Shades of Amber

by Morgan Smith

  I pressed closer. “One day you’ll want it. There will come a day when you won’t fear what I am, and then you’ll accept me and my love.”

  ¤¤¤¤

  Jade

  “You think I’ll let you bite me?” I hissed as he held a handkerchief to my wound.

  “Once I finish the story, you’ll understand.” His lips thinned. “Now, let me take care of you.” Troy pulled me into the bedroom and closed the door.

  Deep red walls brought warmth and passion to the room, while the mahogany furniture brought a powerful male touch.

  My gaze flitted around as he waved me to the couch. This was his domain, but nothing was more imposing than his mahogany bed. I shivered at the thought of laying in it.

  A smile curved his lips when he followed my gaze. He stood up, drawing my attention to his bare chest. My gaze traveled his six-pack, as I considered the fact that his astonishing good looks would probably cause my downfall.

  “You need a first aid kit.”

  I stood up as soon as he entered the bathroom, but his voice reached me before I could step toward the door.

  “Sit down before you get blood on the carpet.”

  “Fine.” I plopped down and studied him as he perched on the armrest. “I wish this stupid cut would go away,” I muttered as he applied peroxide with a cotton ball.

  His expression changed as he tilted my chin up and pressed a fresh bandage to my forehead.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I could make it go away, if that’s what you really want.”

  “How would you do that?”

  He slid next to me. “It’s not that difficult. You just have to trust me.”

  My voice went soft. “But you’re a.…”

  His arm came around my shoulder. “I may be a vampire now, but I’m also the only guy you’ve ever loved. You trusted me once.” His lips brushed my ear. “Why not trust me now?”

  “You’re not human anymore and you do bad things. Why should I trust you?”

  “How do you know I do bad things? I’m not a vegetarian if that’s what you mean.”

  My jaw clenched. “So you kill people?”

  He laughed and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t always kill the people I feed from.”

  No matter the words, his voice always made things sound better. He cupped the back of my neck as his mouth covered mine. It made me forget everything else.

  My breathing was ragged when he finally eased back. He put his forehead to mine, avoiding my cut while his other hand grasped the material at my waist.

  After a few seconds, he kissed me again, but something felt different. I struggled to think as his words invaded my head. “Relax, Jade.”

  We kissed for a long time, and when I managed to push him back, I thought my eyes would fall out of my head.

  I grabbed his chin. “Is your lip bleeding?”

  He licked his lips in a very seductive way. “No.” A mischievous smile shaped his mouth as I grabbed his chin again.

  Too tired to argue, I walked into the bathroom and closed the door. My hand splayed over the white barrier as I flipped the lock. Nothing could protect me, but I pretended I was safe. Turning the faucet, I watched water fill the tub.

  How could I relax when my deepest fear and greatest weakness was waiting right outside?

  After a good soak, I felt like I could take up another sparring match with my deceptive ex. He had to understand that he couldn’t have me just because of our past. Of course, as soon as I left the tub, half my resolve went down the drain.

  His black and silver robe made me feel safe as I wrapped it around my body. I held the collar to my nose, relishing Troy’s scent as I checked my reflection. My bath had given me time to think.

  I was still alive because of Troy, so maybe I could cut him some slack.

  I shook my head when I spotted the amber necklace.

  How could I forget about you?

  My fingers brushed the honey colored stone. It was as beautiful as his eyes, but something about it made me nervous.

  I sat on the edge of the tub.

  Thirty minutes didn’t give me enough time to figure things out. I didn’t know where I was, how to get away or how to avoid sleeping with him again.

  “Come on, cher.”

  Anxiety seeped through my bones. My time was up, and I was too jittery to decipher whether it was from joy or dread.

  “No more stalling.”

  He rose from the couch as I stepped out. “You’re beautiful.”

  I covered my neck. “I need some pajamas.”

  “No, you don’t.” He approached slowly, his eyes never leaving mine.

  “Give me a shirt or something,” I demanded as I crossed my arms.

  A smile formed as he pulled a red silk gown and robe from the dresser.

  “Thank you, now turn around.”

  “Aren’t we past this?”

  “If you haven’t noticed, the idea of you being different still makes me uneasy.”

  He smirked. “Believe me; I’ve noticed exactly how you feel.”

  I tried to mask my delight as he pulled me into his arms. “Turn around!”

  “Alright.”

  We both turned away, but I felt his gaze roam my body like a magnifying glass on fine print.

  “If you break your word again, I’ll refuse to get dressed in the same room.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  I glanced over my shoulder, but he didn’t turn around until the fabric brushed my knees. Troy’s lips curved up as he walked toward me.

  “How do you feel?”

  I twisted my ring. “I’m fine.”

  “Nervous, cher?” He caught my wrist and stroked my pulse with his thumb.

  “Of course not.”

  “I know you’re afraid, but I won’t let you go. If I’d come with my mortality intact, you would have welcomed me with open arms.”

  I looked at the white carpet, avoiding his gaze.

  His breath was warm against my skin. “You’re just scared, but I’ll help you get past it.”

  My body went stiff. “You left me! I wouldn’t welcome you back no matter what form you came in. I don’t even care if you came back as a billionaire, and asked me to marry you. You chose to leave, you should have stayed away.”

  He remained quiet, but the room grew cold.

  I hazarded a glance and found his jaw pulsing with anger. I tried to back away, but he gripped my shoulders.

  “What are you doing?”

  His eyes resembled torches as he licked his lip. “You are going to fight me every step of the way, are you not?”

  I shrugged and looked at his chest.

  “You’re frightened, but it’s not what you think.”

  I tried to steady my voice. “What do I think?”

  He guided me toward the bed. “You don’t understand why I came back for you, but it’s alright.” His mouth covered mine as I melted against him.

  A lightheaded sensation filled my body when he pulled back. “Why?”

  “It’s out of your control now.”

  His words, scared me, but his gaze held me captive. I was a moth drawn toward a deadly flame. “How come?”

  “You’ll see.” He pressed a soft kiss to my neck followed by a sharp bite.

  ¤¤¤¤

  Drowning

  One kiss is never

  just enough.

  I see your pulse,

  I smell your blood.

  Like a fountain in a desert,

  You call to me…

  As I find myself

  Drowning in memories.

  -Troy

  Chapter 22

  …Troy…

  The man might be patient, but the beast was not.

  I laid Jade on the bed as I savored the taste of her blood. Her stubborn nature forced me to alter my plans, but the outcome would be the same.

  Now that I had mixed our blood, she wouldn’t be able to separate herself from m
e.

  I withdrew my fangs and sealed the bite before tucking her in.

  “One day you will come to me of your own free will.”

  The robe fell open as she rolled to her side, showing cleavage. It would have been easy to coax her into letting me have her body, but I didn’t want to force it. In order for our relationship to work, she’d have to offer it freely.

  Rubbing my jaw, I changed into black clothes and contemplated where to get “takeout” at half past midnight. My footsteps were silent as I walked to the door, easing it open before allowing myself to look back at her.

  She was an angel for a moment before she rolled over and punched her pillow. I stepped closer, ready to soothe her until she whispered my name, and punched the pillow again.

  I cleared my mind as I eased into her dream. She wasn’t just fighting me, she was battling the part of herself that wanted to be with me.

  I walked into the hall and locked the door behind me. “No maid to help you escape this time.”

  The night was cool as I stood in the driveway, casting out my senses. I wasn’t sure who would be out this late, but right now, I didn’t trust the beast around Jade without a full stomach.

  Pulling my hood up, I materialized at the park. I waited in the shadows as I observed the quiet area. My fangs lowered at the promise of fresh blood. I could hear the victim’s steady breathing as she ran along the lit path. The small woman was eight feet away when I stepped into view.

  “Come here.”

  She drew closer, armed with brass knuckles, stun gun, and super-sized can of pepper spray. Unfortunately, none of that would protect her from something like me. She walked slowly, eyes glazed. With two fingers, I tilted her head to the side and sank my fangs into her throat.

  Ten minutes later, my donor was back on her way, and I was at my bedroom door. The second, I reached the landing, I knew something wasn’t right.

  It was too quiet.

  ¤¤¤¤

  Jade

  It took a minute for me to focus on the shadows, but I remembered where I was this time. I put my hand to my neck and felt for evidence of his bite.

  The thought of him drinking my blood repulsed my mind and made my body feverish. Unfortunately, my traitorous insides weren’t sick, so much as turned on. I heard a noise downstairs and got to my feet.

  I couldn’t let him keep me here and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to resist him. The old Troy was charming, but this Troy had the ability to make my body override my brain. He was a hazard to my health, and I needed to escape before it was too late.

  Weapons were sparse, so I grabbed the footstool by the couch and tiptoed to my hiding spot. As soon as I put my ear to the door, I heard a creak on the steps. One by one, I imagined him getting closer. I gripped the stool and tried to slow my heartbeat.

  My plan was to jump him from behind, steal his keys, and run. I held my breath as the knob rattled. He slipped in, kicked the door shut, and stared at the empty bed.

  I raised the stool and aimed for his head because I didn’t think it would kill him. I hit him like a brick against a solid wall.

  Troy fell, and I landed next to him. I scrambled away, but he grabbed my wrist, flipped me on my back, and pinned me to the carpet. I wheezed.

  “I’m stronger than I look, remember?” His eyes blazed as he watched me take shallow breaths, and just when I thought I might faint, his weight shifted. His voice was low as his free hand moved my hair away from my eyes. “I have to admit you caught me off guard. I wasn’t expecting you to wait quietly and ambush me.” His knuckles caressed my cheek. “Every time you fight me, I think, that’s my girl. She gives it her all even when she knows she’s fighting a losing battle.”

  I squirmed, knowing I only had so much time before I fell for his magic. “Why do I have to be your girl?”

  He let go of my wrist, and stared at me. “You’ve forgotten what I told you when we first met.”

  “Why would I pay any attention to what a cocky stranger told me in a library?”

  He sighed and held my chin so our eyes met. “Did you think I wasn’t serious when I asked you to share a lifetime with me, Jade?”

  I inhaled his heady cologne and closed my eyes, willing myself not to crack. Don’t fall for it, Jade! Don’t give into his lulling voice. I screamed inside as I felt my walls begin to crumble, he was trying to make me need him; make me admit that I wanted him. I shook my head and covered my ears with my hands.

  He pulled them away. “You’ve shared your love with me, why won’t you share your life?”

  I gulped as a tear ran down my cheek.

  He wiped it away. “You’re breaking yourself for what? So you can hide your feelings for me? I already know, cher.”

  “You don’t have my love anymore and if you don’t want me to break, stop tearing me apart.”

  “Look me in the eye and tell me that.”

  I glared at him and felt a warmth other than anger flood my body. “I would look into your eyes more if you didn’t try to influence me!” I covered my eyes with my arm.

  I was on the verge of breaking and he didn’t care—because that was his goal. He wanted me to break.

  I moved my arm and found him smiling. “You heard my thoughts.”

  “I’ll have you one way or another, Jade. You can either accept it now or you can let me pick up the pieces after you rip yourself in half.”

  “Get off me!” I screamed, kicked, and tried to wriggle away.

  “Shh, Jade. You don’t want the neighbors to hear you.” He shifted again, stilling my movements.

  I screamed as loud as I could. Long, bloodcurdling screams.

  He touched my bottom lip. “Scream all you want, the walls are soundproof.”

  I stared at him, mouth agape. “Why did you…?”

  “What, cher? I think you’ve overextended that sweet voice of yours.”

  I swallowed and tried again. It was a little louder.

  “If the walls are soundproof, why did you warn me about the neighbors?”

  He kissed my jaw. “I like it when you scream, plus that’s what people say.”

  I rubbed my throat. “You’re trying to drive me crazy by toying with me.”

  His chuckle was dark and seductive.

  “You bastard,” I hissed.

  His eyes flashed as the air grew cold. “You think I’m toying with you? I’m in love with you, and you won’t allow yourself to feel.” His lips twitched. “This is the only way I can get you to be honest with yourself… if you won’t admit what you want.”

  I couldn’t stop shaking as his thumb brushed my lip. My thoughts lingered on his words.

  Was it really worth tearing myself apart just to keep from giving into my feelings for him?

  “I don’t want to be a vampire.”

  He touched my neck. “You don’t have to worry about that right now.”

  If he agreed not to make me like him, could we finally be together?

  His words replayed in my mind until I heard the ‘right now.’ I shook my head. “I don’t ever want you to turn me.”

  Troy maneuvered his tongue into my mouth and picked me up. A small part of me was afraid of what would happen next, but the part of me that loved him was excited. In the blink of an eye, we were under the covers. His hands caressed my body as his mouth went to my neck.

  “I’m afraid,” I blurted.

  “There’s nothing to be afraid of, we’ve done this before.”

  I gulped and nodded. “Yeah, but it was only once and…”

  He smirked, playing with my hair. “And…”

  I squirmed under his gaze. “And I didn’t know what you were.”

  He kissed my jaw. “You knew I was different. So what’s wrong, Jade?”

  I sighed. “This seems different, like there’s more to it. I feel like I’m about to sign a contract, and I don’t know what the fine print says.” The look in his eyes said I was making a fair assumption. “What are you hiding?”

 
He climbed on top of me and tilted my face toward his. I closed my eyes and tried to block the seductive lure of his voice. “Trust me, Jade. This will only bring us closer. All you have to do is admit you love me. That’s it.”

  Could I really do that?

  He kissed my hair. “Relax. You’re thinking about this too hard. I love you, Jade. Stop trying to fight your feelings.”

  I took a deep breath. “I love you,” I said, letting go of my denial.

  Our lips brushed as our bodies entwined.

  “I’ve loved you for so long, Jade.”

  “Me too.”

  A moment later, he whispered something under his breath, but I was too far gone to focus.

  My eyelids fluttered as his warmth overwhelmed me. Sleep followed almost as soon as he pulled me onto his chest, and then his teeth pierced my shoulder.

  Truth

  One kiss from you

  Is not enough,

  I deny this truth,

  You call my bluff.

  Like a maze,

  You lead me through this Mystery

  Of a future that I refuse to see,

  But I won’t lie…

  I’m terrified

  Because you

  And I

  Are on different sides.

  -Jade

  Chapter 23

  Troy was at my side helping me sit up, but I was still screaming. He snapped his fingers and the light came on. I looked at his mouth, but saw nothing… No blood, no fangs. I touched my neck, but didn’t feel any marks.

  “What’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare?” he asked as his fingers caressed my face.

  How could I tell him that I thought he’d bitten me again? What if it was just a dream?

  I pulled the sheet to my chest. “What would it feel like if you bit me? Would I turn into a vampire from one bite?”

  Something flashed in his eyes as he rubbed his chin. “Why do you want to know?”

  “Does it hurt?”

  He slid his hand into my hair, pulling me so close that his lips brushed my neck. “Have you decided to let me bite you?”