317 Solace- Part 2

.

They had been busy since a few days, and he hadn't got to hold Madeline the way he wanted to. To touch her the way his body craved for it. 

He loved her for the person she was, not caring if she was of dark or light nature because Calhoun himself was plenty dark inside. He watched her eyelashes fluttered close as his hand slowly slid down from her cheek down her neck. 

"Can I?" asked Calhoun referring to his previous words. 

Madeline opened her eyes, feeling his hand strangely warm against her cold skin because the morning was cold as the Winter was close. She didn't know why Calhoun had started to ask her permission. It brought heat to her cheeks, turning them slightly pink. 

"Would you stop if I said no?" Madeline asked him, trying to keep her gaze on his face. He used his other hand to snake it around her waist and pulled her to him. 

A mischievous smile appeared on Calhoun's lips while his eyes continued to stare at her intensely, "Would you be so cruel to do that? Especially after offering me your blood a while ago?"

Madeline felt her heart skip a beat when Calhoun's hand that was on her neck slid towards her shoulder, pushing the fabric, and he leaned forward to press his lips on her shoulder. Pulling himself back and putting the sleeve in its place, his hand slowly traced down her arm before holding her hand and interlocking her fingers with his. 

Her lips parted, her breath soft and she felt her heart somersault in her chest.

"Why do you ask?"

Whenever Calhoun wanted to touch her, he always did what he wanted. He could turn her no to a yes, yet now he was asking her permission. She could see the mirth that lingered behind his eyes as if he enjoyed seeing her turn anxious and embarrassed over his words. 

"Why?" Calhoun repeated her question. The smile on his lips, lowered down along with his eyes that left her face to look at the door, which was when she heard it lock. 

She wondered how long it would take for her to get used to Calhoun making use of his abilities which were uncommon to the common people. The thought about going to meet James jumped out of her mind to be occupied by the thoughts of what Calhoun was about to do with her. 

"Do you even have to ask?" came his words, "I find amusement in this dull life by watching people squirm under my eyes. Did you think it would be anything less when it comes to you?" though his words were serious, one corner of his lips pulled up, and it put Madeline at ease. There were times when Calhoun turned hot and cold, and she carefully tried to read his mood. But then, so far, Calhoun had always been himself with her, probably even patient. 

She saw Calhoun take a step back, one hand still holding her hand that was interlocked with his fingers. Without another word, he tugged her hand to follow him to the couch and had her sit at one corner. Suddenly she turned nervous, not out of fright because it wasn't the first time Calhoun was drinking blood from her, but because of the thought of what his hands and lips would do on her skin. The last time had been intense, and as much as she had denied it, she liked it. 

Both her hands turned free as Calhoun let go of her hand when he took a seat next to her, leaving the other side of the couch empty. 

With the troubles that were hovering in her life, moments like these felt calmer to Madeline, making her feel she was like any other normal girl. That she didn't have people who wanted to kill her. The way Calhoun looked at her right now, it felt like his whole world revolved around her like she was the centre of his attention and he didn't care if the world was going to end until he had her next to his side. 

"Your eyes are moist," said Calhoun, bringing his hand up to catch the tear that escaped her eye. His lips twisted, "Don't want to offer your blood anymore?" Madeline shook her head, "I prefer you cry in the bed while I make love to you out of ecstasy. What's the matter, my sweet rose?" 

"Nothing," she whispered, her gaze lowering down to her hands. She could feel Calhoun staring at her even though she didn't look at him directly. 

She felt Calhoun's finger move below her chin to have her turn her head to look at him. They stared at each other, and he leaned forward, licking the tear that slipped from her eye. 

"Is it tears of happiness?" he asked, and when she didn't answer, a smile cracked on his lips, "Let me kiss you," he announced, sliding his hand around her neck. 

Calhoun didn't have to pull her to him as Madeline moved closer to him even though they were stark opposite. One who couldn't wait to kill people while the other wished people to be unharmed. 

Like Calhoun, who had found his solace in her, Madeline was now reaching out for him and he didn't lose an opportunity in grabbing hold of her hands. When their lips touched each other, Madeline felt Calhoun pry her lips open as if unable to wait to taste her and she opened her lips like her heart, letting him seize her feelings that had started to grow for him. 

She could feel his hands holding her face as he kissed her, his tongue pushed and taunted her own tongue, tasting her as they kissed, and Madeline kissed him back. Her hands had gone to place on his shoulders, but Calhoun didn't let her kiss for too long. When he pulled away, Madeline followed him to have her lean towards him with a faint hint of blush on her cheeks. 

Slightly embarrassed that she had followed Calhoun by leaning towards him, she saw him stare at her, his hands gently caressing her face. Was that it? Asked Madeline to herself, her heart ready to fall.

"Disappointed?" came Calhoun's quick words. 

"N-no," replied Madeline. 

"Don't worry, I have just started," his lips was covered with a subtle smirk. He took one seat away from her and Madeline wondered what Calhoun was up to, "I will love and cherish you until my very last breath," his words took her by surprise. 

The next second, Calhoun patted the space that was between them, "Put your feet up here," and Madeline did just as he asked.

Madeline wondered if she should respond to his words, that she would stay by his side.