Sexting With A Vampire
Chapter 42

Stella

I'm exhausted. I've been practicing with Raphael and Evan for days now, and I'm not even sure I'm getting stronger. Both of them kick my a*s whenever I attempt to beat them in a duel. Why can't they pretend to lose?

Just once... Well...

I guess I get it.

It probably goes against their code as strong males, and the threat of our demonic enemies is real-they can't pretend I'm strong when we all need to become more powerful.

Sighing to myself, I splash more water up into my face. It's early morning, and Evan was gone when I woke up. Left a note about heading to the same gym at which Raphael had been spending time. They fight about who got the most prominent muscles... Men.

I brush my fingers through my hair and fall silent when I hear approaching whistling. It's Raphael, but something is different today, significantly different.

I should probably yell at him that I'm naked and tell him to wait his turn, but there is electricity in the air. Even his scent is different, more manly, and delicious, like a pine tree mixed with this fresh scent. My eyes widen.

Don't tell me...

Is today my birthday?

Is this the mate-bond finally crackling to life?

I stare ahead and turn to stone once I spot Raphael's tanned, glorious body in the sunlight.

Raphael's blonde hair is shorter, and his skin looks bronzed underneath the sunrays. Even his body is the epitome of male perfection, cut from stone and hard hours spent at the gym. Holy s**t.

It's rude to stare, Stella.

Lower your eyes from those round, slightly hairy pecs.

My eyes travel south.

Oh-my-moon-goddess, not that much south!

But...

How can't I look?!

My throat suddenly feels parched, and I hiss at myself: don't look at it, for the love of the moon goddess, avert your eyes!

Yet nothing happens.

It's a battleax, and f**k-Evan is hot, and Raphael is too, but why does this feel like cheating?!

Shut up, Stella!

Raphael and Evan are both your mates. You can like them both. It's like trying to decide between strawberries and blueberries.

Wait, why the hell am I talking to myself?!

Focus!

"s**t!" Raphael suddenly exclaims but makes no attempt to hide his goddamn c**k. It's slapping against his lower abs. "I didn't realize you were here. I'm sorry-"

He pauses and stares at me. Realizing the mate-bond is there and that every second apart feels like a goddamn year.

"So it's true..." Raphael mumbles. "You have two mates?"

I gulp at his words and try to keep eye contact. The worst thing would be looking down at letting Raphael know I find him hot. Irresistible. So damn ripped my hands are itching. It's only the mate-bond, only the mate-bond doing this to you.

I wet my lips before speaking. "I haven't been with Evan yet... He was gone this morning but should return later."

"I see," Raphael tilts his head, smiles a little, and steps into the water. It makes me back deeper into the lake.

"W-what are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

My heart pounds. "No..."

"I'm going to wash the sweat off my skin... It's warm today."

He is correct, but the gleam in his eye isn't one that I trust. I also don't trust myself since my eyes keep drifting to his eight-pack. When did he get so freaking big?

Raphael was huge already, but these last few days spent at the gym have made him ridiculous to look at.

Firm.

Thick.

Beefy.

And he is coming closer, getting into the water with confident strides. My breathing gets challenged by simply looking at him.

I'm so goddamn nervous for no good reason and freeze in shock when he stops walking forward.

Wait.

What?

I expected Raphael to reach me.

Instead, he only gets deep enough, so the water covers his c**k, but his v-lines are still above the surface.

"Ah, the water feels so nice when it's warm..." I watch him use his hands to wet his hair, and he closes his eyes with a content smile. "Your bloodsucker of a boyfriend is crazy for heading to the gym today. Being inside that bunker would kill me." "Yeah... It's hot." What the hell, Stella? You're so lame for saying what is obvious already!

Raphael shoots me a curious look. "Would you mind if I swam with you? I promise not to touch. I just want to dive and cool myself. My back is sweaty and disgusting."

"I don't think it's disgusting."

We both stare at each other. Me, because I blurted out the first thing that came to mind, and Raphael? Well, what I said was close to a compliment since his muscular back is... Sexy. F**k.

Am I a total hoe for thinking that?

I should be ashamed of myself for looking at another man!

"Uh, earth to Stella?" Raphael laughs.

I blink. "Sorry, what was the question?"

He grins. "I asked if you could massage my back after my dip. There are some sore places, and I think I have a muscle knot. It would relieve a lot of tension if you did." Relieve tension?

Holy cheese, why does that sounds so dirty?

And is it hot in this water? Why am I suddenly sweating!?

"S-sure!" I blurt out. "I would love to massage you."

Seriously, Stella?!

Raphael widens his eyes but doesn't comment on my super honesty. His smile turns lazy, and he lunges into the deeper water.

"You know..." Raphael muses when he is on his back. "If I didn't know any better, I would say you're attracted to me."

I shoot him a glare. "Of course I am! You're my mate too!"

"Yet you're trying to resist me?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"We have talked about this already!"

"Have we really, though?" Raphael muses and swims up to me. I can see EVERYTHING but grumpily avoid my gaze. It makes him breathe an amused laugh. "I wouldn't mind sharing you." "Evan might..." I mumble.

"He wouldn't like it," Raphael says. "But he is also your mate, right? He would understand if you wanted to be with both."

"I think I'm only allowed to pick one."

Raphael hums. "Or you were given two mates because your soul longs to be with us both..."

"Pretty sure I picked Evan when the moon goddess tried to convince me that it was you I wanted."

I expect Raphael to get mad at me after revealing that, but surprisingly, he only smiles at me.

"I think you and I are bound through every lifetime. Like, we have been mates before, and that's why you couldn't get rid of me. We are bound to collide, but now it seems your soul is also drawn to Evan." I glance down into his emerald eyes. "Interesting theory."

He grins again. "Anything to sound romantic."

"Sadly, I think this is where I reject your a*s," I take a deep breath to ready myself for the harsh words. "I, Stella, reject you-"

Before I'm given time to react, Raphael stands up and smashes me against his muscular chest. His hot lips claim mine in a kiss, and his hands keep me from escaping.

My heart pounds incredibly fast, and I try to pull away, but Raphael is stronger than me. Bigger too. I make one last attempt to flee but find my willpower vanishing the second he adds tongue. His skin is controlled.

Dominant.

My legs buckle, and my knees are close to going under, but Raphael swipes me off my feet.

He is so strong.

It turns me on. Raphael's strength is so sexy, even though I shouldn't allow myself to grow wet between my legs...

But the mate-bond is still there.

And I can't fight it.

I'm so dizzy.

F**k.

Raphael deepens our kiss, but eventually, he breaks away to glare into my eyes with heated [**t and passion. His eyebrows are two angry slashes, and his muscular arms tighten their hold of me. "I reject your rejection."