A/N This is a sample from the first draft as it was available on Wattpad, please note that the release version, with new and previously unseen opening chapters, is now available for purchase.
"We've booked you a suite," William announced, depositing a floor plan on the coffee table between Conn and I. "Thank God you have seniority and a healthy bank balance," he laughed as he perched next to our Sire. "The Prince of Wales Suite isn't cheap, especially as we've booked the interconnecting Arlington Suite too." He looked at me, "We figured you'd appreciate the space rather than being forced into interconnecting bedrooms. We still wanted you in a self contained apartment though. It's the most secure option and it also comes with a vast range of complimentary services."
Conn was less than impressed by the expenditure, but then according to him he didn't need security, and certainly not me. "But why a Signature Suite? The smaller apartment you booked for the last pointless function would've done, surely? Couldn't you just book the additional bedroom which interconnected with the Green Park Suite I was in last time, like you did for Katie? This is three times bigger than necessary," he griped.
Unfortunately for William, our Sire hadn't moved past open irritation yet. I'd managed to progress on to a state of miserable resignation, and I hoped my Sire would do so too, sooner rather than later. If he grouched at me for the entire trip I'd stake him myself. Then again, we could use a good yelling match. Anything would be better than dancing around each other the way we had been since Ragnar announced I was Dunthryth, albeit in a new body.
William didn't seem inclined to ease Conn's transition from annoyance to acceptance either, or maybe he just knew me too well. "The reason, Sire, is because I don't want Darcy to do Ragnar's job for him. With the mood you're in, I fear you'll drive her to violence. Wouldn't you like some distance between her fist and your face?"
I snorted. Conn glared. Gunner chortled.
Personally I thought the apartment wasn't big enough, even if Conn slept in one suite and I slept in the other, interconnecting block of rooms. I would've been fine having the length of The Ritz between me and the object of my desire, especially as he was also the source of my continued irritation. That wouldn't help me protect him, however. From a security perspective we'd be safer together, and I didn't need Gunner to explain that. If we were honest we'd be 'safer' in adjacent rooms, but that would come with its own set of dangers.
The idea of staying in bedrooms with an interconnecting door set alarm bells ringing. It was just asking for trouble, which had probably been among William's considerations while arranging our accommodation.
Gunner laid a road atlas on top of the plan of the apartment, distracting me from my speculation. The head sentry had drawn a route on the map, and although we hadn't gone over it yet I knew he would've planned our journey down to the most miniscule detail. "This has already been programmed into your GPS," he told Conn, his tone serious. "Do not deviate. I want to know where you are at all times. You understand?"
Conn's irritation intensified, but he didn't get as far as reprimanding his lieutenant before I quipped. "Watch what you say. Have you forgotten who is Sire here?" My Irish-Geordie hybrid accent may not have been up to scratch, but Gunner choked as he tried to bite back a guffaw at my impersonation.
The look Conn gave me was one of utter disapproval, which I shrugged off. "It's laugh or cry, I choose to laugh." It was that or fall back on my usual method of coping by bringing out geeky quotations, and those would be lost on my Sire.
"Laugh all you want, but do you have to make me the butt of your jokes?" he demanded, scowling.
Excellent, I was getting to him. Guilt flared at that insensitive thought, but I ignored it. As immature as it was to purposefully nettle Conn, I lived for any reaction he gave me. I went on patrol because it made him nervous. I goaded him because it made him snap at me. Like an attention seeking teen I did whatever I could to make him notice me, because it hurt less than being ignored. It was pathetic, but we'd skirted around each other for weeks and I needed something, anything, to diffuse the ongoing tension. A night of unbridled passion might have been preferable, but an argument would suffice.
"When you stop being an arse, you'll no longer be the butt." Atrocious pun, but provoking him was all I had in my arsenal.
"That's childish, Darcy," Conn reprimanded me.
He picked the atlas off the table, appearing intent on returning to the task at hand until he hissed, "You were always like this." The words slipped out and Conn flinched, realising he'd just brought up the past we hadn't yet had a real discussion about.
"Like what?" I requested, curious and irked that such a statement followed his accusation of childishness.
Blue eyes the colour midnight slid up to my face as my Sire hesitated. For a moment I wondered if he'd evade the question. He didn't. "Infuriating," he admitted. "You were always infuriating."
I stared at my lap, determined not to show how much I resented his response. "And how did you resolve that in the past?"
Silence followed my query, but when a flash of desire rippled through Conn my head jerked up to find his attention focussed on my mouth. Making up had been a big thing in our marriage, then. Familiar warmth flowed through my veins as my breathing deepened and my own yearning returned to burn in my core. Go on, kiss me. The thought was a silent plea, but he wasn't listening to my thoughts and he didn't hear me. Not that he would've conceded even if he had heard. He turned away and my resentment increased.
"I need coffee."
There was little point in going through the lust routine again, and it would be humiliating to do so in front of William and Gunner. Instead I pulled myself to my feet and headed for Conn's immaculate but frivolous kitchen.
It wasn't like he needed to cook. In the hours I'd spent in his apartment going through security arrangements prior to departure, I'd discovered that Conn had everything he wanted delivered to him on demand. He'd been in the process of leaving his dishes and tray on a table outside the door when we arrived, clearly anticipating someone would come and collect them. It explained why I'd never seen him at meal times. The kitchen sent platters to his door, rather than forcing him to join his minions. It annoyed me. He should be interacting with his people. The House Representative in me made a note to put that in my next email of suggestions.
Regardless, Conn claimed he liked to have a kitchen, just in case. Just in case what? Did he fear the kitchen staff were going to go on strike. I doubted our Sire spent time baking, although the idea of Conn in an apron and covered in flour had given me a chuckle the first time I imagined it. Unfortunately, even that wasn't amusing enough to push aside my Conn-fusion as I entered the kitchen and flicked on the kettle.
I choose to go for the instant coffee and boiling water technique, rather than fighting with Conn's espresso and cappuccino making monster. The machine was his area of expertise, and I didn't need the added irritation of figuring it out as I tried to squash down my inappropriate lust and stitch together my fraying sanity. We were never going to survive sharing an apartment. It was ridiculous to think we could. All the wounds I was trying desperately to heal would be torn open afresh, and I wasn't sure I could bear that.
Leaning on the bench, I pressed my forehead into my palms and tried to massage away the headache which had troubled me for weeks. I really needed a holiday. One that didn't involve vampires.
Footsteps drew me upright again, and I knew Conn was behind me even before I turned. "I came through here to escape you. Couldn't you give me five minutes alone?"
"I know why you came through here," he professed. Yet still he'd followed? Why couldn't he show some sensitivity? "I need a word with you."
"Will it be a short word?" The question was icy as I turned back to the cupboards and reached up for a cup.
