I tip my head. “You’re going to binge watch them with me? All of them?”
He laughs. “That would be tormenting me. I’ve lived through that season for months. I know every line by heart.” There’s a twinkle in his eye when he looks at me. “But I’ll tolerate another rerun for you, sweet curva. You deserve it after last night.”
I’m so glad I was such a good table. Thank fuck I passed the test.
“You’re watching too, aren’t you?” I ask Josh, and my boyfriend shrugs, trying to be nonchalant as he grabs the blueberries and cream from the fridge.
“Maybe.” He looks at Heath. “See how manyIcan tolerate.”
He’s fooling around. He can play casual all he wants, but I know the truth. He’s almost as desperate to see Heath vamped up on screen as I am.
I get the plates as the guys prep breakfast – virtually hopping from foot to foot with impatience. I gobble my pancake stack on the terrace as quickly as I can while they savour theirs. I’m such an idiot, but I can’t help it. Blueberries or Nighttime Whispers? The answer is obvious. The sun is glorious, and the pool looks inviting as hell in this heat, but I want the darkness of the cinema room. Ineedto know what happens!
I practically sprint back through to the kitchen once Josh and Heath put their knives and forks down, loading up the dishwasher on a mission.
It’s still pretty early… all twelve episodes will take a nine-hour binge watch, but that’s alright. It’ll leave us time for a proposal, if we get going now.
“Pleaseeeeeeee,” I say, my hands in a prayer position as I race back out to the loungers. “Come on, Heath! Let’s get started!”
His eyes are so gorgeous as they fix on mine, and he gives me hisCountsmile on purpose. “Go on then, grab a drink and some snacks, then get to the cinema room. Choose your view.”
I ballerina twirl on my way back through the villa, my heart racing on overdrive as I stop at the snack cupboard. Heath actually has popcorn. For real. Salted and sweet, or coated caramel. I take both, and load up my arms with Coke cans.
If any of the millions of fans around the world could see me now, they would be so jealous, it’s insane. They’d lynch me for a shot at this.
It’s obvious which one of the seats I’m going to pick in the cinema room. Right at the centre in the second row. Prime viewing position. I tap my foot, wondering what is taking so long as I wait for the two of them to join me. I really need to know what the hell is going to happen this series. I’ve been thinking about it for months now. I know every single character by heart – every plot twist, every chase and bite. Everything. But so does Josh… he’s often on the sofa beside me, pretending to be more interested in pizza and scrolling than he is at staring atCountHeath. But that’s bullshit. He’s invested too.
He can put on as much of a front as he likes, but it won’t fool me.
I’m already sipping on a can of Coke when the two loverboys finally make their appearance, and oh fuck. FUCK. They’ve checked out of their shorts and t-shirt look. They’re dressed up to the max – thank you, aircon. Both of them are dressed up for the viewing, and I mean seriously dressed up.
Heath is in a suit! One of the Count’s fucking suits, with the burgundy neck tie!
I’m open mouthed as he approaches.
He’s brushed his hair dead straight and walks towards me with his hands behind his back – casual Count style.
I squeak, I’m so excited. I clap my hands with anoh my God!
“Rewards are rewards,” he says, and takes a seat beside me. “You don’t earn them easily, and you deserve the full experience when you do.”
I shrug with a laugh. “How am I supposed to focus on the screen with you looking like that?!”
Josh clears his throat as he takes a seat on my opposite side.
“Excuse me,curva.” He’s smirking. “Turn your attention away from the vamp icon for a second please, will you?”
Fuck, I’ve been so caught up in the Count that I didn’t notice just how styled Josh is for the occasion, too. I’ve seen him in suits plenty of times, since he practically lives in them for work, but this one is different up close. He’s wearing a Nighttime Whispers style suit like Heath is. Not the same necktie, but a brocaded waistcoat under a jacket.
“Well, well, well. I’m one hell of a lucky girl,” I say, and give my boyfriend a kiss. “Two vamps for the price of one. I know you’ve got a bite on you too, Josh.”
Heath squeezes my knee. “Are you sure you want a premier today? Or shall we get into some real-life action?”
“That’s not fair!” I giggle. “I want BOTH!”
He licks his lips. “Maybe you’ll be an even luckier girl than you think you are. But in the meantime.” He takes a remote control from his jacket pocket and switches the massive screen on. “Time for episode one.”
I get shivers as the screen lights up. The familiar haunting theme tune of Whispers sounds out, roaring through the incredible speakers, and there he is. The Count, turning to face the camera with his beautifully evil smile on his face. Bats flock around his head, then zoom away, and the camera pans to the village of Kington Springs, surrounded by woodland.
