“And what’s Eric’s last name and social security number?”
I rolled my eyes, but I wasn’t sure if he was kidding or not. “He’s in my past, Nicolas. What I was trying to say is that I don’t miss him. But I do miss belonging to someone.”
“Belonging to someone?” Nicolas glanced over at me with a frown. “You like your men feeling possessive of you?”
“No,” I said immediately. “Definitely not. It’s the quiet moments I miss—naps together on the couch, watching a movie, cuddling up under a blanket, cooking a meal together. I miss those things. And when he was good, Eric was good.”
“And when he was bad…?”
“Look, I shouldn’t have brought it up.”
I was surprised when he pulled up to our street and parked right in front of my house. I had been so focused on the conversation that the drive had seemed to take no time at all.
He hesitated, then threaded his fingers through mine. His skin was ever so slightly cooler than mine—hardly even noticeable. What was noticeable was the distinct lack of pulse. But his eyes were intent on mine.
“There is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you, Eli. You can tell me anything, and I promise you, I’ve done worse. I cannot and will never judge you.”
I swallowed hard.
“You seemed frightened when you were discussing Eric.”
“Because you could hear my pulse?”
“Because I have eyes,” he corrected mildly. “You went pale. And your voice—I could hear the fear. He scares you, even still.”
I dropped my gaze. His words, though true, caused fresh shame to course through me. How could I have ever made a mistake like letting myself get close to Eric? And now, after all this time, I was still letting him frighten me. Still letting him control me. It was pathetic.
“Hey. No, don’t do that,” Nicolas said softly. He put his hand on my chin and, with exceeding gentleness, raised my eyes to meet his. “I don’t like liars either, Eli. If these men deceived you, it’s a testament to their own shortcomings, never yours.” He paused. “If this Eric ever tries to hurt you again, I promise you that I will end him.”
A chill danced up my spine. I wasn’t sure how serious he was. A strange, awful feeling crept through me that he was deeply, intensely, deadly serious.
He hesitated. “You must have gathered there are things about me I’ve not been forthcoming on. You’ll know everything in time. I’m not Eric, nor any of the other foolish men who squandered your affections. Were you mine, I would attend to your every need and desire. You would fear nothing.”
“That’s a little intense for a Tuesday morning,” I said weakly, aiming for a joke.
It fell flat.
My pulse hammered in my throat, and when it became clear he wasn’t going to do it, I acted first.
I kissed him. It had been a week and he hadn’t made a move—but then again, neither had I. And it was silly of both of us, because it was perfect.
He froze for a split second, then relaxed into it. His lips were soft and warm against mine. It wasn’t passionate—I wasn’t in aplace to be thinking sexy thoughts, not even about him. Instead, it was a kiss that, I hoped, told him that perhaps he was another of the foolish men I had given my affections to.
I pulled back, not sure if I should laugh or cry. I flashed him a smile that trembled at the edges. The streetlight caught his eyes, making them gleam strangely.
They were oddly reflective—just like they’d been the very first night he came to my home and watched me from the trees. I now understood it had to have been him. Odd, how frightened I was then. I didn’t feel even a hint of fear now, even though it was another subtle hint that he wasn’t quite human.
“Goodnight, Nicolas.”
The smile on his lips was soft. “Goodnight, Eli.”
He exited the car and opened my door for me, only taking a moment to dart around to my side—way faster than a regular person would’ve been able to move.
I climbed out and stepped past him. I walked up the drive, feeling so many emotions I wasn’t quite sure what any of them even were. I pulled out my keys and unlocked the front door, then slipped inside the house.
Just before I closed the door, I turned back and saw that Nicolas still stood on the sidewalk, watching me with a strange mix of hunger and longing on his face.
I shut the door and locked it with shaking hands.
