“Night guys.” Elizabeth waved as she closed the door behind her.
He got out of the car and leaned on the front passenger side of the vehicle. “Where have you been?”
She turned, almost seeming surprised to see him there. "Xavier? Oh gosh, you scared me. What are you doing here?"
“What am I doing here? I told you I’d pick you up after work and you were supposed to be off over a half hour ago.”
“I’m sorry.” She reached for her cell phone in her purse. “Didn’t you get my text?”
He pulled his out of his pocket and looked at the screen. “No. Not a single one. I’ve been worried.”
She smiled at him. “You’re so sweet. I’m sorry. I swear I…” She was looking at her phone when she stopping talking.
“What’s wrong?” He asked.
Sighing, she replied. “I guess the whole text thing only works if I actually hit send, huh?”
He smirked and shook his head. Damn if she wasn't beautiful. On a normal day, he'd think she was one of the most gorgeous women he'd ever seen. But at times like this when she appeared to be a little scatterbrained, she was extra adorable.
“Yeah. You need to hit the little send button.”
Laughing she stepped up to him and shrugged. “Maybe I really did have a concussion?”
“Yeah.” He cocked an eyebrow at her and opened the passenger door. “Or maybe you’re just flaky.”
“You say tomatoe. I say tomahto.”
“Get in there, goofball.”
When Xavier shut the door and saw her sitting safely in his car, he breathed a sigh of relief. It was beginning to be a full-time job worrying over her. Every time he closed his eyes he still had visions of her lying unconscious in that alley. And his blood boils in a fury at the mere thought of that man who had tried to rape her. A part of him had wished he hadn't let the man go so easily. But he knew that if he hadn't, he'd likely have killed him.
“So how was your night?” she asked as he started the car and began pulling out into the street.
“Not too bad. Nothing too exciting.”
He'd shrugged off her question and given a simple answer, but the reality was much farther from the truth.
He and Dante talked for hours about the change in his behavior. And he prayed that his brother's worries were for naught. Still, he couldn't ignore the possibility that he would be the one that was chosen to pay for what Andras did.
It was nothing more than a legend. At least that’s what he kept trying to tell himself and convince his brother of at the same time. But a part of him knew that there was hell to pay. Literally.
When Andras crossed Lucifer, the Prince of Darkness had vowed to seek his revenge against anyone in Andras lineage.
The Hollows had managed to stay beneath the radar, never attracting too much attention to themselves and live just behind the shadows among the humans. He’d be foolish if he didn’t consider the real possibility that they’d been too lucky for far too long. And since he was their leader, brought on by the death of his father, Xavier knew that if he were to fall it would be his very own brother who would have to take him down.
The thought of being executed, killed for the sake of their kind by his own flesh and blood was like a sucker punch to his soul. A year ago he might have laughed off the very idea. Things seemed to be different now, though. Not only could he feel himself changing, but he found Elizabeth, and while he couldn't yet identify exactly what their connection was. He knew it was real and pure.
“Hmm.”
Elizabeth distracted him from his thoughts. “What? Is something wrong?”
“I was about to ask you the same thing.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve been awfully quiet since we left the club. Is everything okay?”
“Huh?” he glanced over at her and saw the furrow in her brow. “Oh yeah. I’m fine. Just tired I guess.”
“Yeah? From what exactly?”
“What do you mean?”
She turned halfway toward him in her seat. "Well, I don't really know much about you. I mean I know that you work with your brother, but what do you do?"
He shrugged. “We just do odd jobs here or there.”
“I see.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
"No, tell me."
“You’re so evasive. I mean you know where I work, where I live. You know just about everything there is to know about me. And I don’t know anything about you.”
“I thought I was your hero.” He teased, trying to lighten the mood.
“You were.”
“Were?”
She gave him a sideways grin. “Fine. You are. But that doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t like to know more about you.”
He let out a sigh. Dante had warned him about this. And he knew there might come a time where she'd grow inquisitive, but he hadn't expected it to happen quite so quickly.
“Alright.” He pulled over to the side of the road, parking next to a twenty-four-hour coffee shop. "What would you like to know?"
“Anything. Everything.” She laughed. “Just tell me something.”
“Alright. You want to know something, I’ll tell you.”
He leaned over and cupped the side of her face with his hand, gently brushing his thumb just along her cheek bone. She drew in a breath as he came closer.
“For two days I have been driving myself crazy wondering what it would be like to kiss you.”
“Oh.” Her mouth hung open.
He couldn't wait a moment longer. He had to know. His curiosity and yearning had been doing a number on his self-control.
With gentle determination, he reached his other arm around her and pulled her close. "Please don't stop me." With that request, he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers, trying desperately not to crush her as days of pent up desire had been building inside of.
He had expected the kiss to be good, but he hadn’t counted on the warm embrace it offered his soul.
She met his kiss with an almost delicate touch. Her lips parted softly for him as she allowed him to take more than he had asked for.
He loved the way her tongue slipped past his, gently dancing with the one another in what could only be described as a prelude to romance.
As she leaned further into him, he could feel his body reacting to her. He wanted so much of her. It wasn't just her body that he sought, though. It was all of her. He wanted, he needed to feel her heart.
“Xavier.” She whispered his name as his lips trailed along her jaw line and down to her neck.
He didn’t respond, but he could feel what the same things. Whatever bond they shared, it went much deeper than something physical. It was an emotional connection, one that was a part of his entire being.
He may be part demon, but with Elizabeth, he was only human. And for the first time in his life, he found himself wishing he wasn't a Hollow.
He wanted her in his life. He needed to be in hers.
He loved her.
After staying close together for too many moments, he had to force himself to pull away before he pushed her too far.
“Xavier?”
“Shh.” He shook his head. “Not now, okay?”
He knew she had questions. He could hear them swirling inside her mind. He could read her thoughts just as sure as if they were written on her forehead. Still, he needed time. He had to think. There was so much she would have to learn and so much that he worried she could never understand.
Chapter Six
On the drive back to her apartment either one of them spoke. There had never been a tension before them until that kiss. Now every part of her body felt alive. She skin tingled. Her ears were left with a humming sound, and she could feel her stomach doing somersaults as she tried to remain quiet as he'd asked.
Only minutes had passed before they made it back to the rundown hotel she unfortunately called home. Though it may as well have been hours for the uncertainty
that plagued her. She didn’t want him to leave. Her dependency on him and having him near grew stronger every time he was around her.
He found a spot just down the street and parked in front of the meter. They each stared straight ahead. Inside her mind, she was screaming for him to come inside. Her mouth just wouldn't allow the words to come out.
“I’ll walk you upstairs. Make sure it’s safe.”
She nodded in reply, waiting while he walked around the car and opened her door.
The lobby was as usual chaotic. Some prostitute was arguing with one of her Johns over what seemed to sound like a contractual dispute after services were rendered.
A young child cried as she clung to her mother’s leg, while the woman pleaded with the front desk employee over granting an extension on her rental dues.
She hated this place. Hated that she lived here. Hated that as awful as it seemed, it wasn’t much worse than the surroundings of her teenage years. But more than that, she hated that Xavier wouldn’t be staying here with her.
Minutes later they reached her floor and walked down the dimly lit hall where her one room apartment stood at the far end. The silence between them remained as Xavier opened the front door and stepped aside for her to enter.
Once inside he closed the door and locked it. When she turned to him to say goodnight he was gone. A flick of the bathroom light and she spun her head around.
“How’d you get back there so fast?”
He stepped out of the bathroom. “Just wanted to make sure it was safe.”
“And?” she asked. “Was Anthony Perkins waiting in the shower with knife?”
“No, but there is a rather manly looking old woman in there. She says it's fine, though. Wants you to meet her son, Norman.”
She couldn't help but laugh. "I think I'll pass. Crossdressing psychopaths aren't exactly my type."
“Oh yeah? And what pray tell is your type?”
Kicking off her heels, she replied, "Oh I don't know." She looked up and all around, thinking of how she could tease him. “Maybe someone kind of tall. Say six foot or more. Dark hair. Short, dark hair. And eyes that did more than look at me. He would have the kind of stare that made me blush every time he came near.”
“Huh. You don’t say?”
“Yeah. That’s my type.” She held up her hand. “Wait, I forgot one more thing. And it’s a big one.”
Crossing his arms with an amused grin he waited. “Okay, what’s that?”
“He has to be my hero.”
“Wow. That’s a pretty tall order. You sure there’s a guy out there that can meet those kinds of demands?”
“I know there is. In fact, I’ve got my eye on one already.”
“Yeah? Well, tell him that he's too late. Because I've already got my eye on you and I don't plan on sharing you with anyone."
Blushing with a giggle she said. “Well, I’ll tell him, but he is pretty resourceful.”
Xavier laughed with her. “Come on, let’s grab a bite to eat. I’m starving. It’s hard work being your protector you know.”
He winked at her, causing her to blush. “Yeah. Us damsels in distress are real pains in the asses, I hear.”
“Babe, you have no idea.”
He put his arm around her and pulled her close.
Walking beside him down the hallway, things suddenly seemed much brighter. Being with Xavier gave her goosebumps and butterflies, all of the things that every woman dreamed of when falling in love.
The thought surprised her.
Was she falling in love?
The thought both excited and scared her. Still, despite the uncertainties the giddy feelings that were developing inside of her were definitely something she could get used to.
Chapter Seven
The next morning Xavier groaned at the sunlight pouring in through the windows. He glanced at the nightstand and looked at the time. It was ten o’clock in the morning. Late for most people, but most people hadn’t stayed up until all hours talking with the most beautiful woman in the world.
At least they’d managed to get a few hours of sleep which was better than he’d been doing. He stretched, yawned and smiled when he remembered that he wasn’t alone.
His mind raced back to that first kiss which had tasted sweeter than molasses and honey. She rolled over on the bed, curling up closer against his chest as she drew in a cat-like purr.
His heart ached from just looking at her. She was making him want so many things. He wasn't sure how, but somehow in the short span of just a few days, he had fallen in love with her.
His brows furrowed together as he looked down at her all curled up beside him, looking like the purest of all the angels lying against his chest.
“Elizabeth?” He waited while she said nothing.
“Elizabeth are you –.” Then he heard it, the faint little sound of her breathing deeply. She had fallen asleep.
He watched her for a while. Mesmerized by how she could look so damn beautiful when her hair was a hot mess. He let out a small chuckle. Her long brunette locks were scattered everywhere. A smear of mascara on her left eyelid trailed up her forehead, and somehow she made it look stunning.
Unconsciously and without his knowledge it was even going to happen, four words spilled from his lips.
"I love you, Elizabeth."
Xavier stilled his hand. Had she heard him? What had possessed him to say it aloud? Oh hell, did it even matter?
It was true.
He did love her.
As he continued to watch her sleep, he realized how glad he was that she hadn't heard. He would tell her when the time was right. But that time was not right now. There was still so much that she didn't know.
Regardless of the magnitude of his feelings for her, he would not rush her and scare her away. She was too important to him to take that kind of a chance.
“Mmm.” Her eyes opened, and through her sleepy smile, she spoke to him. "Good morning."
“Good morning, gorgeous. Sleep okay?”
She rolled her head from side to side and stretched out on the bed. “Mmm hmm. Did you?”
“With you in my arms? I’ve never slept better.”
Her soft and pretty smile was all the reward he needed to pull her close and squeeze her tight.
“Xavier, kiss me...please.”
With both hands, he held her close, bringing their mouths together again. Their passion for one another fused their lips causing an almost electric spark to course through his body. She set him on fire. Every part of him felt alive and full. He couldn’t get enough of her. He never would be able to.
Knowing this only made the meeting he was going to have later today with The Hollows all the more dreaded. It was time he addressed them all. Dante had been pushing him to it for days, but he knew it was no longer avoidable.
There was a chance he was in fact changing. He could turn into the monster that Andras had become and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
If that were true. If he were to be the one to pay for the crimes against the order of good and evil, then he would suffer that fate. Until that time he would remain as close to Elizabeth as she allowed. Even if that meant he had only weeks, days or minutes.
He was going to cherish every last moment he had with her. Because as foolish as it may seem, for the first time in all of eternity, a Hollow had fallen for a human.
Chapter Eight
Over an hour had passed and Xavier was driving Elizabeth to The Top Hat with their fingers entwined and her head resting on his shoulder. He lifted her hand and gently kissed it.
“I’m really excited for you. I hope you have a great first day.”
She smiled up at him and rested her head against the back of the seat. “Thank you. I’m a little nervous, but at least I have an early shift and won’t be working until all hours of the night.”
“That is good. And remember I’ll be there to pick you up. So don’t do anything like try and walk to the bus stop. I’ll be th
ere, okay?”
“I already said I’d wait. You worry too much.”
“You don’t worry enough.” He reminded her.
She hadn't known the sight of her helpless and limp body as she lay underneath her attacker. The image flashed through his mind daily, and it was never far from his thoughts.
Whatever happened at his meeting today with The Hollows, he was going to speak to Dante about Elizabeth. He needed assurance that she would be safe. Always. He couldn’t take the chance of leaving her behind only to have something horrible happen. The thought of it made him sick.
“Where are you off to this time?” she asked.
“Huh?”
"You're off somewhere in la la land again. Where do you go when your eyes look so vacant? It's like you're somewhere else entirely."
“Sorry, babe. I was just thinking.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“About?”
He loved everything about Elizabeth, but her curiosity was his least favorite of all her traits. Perhaps it was his own guilt that made him feel this way. She had every right to want to know more about him. Their time together may have been short thus far, but that hadn't made it any less intense.
“Nothing really.”
“Is that the first time?” she asked.
“The first time what?”
“That you’ve lied to me.”
“What?” he looked down at her. “Why would you say that?”
“I don’t know Xavier. Call it a hunch. Call it women’s intuition. But something tells me you’re not being straight with me.”
Damn it.
She was right. And worse than her being right was the knowledge that she knew him just as well as he knew her. She felt so good in his arms last night. Their kisses, the way she cuddled up next to him, it had all been so wonderful. He wasn’t ready to lose that. He wasn’t ready to lose her.
“I’m not trying to lie to you.”
“But you are?”
Making his way through the traffic he searched for the words which would make sense out of the fact that he was, in fact, misleading her. There was so much he hadn't told her. So much that he was certain if he had, that he’d lose her forever.
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