“No. Back away from me now.”
“Taylor calm down now or I will do it.”
“Don’t you fucking mess with my mind. Not now. Not ever again.”
“You leave me no other choice then.” He didn’t give her a chance to argue. His arms wrapped around her and her feet were lifting off the floor. She looked down and it was then she realized he was floating or flying.
“Put me down!”
“No. Not until you calm down and think about things.”
“What’s there to think about? Really?”
“You know I didn’t know that night would be the night. Don’t blame me.”
“You took me away from him when he needed me the most.”
“No Sweet. You have that way wrong. He didn’t suffer. He slept peacefully. When he closed his eyes to sleep and drifted off, that was it. Best way to go if you have to.”
That’s impossible. He had been in so much pain. How can that be? “I don’t understand. Did you know when it happened?”
“Yes.”
“That’s why I woke so quickly.”
“Yes.” His eyes turned from red to dark. Sad.
“Please put me down.”
“No.”
“Please.”
“No.” His voice continued to be stern.
She shook her head. She didn’t want to be in his arms. She didn’t want to be near him. She just wanted to go home where she could half ass think about all of it.
“You want to be home so you can cry without anyone seeing you.”
“And?” So what she thought. What was so bad about that?
“You don’t want me to see. But I feel it already. This time you are going to cry because of me, do it in front of me. Do it in my arms. Don’t try to hide again.”
And that was all it took. With just his words her eyes remained locked to his and the tears began to pour freely. As if someone had opened the flood gates.
He didn’t say anything. He didn’t make it go away. He just held her there. In the air. Floating so she had no choice but to hold him back.
It didn’t take long before her head was on his chest and her body released every bit of lousy it could. She felt worse than she ever had before. An aching inside her remained and it burned like fire. She wanted it over with.
“Do it.” She didn’t know what else to say to him. But she knew he didn’t want to feel it any longer either.
A tickle here and tickle there and she felt her body relax against him. A beautiful warmth swept over her body, as if a warm fuzzy blanket had been pulled over her and she was suddenly cozy right where she was. Where she wanted to be.
The feeling of the hard floor beneath her feet jolted her back to reality. The reminder that she was about to leave him, that she didn’t want to, that she feared it, made her hope their separation would not be permanent.
A stronger tickle and she was alive again. No knots, no tears or fears. Nothing. Just happy.
Chapter Six
The drive home gave her the perfect opportunity to ask as many questions as time allowed them anyways. Even though she thought she had asked enough questions for one day, her mind wanted more answers. She blamed this all on Liz. Making the claim that she took after Liz, including inheriting the inquisitive mind.
“How long have you been like this?” Something inside her wanted to know how long he had loved her. He said they connected when she was born but she needed to hear it. Or maybe again her curiosity just wanted to know if she was really having a relationship with an old man slash vampire.
“More than one hundred less than two hundred.” He stared out the window with a blank expression on his face. Taylor was suddenly aware that she was at a great disadvantage. He was definitely an old man. Her inner self laughed. She didn’t care how old he was just as long as he looked like he did and did what he does well, for the rest of her life.
He reads my thoughts, feels what I feel, but I can’t do either with him. He’s fast. He has magical saliva with healing powers I could have never imagined. He can control emotions. Apparently he can fly or hover in space or something. He can control my body literally with his mind. Like super gluing it to a wall. What a man. My man. Her mind was almost patting her on the back.
“I would have to agree with you Sweet.” He gripped her hand lightly, brushing kisses across my knuckles. “I like you at a disadvantage. It makes everything I can do so much more special.”
“Do all vampires have the gifts that you do?”
“No. Generally we are all fast. We can all make anyone want us. We all thirst for blood. We can move fast and are a lot stronger than humans. Then there is always something that is extra for lack of a better word. In my world the special ability that we have is known as our rurique. Some can control your mind, make you do things that you wouldn’t do, some can control animals, some can transform into animals, and so on.”
“Can you do all of those things?”
“Yes.”
“Well that brings doggy style to a whole new level.” Immediately after the words left her mouth she couldn’t believe she had said that out loud. She looked over at him and was relieved when he began laughing only making her join in.
“So then you are different from the others like you.”
“Technically speaking there are no others like me. To date anyways.”
“So why do you have all those abilities?”
“I don’t know. None of us know.”
“So I guess that makes you pretty special then huh?”
“I guess you could look at it like that.” His lips curved into a smile that stirred her insides. “You’re going home Taylor. Unless you wanted to make a pit stop somewhere?”
I could go for a pit stop anywhere with you, but right now I need to get home with my kids. He nodded understanding her loud and clear.
She reached for her phone to let Liz know they would be there in a few minutes.
Liz
Sadly, : ( I’m on my way home. Do miss you guys, just getting to know him. I don’t know what it is about him that makes me want to stay but I am utterly confused and pleasantly relieved. Don’t really know what else to say. Really Confused. How’s that for my inner Goddess? Love ya.
Tay
When they pulled into her long driveway she wished that she had more time together. Disappointment sank in. If only we could back up time. That would be awesome.
“I can’t do that Sweet. To date, no one ever has been able to control time like that. Manipulate it at times, but not change it completely.”
“So can you manipulate our last few seconds into what feels like oh an hour or so?”
He put the car into park smiling at her. “So tonight later, movie?”
And that was the answer to her question. “Yes. What time should we be ready?”
“How about six? That should give us plenty of time to eat and then have the kids in bed by ten right?”
“Yeah.” She smiled. Does he know my entire routine or just certain things?
“Pretty much your entire routine. After all, I have heard your thoughts for a very long time.”
She smiled reaching for the door knob. His hand brushed her cheek and she turned back to him. His lips came down on hers kissing them tenderly. If she didn’t get out of the car and do it fast, there would be a whole lot more than kissing going on. She pulled back and quickly opened the door rushing up the steps to her house. She turned as she heard the vehicle begin to move watching as he waved one last time before leaving her view.
Taylor opened the door, not seeing anyone she collapsed against it giving her legs the much needed stability. What have I gotten myself into? Whatever it is, I’m good as long as he’s there with me. Absolutely marvelous. But should I feel like that? After everything I have learned about him. The dreams, vampire, abilities, and him knowing about Chase. Intimate details about Chase.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” Liz turned the corner. Taylor immediately
blushed sidestepping her. Don’t kill my high, not now. I can kiss and tell some but not everything. Definitely not when it comes to Chase.
“Where are the kids?” Change the subject. Come on Taylor keep it together. You know she is going to want answers to questions, you don’t have when you tell her what he is and what he does, what he can do.
“Playing, so?” Typical Liz. Always ready to learn something new about someone or something.
“So what?” Taylor knew Liz was hinting for details. What was she supposed to say? Oh he’s amazing, sexy, great in bed, and oh by the way he is a vampire! Oh and he can make me come by wriggling his cute little nose, like he did in my dreams. Yes he is my mystery man.
“So, mystery man is?”
Convenient you put it that way. “His name is Damien and you already know that.”
“Yeah your right. Sexy voice. Sexy man. Sexy eyes. Sexy name. Downright sexy all together I would say. Don’t know why that 30 second conversation I had with him didn’t stick. So how did last night go?”
“It was unexpected.” That’s all she could come up with.
“And?” Liz pushed her for more information.
“And I am seeing him again tonight. He’s taking the twins and I out to dinner and a movie tonight.”
“Really? Thank God! What time?”
“Thank God? Have I really been that bad?” She knew things had been tough since Chase but she really thought she had handled everything well. Well until last night and the eye opening experience that allowed her to see the wall she had built and it was made of her strength.
“No and yes. You’ve been lonely. The kind of lonely that Zach, Ashley and I can’t fill. You need someone.”
Stop it Liz. I don’t want to talk about Chase. Don’t go there.
She could feel her buzz slowly leaving her body and mind. “Well, no promises. I like him but let’s just say these circumstances are quite different than others.”
“Ok, so you said you would tell me. Start talking.”
“I don’t even know where to begin Liz. When I am with him I feel like me again. I know, I know. I just met him, blah blah blah. It confuses the shit out of me to, but oh my God he is such a good kisser, he smells so good, his hands. Oh Liz he has amazing hands. You wouldn’t believe the abilities that he has. He is very well proportioned and knows how to use everything the good lord gifted him with. How’s that?”
Liz stared at Taylor. Finally she was seeing her sister again after all these years. She didn’t want Taylor’s obvious high to go away so she decided to go with that excitement rather than her own. “Holy shit. Ok so like E. L. James erotic romance good or Linda Lael Miller sexy as hell romantic good?”
“I think he is going to be a little of both.” Taylor giggled at that.
“Bitch. I knew I should have taken him from you when I had the chance to.”
“Not even. This one is all mine. Don’t even try it. Trust me, he ain’t going for it.” That’s right. He’s into me and only me. Her beaming just got even bigger.
“Ok. I’ll not attempt it especially beings you’re so smitten with him. Ok, so I wouldn’t anyways but that is beside the point. Just really try with him ok.” Liz didn’t mean to sound more desperate than Taylor, but the fact was she was tired of seeing her sister die a slow death. Yes physically she was healthy, but mentally she was dying.
“I will. Now if you don’t mind I have two wonderful kids to hug and kiss. I missed them.” Taylor walked past Liz down the hall and entered into Ashley’s room first. There was her beautiful little angel sitter at her table singing ‘You Are My Sunshine’ as she colored in her Dora coloring book.
“Sissy.” Taylor whispered.
“Mommy!” She ran into Taylors arms. “I missed you so much. Why do you have to work? I don’t like it when you work. I miss you sooooo much.” Taylor’s heart caught at her words.
“I’m sorry Sissy. I missed you so much to. Guess what, later we are going to go out for dinner and a movie with my new friend. Would you like that?”
“What movie can we see? Can we see Ice Age? I have been so excited to see it please.”
How could Taylor deny her something as awesome as Ice Age. She laughed. “Where’s Bubby at? Let’s go find him.”
“He’s in his room.” Ashley’s face dropped the minute she answered her Mother.
“What’s wrong baby?” Taylor watched as her little girl struggled for the words.
“He’s sad. He said that Daddy went away and now you are to.” Taylor’s heart broke. Tears flooded her eyes as she fought them back.
“I’m not going anywhere. Why would he think that?”
“I don’t know.” Her eyes were so sad.
“Let’s go find him.” Taylor held Ashley’s brittle fingers as she walked down the hall. As she reached the closed door she reached down picking up Ashley, giving her a big squeeze before setting her back down. Zach was laying on the bed flipping through the channels on his TV. He never flipped through them and Taylor could see his little brain concentrating on something difficult for him.
Trying to make light of the situation she ran up and jumped on the bed. “Hey Buddy!”
“Hey.” His voice sounded so down, depressed even.
“Come on little man, what’s wrong?” Please tell me what’s wrong. I can’t bear you feeling like this. The feeling that I see in your eyes I know too well. Please tell me. For the first time ever she was begging her child to open up to her.
“I thought you had left me. Just like Daddy did.” The minute he spoke his troubles, tears filled his eyes. Oh dear God, what have I done.
“Baby, Daddy didn’t leave you. Honey, Daddy would be with us if he could. You have to know that.”
“Daddy doesn’t even know he is a Daddy.”
“Yes he does. He watches us from heaven every day. He sees what a great young man you are growing into. He watches as you play with Sissy and protect her. And I bet he is jealous cuz you get all our lovin’s.” Again she tried to get a smile out of him but was unsuccessful at it.
His head rested against her chest. She peaked over and she could still see the tears waiting to fall form his precious eyes. She never knew it bothered him not having Chase around. She had tried to keep Chase as much in their lives as she could possibly, but it was quite obvious she hadn’t done that. Lord knew she would do anything, anything at all, to make his pain go away.
Damien! Damien, I know you can hear me. I need your help. You know my heart breaks right now and why? Help me please. Take his pain away. Do this for me. Do this for him. Do this for yourself. Just do it.
Taylor heard a knock on the door. “Hang on little man, be right back.”
“No, Aunt Lizzy can get it, please.” He cried out. So Taylor kept her arms wrapped tightly around him. Holding him. Loving him. She could no longer hide her own tears that burned their way out of her eyes. Then Liz was at the door.
“Hey Zach, we have a visitor. You wanna come say hello.”
“No.” He tightened his grip on her, curling his little fingers into her shirt. She shook her head at Liz and closed her eyes. Damien please help us. I can’t take this anymore. I don’t want him to hurt anymore. How could I have missed this? This is all my fault. I should have been home with my kids instead of out. I knew it was a bad idea. Damn it! How many lives am I going to keep fucking up?
“Tay it’s Damien.” What? How could he have gotten here so fast? Oh yeah. But did he really run that fast? Can he fly? Taylor had to shake the thoughts going rapidly through her mind.
“Come Zach. You, Sissy, and I are going out tonight with a new friend. I want you to meet him. We are going to see a movie, and go out to eat. Don’t that sound good?”
“You mean we get to go on a date with you?”
“A date? Who told you I went on a date?”
“Um, I don’t think I was supposed to tell.” He laughed and looked at Liz giving her an apologetic smile.
Taylor found herself smil
ing to, because his tears had stopped but she knew the pain was still there. She stood holding his hand. Ashley raced into the living room and they could hear her laugh and giggle. She looked down at Zach. “See, Sissy seems to be having a good time without us. We better go find out what’s so funny hey?” He nodded tearing his hand from hers racing down the hall.
Taylor followed close behind. Damien was standing there with Ashley in his arms. Her heart pulled but quickly faded away. He sat Ashley down, to kneel down in front of Zach and held his hand out to him.
“I’ve heard a lot about you. You must be Zach.” Damien smiled that sweet, mouth watering, smile at him.
Zach smiled big and stuck out his hand to shake Damien’s. “You must be our date.” He replied and they all broke out in laughter.
“Well, I guess I am. Is that ok with you? You are the man of the house and I wouldn’t want to upset you, you know.” Taylor watched, stunned at how just like that, Zach’s tears had dried being replaced by his smile.
“I guess that would be ok. On one condition.” Zach’s voice changed to a serious tone.
“Oh, ok.” Damien straightened, good-naturedly, as if he were entertaining Zach.
“What movie did you have in mind?” Zach was interrogating his taste in movies. She had seen him do it to many times. Ice Age! Taylor spoke out silently knowing he heard her.
The slight little grin touching Damien’s lips was a blessing. “I was thinking Ice Age 4. I have been dying to see that movie. I hope that is ok with you?” Taylor almost busted out laughing at Damien’s choice of words.
Zach turned smiling at Taylor. “He’s a keeper Mom.” He turned back to Damien. “I have to get ready you know. Aunt Liz says I always have to look my best when I go out. That way I can get all the hotties you know.” He laughed as he raced off down the hall.
Taylor turned to Liz. “Hotties huh? He’s six. Not twenty six. What have you been teaching my son?”
“Hey, what did you expect? He’s gonna be a heartbreaker. And you can’t expect him to wait until he’s twenty six. Look at those blues Tay. I’m warning you now, that kid is gonna be a thief of hearts.” She smiled. “Anyways, I am assuming this date is going to start now, beings that you are here now.” She turned to Damien.
Swept Away: The First Bloodline Page 7