CHAPTER 41: BRIANNE ACTS ALL PURE AND CHASTE, BUT DEEP DOWN...

«Are you sure the story about you two not really being together, but only pretending so you could get close to me, is true? Because looking at you now... you really seem like a couple who just got back together,» Brianne mutters.

Well, hard to blame her... Elaine is clinging to my arm with a radiant smile while the three of us stroll through Central Park.

It’s just past nine in the morning, and with Elaine still looking a little hazy, I don’t feel right about going back to school and leaving her alone—while Brianne has no intention of letting me out of her sight.

Not even when, out of the blue, Elaine and I start making out without any warning does Brianne leave us alone.

I had hoped that making her feel like a third wheel would push her to back off, at least for a couple of hours, but by now it’s obvious—she’s my shadow.

It’s already a miracle she doesn’t follow me straight into my own home.

«It’s all true, we’re just really, really good friends,» Elaine answers with a clumsy smile—the kind you only make when you’re half-drunk. «Ren asked me to pretend so he could get closer to you without setting off alarms. And well, as crazy as it sounded, his idea worked. But now I’m curious—what was your first time like? Did he make you squirt like a fountain, huh?»

Brianne’s face turns scarlet with embarrassment, but I’m even more stunned than she is.

Elaine isn’t the type to blurt things out like that—clearly the alcohol has made her way more outspoken than usual.

«O-Our first time...?» Brianne stammers, redder than ever. «L-Like Ren already told you, we... we’re not together—we never did anything like that! There was... there was only a kiss...» she adds, her voice nearly a whisper.

Truth is, there were two kisses, but I’d rather not correct her and make her feel even more self-conscious.

«I get that you’re not together, but honestly, I don’t see the point. Ren and I were never a couple either, but we slept together tons of times. Life’s too short to hold back on something as good as sex! I know your religion treats it like a taboo, but think about it: if it were truly wrong, why do you think the God of Light created us this way? The pleasure you feel when having sex—especially with someone like Ren—is the most intense joy the body can experience. Why would it be wrong to enjoy what the God of Light allowed us to feel? If it were wrong, sex would hurt, not feel good. You get what I mean?»

Even though her words are slurred and sloppy, Elaine’s reasoning is so smooth it’s impossible to dismiss, especially for someone as devoted to the God of Light as Brianne is.

With each word Elaine says, Brianne gets redder and redder—she looks like a tomato wearing a blonde wig now.

«My body is the most precious gift the God of Light gave me, and I intend to keep it pure and untouched until I find the right person... for me, and for him. No guy would be happy knowing his girlfriend had fun with half the world before giving herself to him!»

«Well, if I’m not mistaken, you confessed to loving me twice already,» I cut in—gotta strike while the iron’s hot.

It worked with Elaine, and it’ll work with Brianne too.

It’s obvious something inside her is stirring, but she’s too embarrassed and too bound by her puritan mindset to follow what her body actually wants.

I just need to get her to open up as much as possible!

«Wait, you actually confessed to Ren?! I can’t imagine what he must’ve done to make you fall in love without even sleeping with you! Could it be that our Ren has a sweet, tender side he’s kept hidden from everyone but you? If that’s the case, I’d be pissed—since I’m his best friend!» Elaine blurts out.

«Yes, I confessed, but... obviously my feelings alone mean nothing if they’re not returned!» Brianne mutters. «I don’t even understand how a pure and innocent soul like mine could fall in love with someone who, if he could, would do dirty things even with his own mother!»

Funny thing: I already do.

«Oh, by the way, Ren, would you like to come over later? There’s someone I want you to meet,» Elaine suggests.

Yeah right, the usual old excuse.

She probably still feels awkward after that big fight we had, and this is her way of admitting she misses my cock—though maybe she’s just avoiding crude words because Brianne’s here too.

«I hope this ’someone’ you want me to meet isn’t your new boyfriend...» I comment with a smirk.

«Oh no, they’re relatives of mine who’ve temporarily moved in because of... well, family issues. It happened last week, but since we weren’t talking I never told you. What do you say we go right now? I’m sure they’d be thrilled to meet you. And of course, you’re invited too, Brianne.»

If she invited Brianne as well, then... maybe this visit isn’t just an excuse to drag me to her place.

Or maybe she really does want to involve Brianne in our little erotic games.

Could she have read my mind?

Either way, it doesn’t matter, since Brianne politely declined.

She didn’t give a clear reason—just some vague excuse.

I doubt it has anything to do with her suspecting Elaine of having indecent motives; otherwise she wouldn’t have stayed so calm.

Maybe she just doesn’t feel like meeting them, or maybe she wants to avoid getting more entangled after already confessing her love for me.

Either way... finally, a bit of breathing room!

And to think, not long ago I would’ve given a million dollars to spend every day with her.

Now that I can’t shake her off even for a second... I’d give a million just to go back to being strangers!

No, I’m joking—Brianne is a golden girl, beautiful like no one else and just as smart. She’s only this oppressive because of her role as my watcher.

I’ll endure it.

Elaine’s house isn’t far from where we are. As soon as we get there, Brianne heads off—though I’m certain she’ll linger nearby, waiting for me the moment I come out.

Not before throwing me a sharp, warning glare, though.

What exactly does she expect me to do? Massacre Elaine’s relatives?!

Come on, she should know better—I’m a good guy... for a vampire.