Bella Vita (19 page)

By the time Dominic got home, I was sinking
into a slow depression on the patio. He took one look at me and
knew instantly what was wrong with me. I felt the worry coming from
him, but I just didn't care. I missed my old life, I missed Kelly,
and I was failing miserably at trying to teach. The mood went
darker as I sat there scowling.

“
Mia
bella
, this isn't the end of the world.”
He was trying to be gentle. I didn't appreciate any of
it.

“
It feels like it. Leave me
alone.” I turned away from him and looked out to the
sea.

“
Emma, don't push me away
now. You need me.” His concern was like waves of nausea hitting
me.

“
Go away.” I set my head on
my knees and ignored him.

It took him a minute to decide to leave me
out there by myself, but he realized that I needed a moment. He
left without a word. I knew that because I could feel his
consciousness move away from me. I sighed once I knew he had
moved.

Tears slid down my
face.
This isn't how I wanted things to
be.
I realized that when I wanted a
different life when I lived in my small town, it was nothing like
this. I sat and thought of my time there. I remembered how it all
changed once Mike came into my life- well Mike and my birthday.
With disgust I realized my birthday was coming up, and that I would
be wed on Mike's birthday. I felt frustrated with myself. I knew in
my heart that I was doing the right thing by marrying Dominic, but
I also saw that I would always love Mike. He was and is a part of
me. I couldn't just walk away from a lifetime of having him with
me- even if it was in my dreams. My tears came out in sobs for what
I was losing. I was suddenly determined to see Mike before my
entire life changed. I would get my life back in order here, have
my wedding stuff taken care of, and then I would make a trip to
Ireland. Once I had a plan I felt a little more under control. I
took a deep calming breath and let myself slip into
mediation.

Dom came out a little later holding a plate
of pizza and a root beer. I smiled at him. I was thankful for him
in my life.

“
Hey, you feeling any
better?” His words felt like he was testing the water.

“
I'm okay. Thanks.” He
handed me the pizza.

“
I was worried about you. I
thought about calling your grandpa, but I figured I would wait a
little longer to see if you had collected yourself enough to talk
to me.” He shrugged.

“
I'm better. I need to talk
to you.” I blew out a breath and took a sip of the root beer- it
was my favorite Barqs.

“
What's going on, my love?”
He was worried again.

“
A lot. But I guess that is
not a very good answer. And I know if you said it I would want to
throw you into the ocean. So let me try to explain. I'm missing my
old life. I never thought that this sort of thing would be my life.
I miss Kelly, and I hate that I can't tell her everything. I miss
Mike- even if it upsets you. He was part of my life from the moment
you left until I came here. That is a lot of time for me to just
let go. It feels like there's a hole in my heart where he belongs.
I'm stressed out about the wedding, and all this chaos of trying to
stick to the month thing. And I'm seriously feeling inadequate
about the whole teaching thing.” I let out a long breath and tried
not to look at him.

“
Em, you just need to take
a moment to breathe,
cara
mia
. I understand the wedding stuff. I
knew that would be the case when I told you. And I'm sure the idea
of teaching is overwhelming, but I'm going to help you with that. I
promise. I can't do anything about your old life. It hurts that
Mike was such a big part of your life, but it's something that I
know. And that I'll live with. Perhaps if you went to visit him, or
had him come visit?” I could see it hurt Dom to suggest
this.

“
I was thinking that once
things are settled here that maybe I could go visit him in
Ireland.” The words were hard to get out, but I knew I needed to be
honest with Dom.

“
I understand completely.
You are the only one that I knew my entire life. I knew we would be
together, but it isn't something that you knew. And Mike was the
person you dreamed of for so long. I think that the Kelly thing
will naturally work itself out. I know how you felt when you had to
spell her. But I've yet to find a loophole around it. There is no
reason for her to know of our existence. If for some reason she
becomes involved with one of our kind- something completely looked
down upon- then she'll find out that way.” He shrugged.

“
Ugh.” I knew he brought up
Kelly to change the subject.

Dom let me eat in peace and then led me into
the library. He had set up a series of drafts for lesson plans. I
wasn't sure if they were for his classes or specifically for me,
but the gesture was so nice that I almost started to cry again.

Thank
you
. I knew if I spoke I might actually
cry.

For you, the moon.
He walked me over to the various papers and sat
me down.

“
So here are the typical
plans that I do for my classes. But I tried to create one for each
of the classes that you would have to teach. I figured it was only
healing and mental training, I doubt that Leland would ask you to
do anything other than be civil.” He shook his head
laughing.

“
Yep, those are the only
two that I know of.” I took a deep breath as I knew I would have to
learn how to be nice to Leland again.

Dominic went through each of the various
articles on the table. After he had talked to me about what I
thought I might teach the students, he had a sea of new ideas for
each class- although he had more for Daniel's class but since I was
trained by Betty to do this stuff, I had a better grasp on it.
Ultimately, it seemed like there would be an overlap of information
between the two. I tried to think about how many of the students
were in both classes, and I realized that I had no clue- only that
Leland was in them. I sighed and tried to plan two different sets
of beginning plans, just in case I had a significant overlap. I
felt much better once I had an outline to at least go off of. When
we were all done, I sat back and rolled my shoulders. I looked over
at Dom and realized that there was still so much that I didn't know
about him.

“
Hey, so when are you going
to start training me in your studies?” I was still fascinated by
the idea of all the different places he had been.

“
Hmm, well maybe Monday
evening we can have our first lesson. That way I can think about
where I should start with you. You are so special and unique, Emma.
I really don't know how you don't see it, but I'm thankful to be
the one at your side. You are amazing.” His face was alight as he
said it.

I blushed a deep red.

“
Don't blush over the
truth,
mia bella
.” He took my hand and kissed it. I loved to feel his cool
lips on the back of my hand.

I still felt extra lonely and didn't want to
sleep alone. I just didn't know how to ask Dom if he would stay
with me.

“
Eh, Dom?” I was staring at
the table.

“
What is it, Em?” He looked
up at me from stacking his papers together.

“
I was wondering... if you
would... um.. stay with me tonight.” The words were like cotton in
my mouth.

“
Of course. Would you like
to stay in your room or mine?” His voice never changed, nor his
body language- but his thoughts were excited about the idea of
being in the same bed as me.

“
Mine if you don't mind.” I
looked up at him from under my lashes.

“
Not a problem. Let me pack
up everything and change and I'll meet you up there when you're
ready.” His words were matter of fact.

“
Kay.” I said as I left the
room.

I headed straight to my
room afterward. My nerves kicked up as I tried to clean up any of
the mess that normally fell onto my floor. It wasn't like Dom had
never seen it before, but it was the first time I had invited him
into my bed. I knew it was significant, but I wasn't sure if I was
ready for that move just yet. I dug through my clothes to find a
middle ground for my pjs.
My black satin
bottoms and a black camisole would have to do.
I was slowly becoming more of a mess than I thought I
would've been if I had just gone to bed alone.

A gentle knock at my door sent my heart into
fast forward. I tried to calm myself, but I realized it was
useless. I opened the door and let Dom in.

“
Which side do you like to
sleep on?” I asked.

“
Wherever you want me.” He
smiled.

“
Well, I normally sleep in
the middle with pillows all around, so I'm not sure how this will
work.” I realized I should've thought of this before.

“
You just get comfortable
and I'll find a spot for myself.” He led me over to the bed and
watched me get in.

I crawled into the middle and found my usual
spot. My pillow was extra soft and my head squished right into it.
I loved it. Once I stopped wiggling around, Dominic turned off the
lights and slipped into the bed. He slept on his side on the left
side of the bed.

“
Are you comfortable
enough?” I wasn't sure if I should scoot over or what.

“
I'm fine.” He pulled me
closer to him, and my heart leapt into my throat.

My head fell onto his chest. It felt so
right. I suddenly felt more safe and comfortable than I ever had
before in my life. I kissed his lips gently- once, twice, and a
third time. I could feel his restraint as he gently kissed me back.
A lust ripped through my body that I had never felt before. I knew
just how far this could go, and I wasn't sure I was completely
ready for that.

Don't worry, Emma. I'm not
going to push you.
His words were like a
warm blanket on my cold worries.

I know
. I pulled myself up until I was leaning on my
elbow.

My hair fell in a curtain of blackness
against his shoulder. I kissed him harder. His response was
instant. My lips began to swell and control was starting to slip
away from me. My heart rushed and my head filled with adrenaline.
My body was trembling.

Are you okay?
His voice was thick in my thoughts.

I shook my head, I knew that my voice would
tremble.

My fangs slowly slid down and I was
shocked.

It's
natural
. He showed me how he had done the
same.

Okay.
He could've told me that I had turned green and that it was
natural and I wouldn't have questioned it. My lust for him and his
blood was blinding- my control was shattering.

Yes, my love. Do it.
His hands gripped my shoulders and helped to
lower me to his neck.

I could smell the desire on his very skin. I
licked it. My senses exploded with want. The salty taste was like
the sweetest flavor my body had known. I kissed his shoulder, his
neck, and then his collarbone again. His hands tightened on me,
sensing my desire to bite him. I trailed my fangs lightly over his
bared skin. Two faint lines of blood appeared. My mind exploded
with the thought of tasting it. I kissed the wound gently. I kissed
his swollen lips once more. His fangs nicked my bottom lip as he
pulled it into his mouth. He sucked it ever so lightly. I swooned
with the desire for him to bite me. I moved back to his little cut
and slowly bit him.

The warm blood flowed into my mouth. Want
consumed my every thought. I couldn't think of anything else. All I
wanted was Dominic and his blood. He wrapped his arms around me-
holding me to the spot, so even if I had the willpower to break
away I couldn't. His body bucked against me, and I slid on top of
him to straddle him. I pulled back and a soft moan escaped from his
lips.

Bite me, Dominic.
I sent the words to him through my
haze.

He slowly moved my hair back from my neck
and I felt his kisses trail from my mouth to the soft hollow of my
throat. His fangs slightly nicked the spot and I felt the sting
instantly. It was so different from the sting of a tattoo or a
safety pin across the skin. It was a maddening feeling, one that
drove a person to want even more. I pushed my neck against his
mouth. His warm tongue reached out and licked the spot. Need ripped
through my veins. I felt his teeth sink into my skin and I lost
myself. My body reacted without thought, and soon I had bitten him
again. Our bodies moved against each other, becoming slick with
sweat.

He pulled back and looked me in the eyes. I
felt like I was in some sort of trance.

Emma?
My name was like a whisper on the wind.

I closed my eyes and tried to focus, but I
wasn't used to so much blood being transferred in and out of my
body. A slight moan escaped my mouth.

Emma, are you
alright?
He shook me slightly.

Uh-huh.
It was like reaching for words in the fog.

“
Emma, I need you to open
your eyes and look at me, my love.” His words were ringed in worry.
I didn't understand.