lifts me up into the truck, he makes no show of behaving.

He kisses me until I’m breathless.
Stars dance in my vision and I’m pretty sure I’ve never felt anything like this before. Everything just feels so different with Cody. He is definitely like a drug to me. The more of him I have, the more I want.

I feel his fingers dancing at the hem of my shirt, pleasure racking me as they brush across my flesh.
I let out a strangled sound and throw my head back. I feel my fangs descending and know his must be too. I turn my neck and revel in the points of his fangs piercing my skin. Euphoria settles in as he drinks. Tingling has flooded my entire body and a fire has ignited from within.

Once he finishes, I make haste kissing my way from his mouth down to the spot just below his ear.
It’s such a strangely erotic spot for me. I bite down and feel his skin yield like butter. The taste of metal and honey fill my mouth as I take his blood. When I’m finished, I gently lick the wound and pull away from him.

I look at his glowing
, amber eyes and know he enjoyed that as much as I did. My vision is crystal clear in this Moment and I know the violet halo in my pupils is flaring. Slowly, I breathe deeply and close my eyes to get ahold of myself. It’s getting harder to do as the days go forward.

With a groan, Cody pulls back and shuts my door.
He comes around and soon we are back on the paved road. I don’t say anything and I don’t have to. He’s riding the blood high as much as I am.

As soon as we pull into my driveway, dread fills me.
This night has been so perfect. I’m not ready to leave it and face the harsh reality waiting inside for me.

Cody lifts me out of the truck and we walk
, with our hands entwined, to the porch. The light is on, but I don’t let that stop me from pulling myself into Cody’s arms. I kiss him to wash away the horrible thoughts and it works for a minute. When he breaks the kiss, the thoughts creep back in.

He is showing excellent restraint considering that I am like putty in his hands.
I feel like a slave to his every whim. He holds so much power over me.

“Goodnight
, princess. I love you.”

“Goodnight
, Cody. I love you too.”

I watch him turn away and get back in his truck.
As soon as he vanishes, I take a Moment to compose myself before I step inside and back into my nightmare.

I set my alarm last night for seven thirty, but I still spend thirty minutes banging snooze on my alarm. By the time I actually get up, I only have a half hour until Cody gets here. Fluttery butterflies fill my stomach, threatening to burst free. I have to tell Cody. My nerves are completely frayed at this point.

After a hot, calming shower, I throw my hair up in a bun.
I don’t have time to dry it so that will have to do. I know I’m seeing Cody, but I decide to forgo the makeup. I don’t want it all over from the crying I know will happen tonight.

I’m not actually sure what to expect.
I try to dress as comfortably as possible. After choosing my favorite pair of jeans, I put on a magenta, scoop neck tee. I go for plain, black flip flops and take one last look in the mirror.

With only a few minutes to spare, I rush downstairs just in time to hear the doorbell ring.
I know it’s Cody. I feel him nearby. As soon as I reach the door, I dismiss Finn and open the door wide. I’ve never been so happy to see anyone in my life.

I throw myself into Cody’s arms and the tears begin to fall.
He grips me tighter and whispers, “shush,” in a soft tone to get me to calm down. Little does he know, there’s no way to calm me down from the coming discussion. I’m living in my own personal hell and dragging him into it with me.

When I finally pull away, he wipes at my tears with his thumbs and kisses me
gently. He kisses me as if I’m glass and he’s afraid to break me. I’m shattering anyways. Thankfully, my Mom walks in and sees what a mess I have become. She takes charge.

“Cody, why don’t you join us in the sitting room and have a spot of blood cocktail to drink?
Callie just got down here and hasn’t had hers yet.”

“Sure, that sounds great,” he replies.

My
Mom manages to pull me into the sitting room with Cody trailing behind. I curl up at one end of the couch and Cody sits next to me. He puts his arm around me and sorrow floods me. This could be the last time he holds me. He might never forgive me.

Mom
already called the maid and she hurries in with a carafe of blood. She pours us all a cup and I down mine in two gulps. I’m going to need the blood high if I want to get this out without a complete meltdown.

“Where’s
Dad?” I ask in between sniffles.

“He’s indisposed at the
Moment and will join us in a little while. In the meantime, let’s get down to business Callie. This is your story, so I expect you to tell Cody. I’ll help when I can.”

I turn away from Cody as I beg
in my story. I am afraid I won’t get through this if I see the disappointment on his face. I tell him everything in a rush. First, I tell him about my outing with Jane, wincing at the sting of jealousy I feel through the bond.

Then I tell him about the next day and how Chase remembered.
I talk about the mind wipes not working and how he is here. I tell him about the council’s arrival tonight and then I grow quiet. I don’t know what else to say and I am afraid of his reaction.

He is sil
ent for a minute and I know it’s over. Despair washes over me and the tears fall faster now. Cody untangles himself from me and finally speaks.

“I just need a little bit of air to take all this in.
I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Cody turns and walks out of the sitting room.
I hear the front door shut and I can no longer control myself. I have a full blown panic attack. I feel like the walls are closing in around me and prickles of darkness begin to flood my vision. I sob harder until I can barely breathe.

Soon, my vision is gone and I am trying to force myself out of the walls I feel closing in on me.
I can’t hear anything but the sounds of my own hysterical crying.