welcome!

[liliana jezebel hooker]

When was the last time she'd felt real warmth like this? She couldn't even tell you the last time that she'd been on a beach and, yet, here she was... It was so much fun to just be out in the sun on a warm day! Now, she was not only out on a warm, sunny day, she was playing in that sun, on a beach, hundreds of miles away from home. There wasn't a care in the world. At least, for now. She was lucky that Lazarus had cared to agree to them going and had even provided them with a guardian. It was Garrett but that just made it that much better. See, not only did she know that he would protect them, them being Skylar and Lili, but he was also a great guy to just have around. They'd landed in Italy the day before but that day had been spent unpacking and settling in. The mortals had to do some grocery shopping and make sure that the mansion that they were spending their time in was properly stocked. That meant toiletries, as well. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, toilet paper... Oh, and don't forget the key thing that Lazarus and Giovanna would not need - sun block. Having lived the life that she had and, then, dealing with her new life, she had found that she didn't spend too much time out in the sun anymore. That wasn't so great but she did what she could, when she could. Not to mention that winter had just passed and she didn't go about, throwing money away on tanning beds. Lazarus enjoyed a bit of color on her skin but he seemed to appreciate the fairness of it, too.

Today, though, was a free day. That was what this whole vacation was about. While the vampires were recovering and spending their time together, the mortals were free to do the same. That meant long days on the beach and fun in the sun. Sandcastles and tanning, swimming and lounging. That's exactly what the full day was going to be dedicated to doing. She'd gotten up early, made a great breakfast for the three of them, and even went about making coffee and fresh juice. Breakfast consisted of hot cakes, fresh fruits, even bacon for the wonderful meat eaters. She didn't eat meats but, hey, she was sure Garrett would want to be a meat loving man in front of the girls. She didn't eat meat and she didn't understand how a guy who could turn into animals wanted to eat the things that he turned into but she didn't question it. She'd asked, once, but she hadn't pushed him to answering or explaining himself. That wasn't any of her business, really. It was a slight curiosity, nothing more. Once breakfast was over and the mess had been cleaned up, they group disappeared into their own rooms to change for the beach. Lili rummaged through her bag and picked out the new bathing suit that she had chosen for the trip and grabbed a towel, a book, sunglasses, and the lotion. She was ready to go. Sky had grabbed the large umbrella, her own beach things, and items to continue with her crafts.

The group packed a lunch and headed down to the beach. Lili read and Sky sculpted. Once they'd tired of that, it was time to go swimming. She'd shed away her sienna, strapless sundress and took off for the sea. The trio swam for hours. The water was cool and refreshing, the sun warm and welcoming. After a fashion, it was time to take a break, eat, and reapply lotions. There was a long pause in the day where they rested and Sky fell asleep. Lili had taken to more reading while Garrett had seemed to busy himself with building a sandcastle next to her towel. She looked up from her bucket and over to the construction site with a giggle. "It's looking so wonderful, Mr. Foreman, sir." She kept her voice down a bit to make sure that she didn't wake Sky and sat up to reapply some lotion to keep her fair skin from burning. She was hoping and praying that she would get a decent tan while they were here. Lili cast a glance over her shoulder and looked back to the man before her. "I'm going to go back into the water, I think. Join me?"

[garrett bradley jamison]

The night that Lazarus Dispardu had called him into his own personal office at Darkling Manor, Garrett was positive that he was going to never leave alive. Absolutely sure that Lazarus had discovered Garrett knew all about his true identity and was desperately seeking to rescue Liliana from his clutches. Instead he had been informed that Lazarus was going on vacation and that his 'niece' Liliana and his 'assistant' Skyler would also be going, but on their own separate vacation of sorts. He hadn't known what this was coming to until Lazarus had informed him he wanted an escort for the girls and that he had been requested as the employee the girls most trusted. It had taken all of his strength and fortitude not to show just how much his heart had flipped in excitement and delight at the knowledge that he would be going to beautiful Italy with Lili and that Lazarus though nearby, really wouldn't be there to interfere.

So he'd gone home and gotten his affairs in order, phoned to tell his mother he would be out of the country for a bit, and checked in with all of his professors to make sure he wouldn't be missing too much while away, or taking assignments that he could finish while there and then e-mail back for credit. He wasn't surprised to find out they would be travelling at night and by private jet. What had surprised him was that he was alone with Lili and Skyler right from the get go. Lazarus and his 'daughter' holed up in a back compartment of the jet, away from prying eyes. Lili had ever so quietly explained that Giovanna, Laz's youngest fledgling had been attacked and injured by werewolves, something Lazarus was fearing could happen to his pets. It made Garrett realize that this vacation wouldn't be all vacation, but that he truly would have to be on guard if he wanted to keep the girls safe.

Today had been a day out in the sun, a day for the record books as one of the best in Garrett's entire life. To spend the day out on the sandy beach with Liliana, to see the smiles on her face and the laughter on her lips, to watch the sunshine slowly bronze her skin, and to just spend so much carefree time with her... It was almost more pleasure and happiness then Gar could handle. As the afternoon had warn on, Skyler had fallen asleep and he and Lili were left to their own devices. He'd plopped down in the sand beside her as she began to read, and deciding to keep himself busy he'd begun building a sand castle. Sure, it was a childish past time, but he had a feeling Liliana appreciated his endeavours. As she suddenly spoken to him, Gar lifted his head, windswept and water tussled curly mop of hair in complete disarray. His brown eyes sparkled with mirth as she nodded his head at her. "Why thank you, I've built it just for you. Once I figure out how to shrink you, you can live in it... that or be carried around in my pocket." She was offered another bright grin as he laid the finishing pats to the side of a tower.

Having picked up one of the tiny sticks at his side, Gar stuck it in the top of the finished tower and looked back over at Lili as she spoke to him once again. "More swimming? Love to!" He couldn't stop smiling, not while he was around her. Just being in her presence seemed to make all of his worries go away and all he could think about was how good it was to be near her. Once she was done applying her sunscreen, Garrett stood to his feet and took her hands, pulling her to her own. He felt his heart speed up a little more as they stood within such close proximity of each other, and he did his best to clear his head and stay focused on what was going on. Keeping one of her hands in his own, Gar began leading her down to the water. Despite how her swimsuit was far more modest then most on the beach, he had eyes only for her. She had this way of being both absolutely adorable and completely sexy all at the same time, it left him spellbound and a little tongue tied.

[liliana jezebel hooker]

With the way the two girls looked so much alike and acted like sisters, she'd never understood the breakdown of how they were. Lili as his niece and Sky as the assistant. It hardly seemed fair but she figured that it probably just had something to do with the order of things and it was true. Sky was better fit to be the secretary than Lili. She had better focus and could probably write shorthand. Plus, she knew that Sky wouldn't be as defiant with the other vampires as Lili would be. It was just a safer bet. Now, they were all partying on the beach like a bunch of college kids, enjoying life and just being carefree and she was loving every minute of it. Her first holiday and it was spent with all of the right people. What more could she possibly ask for? She had her Sky, her Garrett... She even had Lazarus. While he was planning on attending to Giovanna, he didn't just ignore them. Usually, it was just a sweet note, one for Lili and one for Sky, letting them know that he had been thinking of them and where he was taking Vanna. It was more than enough for her, she figured.

It was a day out of a movie, that was for sure. Lili was filming that movie in her head. She wouldn't forget this day for anything. She took some time to sketch out rough blue prints but, for the most part, she was just taking time to thoroughly enjoy the company she had and the experience of Italy. They were in Italy! She reached out and started to sift through the sand and found shells and twigs to adorn the castle with. It now had a seashell wall and flag staffs. It was too perfect and Lili snapped a picture while Garrett leaned around it, making a few finishing touches. He looked like one of those surfers from a movie in California. Even better, he looked like a younger, better looking version of Orlando Bloom! "I've got my own castle? Hm... The Queen will need a King for company. That, or I can be satisfied with your pocket. Best company a girl can have! Who needs a stinky king when you could have Garrett's pocket?" She beamed a warm smile over at him and set the camera down. "Though... You'd have to let me tie myself up in your," she glanced over at the sleeping Sky and lowered her voice, "fur when you decided to go running about. I wouldn't want to be alone or miss out on that."

He added the final stick to the final tower and it looked complete. Lili couldn't stop herself from taking another picture. Lili found herself brought up to her feet in a way that left her dangerously close to the man. Her breath caught in her chest and she felt her face flush. Wow. Just... wow. He started to head off to the beach but she gave a small sound of urgency and tugged on his hand. "No. Come here. You'll burn and... Well, for someone planning to be a doctor, you're sure not careful." She snatched up the sunscreen and squeezed some into her hand before passing him the bottle. "I don't think you'd do well with skin cancer and you haven't put anymore on since we've been in the water, sir." What? He had nice skin, he needed to protect it. Lili went to work, coconut scented lotion into the smooth skin of his back and she found her hands weren't as solid as she had thought that they were. She needed to get into the water to cool off because her face was flushed and burning. Was it sun burned? Even with the cream? Once he was properly coated, she took his hand again and started for the water. Then, an idea struck her. Lili let go of his hand and started to run, calling over her shoulder to him. "Last one in is a jelly fish!"

[garrett bradley jamison]

As Lili snapped a few more pictures, Gar couldn’t help looking up and shaking his head at her a little as he chuckled softly. ”You never stop with that thing do you.” He teased. Not that he minded all that much, he wasn’t one of those types who brought their hands up to cover their faces and were all, ‘Nooooo pictures, ahhhh!”. A picture was a picture, and if someone wanted to capture the moment, why not let them. He found himself chuckling. ”My pocket might not be the best place, ‘specially if it’s my lab coat and we’re dissecting.” He couldn’t really imagine Liliana in a room with tables full of cadavers, though she did live with a vampire... That was pretty much the same thing wasn’t it? ”I think I could go for being a tiny king of a sand castle though.” He said with a smile. At her comment about the fur he grinned softly. ”I could get a special collar made with a little perch on it just for you.” He winked at her, enjoying this time spent just the two of them. He’d never dreamed of being able to have this sort of experience with Lili, and he knew that it would be a memory he would forever hold close to his heart. He leaned in close himself as a thought came to him. ”Sometime...” He too looked over at Skyler before his eyes returned to Lili, his voice low as he whispered to her. ”I’ll change into a horse and take you for a gallop.” He raised his brow a little as if asking if this would be to her liking. He’d turn into whatever animal she desired him to, it would just involve him having to find the animal and touch it first.

As the camera was raised yet again for another picture, Garrett tipped his head back a little and laughed which ended up looking quite nice for the photo. Proximity to Lili was like alcohol, it automatically went to his head and he was intoxicated. Which was part of the reason he was heading off in the direction of the water so quickly, he was in much need of a cool dunking. However her squawk sounded and she pulled him to a halt. Almost tipping over, Gar swung himself around to look at her in gentle surprise. ”Problem?” He asked her before finding himself laughing as she lectured him over his skin. ”Well thank you for your vote of confidence in my ability to be a doctor.” He teased, reaching out to tug on a strand of her dark hair. He accepted the bottle as it was thrust towards him and busied himself by squeezing it onto his hands. However as he was doing this Lili’s hands came down on his back and she began to smooth the lotion into his skin. The touch, so casual and yet so intimate had him squeezing more of the lotion on to his hand then he had originally meant to. Eyes closing for a second, Gar cleared his throat softly. ”Glad I’ve got you around to remind me to put it on then, otherwise I’d be a tomato by now.” Dropping the lotion to the sand, Gar began rubbing it over his arms, face and torso, having plenty to go around. With the lotion application taken care of, Lili’s tiny hand was in his and she was leading to the water, only to let go and take off for the water. With a laugh he chased after her. ”Oh no you don’t, cheater!” He called out, using his added height and longer legs to catch up to her. But instead of passing Lili, he bent down slightly to wrap his arms around her waist and haul her to his side. Using the momentum of catching her, Garrett propelled them into the water until they both went crashing into the waves. He let her go as they were submerged into the warm water, rising from its depths and shaking his head a bit, a broad smile on his face. ”I win!” He called out, arms rising in a victory cheer.

How much more perfect could this day get? He was in Italy, on a beautiful beach with a bright, cloudless sky and warm, clear water to swim in. With him was Liliana, the only girl who’d ever managed to shut him up with her beauty and grace, to make the out-going chatter box tongue tied with her very presence. There was no one else he would rather be here with.

[liliana jezebel hooker]

She lowered the camera from her face and giggled over at him, sticking her tongue out. "It's not like I get to go to Italy every day. I need to remember ever moment of this." She was going to make sure that this was always a memory that she would never forget. She might never get an opportunity like this ever again. At least he was a good sport about it and didn't refuse photos or tell her to stop. In fact, he seemed ever so eager to help her record her time in Italy. She'd make sure that he got copies of every single shot. She made a small face at his point and nodded. Yeah, he had a good point, there. "Fine, no lab coat but we'll think of something." She really didn't want to be around anymore dead bodies. Yeah, she was around Laz and his vampire hordes but that was a little different. She could pretend that they were still alive because they were moving all the time. They might not breathe but they moved and spoke. "Then it's settled! But... We need to make sure that the castle is far enough away from the surf that we don't get washed away." There was a quiet gasp and her eyes grew wide and her jaw dropped. You saw that in photos and commercials all of the time - riding horses on the beach in the surf. While it sounded too good to be true, it was also a little awkward. She would be riding on Garrett's back. Of course, she rarely thought of him as Garrett when he was in his animal form. It was usually just the animal he assumed and the comfort that came from knowing that he wouldn't hurt her because of who he was. There were serious differences in the real thing and her friend.

She beamed over the camera at him with a genuine smile. It was great, having her friends like this. She would cherish these moments for the rest of her life. When things were cold or lonely, she would always have these days. "Oh, I have every confidence in your medical abilities but you're going to specialize in hearts, right? This is your skin, we're talking about. Besides, I wasn't lecturing... much." She giggled and gave a playful shifty eye. "We've both forgotten." Her elbow reached out to nudge him when he pulled her hair. Things were so carefree. Why couldn't they always be like this? Lili could only pray that Lazarus would be busy with Giovanna, tonight, because she honestly didn't know if she would be able to keep her thoughts away from the day she'd had. "I thought you could only change into mammals," she teased. Of course he couldn't turn into a tomato! She knew that much. Lili squealed and threw her arms around his shoulders when he scooped her up and continued running. Well, now. She hadn't expected that to happen and she didn't want to slide out of his lotioned arms and into the sand. The waves claimed her soon after, though, and she was lost to the ocean for a brief moment of time. When she resurfaced, she was laughing, gasping, and pushing her hair from her eyes. That had been far too much fun.

"You do not! It was a tie of your own doing." She splashed water in his direction and bounced as a wave hit her back. "If you wanted to win, you should have left me on the sand but you chose to carry me to ha ha ha." So, did that mean that they were both half jelly fish? Not if you wanted to get technical. He'd been the first in but only because her legs couldn't touch the ground.

[garrett bradley jamison]

He smiled at her. ”Remember Italy yes, but do you really want every picture to be of your chauffeur?” He teased her flicking a tiny pebble in her direction so that it hit her leg and bounced off back to the sand beneath them. How was it possible to be this content? What was it exactly that brought this feeling of everything being right in the world? He smiled and then nodded, forcing a solemn look to his face. ”Yes, we really wouldn’t want to build right on the surf and find ourselves swept out to sea.” His smile broke free as he looked over at her with happiness and mirth. When Garrett was happy he radiated that happiness, and there was simply an air of joy that came off of him. One could tell just by looking at him that he was a simple man who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life and didn’t exactly expect or demand grand things to happen in his life just to be happy. She wouldn’t need to worry about riding on his back if that was all that was stopping her. Things were much easier when in the actual animal form, and he’d be more than happy to take her for a gallop should she decide she wanted to.

Gar laughed heartily. ”Oh, you were lecturing more than just a little, but that’s okay. I’d let you lecture me any day.” He teased her, offering a wink in her direction to sooth his words and show he was just teasing her on the lecturing front. It was always nice to see when other people cared about you and were concerned with what you were doing with yourself. Of course, Lili was just the type to worry about anyone and everyone and what kind of state they were in. It was one of the many lovely parts about her. Her very deep, caring nature. He shook his head and rolled his eyes a little. ”I didn’t mean I would literally turn into a tomato silly. I meant that I would turn as red as a tomato from the sunburn.” He shook his head at her and pushed her a little on her shoulder. Lili’s sound of surprise as he scooped her up had him laughing even more, and there was something joyous about the carefree way they were playing around. She deserved many more days like this, to always be carefree and happy.

Still laughing and lowering his arms finally, Garrett glanced over at Lili and smiled brightly. ”Hey!” He cried out as she splashed water in his direction. ”I do too win! I so reached the water before I dropped you in!” He stated, splashing water back in her direction. ”Stop trying to win on technicalities alone, you’re a jellyfish you jellyfish!” He splashed water towards her once more, grinning broadly all the while.

[liliana jezebel hooker]

Lili shot him a small and playful glare. "I've been trying to get photos of my best friends in but, if the chauffeur insists on being anti-photogenic, that's just fine with me. I'll stop taking his picture." She turned her nose up in an air of dismissal before the pebble hit her leg and she looked down at it and, then, up at him in a mocked horrified shock. Well, how dare he! Okay, so she was only able to keep that up for a short while before she was giggling over at him and making a face. She'd never been very good at pretending to be over dramatic like that. Her brows perked and her expression became one lit with an idea. "Oh! But we could become merpeople, then! Swim with the fishes without, you know, swimming with the fishes." Sounded like a plan to her. Swim with the fish... She knew she should know what that meant but she just didn't understand it. It meant someone was going to be killed but, having never really been one for Italian mafia movies, she didn't quite understand how it all worked out.

"Oh yes? What shall I lecture you on, then? Hm..." She tapped her chin while she thought but nothing really came to mind. She'd have to lecture him on something, later. "Oh, good. I'd hate to mistake you for a real tomato and cut you up to put into the salad for dinner. That would be dreadful!" She flashed him an overly sweet smile, something you might give someone if you were trying to hide the bad that you were doing. Lovely, isn't it? "I spend so much time running about at night and sleeping during the day, I worry I won't just skip the red and turn a charred black and flake away." She poked at her shoulder, wondering if it was red or if she was just imagining things because of the sun. "Well, think of it this way, if you did turn that red, we could poke the burn and watch you change colors."

She pushed out her bottom lip and lowered her head. "I never get to win anything," she kicked the water and twisted, her hands clasped behind her back. "Fine, I'm a jellyfish. Guess I'll just swim off to sea, then." She dove into the water, kicking a fair amount in his direction and leaving the shore a bit more.

[garrett bradley jamison]

He smiled warmly. ”Aw, did you just call me one of your best friends?” He asked. That was nice, it wasn’t quite all that he’d like to have from Liliana, but with her being trapped in the possession of a very powerful vampire it was likely the only thing he could ever hope for. ”I guess if it means that much to you I can let you take my picture.” H giggled a little at her shocked expression over the pebble, loving her easy and playful manner. He knew Lili’s life story now, everything that she had been through and it still shocked and amazed him how tender and light hearted she was after all of it. Gar snickered at her. ”Okay Don Hooker, is dropping bodies over bridges something you do regularly?” He poked fun at her before making a little face. ”Are mermen cool? Cause I don’t remember mermen being cool… Can I turn into a dolphin?” He asked. ”Oo! Or one of those dudes who has octopus tentacles instead of a fish tail.” He nodded his head, indicating that he liked that idea. Hey, that had worked out for the witch on The Little Mermaid why couldn’t it work out for him? Plus, then he’d have more arms to work with technically.

Garrett grinned over at her and shrugged his bare shoulders. ”Oh, I’m sure you’ll be able to think of something, eventually I’m bound to mess up again.” He assured her in an easy going, confident manner. What? He was a guy. He also was a little on the ridiculous side so eventually he was bound to do something that she could comment on. He eyed her closely with slightly narrowed eyes. ”I dunno about you… If I didn’t know any better I’d think you wanted to put me in the salad.” Why couldn’t more people be like them? Just carefree and happy to be together? Not looking to cause anyone any harm or interfere in their happiness, just glad to be together. There was far too much pain and agony in this world without people contributing to it willfully. Which was not something Gar could understand, but then it wasn’t in his personal make-up to be cold hearted and vicious like that. He was a healer not a harmer. He made a slight face at her. ”Please don’t start flaking away, I don’t even know how I’d begin to console Skyler if that happened let alone explain to Dispardu how I managed to lose you on the beach…” He winked over at her before giving her a shocked expression of his own. ”Poke my sunburn? What kind of person are you? Torturous!” He cried before laughing. ”When I was younger my favorite thing to do in the summer was run up to Tarin and slap her on the shoulder to see my white handprint on her.” He giggled darkly. ”Course then she’d chase after me which usually ended up with the dog howling and mom yelling at us.” The Jamison household hadn’t been an exceptional one, well except for the family’s propensity to change into animals, but it had been a happy one. A happy home which he hoped to one day duplicate.

Standing there in the warm water beneath the bright sun and watching her pout like a little girl, Gar felt his heart swell and expand until he thought that it would pop out of his chest. He wanted nothing more than to take this beautiful creature before him into his arms and snuggle her for all she was worth. He wanted to bestow every bit of kindness, happiness and caring that he possessed within his body on her, and make sure that she never had another cloudy day for the rest of her life. ”Don’t worry, you beat me in the cute pouting contest.” He conceded. Gar cried out a little as she dove into the water and sent a wave of water cascading in his direction. Shaking it off he dove into the water after her, doing his best to catch up to the tiny woman trying to swim away. ”Oh no you don’t!” He called after her. As he caught up to her, Gar wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her up out of the water as he stood up. In the process she was pulled against him and he smiled down at her in his laughter. But it was a laughter that was soon cut short as he realized their proximity to each other, how the sun was glinting off her water speckled skin, and was captivated by the beauty of her eyes. Garrett could feel his breathing shallow out a little and it felt like his heart had become a frantic bird trying to beat its way out of his chest. His eyes fell to her lips and the only thing he could say to explain what happened next was that he’d been completely overcome by her spell because his head tipped down and his lips were ever so gently pressed against hers before brushing across them in a tender motion that spoke worlds of how much his heart was filled with her. Somehow through the haze Gar realized what he was doing and pulled back, but only far enough to rest his forehead against hers and close his eyes. ”I’m sorry… that was-“ He had been going to say that was wrong of him, but no part of that had felt wrong. Instead if had felt exceptionally right. As if he had been made to kiss her, and she to kiss him. As if they were two halves coming together to make whole.

[liliana jezebel hooker]

Lili giggled and shook her head, trying to put on a serious face but she was failing, miserably. "No, I called you the chauffeur but you're around and my best friend is sleeping so I'll just have to deal with you. Mercy! You give the help an centimeter and they try to take a kilo!" She huffed and threw her arms up into the air, camera in hand and her eyes rolling upward in an attempt to appear exasperated. Did it work? She couldn't tell you but it was a good try, all the same. Best friend was the best that she could offer him without putting his life in danger. Even then, she couldn't tell you if that would be enough or not. It was something that she still tried to keep from Lazarus in every way possible, just so that he didn't think to harm Garrett but, the truth was, Lili couldn't be the perfect pet that he wanted anymore. She wasn't in love with him or the idea of him being her protector. He didn't make her smile the way that he used to. He didn't bring happiness to her world. In fact, she felt so much sorrow for him that she couldn't bear to be around him because she worried that he might realize that she pitied him. Meanwhile, all of those feelings had seemed to transfer over to a new host, a warm host. "No, but I've been considering it for quite some time. Can't recall the last time I've heard of a body being found in the Thames. Might be something to look into. Have any volunteers in mind? Ones that we could dispose of and wouldn't be missed?" She was all for volunteering Jacoby or his bitch of a daughter but, come morning, there'd be no body to speak of. "Oh, I've always liked them but, since they're saying all the merpeople are just manatees, I don't suppose it'd be too far of a stretch to let you have your dolphin." Lili laughed, shaking her head at him and giving his shoulder a playful push. "But, then, you'd be all hands." She made grabby hands with her free hand and a small face at him.

If she found something to lecture him on, it would either be very pointless or something that she'd messed up on, too. But it would be fun, especially since he was willing to play along with her. Still, he was right about one thing - he was a guy. She'd totally find something along those lines to tease him about. He'd do something that was a typical guy move and she'd get to laugh and lecture him about it. "And gobble you all up. It's a habit of mine, chopping my friends up and putting them in my dinner. I'm a vegetarian but we all have our needs." Would it be carnivorous if she ate him in tomato form? Okay, wow. Now, you knew she needed to get out more. If that was how she was thinking, she needed to put her thoughts to other things. She was so immature, it was tragic. "Well, then, if it's that important to you, I'll just burn." No flaking. She could deal with that one. When he asked what kind of person she was, though, Lili struck a small pose and flashed him a charming smile. She was the adorable kind, of course! "Not so torturous, then. Other people have done it before me. Then again, I was talking about a gentle and harmless poke. You go around, smacking people. That's pain on a level I pray I never experience." Seriously, that had to sting. It was a little sick to think that he it was his most favorite past time but, hey, to each their own. Brothers were supposed to be terrors. It must have been nice to have a sibling to pick on.

She giggled and cocked her head to the side, questioningly. "Yeah, that's what a lot of people say. I get my way because I'm so adorable. I kind of like it." Not that she really put too much stock in any of it. So she had that little kid charm that everyone found to be all too endearing, big deal. She wasn't anything impressive or possess looks that were something to take note of but people insisted on telling her just how cute she was. Either they were blind or telling her that she looked like a puppy... She'd been squealing and laughing as she attempted to run away from him but, when his laughter stopped and she caught the expression on his face, her own laughter fell to silence and she looked down at him with concern. Had she done something wrong? It looked like something was wrong. The longer he stared, the more she wondered if there wasn't something on her face. Whatever it was, must have been on her lips because he was going to help her remove it with his own. As soon as she'd realized just what was happening and had decided to reciprocate, he'd pulled away and opted for simply holding her close. Suddenly, her breath was labored and short, her heart was racing and she felt a little more than dizzy. She'd been spending far too much time in the sun, apparently. "No... no..." Lili shook her head and pressed her fingers against his lips. She had to close her eyes for a moment before she lost her nerve. The last thing that she needed was to see the look in his eye and feel like a total nimrod. "If you apologize, then," Lili opened her eyes to pour her own into his, "then it means you didn't mean to do it." She didn't want him to regret kissing her. Trembling, Lili took a deep breath and forced herself forward to press a kiss against the corner of his mouth and pray she wasn't doing something that he really didn't want.

[garrett bradley jamison]

Garrett sighed and shook his head at her. ”Now, that’s just not nice. And I’m more than a chauffeur, I’m your bodyguard.” He sat up straighter, puffing his chest out a little in mock pride at his proclaimed title. Her actions had him grinning in spite of himself however, even as he attempted to pretend to be offended himself at her classifying him as she had. She was simply too adorable in everything that she did, and it made him happier than he could even explain just to be around her. The last time he had seen his mother she’d asked him why he hadn’t claimed a girl yet, and he had brushed her off. How could he explain this? Lili was technically nothing to him, and yet, she seemed to be everything. ”None off the top of my head, but give me time and I’m sure I could come up with someone.” Oh yes, every single person who had ever harmed Liliana in her lifetime. And especially those who kept her locked away and a slave in what was supposed to be her home. He wished as many evil things on them as his kind heart could allow. He laughed softly and held back a comment that being all hands wasn’t always that bad depending on the situation. ”Well then I’ll be able to perform surgery even better.” He grinned, awfully proud of himself.

He raised a brow at her. ”You eat your friends... That’s... Just really weird Lili. And here I thought you were a nice, normal girl, instead you’re a freak.” He teased her. It was nice, to have this relaxed air between them and be able to do and say as they pleased. To just enjoy themselves here on the beach like normal people did instead of driving around late at night in the company of vampires. He grinned in a devious way and waved a hand at her. ”It wasn’t smacking hard so much as a quick tap...” What could he say? He had been a typical brother and part of those obligations had been terrorizing his sister, he would have failed considerably in what was expected of him if he hadn’t done just that. ”I promise I’ll never smack your sunburn?” He asked, as if that might make up for his behaviour towards his sister when they were younger.

”It must be nice. I wish I was cute and adorable so I could get things from people. Instead I just have the cute and adorable people getting things out of me.” He sighed and pretended that he was sad, pouting a little bit. Not that he would ever complain about the things that Liliana managed to get out of him. She didn’t really even need to try honestly and he’d be willing to give her whatever she wanted. Gar just wanted to see her smile. Holding.... Being this close to her made it almost impossible for Garrett to think straight. The waves continued to come in, hitting their bodies and making them sway slightly in the water, but he hardly even noticed the water, he was so wrapped up in Lili and holding her in his arms. At first, when she began to say no he thought he’d really done it and she was distraught over what had just happened. Her next words had his breath releasing shakily and his eyes staring straight back into hers. He would never be able to regret kissing her, it was whether or not she would hate him for doing it. He didn’t want to do anything to her that was not welcome. When her lips came to press against the corner of his mouth so tentatively, his heart quite literally soared. Moving his head slightly, he brought their lips into contact with each other, a hand coming up to gently cup her cheek as he brushed his lips over hers once again before ever so slightly catching her upper lip between his. He pressed another, soft, sweet kiss to those soft, plush lips as he felt his breath become shaky with emotion and his body tremble slightly. He felt overcome, wanting so much from her but knowing the care that needed to be taken, and at the same time knowing that just this little bit was more than he had ever hoped for. He pulled back again, fingers brushing through her hair so that he could now cup the back of her neck tenderly. ”I meant to... I just don’t want to ever do anything that you don’t want me to.” His chocolate brown eyes were warm with feeling as he looked back into her own. There was a world of tenderness in his face, caution and concern.