MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

Chapter 328: Ticking bomb

Rose shimmed her shoulders slightly, letting the towel slip down to her lower back as she made herself comfortable on the padded table. "Well, what are you waiting for?" she said with a playful lilt. "Get to work, massage master."

Blake chuckled warmly at her teasing tone. "As you wish, my lady."

He began by lightly running his hands along the delicate curves of Rose's shoulders and upper back, applying the tiniest bit of pressure. This was just to get her relaxed and accustomed to his touch before really digging in.

"Mmm, that already feels heavenly," Rose murmured appreciatively. The gentle, gliding motions instantly began melting the lingering tension from the day's activities.

"Just you wait," Blake said with confidence. "That's just a little taster."

Dipping his strong fingers into the aromatic oil pool, he warmed it between his palms before pressing them more firmly into the muscles along Rose's spine. He worked in deep, controlled strokes, paying close attention to any areas of tightness or knotted stress.

A contented sigh escaped Rose's lips. "Right there, that spot...oh yes..." Her entire body seemed to melt further into the plush bedding beneath her.

Blake continued kneading along her back, utilizing a range of techniques - fingertip circles, percussion strokes, and long gliding strokes with the heels of his hands. His supernatural speed allowed him to seamlessly transition between the varying massage styles.

"You know," Rose said, breaking the calm silence, "When we first met, I never would have guessed you'd be such an amazing masseur."

Blake let out a laugh as he stretched Rose's arms up over her head, loosening her shoulder joints. "Well, I do strive to be a masseur of many talents."

"Cheeky," Rose giggled, though she made no move to pull her arms back down as Blake worked the tight muscles there.

He moved down to her lower back, digging his thumb knuckles in along either side of her spine to release any lingering knots or tension. "In all seriousness though, I'm just glad I can do this for you - help you relax and de-stress after all your hard work."

"You're pretty good at that, among other things," Rose said warmly. There was a dreamy, blissed-out tone to her voice now as Blake's skilled hands worked their magic.

Switching over to her legs, Blake spent ample time massaging the backs of Rose's thighs, calves, and feet. He used long, firm strokes, steadily increasing the pressure as each muscle group grew more pliable under his ministrations.

Rose let out a low, appreciative groan as the heels of Blake's palms dug into the arches of her feet. "Ohhh...you're going to put me straight to sleep doing that."

"Can't have that," Blake chuckled. "At least stay awake long enough for me to get the rest of you."

Gently, he encouraged Rose to roll over onto her back. Working with equal care and unhurried dedication, he massaged her shoulders, arms, and the fronts of her legs. The warm cedarwood and jasmine oils enveloped them in their calming fragrances.

All the while, Blake peppered in tender kisses along Rose's skin - her wrists, her collarbones, behind her knees. It was as much a massage for romantic intimacy as it was physical relaxation.

By the time he'd thoroughly worked over every inch of Rose, most of the candles had burnt low and the bedroom was awash in their flickering glow. Blake leaned back with a satisfied smile, giving Rose's feet one last lingering caress.

"How was that, my love?" he asked, already knowing the answer from the look of utter peace and rejuvenation on her face.

Rose's eyes fluttered open, sparkling with pure contentment. "Perfect, as always," she sighed. She reached up to tenderly cup Blake's cheek. "Have I mentioned lately how amazing you are?"

Blake turned his head to kiss the palm of her hand. "Once or twice. But I never get tired of hearing it."

With a soft laugh, Rose pulled Blake down into a slow, deep kiss, openly conveying her love and gratitude. When they finally broke apart, she gazed up at him with eyes full of adoration.

"What did I ever do to deserve you?" she murmured. Blake simply smiled and kissed her again in response - no words were necessary. In moments like these, everything was absolutely, blissfully perfect.

Blake grinned roguishly down at Rose. "You know, that promise to keep this just a massage might be one I see myself breaking in the very near future."

Rose let out a soft laugh, reaching up to trail her fingers along the chiseled line of his jaw. "Well, I could be persuaded to forgive that transgression," she purred. "If you promise me one thing in return."

"And what's that?" Blake asked, curiosity piqued.

Rose fixed him with a meaningful look. "If we get...carried away and wake Celena up, you'll be the one to get her settled back down for the night."

Blake chuckled deeply at that. "You drive a hard bargain, Mrs. Shelton. But for you?" He leaned down to nuzzle his nose against hers. "Anything."

With that, their lips crashed together in a heated, passionate kiss. Rose's fingers threaded through Blake's hair as she pulled him closer. His strong hands roamed along the curves of her body, the massage oils still glistening on her skin.

Any lingering weariness or stress melted entirely away, replaced by a simmering intensity and desire. For this night at least, the world outside narrowed until it contained only the two of them - the depths of their love, intimacy, and unbreakable connection.

If Celena did end up waking from their amorous activities, well...Blake was a man of his word. But somehow, that thought didn't deter either of them in the slightest from surrendering to the moment.

Rose was lost in the passionate depths of Blake's kiss, every nerve ending alive with sensitivity and desire. His strong hands roamed her body with practiced expertise, stoking the simmering fire between them.

Then, almost imperceptibly at first, Rose felt a strange drifting sensation. As if she were being tugged away from the present moment, slipping out of her physical form. Her eyes remained open, but instead of Blake's loving gaze, there was only inky blackness surrounding her.

A disorienting series of images began flashing rapidly through the void. At first, just brief glimpses - colors, shapes, random abstract patterns. But then, with stark, haunting clarity, Rose saw a coffin. And inside that coffin...was her own body, pale and lifeless.

Blake stood vigil beside the casket, cradling a sobbing Celena in his arms. The look of anguish and devastation on his face pierced Rose's soul like a thousand icy lances.

As abruptly as the horrific vision appeared, it dissolved back into the empty blackness. Rose felt a sickening lurch, like tumbling through a void with no sense of up or down. There was a deafening boom, as if a bomb had detonated inside her mind.

Then, all at once, she was jolted violently back to the present. She was vaguely aware of losing her balance, of a solid thump as her body fell. Blake's panicked face swam above her, calling out words she couldn't quite make out.

But Rose could no longer keep her eyes open, no matter how hard she tried. An impenetrable blackness overcame her senses until there was nothing at all. No sight, no sound, no sensation.

Only silent, infinite darkness remaining.