“Maybe tomorrow I won’t smell like a diner,” I said softly as he stepped back.
“Believe me,” he replied, licking his lips. “I didn’t mind one bit.”
I cleared my throat. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then?”
He reached into his pocket, pulled out his keys, and began twirling them around his finger. “Definitely. Can’t wait.”
“Me, too.
He motioned towards the door. “I’m not leaving until you’re safely inside of the house.”
His concern made me tingle. “Okay. Night.”
“Goodnight.”
I went inside the cabin and locked the door. When I turned around, Nathan stepped out of the kitchen with a bowl of popcorn.
“Where’s mom?”
“Where else? Sleeping,” he said, sitting down on the couch.
“Okay, I’m beat, too. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He nodded and flipped on the television.
I checked on mom and found her sprawled out on the bed, snoring softly. I closed the door and went into my room to get ready for my bath. I took out my hair down and set my cellphone on the charger, my head still spinning from everything that happened tonight. The fact that I’d made out with two guys in less than an hour was almost comical for someone like me; I still wasn’t sure what to make of it. In California, I’d shied away from the opposite sex; here, I was totally acting like a slut.
Maybe it’s the fresh air? I mused.
With a yawn, I walked into the bathroom and started the water. My cell phone began to ring and I rushed back into the bedroom to answer it. When I saw who it was, I sat down on the edge of my bed and smiled.
“I just wanted to say goodnight, again,” said Duncan, a smile in his voice. “I… um, miss you already.”
I laughed. “You’ll be seeing me soon enough.”
“Believe me, it won’t be.”
My heart melted. He was the sweetest guy and I told him so.
“You must bring it out in me,” he replied. “Because, normally, I’m not like this.”
“Really? That’s hard to believe because you’re a natural. I can just tell.”
“Maybe, but I still think it’s you.” He sighed. “Look, this isn’t easy for me, so I’m just going say it. I… I think I’m falling in love with you. Actually,” he paused. “I know I am.”
“You hardly know me,” I said softly, although his words made me giddy. I’d never heard anyone says those words to me and it gave me tingles of pleasure.
“I know. Kind of weird, huh?”
I lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling, a wide grin on my face. “No. I, um… actually, I think I’m falling for you, too.”
“Really?”
He was sweet and made my stomach flutter. I’d never been in love before, but I knew one thing, I felt something special for him. I wasn’t sure if it was love, but it sure felt good.
“Yeah, really.”
“Okay, I just wanted you to know that I can’t stop thinking about you, and it’s driving me crazy.”
“Was that before or after I attacked you in the truck?”
He chuckled. “Both.”
I burst out laughing.
“Can I pick you up every night?” he teased. “I figure we’ll be at third base if this keeps up.”
“Oh, my God,” I said. “Just for that, I’m sending you back to first base.”
“I’ll take what I can get. We don’t even have to play the bases; we can just wander the fields.”
I laughed again, and it reminded me of my mother with Caleb. I was as pathetic as she was with men.
“Man, I love your laugh.”
My face hurt now, I was grinning so wide. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
We sat in silence for a few seconds and then I spoke. “It’s late and I was just about ready to take a bath.”
He sucked in his breath. “I’ll be right over.”
“Duncan! I’m hanging up.”
“Wait, are you naked yet?”
I groaned. “Goodnight, Duncan,”
“Just give me something to fantasize about.”
I looked down at the uniform I was still wearing. “Yeah, I’m totally naked, except for the nail polish on my feet.”
He groaned. “You’re killing me.”
“Night,” I said. “This time… for real.”
“Night,” he murmured back.
He waited for me to hang up and I smiled again as I ended the call. One thing was for certain, Duncan was definitely the guy making my toes curl. No doubt about it.
I put my phone back in the charger, eyeing the balcony, suspiciously. The moon was bright, and normally I would have thought it was cool, but right now it was only ominous. There was no way that I was going to unlock the door, even if Ethan could somehow make it up here.
Ethan.
I didn’t even know him and the conscious side of me knew that my reaction to the guy made no sense. Sure, I’d basically climbed all over him in our break room and his kisses ignited a raging fire inside of me, but the truth was, he scared the crap out of me, crazy sexy or not.
I checked the lock on the balcony door to make sure it was secure, then went back into the bathroom and got undressed. Seconds later, I had the jet streams going in the tub and my back was getting a much-needed water massage. I closed my eyes and soon began drifting off.
A strange noise jolted me awake, and I looked towards the window, only to find myself alone.
Must have been dreaming…
Sighing with relief, I checked the time and noticed I’d been in the tub for a half hour. The water was too chilly to enjoy anymore so I decided to get out. I toweled myself dry, put my robe on, and unplugged the bathtub. I then padded into the bedroom where I stopped dead in my tracks. Ethan was on my balcony, leaning against the railing watching me. He reminded me of a predator studying its kill before striking.
Time seemed to stand still as the realization of what Ethan really was sunk in. Obviously, he’d made it up to my balcony all by himself, and yesterday, we’d soared through the night faster than what was humanly possible. There could only be one explanation now, and it chilled me to the bone.
We stared at each other for what seemed like forever and then he pointed to the door.
Swallowing hard, I stepped over and unlocked it.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” he asked softly.
My heart was hammering in my chest and I bit the side of my lip, trying to decide what to do.
“Well?” he asked, smiling devilishly. “I promise I won’t hurt you, Nikki. In fact, I imagine you’ll enjoy my company tremendously.”
I let out a ragged sigh and nodded.
He stared at my mouth. “I’d like to hear you say it.”
“Come in, Ethan.”
Chapter Eighteen
Ethan stepped into my bedroom and I instinctively took a step backwards.
“Are you afraid of me?” he asked with a sardonic grin.
“I… don’t know,” I whispered, as the hair stood up on the back of my neck. Obviously I was lying. He scared the hell out of me.
He took another step towards me, his eyes probing. “Nikki, seriously, you have nothing to be afraid of.”
“Uh, why me?” I squeaked, surprised that I was able to ask any questions at all when what I really wanted to do was run like hell.
Ethan’s lips curled up. “Why not you?”
“I…” I stared at him as my panic began to change into something else entirely – an achy need to be closer to him; to touch and be touched by him.
What is wrong with me?
He walked over to my bed and sat down. “Come here.”
I moved towards him and he grabbed both of my hands, kissing them with his soft lips.
“Why you? Because we belong together,” he murmured.
Earlier his skin had felt cool to the touch. It had been the one thing that had surprised me. Now,
his cheeks were warm and he held my hands against them, nuzzling them, lovingly.
“But I don’t even know you,” I said. “How can you say that?”
He shrugged. “You do. You just don’t remember.”
“That doesn’t make sense. I just moved here,” I said.
He looked up into my eyes. “Let’s just say we knew each other in another life.”
My eyes widened. “What… like reincarnation?”
His hands tightened on my wrists and he pulled me onto his lap. “Something like that.”
“Seriously?”
Instead of answering me, he leaned forward and captured my lips with his. I closed my eyes, abandoning all logic and caution. Soon we were kissing with as much heat and passion as earlier, this time without fear of being interrupted. When his fingers opened up my robe and began touching my naked body, I gasped with pleasure.
“Ethan,” I breathed, my heart pounding in my chest.
“You’re mine,” he whispered into my neck, making me shiver. “Forever.”
“Sure,” I whispered back as his tongue slid down to my nipple and began teasing it. “Whatever… you… say.”
His hands caressed my breasts and I closed my eyes as his hot mouth continued to make me quiver. Soon, I was making mewling noises and he was breathing as heavily as I was.
“What?” I whispered when he suddenly pushed me away.
“Come with me,” he said in a ragged voice. “I can’t make love to you here. It’s not safe.”
“No, it’s okay. Nobody will know,” I whispered, surprising myself with my own eagerness to give myself to him.
He closed his eyes. “You’re a virgin and I’m…”
How did he know? Obviously, not from my actions.
“What? It’s okay.”
“Come with me now, Miranda,” he said, opening his eyes and pulling me to him. “It’s time to leave everything else, behind.”
I pulled away. “Miranda?”
He blinked. “Nikki, come with me and we can be together forever. I’ll never let you go, again.”
“What? I can’t leave my family,” I said. Sure, he was hot and I wanted to feel him touch and kiss me again, but I wasn’t about to leave my family.
He stared into my eyes, and soon I was willing to go anywhere with him. I just wanted nothing more than to be lost in his arms forever. “Come with me,” he prodded, touching my face, lovingly.
I nodded. “Oh, God. Yes.”
Just then the bedroom door was thrown open and my brother stood in the doorway with a shotgun. “Hands off of her, pal. She’s not going anywhere with you!”
Ethan growled and moved away from me as I struggled to adjust my robe.
“Did you just growl at me? Get the hell out of here, Cujo, before I use this thing!” demanded Nathan. “I’ll fucking do it!”
Ethan took a step towards my brother and I yelled, “Ethan, don’t hurt him! Please!”
Somehow deep down, I knew that Ethan had the power to rip Nathan apart with little effort. Even though both of them were similar in size and stature, you could almost feel the power and strength emanating from him. It was both frightening and exciting at the same time. At least for me.
Ethan looked at me and for a second, I thought he was going to carry me off into the moonlight. Instead, he let out a frustrated groan, and then in a flash, was gone.
“What in the hell was that?” hollered Nathan as he dashed towards the balcony.
“Um, that was Ethan,” I answered, touching my bruised lips. I couldn’t believe how much I wanted him to return. To finish what he’d started.
Nathan stormed back into my bedroom and ran a hand through his brown hair. “What were you thinking, Nik? That has to be the thing trying to fuck with us. That certainly wasn’t a normal dude who was trying to feel you up, which, by the way, wasn’t at all fair to Duncan!”
A wave of shame spread through me as Duncan’s face popped into my mind. I did love him, didn’t I?
“Listen,” I said firmly. “He has this power to make me do things… I can’t control myself around him,” I shook my head incredulously. “Nathan, God, I seriously think I’d do anything for him if he asked.”
“What?”
“I know,” I said, my eyes misting over. “I couldn’t help it, either. One moment I was fine and the next, we were making out and I did nothing to stop it.”
His eyes narrowed. “Mind control?”
I wiped a tear from my eye, my emotions all messed up. “Yes.”
“So, do you honestly believe he’s a vampire?”
“Yes, Nathan, I do.” My mind was beginning to clear, and now there was little doubt in my mind that he actually was a vampire.
He leaned forward. “Did he suck your blood or anything?”
I touched my neck. “He didn’t bite me. At least… not that I remember.” I ran over to the mirror and checked my neck. “See, it looks normal.” Remembering our mother’s neck, I covered my mouth in horror. “Oh, my God… mom! She has that thing on her neck! Remember?”
We both flew out of the bedroom and began knocking on her door.
“Come in,” she called.
Her room was dark except for a candle burning slowly on the nightstand.
“Hey,” I said, in a low voice. “Um, sorry to bother you. We were just wondering if we could check those bites on your neck. To make sure they aren’t infected.”
She rolled over and gave us an exasperated sigh. “You woke me up in the middle of the night to check my neck?”
“Sorry,” said Nathan. “Um, we saw this news report about these mosquito bites that get really inflamed if you don’t care for them correctly.”
“Yeah,” I said. “If you don’t clean them good… um, eggs will grow in your neck.”
She sat up and shrieked. “What?! Eggs! Look and see if anything is growing in my neck!”
Nathan bit back a smile as we stepped closer to examine mom’s neck.
“Fine, I’m convinced,” he whispered, looking at me. “Check it out.”
I was, too. The swelling had gone down but the two holes could have definitely been caused by a vampire. Not that either of us were experts, but we’d watched enough horror flicks to know what we saw.
“Mom, we have to talk to you,” I said, stepping back. “I know this is going to sound crazy but you have to believe us.”
She looked at both of us. “Okay, spill it. What’s on your minds?”
We started over from when we’d spoken to Amy, her warnings, and how she’d killed herself. Then, I told both of them how I met Ethan and how he’d called me Miranda and had almost made me run away with him.
She threw her head back and laughed.
“It’s not funny, mom,” said Nathan. “This Ethan guy looked like he was ready to attack me tonight and I had to use a gun to scare him away.”
“Nathan, I doubt the gun would have killed him, anyway,” I said. “He only left you alone because I told him to.”
“Whatever,” he snapped. “This guy is some kind of monster. Whether it’s a vampire or demon. He flies, he growls – he isn’t normal!”
She threw her hands up in the air. “It’s… I don’t know how to react to this. I can’t just accept the fact that you both think this kid is a vampire. As far as my neck goes, I’ve never met Ethan, so if you think he bit my neck when I was having a cup of coffee and didn’t notice, you have another thing coming.”
“Do you feel different at all?” I asked.
She glared at me. “For Heaven’s sake, Nikki! I’m not going to turn into a damn vampire!”
Nathan and I looked at each other. We knew it was pointless to keep trying to convince her that there were vampires in Shore Lake. Unless she saw it for herself, there was no way she was going to believe us. Nathan had reacted the same way.
She rubbed her temples and then stared at us, again. “Look, I’m going back to bed and I suggest that the both of you do the same thing. In the morning, you�
�ll both realize how crazy this sounded.”
I sighed. “Okay.”
“Goodnight, mom,” said Nathan.
“I love you both, but if you wake me up to talk about vampires again, I’m getting rid of cable!”
Chapter Nineteen
“Okay, I’m not leaving you alone anymore,” said Nathan as he paced back and forth in the kitchen. We were both too shook up to sleep.
“Fine,” I said, taking a sip of coffee.
He wagged his finger. “We should talk to mom and see if she’s willing to move back home, too.”
My jaw dropped. “But what about Duncan and our new jobs?”
“What about… there’s a vampire after you, Nikki? Or should we call you ‘Miranda’?”
I sighed. “What if he follows us anyway? He said he’s been looking for me and now that he’s found me, we are supposed to be together.”
“How romantic,” snickered Nathan. “If you ask me, I think he just wants to get into your pants.”
“He almost did,” I mumbled.
“Good thing I heard those groans and whimpers coming from your room, which was gnarly, by the way. Do you know how disturbing it is to hear your sister getting it on with a vampire?” He shuddered. “It’s sick.”
I smiled. “Thank you for being a nosy brother, Nathan. You probably saved my life. At least, my virginity.”
“Thank my stomach. If it wasn’t for mom’s leftover pasta salad calling to me in the fridge, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
“Probably not.”
He sat down by the counter. “I just don’t know what else to do. You know, I wonder if we should see if Abigail is still in town. She might have some ideas. She’s the only other person who’d believe us.”
“We should probably go and pay her a visit in the morning,” I said.
He looked at his watch. “The sun will be up soon. I’m going to grab my sleeping bag and camp out in your room for the next few nights. Hopefully, that horny vampire gives up and decides to go after someone else.”
“Oh, my God,” I whispered in horror. “What if he killed all of those girls in the paper? You said they were all similar looking. Maybe he was looking for me?”
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