“What’s so funny?” I demand. Dalton straightens his face and he pushes his eyebrows together. “Nothing, now go to sleep.” I roll my eyes at him –does he ever stop bossing me about? My eyes close, but they pop open again –like I am going to be able to sleep with Dalton next me. I focus my eyes on his and he smiles –a little too smugly. “I thought you were tired?” He says as he raises an eyebrow in my direction. I run my fingers across his chest –will I ask him again? I clear my throat, picking up the courage to let my words flow.
“Please turn me,” I plead. Dalton bites his lower lip as he shakes his head. “I thought we moved passed this.” He says in an annoyed, get over it tone.
“Dalton please, just say that you will think about it?” He presses his lips together –he isn’t happy with my constant nagging, but I strongly believe that the more I nag, the more chance I have of getting what I want. I desperately love Dalton and I want nothing more than to be with him.
“I want you to think about what you would be giving up!” Here he goes again trying to persuade me otherwise. Why can’t he just accept that he is all that I will ever want, and giving up being a human, is nothing if I get to be with him? I want him, forever and I know that he feels the same way, but he is scared to admit it. He won’t open himself up to me; he won’t give in to his feelings.
“And what do I have that’s so special, a boring, dead-beat life with no future?” Dalton runs his finger along my forehead and he locks his eyes on mine. “My sweet Rose, you don’t understand that being a vampire is forever. You would be frozen in time, never moving forward. Don’t you want to have a family, get married and grow up?”
“Are you serious, right now? I don’t want any of those things, without you.” He sighs –I am fighting a losing battle. “That’s my point; you can’t have those things with me. I can’t offer you a normal life. There would be no children, no marriage, and no real place to call home. You say that you want me now, but after a few decades, you would start to resent me. I couldn’t deal with you hating me, that’s why I can’t turn you.” I can’t believe he feels this way, I could never hate him. I love him, he is my everything, my whole world and without him, I would die. I squeeze him tight; I don’t want to let him go. He needs to understand how I am feeling.
“This isn’t fair, you came into my life and you changed my world. How do you expect me to live without you? You have read my thoughts, you know how I feel. Please just turn me, you’ll feel different once I’m like you.” A tear falls from eye as Dalton shakes his head –he isn’t buying what I am saying. I am frustrated, defeated and totally exhausted. I can’t keep having the same conversation, over and over again. I feel helpless and that I have done everything in my power to convince him, but he cannot be convinced. He won’t open up his mind to the possibilities and he is refusing to believe that I love him. His denial makes me wonder what has happened to make him like this. Did he give himself to someone and have it not work out? So many possibilities are rushing in my mind and none of them I am sure about. Except for one, I love Dalton Clark and I will stop at nothing to be with him.
I wake the next morning and I smile when I see that Dalton is still here. It’s early and he is still asleep. So I reach over and grab my latest book from my side table. I sit upright in my bed and rest my head against the iron head board. I flick open my book and suddenly, I am lost in the world of Jo March. I read the pages and as the story unfolds, I find myself in floods of tears. It’s at the part were Beth gets sick and even though I have read Little Women a hundred times before, I still tear up when Beth dies. I try to compose myself, I don’t want Dalton to wake up and see me as a blubbering mess. I continue to read while keeping a watchful eye on Dalton. He is so peaceful when he sleeps and for a split second, I almost forget that he is a vampire. He looks normal as his chest breathes in and out. His eye lids flicker like a normal guy and his legs and arms fidget. I love to see him like this; it makes me feel as if we are equals. Just any other normal couple and for those few moments were I watch him, I feel like we are together. When I wake and he is next to me, I feel warm, happy and ecstatic. I adore the rush I get when I hear him breathing next to me, and I never want that feeling to go away. I sigh and throw my book down onto the bed –I need to think. I need to find a way to convince him to turn me –or maybe I should just go in search of another vampire. My eyes bolt and my heart races –I have got it. I smile to myself and I push the covers away from my body, I leap out of the bed and I throw on the first clothes that I can see. I pull the hair tie out of my hair and let it hang loose around my neck. I slip on my shoes and I march towards the door, I pause, I need to take one last look at him. I turn around and there he is, still sleeping peacefully on my bed. My heart starts to pound –he is going to hate me for what I am about to do. I clear my head and I think, I need to throw him off –think Rose. I quietly rush back over to my dresser, and I lift a pad and pen. I jot down a note and I place it onto my pillow. I take another look at Dalton as he sleeps and I smile –I am doing this for us. I gently pat the piece of paper, and I read over my words, just in case I want to tweak them.
Dalton, I’m sorry that I have rushed away without saying goodbye, but I have been called in early to work, I will see you tonight, love always Rose. I walk back over to the door and I push it open –making sure that I am extra quiet. I don’t want Dalton to wake up and put a dent in my plan. I rush down the stairs and I see that my uncle is also on his way out. He stops me as I reach for the door handle.
“And where are you going, Bugs?” I blush –crap what I am going to say? My mind goes into overdrive and then settles. I’ll stick with my original story. “Work, Ryan called he needs me to fill in for him,” I say feeling guilty for my constant lies. My heart suddenly races –I haven’t stopped to think about my family. I have been so focused on trying to convince Dalton to turn me, that I haven’t thought of how my choice is going to affect my family. I can’t believe how selfish I have been, and I can’t even begin to think how I can keep being a vampire a secret from them. For starters, I won’t be able to enter the house without an invitation. My appearance will change and I will lust for blood. I’m guessing it won’t be a good idea for me to live in a house full of humans. I try to shake off my crippling fears and I convince myself, that I will just cross that bridge when I come to it. I focus back on my uncle –hoping that he hasn’t seen right through my lies.
“You’re a good worker, Bugs,” I smile and I push open the front door. I run out into the cold, and I jump into my truck. I laugh when it starts first time, and I waste no time in shoving it into gear. I drive through the quiet streets of Portland and I head out of town and towards my destination. The roads are quiet and it takes me less than fifteen minutes to reach Dalton’s house. I pull up to the gates and I see that the security guard is there –crap. I roll down my window and I smile at the African-American gentleman.
“How may I help you, ma’am?” He says in a southern accent. My heart starts to race –what if he won’t let me in? “Hi, I don’t know if you remember me, but I was here the other day, with Dalton.” I say in a sweet, butter wouldn’t melt voice. The guy presses his lips together as he takes in my face –please God let him remember me.
“I believe I do remember you, is Mr Clark expecting you?” My face lights up – this one is in the bag. “Yeah, he told me to meet him here. He has some big surprise.” I gush. The gentleman smiles at me and he flicks the switch that opens the gates. I shoot him a loving glance and I push my foot down onto the gas pedal. I drive up the driveway and I see that the Audi R8 from last time is parked in front of the house. I switch off the engine and I take in my surroundings –how did I get here? Vivid memories of the last time I were here are coming flooding back to me. I remember Nicholas and his burning eyes. The way he talked and called me a snack. Shivers are running down my spine as that thought takes over my body. I can’t believe that I am here and what I am about to do –Dalton will never forgive me. I climb out
of my truck and I walk towards the house. I reach the front door and I knock. At first there is no answer, but then I hear shuffling and to my relief, Nicholas thrusts open the door. I am startled when I see him. He is only wearing PJ pants and his toned, muscular body is fully on show. He has sleepy eyes and his sandy blonde hair is in a bed-head state. He smiles when he sees me and his lips turn white –oh crap he’s hungry. My heart starts to race as Nicholas talks.
“Hey there little lady, to what do I owe this pleasure?” His accent is strong and his presence is intimidating as he stares down at me. I clear my throat and I try to hold my own.
“I need to talk to you. Can I come in?” Nicholas rolls his eyes, but he looks intrigued. He lifts his arm away from the doorjamb and he signals for me to come in. I enter the house and I shiver –its freezing in here. Nicholas leads me into the impressive lounge area, and he insists that I take a seat. I sit and I can feel my nerves slowly taking over me. Nicholas is staring at me and he quickly begins to question me on why I am here.
“You’re very nervous, is there something that I should know?” I try to compose myself –keep it together Rose. I fold my arms across my chest to stop them from fidgeting, and I lock my eyes on Nicholas, as he stands in front of me.
“I’m sorry if I seem rude, but I really need to talk to you.” Nicholas smirks and he walks away from me. He ends up at the liquor cabinet, and I check my watch
–seven thirty is a little early to be consuming alcohol. He glugs down a scotch and then he pours another. He senses that I am shocked by his actions, so he tries to explain as he glides back over to the sofa.
“Alcohol, it keeps the blood cravings at bay, so what do you have to talk to me about? Has my brother done something to upset you?” “No, he hasn’t … I’m a little nervous,” Nicholas smirks at me and he flops down onto the other sofa. He sips his drink as he stares at me. His eyes don’t move from my mine and my heart pounds –he terrifies me.
“I kinda got that. Calm yourself and talk to me, I won’t bite!” He laughs at his own joke –how smug. My thoughts are clear and I lock my eyes on his. He stares at me, waiting for my big reveal. My lips part and those words escape.
“I want you to turn me!” Nicholas looks confused, annoyed and intrigued all at the same time. He finishes his drink and throws the glass down onto the side table next to him. He runs his fingers through his hair as my question is up in the air. He doesn’t say a word, for what seems like forever, and my heart can’t take the anticipation. I want him to say that he will do as I ask. But Nicholas is very different to Dalton, and I know that he will want something in return. He isn’t just going to grant me my happiness, without him gaining something. And there is always my aching thought that he will say no, just to spite Dalton. After all he did kill their parent’s. So, he can’t have much regard for his brother or human life –if that’s true then he should have no problem with ending my life.
“I’m confused, why do you want to be a vampire?” Crap he’s going to think that my reason is stupid and he is going to decline me. But I have to be honest with him; he won’t respect me if I don’t.
“You’re going to hate my reason, but I want to be honest with you. I want to turn because I love Dalton.” Nicholas holds back his laughter at my words. “I see, and I guess that my brother has refused to turn you himself?” I blush –he is so arrogant and intimidating.
“Of course he has, I wouldn’t be here, begging you if he hadn’t.” Nicholas nods
–he appreciates my honesty. “I don’t know what to say. You’re an intelligent girl, why would you want to throw your life away, for someone like Dalton?” I sigh –is this going to be harder than I thought. Is he just as annoying as Dalton? I was under the impression that he was ravenous and didn’t give humans a moment’s thought. So why isn’t he jumping at the chance to turn me? Is there a softer side to Nicholas that is going to refuse me? Or is he toying with me? Making me beg for what I want?
“I have no life without Dalton and being with him, is everything to me. I can’t deny that we are opposites, and that our attraction is beyond crazy. He is ageless and I grow older every day. He is a vampire and I’m a human. We aren’t supposed to cross paths, but we have and I have fallen in love with him. He can’t change for me, but I can change to be with him, forever. Please Nicholas, turn me.” He presses his lips together and he runs his fingers through his silky hair. His eyes dart and meet mine, he smiles and then he leaps from the sofa, raising his eyebrows as he walks. He reaches me, and he stretches out his hand for me to take it. I place my hand into his icy palm and he squeezes me tight. He pulls me close and he locks his eyes on mine. His cool breath is blowing on my skin, and he traces every line on my desperate face. His lips part and his eyes flash red –crap what’s he going to do to me?
“Before I can agree to this, I need to make sure that your reasons are genuine. I can’t tell you how many girls have fooled me into turning them.” I smile at him and I know what he wants to do –he wants to feed on me. I raise my free arm and I tilt my wrist to reveal a bulging vein. Nicholas smirks at me and then he pulls my wrist towards his mouth. His daggers sink into my skin and I squeal from the sting –he is so harsh compared with Dalton. As he draws blood an overwhelming pleasure erupts and it’s slowly taking over my body. My head is spinning and I feel faint as he continues to feed on my blood, but I somehow manage to gather my thoughts. I desperately want him to turn me, so I must convince him that my intentions are genuine. I start by showing him how my heart bursts into a million pieces when I see Dalton. Then I show him how much I love him. I think about our passionate moment the other night, and I express my inner thoughts on how amazing that night was. I tell him with my mind, how much I want to be with him and that my life isn’t worth living if I don’t have Dalton. I show him my past, and then a vision of my future as a vampire, creeps into my head. I tell him that Dalton is all that I will ever want, and that I couldn’t survive without him. I feel Nicholas pulling back from me, so I try one last attempt to convince him. I tell him how I am feeling right now and I show him an image of Dalton lying on my bed. I think about how I feel when I look at him, sleeping so peacefully and my mind paralyzes at that thought –I hope I have done enough to prove myself. Nicholas pulls his daggers out of my skin, and he wipes a trickle of my blood away from his chin. He gently licks his lips as his eyes fade back to their brown shade. He caresses my fingers in his as he stares at me.
“You taste incredible and I’m a little annoyed with you.” I frown at him –why is he annoyed with me?
“Why?” I ask breathless. “Now that I have tasted you, it’s gonna be hard for me to give that up. Your intentions are genuine. You really love my brother, but I really adore your blood. Do you see my dilemma?”
“Please, there’s plenty of other girls out there, just … turn me.” Nicholas laughs and then he raises a dark eyebrow at me. His lips turn up at the corners and he says.
“As you wish, Miss Rose!”
Six
Nicholas leads me over to the sofa and he sits me down, taking the seat next to me and draping his arm around my shoulder. I feel a little uncomfortable around him, but I force myself to maintain my cool, he has just agreed to turn me. Finally I am getting my wish; I am going to be with Dalton, forever. A sudden image of him arises in my head –he is going to be furious with me. But I try to convince myself that once I am a vampire, he will accept it, be happy and admit that he loves me. I shake away my crippling fear of Dalton being mad at me, so that I can focus on what Nicholas is about to say. He looks serious and my heart begins to race –what if he has changed his mind? My head starts to spin as he talks.
“Now, do you understand what I have to do to turn you into a vampire?” I shake my head –I don’t really know. I remember the first time that Dalton drank from me. I remember how weak I felt and I remember that he fed me his blood. That was the first night that he stayed with me, he was scared that I would die and wake up a vampire, my hear
t falls into my stomach –Nicholas is going to kill me. I try to hide my emotions –is this going to be harder than I thought? Do I really want this –of course you do Rose, you have never wanted anything more than this. You love Dalton and you want to be with him, this is your destiny. I scream at myself, with my heart racing harder than before, I lock my eyes on Nicholas.
“I need to die?” Nicholas laughs and he places his hand onto my shoulder –it’s freezing and ice like against my skin. I try to block out the temperature, and then it hits me –I will be ice like. The thought of drinking blood is repulsive to me, but all that will change once I change. I have so many questions that I need answers to. “Once I become a vampire, can I die?” Nicholas shakes his head at me and he continues to run his fingers along my skin.
Forever Yours (#3) Page 4