I knew from her reaction that I had a lot of making up to do.
I thought about everything that I had to do that day, and immediately concluded that spending time with Sofia was far more important. I rose to my feet and approached her. I held her waist and kissed the back of her neck, breathing in her intoxicating scent.
“You love me, Sofia,” I reminded her, a smile creeping onto my face. “I’ve been a fool, but you still love me.”
I could see her pout and roll her eyes as she groaned. “Ugh, don’t remind me.”
I chuckled as I began to rock her from side to side. “I shouldn’t have done what I did last night. Let me make it up to you.”
“Do you even have time to make it up to me?”
“You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you?”
She twisted around and I was surprised when she stood to her tiptoes and pressed her lips against mine. It’d been a while since we last kissed and I ached to once again feel her soft, full lips kneading against mine, reveling on the taste of her tongue invading my mouth. Any tingling afterthoughts about the girl in my dream were completely overpowered by Sofia’s kiss.
I lifted Sofia up against me as I returned the kiss, my hand finding the back of her head, my fingers entangled in her hair as my arm wrapped around her waist to keep her close.
I was so caught up in that kiss, I couldn’t help but gasp when she suddenly pulled her mouth away from mine. A smile formed on her face. I don’t know what possessed her to do it, but she suddenly pinched my nose.
“We’re sooooo serious,” she exclaimed, before blowing up her cheeks and crossing her eyes.
I was so taken aback by her antics, I couldn’t even find a valid reaction to it, but it reminded me of why Sofia was such a breath of fresh air. She had a way of making even the heaviest of situations feel a lot lighter. After everything she’d been through in The Shade and even outside of it, after multiple vampires threatened to kill her, she still managed to pick herself up and find a reason to smile.
It’s like nothing could break her – not completely at least.
Her face softened when she realized how intently I was studying her. “Smile for me, Derek Novak,” she pleaded, as she wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me a quick peck on the lips. “Come on… I know the world is crashing all around you, but this moment is ours. This one moment… I want to see you smile.”
I couldn’t voice the words out, but I was fascinated by her. “How do you do it, Sofia?”
“Do what?”
“Not hold grudges? It’s like you’re immune from it. How do you forgive so easily?”
I wished I hadn’t asked the question because the atmosphere immediately felt a lot heavier. A frown then marred her beautiful face. She looked away as she gestured for me to put her back on the ground. I gently let her slip through my arms, holding her until her feet were planted on the floor.
She wet her lips and forced a smile. “I’m not completely grudge-free you know. I visited Aiden yesterday. I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to forgive him for what he did, but it is. He’s broken my heart so many times, and he’s not supposed to. He’s my father. Maybe that’s why it’s so hard.” She heaved a sigh and mulled over that thought for a few moments before seeming to decide that she’d had enough of the melancholy. She stared up at me and smirked. “You, on the other hand… there’s something about you, Derek Novak… that makes it easy for me forgive and forget your numerous offenses against me. What is it about you?”
I raised a brow at her, unable to keep the grin from forming on my lips. “I think it’s the charm. You can’t resist my charm.”
She pouted and shook her head. “No.” She grabbed the front of my shirt and pulled it upward so she could look at my stomach. “I’m pretty sure it’s your abs.” She nodded as she stared at my torso. “Yeah… definitely those abs.”
“I knew it. You just want me for my body.”
She let go of my shirt and nodded. “I was wondering when you would finally figure that out. Good thing you’re too in love with me to care.”
I couldn’t keep the smile from my face. “I missed this, Sofia.” I couldn’t remember the last time I exchanged light-hearted banter or even just a good laugh with her. Now that we were having it, I felt like such a fool for being so consumed by the troubles surrounding us.
How could I forget that she’s my refuge, that when I’m around her, everything seems to just fade into the background?
She smiled and nodded at me. “I know. I missed this too, but seriously, Derek…” She drew closer to me and rested her head on my shoulder. “I find it easy to forgive you, because from the moment I gave you my heart, you never once broke it.”
“And I never will.” The words came out instinctively, and I meant every word of it, but the moment I said it, an image of the dream I just had flashed through my mind. It wasn’t the first time I dreamed of the beautiful brunette with the stunning violet eyes. Now completely aware, I remembered the woman’s name. Emilia. She was the original vampire’s daughter, and I knew without a doubt that she was trouble. Holding Sofia close, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread over what the dreams meant. She might be the reason I was distancing myself from Sofia.
I couldn’t understand them, but I knew they were lies. Sofia and I belonged together. No dream, vision or premonition could ever change that. I wasn’t going to allow it.
“I have an idea,” I told Sofia. “Let’s spend the day together. I’ll call everything off…”
I could see delight spark in her eyes at the suggestion. “Can we actually do that?”
I shrugged a shoulder. “Why not? I’m the king of The Shade. What could they possibly do to me if I miss a few meetings?”
She was about to open her mouth to respond when someone began pounding on her bedroom door.
“Sofia?!” a male voice from behind the door called out. “It’s Gavin. Open the door!”
He sounded alarmed. I was annoyed that Sofia and I were interrupted. “Is he always this demanding and impatient?”
“Yes.” Sofia nodded. “But I think it’s mostly because he doesn’t know you’re here.”
Gavin had been like a brother to her since she met him in The Shade. There was a time when I even found myself jealous over how close they were. Of course, Sofia was quick to reassure me that Gavin didn’t pose a threat to what we had.