A few noises and scuffles later, he came in and stood over her. ‘What are you reading anyway?’
She did not look up when she answered, ‘Dracula.’
Steven burst into laughter. ‘Are you getting tips?’
It was weird. For the first time since the change she thought his voice was a good sound. She liked to hear him laugh. The corners of her mouth rose involuntarily, as her eyes stayed on the pages. ‘Funny, so funny. It’s actually an excellent read. Now go away and give me some peace.’ She focused and tried to ignore him.
Steven waited. When she did not react she heard him give a small sigh before he started to walk out of the room. At the doorway, he stopped. ‘I’ll go and prepare the rabbits.’
‘Sure.’ She did not look up.
Even though firmly ensconced on the sofa, she raised her eyes to the clock and was amazed to see that two hours had gone by. She was engrossed in the book. A tasty aroma was starting to make her mouth water.
Lunchtime.
She put the book down and made her way into the kitchen. Steven had set the table and everything. He was so domesticated now. If all the men were the same in the community she would be in for a treat if they went there, it got more interesting by the minute.
‘Something smells nice.’ She made her way over to the pot and looked in. It was a stew. ‘Did you go shopping?’
‘Didn’t have to.’ Steven came up alongside her and gave the stew a stir with a large, silver ladle. ‘Most of the veg was in the garden.’
She was momentarily lost for words. He knew how to garden. ‘Since when did you learn to become a farmer?’
‘The community. They had me digging, cultivating, and hunting. I went back to my roots,’ he chuckled. ‘Hunter gatherer.’
She felt a faint flutter in her stomach. Perhaps, her feelings for him were just lying low. Dormant.
He gave a shy smile and then held out his left hand. ‘Anyway, it’s ready. Would you like to take a seat, please?’
He was so polite. He always had been. He was a great catch. She’d be a fool to think otherwise. ‘Thank you. I will. Can I do anything to help?’
‘No, just sit yourself down and let me serve you. It’s the least I can do.’
She took a seat and watched as he got some wide soup bowls and poured two generous portions. He placed one in front of her.
‘Would you like some water? We don’t have a lot else. There is wine but I don’t know…’
‘Water is fine.’ The way he was fussing was endearing. He was trying so hard. Wine would have been nice but it was best to avoid alcohol for the moment.
The steam wafted up her nose and her stomach growled. It smelled so good, poor little rabbits. She picked up her spoon and helped herself to a potato and some of the rabbit. She could not believe how nice it was. ‘Wow, this is amazing. Rabbit tastes like chicken. I never knew that. It’s more meaty, but very nice all the same. Thank you for cooking. I’ll have to return the favour.’
His eyes met hers. He reached out and cupped her hand with his. ‘I’m glad you like it.’
This time she did not move her hand away. Instead she turned it, so that their hands were palm to palm, and eased her fingers through his.
Steven stared into her eyes. It felt like he was reaching out for her soul. ‘I love you, Caitlin.’
Caitlin could only nod. She was not ready to say it back yet. She let go of his hand and picked up the spoon. ‘We’d better eat or it’ll go cold.’
He picked up his spoon and stared at his bowl. She might have upset him.
A second later he lifted his head, a sparkle in his eye. ‘By the way, I know you’re probably not interested, but we can breathe under water.’
He put a mouthful of stew in his mouth and chewed slowly.
She nearly sprayed stew over the table. ‘What?!’ She would not let that one drop. ‘Sorry.’ She wiped her mouth with the cloth napkin on the table, glad Steven had put one out. ‘What do you mean? We can breathe under water?’
The glint in his eye was back and his lips curled at the corner of his mouth. She could see he was enjoying being one step ahead of her. She felt like touching his face, but she stopped herself as her brain struggled to keep up with a now fluttering heart. Was she developing feelings for him again? She suppressed the thought for a second time.
‘Curious?’ He swallowed a huge mouthful.
‘Of course.’ She followed suit and wolfed down a huge helping.
He chuckled.
Caitlin sped up and finished quickly. He followed suit, and before long the bowls were empty. She leant back in her chair, her stomach bulging. Steven picked up her bowl and made his way over to the sink. He turned on the tap, squeezed a dollop of washing up liquid in the basin and filled the sink with water.
‘Let me do that.’ Caitlin started to get up.
‘Nope, I’ll do it.’
She folded her arms. He wanted to do everything. This was a treat. Caitlin had never been able to sit still, now it was impossible. She got up, picked up a tea towel and started to dry.
‘Well, if you insist.’ He passed her the cutlery.
He put the lid on the pot and put it in the fridge.
‘It’s still hot.’ Caitlin said. ‘You should wait for it to cool.’
He put it in and got closer to her. Then he wrapped his arms around her and rested his hands on her lower back. ‘What would you say to us going away from here?’
‘Now?’
‘Now.’
‘Err…okay I guess.’ His proximity was making her nervous. It did feel good to be held.
‘So, we have to put everything away now.’
‘Right.’ She gulped involuntarily.
She stared at him and wondered whether he would kiss her. She thought she did not care for him, she thought she had been hypnotised, she thought…she thought too much. She wrapped her arms around him, bridged the gap and kissed him lightly. Then she rested her head on his chest. It was lucky she was shorter than him. ‘Thank you for everything. You are lovely.’
‘Lovely, I think I can work on that.’ He kissed her head.
She remembered what they used to be like. Even though she had already lost her virginity to him she had a feeling they would have to get to know each other all over again. She looked forward to it and the thought made her cheeks burn. She did not want to do anything right now, the trip beckoned. She wanted to find out about what they could do in water. Convinced, she unclasped her hands, gave a cheeky smile and nodded as she pulled back.
Steven had a cat that got the cream look about him now. ‘Go get your stuff. When you’re ready, we go. I already got my things ready.’
‘How did you know I’d say yes?’
He tapped his nose.
She skipped off. It was exciting.
Once back downstairs she heard Steven in the garage so she made her way over. ‘I don’t have a swimsuit? Do I need one?’ It was not a completely stupid question.
‘Not if you don’t mind being naked with me.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘Do you mind?’
Actually, she did. But, she was sure she’d get over it. ‘No, it’s fine.’
Steven took her bag and put it in the boot. He opened the passenger door of the Bentley and beckoned her in. She was sure it was an expensive car, but she was clueless when it came to it. Either way, with soft tan leather seats she could not complain. She made herself comfortable and looked around. It was just a car.
Steven eased in next to her and put the key in the ignition. ‘This car is a classic, but it drives like a dream. I am pretty sure they’ve done loads of work to it over the years. It even uses normal diesel.’
He picked up little gadget and pressed a button, the garage doors opened up. Electrical – swish. Once the car was out Steven pressed a small button on a remote control device and the garage doors slid shut again.
After thirty minutes of listening to the radio and driving towards Salisbury, Caitlin started to get curious. She had
no idea where they were headed. ‘So, are you planning to tell me where we are going?’
Steven glanced over and smiled, and then lowered the radio. ‘I am taking you to one of the best beaches in England, in my hometown of Ilfracombe. I think we need to get away from everything.’
‘But, but, what about university?’ she spluttered. It was extreme.
‘It can wait. We can get anything else we need when we get there. I-I…just thought we needed to get away.’
The way he hesitated was cute.
‘We need to have clear heads if we are going to figure out what we are going to do. And we…’ His hands gripped the steering wheel and he paused as though unsure. ‘We also need to find out how we feel about each other.’
There. He had said what she had been reluctant to admit. He knew she was having doubts. She couldn’t hide it that easily.
‘Okay.’ She fiddled with her hands again. He knew how to read her. He had been able to do that from the moment they met. He knew. He knew she was having doubts. She had no choice. They would have to talk about it now.
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Chapter 44
Do You Still Love Me?
Steven had let the cat out of the bag. He wanted Caitlin to open up to him. The only way he could see that as possible was if she started being honest. His cards were on the table. Now it was her turn to reveal. In an ideal scenario, she would tell him she still loved him. It was doubtful she would say that yet, she was still acting so strange. He put aside the thought and focused on the road. Given time, she would break the silence. He had said enough.
Caitlin spoke first, ‘Steven, I-I don’t know what to say.’
He nodded and kept his gaze on the road.
‘The truth is I don’t know how I feel about you anymore.’
He heard his involuntary intake. He had been right to suspect a change of heart. He said nothing. From the corner of his eye, he noticed her fidget.
‘I am confused. A part of me hated you when I realised what had happened. I know it’s stupid since I knew what I was letting myself in for. I don’t know,’ she stumbled over the words as they burst out. ‘It felt like a spell had been broken, like I’d woken up from a dream. A dream in which you were not the handsome prince, you were the devil instead. You won. You had turned me to the dark side.’ She gave a small uneasy chuckle.
He adopted an ominous tone, ‘We are not in Star Wars you know. I am not the Sith Lord out to get you.’
‘I know.’ The tone of her voice made her sound defeated. He was not helping.
‘Anyway, I get what you’re saying. I’ll give you some time, and we get to know each other again. Then we see. Without the loved up cloud fluff in your eyes you might find something about me you like.’ He was trying to sound easy-going. He was not sure it was working. It hurt to think she did not love him like he loved her.
Caitlin turned to face him and he followed suit. She lowered her eyes to the gearbox when she spoke so he faced the road. ‘The thing is. If I said I want to go it alone, I don’t think I can. Can I? Now that I’m not like everyone else, I don’t have the freedom I used to. I want to finish uni and I want to do all the things I wanted to do before.’ She hesitated again. ‘I don’t want to be with you just because I have to; I want to be with you because I want to.’
He gulped. There was nothing he wanted more than to be with her. ‘Well, I guess in that case it’s my job to make sure you want to be with me then.’ He allowed himself another glance in her direction and gave his best I can be an understanding boyfriend look.
She smiled back. It looked like a genuine smile, not forced. He could only hope that he could win her back completely. He did not want her to be with him because she had to. ‘Anyway, you’re going to love what I’ve got planned. So, stop worrying. We’ll figure it out.’
Optimism, priceless.
The sound of Adele filled the car, he increased the volume.
‘You like Adele?’ Caitlin asked, amused.
Steven shrugged his shoulders. ‘This track in particular is very good.’
‘Someone like you. I guess you couldn’t stay away either.’
Steven licked his lips and held back a cough. His throat had gone dry all of a sudden. He forced the words out. ‘No, I couldn’t. Either way, it’s a great song.’
‘Yes, it is.’
The words continued to choke him. He hoped he would not have to look for someone like Caitlin anytime soon. He wanted Caitlin, no-one else. Time. That was all she needed. Things would go back to normal. He had to think it was true. The alternative was not worth considering.
As the lyrics built up to a crescendo Caitlin pressed the search button and changed the channel. A dance tune made Steven relax. He hoped she didn’t want to think about it either. It was a good sign.
‘Do you want to stop for a drink?’
Caitlin had read his mind. A service station was just what he needed. ‘Sure. Sounds like a plan.’
After they eased into the lay-by, Steven filled up on diesel and then parked on one of the available parking spaces. They made their way into the service station. He resisted the urge to hold her hand. Instead, his hands felt like spare useless appendages, uncomfortably at his sides. The wind had picked up. Dark clouds threatened to congregate. He hated driving in the rain and they still had a few hours’ drive. He wondered what had possessed him to go back home. It was not exactly round the corner.
A small series of round tables with high bar stools tempted them to sit. At least they’d get a decent coffee here. At the counter, Steven looked at the menu board. He faced Caitlin. ‘What’ll it be?’
Caitlin stared at the man behind the counter. Her eyes glazed and her tongue ran over her lower lip. He began to think they’d have the coffee to go.
He stood in front of her and blocked the view. ‘Caitlin, what’ll it be?’
She snapped out of the trance and fixed her eyes on his. ‘Hmmm?’
‘I’ll order for you.’
Shit. This was not good. She wanted a drink. Hot, fresh and of the red variety.
Steven gripped her shoulder to keep her in place and ordered a hot chocolate, a latte macchiato, two croissants and a packet of cookies. Then he added the fuel to the total bill. Caitlin had not moved. Her eyes now fixed on the floor. It looked like she was fighting a battle – of the inner sort. He took the purchases, grabbed her hand and gave a slight nudge to move her along. He led her in the directions of the toilets. ‘Will you be okay?’
She looked up and snapped, impatient. ‘I’m not a baby.’ Her cheeks were tinged in pink, her eyebrows narrowed, as she flashed a set of canines. The monster on full display.
‘Caitlin, you know that’s not…’
‘I’ll be fine!’ She let go of his hand and practically ran in.
He rushed to the men’s and did the fastest pee he could muster. Outside again, he was relieved to see her come out. Her face and hair wet, remorse all over her face.
Caitlin clasped her hands as she spoke. ‘I’m sorry.’
He eased his hand into hers and gave a squeeze. ‘Don’t be.’ It was the least he could do.
She reciprocated and gripped his hand. Her expression was childlike. She was clearly taken aback by her adverse reaction.
As soon as they were strapped in the car again Steven drove off. They could talk on the way. There was no point asking her what was going on since it was likely she did not have a clue either. He had not been prepared for this. He never once imagined the urge to feed would have been so strong for Caitlin. He assumed she would be like him. He assumed too much.
The next half an hour went by in silence. Caitlin leant her head against the window and closed her eyes. She could have dozed off. He was not sure. There were still a few more hours to go before they got to Ilfracombe and if they were not going to talk it gave him some thinking time.
In Ilfracombe they could find a place to hide for a few days. He knew all the good turfs. He really wanted
to see his father again but he did not know if that would be possible anymore. He could just turn the car round and go back to Southampton. Then again, what life could they go back to if Caitlin wanted to kill? There was no way they could go back to university and pretend nothing had happened. Not until they knew more. It was so stupid. If he had waited he could have lived a normal life with her, for a few years a least. He clenched the steering wheel in frustration. Nothing had gone the way he had hoped. They would be better off in the community.
The idea lingered.
Should he go back? Should he take her to the Amazon? The community would be able to help. It would let the cat out of the bag in a major way – he had no way of explaining why Caitlin was like them. He would have to tell them the secret, a secret that did not feel his to tell. Was it worth it? He was not in the mood for making another rash decision.
***
Caitlin could have cut the tension in the car with a knife. It was easier to pretend to be asleep than to face up to what had just happened. She had felt her canines extend and a hunger so powerful had taken over. She had nearly lost control in a service station. If Steven had not held her hand she doubted she would have remained calm. She ran her tongue over her deadly weapons. They were dormant again. She should have been horrified, but she wasn’t. She was definitely surprised.
It was incredible.
Nothing could have prepared her for what she was becoming. So far she had discovered she could jump up and down great heights. She enjoyed the taste of animal blood. Apparently, they would also be able to swim under water for a period of time. That would be interesting. For the first time she realised her knee had lost its dull twinge. Had her old swimming injury been healed? Would she be able to swim fast without it having any long lasting ill effects? There was so much to be excited about.
The Evolution Trilogy: Hybrid, Complications & Return Page 60