“Is this what you wanted?” he asked in a low, almost imperceptible whisper.
“Yes,” I breathed. “It’s exactly what I wanted.”
He smiled before grabbing my neck and sinking his fangs into the side, drinking up more blood as he fucked me. I was going to have quite a few injuries to cover up after tonight. My turtlenecks would be making their appearances at work again, and I had no doubt a couple of my coworkers would ask stupid questions about why I was wearing them so often.
“I’m cold,” was always an acceptable answer, or: “I’m just really into turtlenecks these days.”
Either one shut them down pretty quickly, since who could argue that someone else wasn’t cold or changing their style?
It was hard to keep my mind on work with both Xander’s cock and his teeth buried inside me. As much as I wanted to, I wasn’t going to last long tonight. I was too worked up and Xander was just too fucking hot for me to control myself.
Xander didn’t seem to have the desire to go all night either. I knew he could fuck me as long as he wanted to, and if he were really sadistic, he might try to make me comply the entire night. I was lucky he loved me as much as he did, but he cared equally about my wishes as his own, and that was rare even for a human man to do.
He pulled away from my neck, placing his silky, blood-soaked lips against mine, and thrust deep into me, sending me over the edge. I was assaulted with the taste of my own blood, sweet and metallic, and for just a second, I understood what it was that Xander loved about the substance.
And then I was back to reality, bent over a solid wood table, sweaty and out of breath and being held up only by Xander’s strong embrace. It was everything I could have asked for and more.
We stumbled off to bed, curling around each other underneath the covers. I wanted to stay wrapped up in Xander’s embrace forever, but I knew that wasn’t possible. We had to get up and get back to the real world at some point.
Right now, however, I was content to be spooned by Xander, his hands stroking my bare skin, his breath tickling the back of my neck.
“I love you, Xander” I murmured.
Xander paused, his palm resting on my shoulder. “I love you too, Luke – more than you’ll ever know.”
“I’m starting to understand that,” I replied. “We’re very different, you and I, but that’s what makes our relationship so special.”
He nodded. “Someday you’ll be gone and I’ll remain here, but I’ll continue to love you long after every trace of you is gone from this earth. I won’t forget you, whatever happens.”
“I know. I’ll always have your love for me.” I smiled and reached my hand around to cup Xander’s chin. “And I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
28
THE LIBRARIAN
Islipped a book back onto its shelf, ensuring it was flush with the others before turning to the stack on the chair next to me and selecting the next one. Some might say I spent too much time perfecting the library and the books within, while others agreed that it was necessary to keep this building a haven of peace and tranquility.
The bell on the front door jingled and two individuals walked in together, chattering and laughing. I turned in their direction to gently shush them, but before I could put my finger to my lips, I realized who had just come in.
“Xander and Luke, welcome back to the library!” I hurried to the front desk to greet them, straightening out my tunic while I pushed a few unruly strands of curls behind my ear. “Is there anything I may help you with today?”
“No, I think we have everything we need.” Xander turned and smiled at Luke, who squeezed his hand in return.
“We’re out on a date tonight,” Luke explained, “and we wanted to come back to the place where we first met and reminisce.”
“If I remember your first date correctly, it wasn’t something to be remembered fondly.” I chuckled, but Xander shot me a dark, withering glance, and I quickly turned my chuckle into a throat-clearing. “Well, it’s lovely to see you both happy and healthy.”
“Thanks,” Luke replied. “There’s something else we wanted to tell you too.” He nudged Xander in the ribs with his elbow.
Xander coughed. “Uh, yes, indeed.” We wish to thank you for the matchmaking service that brought us together – both times. Thank you for believing in us.”
I smiled. “There’s no need to thank me. I’m simply doing my job. But do spread the word about the service if you’re so inclined. I imagine a world someday where everyone in this town has their soulmate, both monsters and humans alike.”
Luke nodded. “We’ll do that. See you soon, Librarian.”
“I shall see you again soon.”
They left me alone at the front desk to meander through the rows and rows of books while they chatted. Once they were gone, I slipped to the hidden back room and pulled a massive, ancient book off one of the shelves. The pages were mostly empty, save for a few in the front, which had several names printed neatly on the yellowed pages. On a free line, I wrote Luke’s and Xander’s names in black ink, letting it dry before closing the book and placing it back on the shelf, where it would sit until I had another pair of names to add.
I sighed and put my hands on my hips, looking contentedly at the bookshelf. “Just another day at the library,” I said, giving the matchmaking boot one last pat before returning to the pile of books I still had to put away before closing up for the night.
