Chapter 127: Changing Shirts

Esme retrieved her bag from the butler, her body hidden behind the door as she peeked out and smiled shyly. Her hair was damp, her body smelling of the soaps and oils used in the bath, and even though her body was wrapped in a towel and free from scars, it was now covered in love bites and a few marks from where Gabriel had drunk her blood. There was also the part where it was now into the early hours of the morning, and she was reminded that they were not the only ones in the penthouse. 

"Good morning, miss Esme. You must be hungry. Should I get something prepared?" He inquired, ignoring the rising blush to her cheeks. Of course, she was fricken hungry after a certain vampire couldn't keep his hands off of her. 

"Are you really complaining about our mate's appetite?!" Isana jested, indicating the slight soreness in her groin area. 

Esme bit her lip, thinking about the last few hours where they couldn't go a few minutes without touching each other or being parted for too long. "Of course not." Her lips tugged into a small smile before clearing her throat after seeing the butler expectantly waiting for her answer.

"Erm, how are Luther and Marcus?" She asked instead. 

"They have been drinking." Esme groaned in response, wondering how the vampire and werewolf were really faring with alcohol in their system. 

"Please order a lot of food, enough for eight people. It doesn't matter what it is, whatever is open at this time. Marcus will need to eat as well," Esme replied as her stomach grumbled.

"Very well, miss," He bowed his head and started descending the stairs. Esme closed the door with a small click, feeling a blush grow on her cheeks again, this time because she actually ordered Gabriel's butler to do something. She was acting like she owned the place! It hadn't even been that long since they became mates.

"What are you worrying about?" Gabriel whispered in her ear as his hands wrapped around her waist. "Everything here belongs to you now."

Esme's eyes widened, and she shook her head. "I went from owning a backpack to a penthouse overnight," She chuckled along with him, spinning around and going on her tiptoes to kiss his lips. "Now, I'm no expert, but.. it doesn't take that long to change a shirt." Esme winked and wriggled out of his hold, walking through to the bedroom, where she plonked her bag on the bed and searched for some clean clothes.

"Hmm, well, I'll just tell them how my mate jumped me the moment I started to strip," Gabriel purred while pulling on some trousers and a black roll neck, finishing his look off with a blazer. The dark colours were a striking contrast to his moonlight coloured hair and bright blue eyes. Making his features stand out even more and looking all the more delicious the longer she stared at him.

Esme had a retort on her lips, but it died as he sauntered over to her, raking his hand through those luscious locks of his. "You don't need to be naked for me to jump you," She replied huskily as he lowered his lips to her neck, kissing the spot where she was now marked by the Vampire King. A delightful shiver ran through her body, but she refrained from stripping him again and climbing onto the bed to have some fun under the sheets. She had to have some discipline about her now crazy sex drive. "Come on, let me get changed."

Gabriel chuckled and stepped back, sitting down on the bed while he watched her put on some clothes. "I will buy you a whole wardrobe soon. It definitely won't fit in that bag, though."

Esme pulled the long sleeve top over her body, sticking to black as well, but her attire was not nearly as lovely as Gabriel's. She was going more for the comfy look, with her black leggings and some trainers. The she-wolf looked back at her bag and had a momentary realisation that she would be staying in Chester now. But even though that was the case, she knew her habit of carrying a bag would never go. 

Esme liked being prepared for anything, and having a bag with a bunch of money and clothes in was like her safety blanket. Esme could only hope that Gabriel would not take it personally if she never threw it away. "You know clothes never really bother me," She muttered while zipping up the backpack.

Gabriel stood and gently grabbed her chin, tilting her face up for a quick peck on her mouth as his gaze softened at her. "It bothers me." He released her face and turned away. "I can't have my woman walking around in holey leggings."

Esme's heart fluttered at the term 'my woman', and she had to hold herself back from squealing out loud. The whole night was still surreal, even though she had the throbbing mark on her neck and the feeling of being connected to Gabriel through the bond. She knew it would take some time before she would get used to having this second chance of another mate. And he wasn't just anyone, but the Vampire King of all beings. 

Esme shook her head and looked down at her leggings, unimpressed by the two holes on the right corner of her knee. "As MY man, then you can get me some more leggings then." She skipped to catch up to him; he was by the door now and smirked over his shoulder.

"I will get you anything you desire." He interlaced their fingers and kissed her knuckles softly, holding her gaze before opening the door. "If you want leggings.. I'll get you some leggings. If you want a castle, I have plenty.. If you want a tropical island.. I'll buy you one," He said rather smugly. 

Esme giggled at his foolish suggestions, but she knew from the mini-museum on his floor and to the extravagant penthouse with four floors that money was no issue with Gabriel. 

"I think the leggings will do for now. My boss doesn't pay me enough to afford any," She joked, then tilted her head to the side when she saw Gabriel suddenly becoming lost in thought.

"I was joking.." 

She didn't want him thinking she was actually some sort of gold digger!

Gabriel scoffed. "Even if you were a gold digger, I wouldn't care. I was just thinking about the club and your role."

Esme noticed this earlier, she didn't know if it was to do with the mate bond they created or because her guard was utterly down now around Gabriel, but he kept responding to her thoughts. She didn't mind, and more like wanted to test their mate bond out; was it any different to the usual werewolf one?

You are reading story The Fugitive at novel35.com

But that was something they would have to test a little later. Right now, they were heading back down the second set of stairs and going towards what sounded like laughter. "You're not going to fire me, right?" She questioned as they approached the lounge with the water feature and chandelier. 

"Now, why would I fire a good little worker like you?" He chuckled before kissing the top of her head. "No, maybe I should change your job title, though. But that is the least of our problems right now."

Gabriel was right; she'd also completely forgotten her shift was the following evening. So much had happened in twenty-four hours. She found out Marcus was alive; there was a vampire clearly just as powerful as Gabriel roaming the streets, the hellhounds had been after her, her father had been searching for her, and of course, Ethan was still hunting her down. 

Not only that, but she met Davian, a hybrid werewolf, vampire and another hybrid. Einar, who was a warlock and shapeshifter to which she now had some magical mark on her forehead and owed him a favour.

At some point, she would have to let Gabriel know about that little encounter; she mentally added it to the list of concerns that seemed to be growing by the day.

"Oh, how nice of you to finally join us." Luther stood with a grin, sauntering towards them, a glass of whiskey in his hand and stumbling into the sofa as they arrived near the bar. 

"Wait.. vampires can get drunk?" Isana started to giggle at Luther, straightening himself and undoing his suit jacket. 

"It seems so.." Esme murmured back. This was the first time she'd also seen a vampire drunk, and it had to be Luther.

"Woah," Luther squinted at Esme, then looked at Gabriel, his eyes widening before he stumbled back, his arms flailing up to regain his balance. "Should.. Should I call you.. your m-majesty now? Or Queen Esme?" He grinned broadly and pulled her into a hug. Esme's hand was still interlaced with Gabriel's as she looked past Luther's shoulder and to the werewolf chilling on the sofa, watching her with glassy eyes. 

Esme stiffened on reflex to Luther's comment and from his sudden hug. 

"Get off her." Gabriel grabbed Luther and shoved him 'gently' into the sofa. The golden-haired vampire flopped down, somehow still not spilling the tumbler of whiskey in his hand. "I see there is no point in having a proper discussion right now." The King continued, releasing Esme's hand as he walked to the bar. 

"But.. Es.. Esme.." Luther stared at her through the tumbler. "I just wanted to say.. Even though you and Marcus are werewolves.. You approve me.. No, no .. I meant.. I approve you..." 

"Thank you?" Esme glanced at Gabriel as Luther settled down and put his feet up on the coffee table. 

"Marcus, food is on the way if you are hungry," She redirected her attention to her friend, gauging his reaction to their entry. She could tell from his eyes that he'd been drinking, but when he stood up, his balance was intact, and he didn't appear to be swaying.

"Ya know, it is considered rude to leave your guests for so long. Did you put your shirt in the washing machine, hang it out to dry and iron it in that time?" Marcus directed his sarcasm at Gabriel, but his eyes were locked with Esme's as he put his glass on the coffee table.

Gabriel parted his lips, his eyes gleaming in amusement, but Esme gave him a pointed look before he could make a naughty comment back. His lips closed, but it seemed he couldn't help but smirk in response and continue with whatever drink he was making. 

"Luther didn't know where I would be sleeping, so I stayed here. If it's alright with you, I just want to get some sleep. We'll talk in the morning," Marcus continued after the brief silence, and he walked away, brushing his shoulder past Esme, even though he already announced he didn't know where he was going.

Esme glanced at Gabriel then turned around to catch up to Marcus. "Hey, let's talk now; you should really eat something as well-"

"Nyx, it's fricken late. What else is there for you to tell me? You've let a leech drink from you and use you-"

Esme blocked his path, glaring at him as she tilted her chin up, pulling her shoulders back. "I did not realise my best friend was so quick to make a judgement without hearing me out."

"Don't give me that look," Marcus growled, his eyes glowing, but he looked away first.

Esme grabbed Marcus' wrist and dragged him behind her as she stormed towards the lit sun terrace. She pulled back the patio doors and stopped at the balcony rails. She checked the bond between her and Gabriel and sighed in relief at finding her mate not jealous that she walked off with another man. If anything, he seemed angry, and it was directed at Luther. 

"You know I only let you drag me out here because I thought you might try and stab me," Marcus muttered as he leaned his hands against the balcony rail next to her and kept his eyes on the city views of twinkling lights. 

"I'm glad you know I will resolve to such methods." She muttered, then sighed, letting her annoyance float away with the light breeze. If her friend had left her for a few hours, she would have left by now or gone to sleep on that sofa waiting. "I'm sorry you had to wait so long. Gabriel.."

"Is your lover, I know," Marcus finished her sentence.

You can find story with these keywords: The Fugitive, Read The Fugitive, The Fugitive novel, The Fugitive book, The Fugitive story, The Fugitive full, The Fugitive Latest Chapter