“Wow, it’s calmed down already. Good!” Marie exclaimed.
“What’s going on over here?” Sabrina demanded as she took a furtive glance at his face. She paled even more as he glowered behind her sister’s head, only to smooth his face into a carefree expression when Marie turned back to look at him.
“Nothing. We’re done talking,” he responded. Smiling at Marie, he grasped Sabrina’s elbow. “Have a great flight. You better get going now. They’re starting to board.”
“Yeah, goodbye you guys.” After one last curiosity-ridden look at them, she left. Once Marie disappeared out of sight, Sabrina turned back to Isaac. He scowled at her curious expression.
“What now?” she probed.
He growled and dragged her behind him as he stalked out of the airport. She had no choice but to run to keep up to his brisk pace, so it came as no surprise when she stumbled over her feet. Isaac caught her before she hit the ground but put her away from his body as soon as she steadied herself. He did not want to feel her pressed up against him right now.
“Isaac, slow down. I can’t walk as fast as you!” she cried breathlessly from behind him. He didn’t release his iron grip upon her arm or acknowledge her plea, but he did slow his speed by a fraction. “Why don’t you just leave me the keys, and go away. I can drive myself. Or do you enjoy growling at me too much to leave me in peace?”
“Yes, that’s exactly it,” he snapped in response. She dug her feet into the floor and refused to move another inch. She yanked her arm hard, and he saw her clench her teeth against the stinging pain where his grip remained. Isaac steeled himself against her discomfort and growled. No way in hell would he release her.
Ever.
She arched an ironic eyebrow at him at the noise, causing him to flush and growl once more before leaning close to her face, nose to nose, and snarling, “Unless you want to make a huge scene in the middle of the airport, one that’ll probably bring along a storm such as you’ve never seen, you’d better follow me. Now.”
As if on cue, a loud rumble of thunder boomed overhead. She followed him, no longer attempting to speak.
Thank God for small favors.
***
Sabrina glared out the window of her car. The scenery sped by way too fast, but the last thing she cared about right now was whether or not Isaac got a speeding ticket. As a matter of fact, she’d love to see it. Except she’d have to be near him longer. And she wanted to get away from him.
Now.
Really, his actions were ridiculous. If he wanted to be an asshole, why did she have to be forced to put up with it? Couldn’t he just sulk off to some corner and pout like men always did? Or go chase a mongrel or something? After a couple attempts at getting him to tell her why he’d gotten so angry, she crossed her arms and vowed not to speak to him ever again.
Always the drama queen, aren’t we?
But what had Marie told him to make him so angry? He hadn’t seemed mad when he’d first showed up at the house this morning. If anything, he’d looked worried about her. But she couldn’t mistake the fact that he remained pissed him off. When he shut off the ignition, she noted with surprise that they were already home. She glanced at him, only to see him glaring out his window.
She cleared her throat in an attempt to get him to look her way, but only the tensing of his shoulders told her he heard her. So, he wanted to play, did he? Well, fine. But she didn’t need to sit here and suffer in silence. She unbuckled her seatbelt, opened the door, and slammed it behind her before leaning into the open window.
“I’m done playing these games. I’m not a child, and won’t be treated like one. Come talk to me when you grow up, okay? That is, if you ever do.”
She grabbed her keys out of his hand and stomped her way to the front door, not caring if she’d managed to piss him off even more. She went inside, locked the door, and gave it a kick for good measure. Her toe throbbed in protest, and she glowered at the offending door. For a brief moment, satisfaction at her fabulous exit made her smirk. Unfortunately, it didn’t make her anger and hurt go away.
Unable to contrive an easy way out of her predicament, she went to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of wine and her second-favorite knife. Next time she talked to him, she’d demand her damn knife back, too. Damn it.
She stalked to the living room, placed both items on the table next to the couch, and sank into its soft cushions. She settled herself comfortably into its pillows, and began her wait.
But what she waited for, she had no idea.
***
Isaac watched her retreat, and gave a bemused shake of his head. He knew he acted like an ass, but he hadn’t wanted to have a discussion anywhere in public. Or while driving. And now that he’d gotten to her house, he had no bloody clue what to do.
Should he follow her inside and attempt to talk some sense into her, or would he be wasting his time? If she wanted Elijah so bad, what gave him the right to say no? They could run off into the moonlight together and live happily ever after in the land of the eternally damned, for all he cared. Until Enforcers hunted them down and killed them, anyway. His fist tightened involuntarily at the thought.
Hell no.
He just needed to show her how unsuitable Elijah was for her, no matter how much she thought she loved him.
Isaac loved her, and she could grow to love him, too. She’d forget all about Elijah, given time. And if not, well, he loved her enough for the both of them. It would have to be enough.
It had to be, damn it.
He exited the car and made his way up the walkway to the front door. He took a steadying breath and reached for the doorknob, only to have it refuse to budge. She’d locked him out?
Son of a bitch.
“Sabrina, let me in,” he growled.
A slight shuffling sound came through the door. “Who is it?”
“It’s me. Open the door.”
“Who? I’m sorry, but I must make sure. You could be either Elijah, or Isaac. So, which is it?”
Which are you hoping for, my dear?
Teeth gritted, he snapped, “It’s Isaac. Let me in. Now.”
Dead silence met his ears, and he stared incredulously at the door as he wondered if she would actually refuse him entry. He measured the strength of the barrier, computing where it would be best to deliver the force of his impact to crash it open. Within seconds of breaking it down—he’d even backed up in preparation—she unlocked the door. As soon it swung open, he pushed his way inside. Not a chance in hell he would give her time to change her mind.
Sabrina studied Isaac’s angry face and promptly walked away from him. Judging by his scowl, he didn’t look any more agreeable than he had earlier. If he wanted to talk to her, he’d follow. She’d had enough of trying to explain what had happened last night. It was his turn.
He sat beside her. She turned to him and arched an eyebrow. She didn’t have to wait long.
“Were you planning on keeping me out? If so, I should warn you a simple door wouldn’t stop me if I didn’t want it to.” His chin jutted out in defiance, and his eyes glittered. “And the knife is useless, too.”
“Maybe so, but it would still be damn satisfying to make you bleed right now.” She toyed with it in her hands, spinning it in slow circles. Okay, maybe she didn’t want to actually stab him, did she? “I didn’t know you were going to be coming in, first of all. You haven’t been in a talkative mood today. Second of all, you once yelled at me for opening the door before I made sure it was you. So I was being careful. Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do? And last but not least, I want my damn knife back.”
He flushed and refused to meet her eyes.
Score one: Sabrina.
“Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry. I seem to be capable of doing nothing but yelling at you today.” He ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath. “And the knife is at my place. I’ll get it to you as soon as possible.”
“Fine. Make it soon. And yelling seems to be something I bring out
in people,” she drawled.
“I’m sorry, okay?” he snapped. “Is Elijah here, hiding?”
She stared at him in surprise, caught off guard by the change of subject. Not to mention the loud clash of thunder shaking her house. “Elijah? No, why would he be hiding here?”
“Seeing as you seem to have fallen in love with him, I figured he’d be here to gloat. Well, he can come out, and I’ll tell him right here and now I—”
“Stop it right there, buddy. First off, calm yourself down. Second, where did you possibly get the ridiculous notion I love Elijah? Did you think I’d somehow mistaken the two of you last night when I told you I loved you? When you ran away from me?
“Because, call me crazy, but a man who runs when a woman declares her love for him really has no right at all to even attempt to be angry over what he thinks is her love for another.” Her voice shook at the force of the emotions inside her, and by the time she finished her tirade, she’d poked him in the chest to emphasize her words.
Isaac stared at her in a mixture of admiration, anger, and shock.
“I don’t know. I’ll tell you what I do know, though. I know I found you kissing Elijah. I know we fought. I know he pushed you and took advantage of my distraction to knock me out. I know when I awoke, you were in his arms, again. I know after I left last night, he came here. That’s what I know.”
When he mentioned Elijah being inside her house last night, her mouth dropped open, and her face must have betrayed her shock. “How did you—?”
“How did I know? Oh, what a cute story. You see, your sister told me all about the nightmare you had, and how you were yelling my name, and some stranger’s name. Whose could it possibly be?”
“Oh, knock it off,” she grumbled. She gripped her knees in an attempt to stop the shaking of her hands.
“I remember...Elijah. How ironic. And after you sent her to bed, you left. She tried to wait up for you, but alas, she fell asleep in the kitchen. Imagine her relief when I, being the loving man I am, carried you inside and snuggled you until you fell asleep. Isn’t it abso-fucking-lutely heartwarming?
“But wait just a minute.... I went home last night. I went to sleep worrying about whether you were okay. So that means I couldn’t have been here, holding you in my arms. Which leaves only one other person who could have been. I don’t think I need to say his name. Nor will I,” he snarled.
She cringed, but glared. “Maybe if my loving man hadn’t left me alone on the lawn, he wouldn’t have left room for another to sweep in and comfort me.”
Isaac paled and whispered, “What?”
“Did you really think I would just shrug and walk away after you left me? I told you I loved you, and you ran away.”
“You didn’t even mean it!” he yelled. His clenched fists rose to his chest before he lowered them. “It was nothing but a lie, a guilty gesture at best.”
“Oh really? You’re a fool.”
“I won’t argue that. Just look where I’ve ended up with you—twice now. Jilted.”
She sucked in a deep breath at the way he couldn’t separate her from Amelia. For the love of God, what would it take to make these men see she was not her? Tears filled her eyes, but she refused to allow them free rein. She turned her back to Isaac, swiped an errant tear away, and faced him once more.
“Now it’s my turn to tell you what I know, and you’ll sit and listen. Got it?”
He sat down, glared, and with an imperious motion for her to begin, crossed his arms over his chest.
Gee, thanks.
“I had a nice night with my boyfriend. We went to dinner and came home. I went to bed, smiling when I thought of him. In case you’re confused, that’s you.”
He glowered, and she smiled bitterly. “I fell asleep, and for the first time in weeks, I dreamt. I dreamt about my boyfriend’s brother, who thinks he loves me. I can’t help but care for him, as well, though I’m not sure why. Maybe because he looks like you.” She shrugged. When a distant rumble of thunder accompanied his scowl, she snapped, “Oh, calm down.”
“Calm as can be. I promise.”
“Let me continue. I feel a pull toward Elijah, but it is minuscule in comparison to the pull I feel to you. I tried to explain this to him, but he got angry when I mentioned you.” Her pointed look in his direction, she knew, spoke louder than simple words could. “When I tried to explain to him how much you mean to me, he decided to kiss me to prove me wrong.
“Yes, I should have slapped him. Yes, I should have said no. But I’ll admit part of me felt curious. Would his kiss still pull me toward him as much as it once had? Would his kiss make me forget you? I decided to let him kiss me, and I’d find out the answers.”
She watched him hesitate before he asked, “And did it? Make you forget?”
She knew it had to be one of the hardest things he’d ever asked. She put a hand over his clenched fist and squeezed. “No, it didn’t. His kiss felt good. Breathtaking, even. But it wasn’t you. He must have sensed the change, because he pulled away. He opened his mouth to talk…then he’d disappeared, and you were there.
“Watching you two try to kill each other has got to be one of the worst things I’ve ever seen. It hurt so badly. And I knew I could do nothing to stop it.”
“Nothing but straddle Elijah’s back and get thrown across the forest for your efforts,” he grumbled.
“I wanted to get him off of you!” Sabrina shouted.
“Next time, stay back. I appreciate the sentiment, but your human powers are comparable to a fly landing on his arm. You feel it, but it doesn’t hurt.”
“Gee, thanks.” She frowned at him and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Anyway, I’ll shut up again.” He mimed himself zipping his lips shut before he leaned back on the couch. She glared at his show of drama.
“So after I get thrown off Elijah, I open my eyes to see him leaning over me. I knew you would be there too, if you could, so I assumed you might be headless. Or worse—dead. At this lovely moment, my sister wakes me up. Suddenly, I’m back in my house, knowing you were lying out there somewhere and I didn’t know where I’d find you.”
“Oh, Sabrina. I’m—”
“Shut up. I don’t want to hear a word. So after I manage to get my sister off my back, I somehow realize why I always thought the clearing in my dreams seemed familiar. It’s the place in the forest by my house. It appears different in my dreams, but I thought the similarities were close enough to make it a feasible location. I was desperate to do something to find you.
“So I run off to the clearing, and sure enough, there you were, still lying on the ground. I figured out you weren’t dead, just knocked out, and I attacked Elijah. But he easily warded off my puny human efforts and tackled me to the ground.”
“You attacked him? Are you insane?” he asked in horror.
“Heck yeah, I did. And it isn’t the first time, thank you very much. I gave him a black eye, too.”
“You gave…a vampire...a black eye?” he questioned incredulously.
He swallowed hard, and she wondered if he tried not to shout or laugh. Yet again, his face proved impossible to read. Stinking ice-man.
“I did. Now, where did I stop? Ah yes, I wanted to throw myself into your arms when you woke up, but you glared at me, yelled at me, and left.”
Isaac grabbed her hands earnestly and looked into her eyes. “Sabrina, I’m sorry. It’s just, seeing you in his arms, it brought back dreadful feelings. Hatred. Betrayal. It was too much to bear. When you told me you loved me, all I could think of was you and Elijah, making love. It hurt too much.”
“I didn’t make love to him,” she reminded him sternly. “I am not Amelia.” Her voice rose in frustration at the end of her sentence. She tired of being accused of feelings she did not have. It infuriated her. She glared at him and stood up. “Well, now you’ve heard my story, and you can leave.”
He gaped at her, clearly shocked. “Excuse me?”
“Leave,�
� she stated.
“You’re kicking me out?” He whispered.
The pain in his eyes looked so gut-wrenching, she longed to retract her words but didn’t. She couldn’t let him constantly mistrust her, and accuse her of betrayal. It just wouldn’t work.
“Yes. It seems to me all you and Elijah are capable of doing is waiting for me to betray you. Like her. You’ll never realize I’m not the same as her. So, I want you to leave. Now.” It broke her heart to say it, but she needed him to trust her. Against all odds, he needed to know she loved him and wouldn’t leave him. “Just because I look like her, doesn’t mean I am her. I love you, and onlyyou. And because I love you so much, I won’t cause you pain, or anger. Not even false feelings of betrayal.”
“Sabrina, wait. I understand—” A shake of her head stopped his plea, and he stared at her finger pointed at the door.
“It’s my turn to say we won’t discuss this today. Maybe not ever. Go.”
His shoulders slumped as he walked to the door, but he strode back to grab her by her neck and kiss her. He clutched her so tight she almost couldn’t breathe, and he crushed his lips to hers with a desperation that called to her. She almost crumbled into tiny bits and pieces of herself. She clung to his shirt as his lips moved over hers, demanding a response. When he pulled away, she gazed into his eyes, refusing to budge.
There were no words to be said, no words she would say.
He hugged her one last time, and she heard him take a deep breath before he cursed and walked away without looking back. Once the door shut behind him, she collapsed on the couch, put her head in her hands and burst into tears.
Chapter Fourteen
Isaac sat down outside her door, feeling curiously weak. He needed to learn how to control his stupid temper. And he needed to stop comparing her to Amelia and unfairly judging her. Just because she looked like Amelia didn’t mean she’d act like her. No more so than he would act like Elijah because they were identical. The thought seemed ludicrous to say the least. So why should her case be different?
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