Sexting With A Vampire
Chapter 35

Stella

I stare up at the stars in the sky. We are camping in the middle of the forest since Lunaris is still miles away.

Evan said he could teleport us all in the morning if we allow him to rest tonight and drink from my blood tomorrow. So right now, we are supposed to be sleeping.

The problem is that I can't sleep. I'm cold, and my nose is clogged up from some weird flower growing around here. Am I allergic? Either way, I'm shuddering like crazy and reaching for Evan. I wish to cuddle a little and pause the second I'm met with a rock-hard wall of muscle. That's some insanely ripped abs right there.

Wow.

My palm flattens against the surface.

This flipping body.

I just want to touch it even more.

See it.

All of it.

Thirsty and curious, I roll closer and slide my hands over the incredibly sexy chest while smiling like a creep. Warm skin. Round, juicy pecs. Holy f*****g shit-is that my moan? Who cares!

I throw caution to the wind and kiss every set of abdominal muscles with this passion taking charge of my body.

I'm aching between my legs, turned on already.

My breathing grows labored, and there are shivers underneath my hand. A long tremor that indicates Evan loves my touch. Wonderful.

I caress the fine lines between his abs and smile at his smooth skin. He is tense but allows me to squeeze his muscles. They are so rigid and refined.

Oh god, I'm so aroused.

I explore the pectoral muscles and sternum. Gently running my fingers across the sparse hair-

Wait.

Evan is cleanly shaven.

Horrified, I gasp in the night and stare up at the face belonging to a curious Raphael.

His face is cast in moonlight, and his expression throws me off. It's tender and... Kind of stupidly goofy? Like he is smitten by me.

His lips slightly curl. "This was much better before you knew who you were touching."

Without thinking twice about it, I slap him.

My palm connects with his cheek, leaving a burning mark that Raphael rubs while pouting. His eyebrows furrow.

"What did you do that for?" Raphael whisper-yells. "You're the one who attacked me with your sensual touches!"

Sensual touches?!

I admit I was two seconds from jumping at his boner, but I had no idea it was him! His body is just as ripped and toned as the one belonging to Evan-it's hard telling them apart when it's dark! "I didn't know it was you!" I exclaim.

"Even if you didn't know it was me, you shouldn't have slapped me when you found out! F**k... That bitchslap actually hurt, and wait a minute... Are you still touching me?"

Blushing, I withdraw my hand from his chest. "I accidentally left my hand on you since I was shocked!"

"Well... I don't hate it."

"Obviously."

"I don't think you hate it either..."

Oh-my-god, Raphael dares to suggest I like him!

The audacity!

I gasp in sheer terror and narrow my eyes in the dark. "If you mention my arousal, you're a dead man!"

Those green eyes glow faintly, and Raphael props his head up on one shoulder while watching me. The goofiness is gone, replaced by the same ominous energy I'm used to.

Angry and menacing.

Challenging.

Typically alpha.

"I know you're in love with Evan," Raphael says, watching my face while he says those words. "You have a special bond... And I realize that you hate my view of things."

I glare at him. "You would do anything for power-you summoning these demons proves that. And now you're blackmailing me into staying by your side by saying you will eventually take me to my father." "How else would I keep you around?"

His questions give me pause. "I... I-I don't know..."

"Exactly," Raphael smirks in the dark. "Without my game plan, you would run off with your vampire lovers. I can't have that... I have to keep you here until the mate-bond kicks in. And I believe Nothing is against the rules in the game of love." "Love isn't a game."

He laughs and rolls onto his back, smiling up at the sky. "True. I used to think love was a game in the past, but... Something about you makes me think differently."

My nostrils flare, and Raphael chuckles at my silence.

"We are both your mates, Stella. Even though you hate me, that thing will always bind us together unless you reject me."

"I thought of rejecting you as soon as I turn twenty..."

Raphael turns around at those words, our eyes connecting. His eyes roam over my face, speeding up my breathing for unknown reasons.

I stare at him, breathe him in. He is so unlike Evan, less beautiful and sharper around the corners. Less refined, yet incredibly handsome with a manlier face and intelligent eyes. "Do you hate me?" Raphael asks.

"Hate is a strong word."

His lips curl, and one of those calloused hands reaches for my hipbone. I shudder as he keeps it there. Not a second later, he caresses me while keeping those eyes on mine. Studying my reaction.

Making yet another calculative moment.

I'm still shivering, unsure what to do, when he leans closer to watch my face up close. His breath is on my skin.

"I want power-you're right about that," Raphael whispers with eyes glowing like embers. "But after I've become the most powerful alpha on this planet, I want someone to rule by my side." There is venom in my throat, and it comes out in words. "I won't ever become your luna. Not if your ideal world is spreading demons across the country to gain power."

He chuckles. "Your sharp tongue is growing on me, but you're right-it was a stupid, desperate attempt for power. I now see a different route to becoming stronger."

I lift an eyebrow, still a bit uncomfortable by the intimacy. "And what route would that be?"

"Mating with you," Raphael replies, smiling darkly. "A mated alpha is more powerful than one without a mate, and since you're my true mate, it would grow my powers by an insane amount."

"If power is all you're interested in, then I don't want to become your f*****g luna."

"Oh, but I want more than power. I want you, Stella. Seeing what you have with Evan makes me wish I had that with you. A connection, a language only you and I speak."

"I won't ever have that with you," I growl. "It will always be Evan."

He studies me in the dark. "Don't you think there is a reason why you have two mates? You tried to get rid of me, didn't you? Tried to convince the moon goddess to make Evan your only mate. Well, guess what? You can't get rid of me because we are bound to collide." I stare at him, and Raphael rolls away from me with a satisfied smile curling his lush lips. "Good night, Stella."