My Twin Vampires

Chapter 4

Maya stared up at the ceiling silently. Kasey's soft snores were heard across the room, filling their unusually quiet room. 

She turned on her side and let her eyes fall shut, desperately wanting to sleep. She had work in five hours and still hadn't slept a wink. Her mind raced with everything and nothing. Mostly about them. 

Past 

Maya had met the twins six months ago, purely by chance. Kasey's little sister had finally turned 21 and her group of friends went out to celebrate. Kasey of course dragged her along, saying she needed the time off from working so much. 

She wasn't surprised, only an hour of having been at the club, when she saw her best friend making out with some girl. Maya cheered her on from her spot at the bar and ordered herself two drinks, she'd be drinking for her and Kasey tonight, she thought happily. 

That's when Neil showed up, pretty smile and prominent dimples. "Don't freak out," He'd whispered against her ear later in the night while they were dancing, bodies pressed closely together, "but my brother hasn't been able to keep his eyes off you since you got here."

She glanced up, gaze heavy. "Really?" 

"Mm," His arms tightened around her waist, "I think he wants a turn."

And that's how she woke up the next morning in Neil's house squished between both of them. She didn't stay long, didn't need to, but she had both numbers saved in her phone. 

Four months ago, only two months before her second year of college was coming to an end, her art teacher had quit and was replaced with a new one the following day. She didn't think much of it, not until she walked into the classroom and saw Neil setting up his desk. 

The same Neil she slept with only a month before that, the same Neil she'd been seeing after she slept with him and his brother at the club. Maya hadn't believed her eyes at first, surely she was just sleep deprived. Was he even old enough to be a professor? 

He greeted her before looking up and stopping short when he saw who it was. Her body felt like it was on fire as she looked for the farthest possible seat in the room. 

Neil was surprisingly professional about it, didn't help her more than anyone else, and didn't give her any special attention that would cause people to think too much. 

So she continued to see him outside of school, since he was just so professional. And since she was seeing him, that meant she was seeing Elijah too. It went like that all the way through summer. 

It was fun, it was purely s*x at first, maybe takeout here and there, sometimes an art lesson or two, but it wasn't complicated. 

Until it was. 

Maya had stopped by Neil's apartment to return the art supplies she borrowed and maybe for s*x too, if she was lucky. 

She stopped in her tracks when she saw Elijah standing outside the apartment, pressing some woman to the door. She was about to turn around and quickly leave before he noticed since he was clearly busy, until she saw the woman's head tip back and revealed Elijah biting her neck. 

What the fuck

She inhaled sharply, ready to run for the hills, drop out of college and never see them again but his head snapped up and looked directly at her. Her eyes zeroed in on his mouth and watched him lick the red dripping from his lip. 

Nope. 

"Um," She squeaked and quickly set down the bag, "This is for Neil! Sorry, bye!" She quickly turned on her heel to run but blinked in shock when he was suddenly in front of her. 

"Maya-" All she could focus on was the two fangs digging into lips. He seemed to realize this and the next time she blinked, they were gone. "Listen," she stood froze, "can I explain before you leave? I don't want this to be your last impression of me." 

What if I say no? Will he bite me too? She swallowed the fear lodged in her throat and nodded mutely. 

It took three hours, Neil coming home to help explain, and a lot of alcohol for Maya to actually believe they were vampires and not going to kill her. 

Things were okay after that, for a little while.

-

Present

Maya inhaled deeply and tried not to throttle him. You're at work, Maya, you can't kill him. 

She forced herself to focus on anything but him as she stocked can after can of pineapples on display. When she glanced at him for a split second she found Neil was already watching her, smirk playing at his lips as he held a few sketchbooks. 

'Cute' He mouthed, pearly whites displaying when he grinned. She scowled at him while fixing her apron. Wait till you clock out to kill him. 

Quickly looking away, she let out an irritated breath. Where was Kat when she needed her? "Do you have a moment?" Maybe if she ignored him, he'd go away. "Ma'am?"

Maya turned to him with a deadpanned look. "I'm working." 

"Strictly work related." 

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she placed the last can on the shelf. "What do you need?" 

"I'm looking for a canvas about this big." He held his hands out showing her the size. 

"And you thought a grocery store would be better than the art store in the same plaza?" 

His smile widened. "Much cheaper." 

"Lesser quality." 

"Could you get me one?" Her mouth opened to object but quickly formed a tight smile when her manager walked by, casting them a quick glance. 

"Right this way, sir." Neil followed her silently, but she could feel his eyes wandering. Kill him after work. "What you see is what we have. You're more than welcome to go just down the street where they'll have what you're looking for." 

He studied the few canvases intently before picking three up. "What brushes do you recommend for water oils?" 

"I believe you were an art teacher." 

"Yes, but you work here. Surely you know the best quality." 

Maya plucked a random set of paintbrushes off the rack and shoved them in his chest. "Here, top tier quality." 

"Great customer service." She gave him a sarcastic smile. "I have another question." 

"A lot of other people work here." 

"Maya." Her back stiffened and a fake smile planted itself on her face when her manager slowed next to them. "What did we just talk about this morning?" 

She side glanced Neil and lowly grumbled, "Don't talk back to the customers." 

Neil watched, hiding a smile, as she was scolded like a child. "Won't happen again." She finally assured so he'd leave. 

He poked her cheek while she pouted, making her swat at his arm. "Don't be like that~ I'm sorry." 

"f**k off, you got me in trouble." Her pout deepened. 

"It sounded like this wasn't the first time."

"That's none of your business." She turned her nose up and walked off. He only laughed and followed after her. 

He kept her company for a while and Maya wouldn't admit it, but she enjoyed it. While he teased her about this and that, she was reminded again and again why she started to like him. 

Neil was easy to be around, he was safe.

He wasn't complicated. 

So when he was about to leave and turned to her with a sheepish look, rubbing the back of his neck and asked, "I actually came here to ask if you're free to talk sometime," she didn't know how to react.