I Choose You

Summary: After managing to escape from Nicole and Vega’s men and finding temporary safety, Cam and Adrian have an emotional conversation.

Note: I am pretty sure this isn’t what’s going to happen in the actual book, but here we are. 🙂

Jax manages to sneak them into the Shadow Den through another side entrance that’s covered in cobwebs. He leads the four of them to two small rooms nearby, ones that are rarely used anymore, Jax explains. Cam knows they won’t be able to stay long, but for now, at least, she feels like they can breathe.

She feels immensely guilty for all the trouble Jax is going through to help them, but she’s beyond grateful. She has no doubt that Kamilah and Adrian will keep their word to help the Clanless. The four of them gather in one of the rooms for a little while, trying to come up with a plan.

She remembers, eventually, looking over at Adrian, that he still hasn’t fed. Kamilah seems to remember at the same time too, glancing at him with a pinched look on her face. The feeding lounge here definitely isn’t an option, and neither are any of Adrian’s usual volunteers right now.

Besides that, if Cam is being truly honest, she really wants it to be her that feeds on. She’s falling for him, hard and fast, and all of her feelings have been multiplied by the intensity of the past few days and everything they’ve gone through. Cam wants him to herself, just for a little bit, to remind her that’s he’s safe, and here, not in The Baron’s dungeons or dead at the hands of Nicole and Vega’s men.

Adrian’s face is strained, and he smiles at her wearily when she reminds him he hasn’t fed yet. “I can wait a little longer.”

Kamilah huffs in irritation, right as Cam says, “I don’t mind. Really.”

Adrian looks at her carefully. “If you’re sure,” he says. “Thank you.”

There’s a small, worn loveseat pushed against one of the walls. Cam’s heart pounds when they make their way over to it. Adrian’s fingertips brush hers. She’s not nervous about him feeding on her, not really, but everything is starting to hit her all at once. She hears Kamilah and Lily head into the other room, the door closing behind them. When they’re gone, and she and Adrian are sitting together on the loveseat, he takes her hand.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” he asks, and she realizes she’s been staring down at the floor.

Her head jerks up. “Of course. I’m positive. I just…”

She feels tears threatening to spill over, and blinks furiously. “I was so worried about you,” she whispers.

Adrian tilts her chin up, his thumb tracing a soothing line across her jaw. “I’m okay, Cam.”

She leans into him, wanting more of his reassuring touch, and Adrian drops his hand to wrap both arms around her. Cam shifts closer, nearly in his lap, and presses her face into his neck. She almost shakes with the effort it takes not to sob. She tries instead to focus on Adrian holding her, his hand running through her hair, his lips brushing against her forehead, until her breathing slows back down.

Eventually she takes a deep breath and pushes herself upright.

“I’m sorry,” she says.

Adrian shakes his head, a soft, tender expression on his face. “Are you apologizing for worrying about me?”

“No.” The word bursts out of her. “Not that. I’m just sorry for almost crying all over you when you need to feed.”

A hint of a smile crosses his face. “I’ve gone longer than this without feeding before, Cam. It’s okay.”

She leans back against the couch, willing her muscles to relax. Adrian shifts closer, his fingertips gently tracing along her jaw before he glides them over her neck and tilts her chin up. Cam knows her heart is racing, knows Adrian can feel it too when he touches his thumb to her pulse point. His brow furrows, and she answers his question before he even has to ask.

“I’m fine. Really.”

Warmth floods her cheeks when she mumbles, “I’ve just…thought about this. With you, I mean.”

There’s an undeniable flash of heat in his eyes when she says it, and she swallows hard when his eyes glow red and his fangs descend. They scrape pleasurably across her skin, little pinpricks that feel like electricity. He brushes his lips over her neck once, twice, three times, and it makes her close her eyes.

She nods silently when he whispers, “Ready?” into her skin. Her eyes fly back open, a gasp slipping past her lips when he sinks his fangs into her. The sensations that flood through her are instantaneous and even more intense than she expected. They’re arousing, almost, and send desire straight to her belly.

Cam moans softly, threading one of her hands into Adrian’s hair. He briefly squeezes her other hand, then releases it and slides his arm around her waist. It stings as he feeds, her skin hot and tingly where his fangs are pulsing, but it also feels so unbelievably good.

She understands now why he wanted to wait. Cam wouldn’t want an audience for this. No, this moment is far too intense and personal, something she only wants to be between the two of them.

Cam sighs as Adrian slows down, her fingers relaxing in his hair.

“Mmm,” she murmurs when he pulls back, gently sealing her wounds.

She sighs again when he softly presses his lips to her neck.

“Are you alright?” Adrian asks when he sits back, running his thumb along her cheekbone.

Cam nods. “I am. You?”

He smiles. “Much better. Thank you.”

They sit in a warm, comfortable silence, her eyes drifting closed every so often.

“I still can’t believe we all made it here,” she says drowsily.

Adrian is still cupping her cheek, his fingers soft and warm. “I can’t believe you put yourself in front of me in my office. You could have been killed.”

Cam looks up at him. “I told you I wouldn’t leave you. I meant that.”

Adrian stares at her for a beat, then tilts his head down, resting his forehead on hers, and kisses her.

“I’m grateful,” he says against her mouth. “But promise me you won’t do that again.”

Cam frowns. “Adrian-”

“You’re 22 years old, Cam. You have your whole life ahead of you. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

His lips brush hers with nearly every word.

“I asked to be part of this,” she reminds him, fighting to keep the tears out of her voice. “I chose to stay in this world. I chose to stay with you.”

Adrian sighs. “I know.”

He doesn’t say anything else, though Cam thinks that might be because she’s falling asleep, and not because he’s done with this conversation. Adrian shifts them so he’s leaning against one of the armrests, and settles Cam in his lap, her legs stretched out on the loveseat.

She rests her head against his shoulder, his heartbeat a reassuring faint thump. He’s shed his suit jacket, and his shirt is soft under her skin, his hand warm against her waist. Before she falls asleep, she murmurs again, “I mean it, Adrian. I’m not leaving you.”

Adrian presses his lips to her forehead. “I know, Cam. I’m not leaving you either.”