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Riah POV

Once I was waved into the fence and drove up to Demitri's house, I sighed and turned the car off. "I should probably get home to Alyssa." 

He ran his hand through his hair, "Stay with me tonight, please? I've missed sleeping next to you." The desperation in his voice was evident. 

I chewed on my bottom lip and tilted my head back on my seat. "Demitri, I should really get back." 

Reaching across the center council, Demitri took my hand in his and stroked it with his thumb. "Nora would be more than glad to watch over Alyssa for the night, I just want to spend some alone time with the love of my life."

Sighing, I took my hand out of his and twirled my thumbs around in thought. I couldn't help but feel the immediate coldness from the absence of his skin. I can't just take advantage of Nora's help, but I miss cuddling Demitri so much. Shaking my head, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed Nora's number.

As I held the phone up to my ear, I waited for the ringing to stop, soon after was her voice. "Hey girly, how's Demitri doing?"

I bit my bottom lip and glanced to him, "He's good. I'm actually with him right now. I, uhm, was wondering if you could watch Alyssa tonight so I could sleep over at his house?"

"Of course! You two deserve to have a night together after everything you've been put through. She's already in bed, so all is good." The love in her voice was overwhelming.

I let out a deep breath I didn't realize I was holding in, "I owe you my life, thank you baby girl."
Hanging up, I stuffed the phone into my pocket and unbuckled. The excitement in Demitri's eyes caused me to giggle as we made our way up to his front door and into the giant house. 

Grabbing my hand, he pulled me into the large kitchen and unlocked the stainless steel fridge placed in between two marble counter tops. As he opened it, the smell of blood overwhelmed my nose. My stomach growled, making me realize I've been hungry all day. 

After he grabbed two glasses from the cabinets and poured the substance into them, he handed me one and gave me a small smile.
Lifting it to my lips, I quietly groaned at the taste as I chugged it down. 

"Hungry?" His tone was intrigued by my actions.

I nodded with wide eyes, "Apparently I am."

He let out a low chuckle, sending shivers down my spine. Smirking, I sauntered up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. As I looked up into his bright eyes, butterflies in my stomach began fluttering. We sat there for a moment, in each others arms and staring into each others eyes. He's so handsome with his full eye lashes, perfect eye brows, high cheek bones and full lips. 

Sighing, I began chewing on my bottom lip anxiously. "Are you sure your feeling okay? Your body was put through some shit with the vervain." My voice was shaky and sounded vulnerable, but I don't care. 

Ducking down, he placed a soft kiss on my nose. "I feel great, love. Please stop worrying about me." 

I nodded and averted my gaze, "It's my job to worry about you, Demitri." 
Pulling away, I took another drink from my glass and leaned against the island placed in the middle of the kitchen.

I hate it when he tries to make it his job, and only his, to worry. I need to protect him too, it can't just be him protecting me. And with his stubborn attitude, he will continue to believe he needs to protect me a lot more than I actually need.

"Riah?" Demitri's voice shook me from my thoughts. I glanced at him to see him scanning my body.

I arched my brow, "Yeah? Sorry."

He shrugged, "Let's go swimming."

Glancing out the kitchen window, I bit my bottom lip, confused. "But it's in the middle of the night?" 

"So?" He let out a chuckle, "That's what makes it fun."

Shaking my head, I gave him a toothy grin as he gripped my hand in his and pulled me towards the sliding glass door. "What about our swim suits?"

Turning to look into my eyes, the expression on his face was amused and rebellious. "Who said anything about a swim suit?"

Tilting my head, I smirked as we continued to walk around the side of his backyard, down the stair case and to a small patio placed on top his private beach. Once he climbed down the ladder to the sand with me following close behind, he stopped in his tracks and began stripping.

The way the muscles on his back flexed as he pulled the shirt over his head caused the butterflies in my stomach to jump around a little lower this time. Biting my lip, I slowly took my sweatshirt off, followed by my jeans. The air was a little cold, but warm enough that I gladly won't be getting hypothermia. After I finally unstrapped my bra and stepped out of my panties, Demitri turned to me as his eyes lit up and searched me hungrily. 

How can this man be unconscious in the infirmary one half of the day, but then be standing in front of me, naked and about to skinny dip with me the next? He is the only man I will ever be comfortable enough with to stand naked in front of him and not feel self conscious. 

Shaking my head, I let out a small laugh as I made my way up to him and laced my fingers within his. As I pulled him into the water, my breath hitched in my throat while I attempted to get used to the sudden shock of cold water against my naked skin. 

Pulling away, I gasped, "Nope. Way too cold." But before I could get out, Demitri wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close to his chest. Screaming and giggling, I braced my self as he lifted me in the air and tossed me into the water. 

Demitri POV

As she rose back up from under the water, I quietly gasped at the way the droplets glistened on her beautiful fair skin and the way her long hair was padded back, all the way down her spine to her waist. Her green eyes lit up in humor as she strolled to me and wrapped her arms around my neck. 

With one quick thrust, she pulled me under with her and for a moment, we stayed still under the clear water and stared at each other longingly. Her hair was flowing around her as if she was an angel, and a sexy smile spread across her mouth. Grabbing her face, I smashed my lips to hers. 

Once we were above water, she was wrapped around my waist and my hands holding her up as my mouth traveled down her perfect neck to her collarbone. Her body trembled as I walked us back to the shore and pressed her back against the stone wall between the sand and the patio. 

"On the beach?" Her question was more of a statement against my skin, and her breath was heavy as she allowed her hands to comb through my disheveled hair.
Nodding, I bit down on her neck, soon tasting the sweet alluring way her blood traveled around my tongue.