Icy A

Chapter 4

Kelly could barely understand what had happened. She had been angry, and rightfully so, but Andreas had managed to calm her down, although he unnerved her some more in the process. If her palm wasn't still tingling, she would have thought she had just dreamed the slap. How she could have slapped him, she still didn't understand. The guy somehow brought out the worse in her; her most impatient and most foolish side. He made her see red, yet he made her shiver with desire. He was as impassible as he was hot. And she hated herself for being attracted to him, especially since she already had a boyfriend and the guy looked at least six years older than her.

She had been battling out her newly-found demons for about a minute or so when her phone went off, bringing her back to reality. She started at the sound and her eyes went wide. Her ringtone wasn't of the soft kind. She brought her right hand to her chest almost unknowingly as she tried to calm her racing heart and then, finally remembering there was someone calling her, she retrieved the blasting phone from her pocket.

A small smile cut its way through her features as she looked at the caller ID.

“Hi, Dan,” she greeted, her smile widening, “Yeah, I actually went to check on Maria.” She paused, listening to her boyfriend as he softly reprimanded her for not letting him know, before drawling an “I know” on a sigh, and then adding in an apologetic tone, “I should have told you. Sorry for making you worry.”

“Ah, never mind.” He told her softly, “Enjoy your girl talk. Love you.”

“Love you too,” A lopsided smile found its way on her face as she hung up.

Andreas, who had gone back to standing behind the sofa Maria was sitting on, didn't enjoy hearing his mate telling some guy she loved him. And from her tone, there was no doubt in his mind that she meant the romantic kind of love. Andreas didn't love her. Hell, he didn't even know she existed one hour ago. He had no right to be jealous… but he was. His hand clenched into a fist and the sofa let out a wail of protest that surprised him almost as much as it did everyone else. Maria turned his way, studied his face for a moment before straightening back. He had not wanted to scare her. He was about to tell her that but he didn't really trust his voice not to come out aggressive and thus refrained from doing so.

His mate's blue eyes grew suspicious when she looked in their direction, and even more so when they settled on him. He guessed she was wondering what the sound was about. She had an unmistakable what-the-hell-just-happened look. Her right eyebrow rose ever so slowly in a questioning manner but no one provided an explanation.

What was there to say really? The girl was human and didn't know of his species yet. How was he to explain to her that although he knew next to nothing about her, he didn't enjoy the idea of her saying “I love you” to another guy?

He watched as her eyes narrowed for a split-second before she said in a wary tone, “I don't know what's going on and from the looks of it, you're not going to tell me, but damn is it fishy!”

Something about her tone made Maria giggle and he was glad the tension had faded a little bit. His jealousy receded and the anger he felt towards the stranger who held his mate's heart lessened.

“It is not funny!” Kelly pouted and then tried to glare at her friend, before giving in to the temptation of joining her in her laughter not two seconds later.

“So, Dan, huh?” Ace teased, a moment after the girls’ laughter subsided, the ghost of a smirk adorning his face.

Andreas had to remind himself that he was supposed to be the most sensible one of the group. He was not going to let himself be provoked by a green vampire. He had more self-control than that… yet, it was all he could do not to flash in front of him and hurt him some way.

He remained silent, wishing someone would shut the boy, knowing he was doing it on purpose and hating him for it.

“Yeah,” Kelly blushed, “he's my boyfriend.”

Dan was her boyfriend. It was confirmed. Andreas felt like his blood caught fire. His jealousy came back stronger than earlier and the desire to brand the girl in front of him and make her his gripped him. He remembered Blake's teachings about how important control was, he remembered his training, his encouragements, and that was all that kept him sane and in control. Nevertheless, he knew it wouldn't take much for him to snap.

“For how long have you two been going out?” Ace pressed on, relentless in his attempts to get a reaction out of the usually stoic Andreas.

“A month, give or take, but it feels like forever.”

Andreas watched as her cheeks took on a rose hint while a shy small took over her mouth. She looked so innocently in love, it made him feverish with contained anger. He was not going to stand much more, he could feel it. He had not fed in four days. His sire had come close to snapping, and in his inability to help or console him, he had felt most insignificant. Many things had happened. And the shock of finding his mate, he who believed not to have one, was still too fresh for him to keep his act together for much longer. He hoped the talking would stop. He would make it stop if he had to.

“I see and you…” the remaining part of Ace's sentence remained unsaid, hanging in the air, for Andreas interrupted him, “Enough with the questions, Charlie.”

The command, albeit spoken calmly, was nothing short of a threat. He watched as Blake's last charity cause gulped down in fear at the use of his given name before an awkwardly apologetic smile cut through his features.

Kelly didn't understand why Andreas had to cut in. Charlie seemed nice, and his questions were addressed to her. Shouldn't she be the one to decide when enough was enough?

“Has anyone ever told you how rude you are?” She bit out as she looked into Andreas’ face.

“A few times,” came his unnervingly calm reply.

“What is it to you if he's asking me questions?” She exhaled loudly, trying not to lash out but unable to contain her growing annoyance, “Are you in the military or something?”

“No.”

She was riled up and yet he looked so calm. His face was serene and his eyes unnervingly unreadable.

Those beautiful gray eyes should not be so empty. She wondered how they would be when lit with l**t. She shivered at the image, and then from the mere thought. She already had a boyfriend; what business did she have thinking about how the guy looked like when aroused? She had just met him. She didn't even like him – and yet, something in her yearned for him. More than her foolish and impatient side, he brought out the needy woman in her. And that both scared and unnerved her.

“You're freaking unbelievable,” she fired, getting angrier at him and at herself, “You are absolutely loathsome.” Yes, she had to make herself believe he was the worse scumbag to ever walk the face of earth or she might just be the one to start eying him with l**t.

“Say something damn it!” She barked, rising to her feet in a leap, when the silence stretched. She was provoking him, trying to get something out of him, anything, but he didn't bother at all. He was too disciplined. He looked almost above petty matters such as anger, and that made her angry and impossibly attracted to him at the same time. A control freak could only be a wonder to behold when he unraveled, and she wanted to see that.

“What?” He deadpanned, wishing Blake would come back already. He'd be relieved from watch duty and would be able to ask for advice, for a course of action, and perhaps for blood or alcohol – whatever was available.

The guy had the looks of a Greek god but there was no warmth to him at all. If he were to smile, women would throw themselves at him. If his eyes were to show the slightest hint of life, he would be even more handsome, she was sure. And yet, she wished on some level it never happened in front her. She wasn't sure she wouldn't seek his attention despite her having Dan. And just like that, she remembered sweet, caring Dan and couldn't help but inwardly wince as guilt gnawed at her insides. She was lucky enough to have landed such a great guy. She should not be thinking about anyone else. She had Dan.

“God, I'm so glad I'm in love with Dan!” Her eyes widened right after she let out those words, as it wasn't in her intention to let them slip, and then widened some more when a vicious growl was heard.