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Then another, more terrifying thought crept into my mind. What if I’d woken early because of a noise, a disturbance? What if something was wrong?

Fear gripped me like a hand around my throat and wouldn’t let go. I had to move, to find Julian immediately. I wrenched open the door, ignoring the lock. I ripped it halfway off its hinges; the wood frame cracked, and pieces fell to the floor.

I raced into the hallway but paused. The hall was quiet, and the faint glow of the setting sun reflected off the walls and ceiling. I threw my arm in front of my face to shield my eyes, and my skin prickled all over.

“Julian!” I called out, waiting. Listening. Then again, louder, “Julian!” His name tore from my throat.

Where was he?

I waited, listening again for any sign of danger, my teeth clenched, fangs extended, my body humming with pent-up energy. The muscles in my thighs quivered. I felt the urge to bolt down the hall and out of the house, sunlight be damned. I knew, deep down, that I was ready to do whatever it took to reach Julian if he was in trouble. My heart raced, which only stirred more panic. Then the front door opened, and Julian’s rapid footsteps came from the front room as he rushed toward me.

He appeared at the end of the hallway, a dark figure lit by a faint orange glow from the sun behind him. As I peered out from behind my arm, I saw Julian, and it brought back memories of the night we first met—Julian outlined in lamplight, standing in the cabin doorway. My eyes filled with tears, casting a red hue over the scene. Relief washed over me, and I doubled over, resting my hands on my knees as I tried to calm my breathing and slow my racing heart.

“Vincent, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” Julian asked, hurrying to my side. “Oh, my God. What happened?”

How could I explain without sounding mad or pathetic? I wiped my face, straightened, and took a deep breath. “It’s okay. Everything is okay. I woke up early and was worried,” I said, backing into the dim room. I kept moving until my legs hit the side of the bed, then sat down heavily, still panting. “I may have overreacted.”

Julian stepped forward and rested his hand on the splintered doorframe. “Yeah, I see that.” He didn’t look frightened, which was a relief. He glanced back over his shoulder. “The sun is almost down. It won’t be long now. May I?” he asked, gesturing toward my room.

“Of course. Come in.”

He walked to the bed and stood in front of me. Without thinking, I reached up and pulled Julian closer. I wrapped my arms around him, resting my head against his stomach. The feel of him in my arms calmed my heart and set my world right. My mind quieted, and the confusion and panic faded. I inhaled his scent—the crisp outdoors, the soap he used to wash his clothes, and the warm, intoxicating aroma of his skin.

Julian placed his hands on my head and stroked my hair. He took a deep breath and let it out. “I spent all day worrying,” he said. “I was scared you might get up tonight, and everything would go back to how it was before. I don’t think I could handle that, Vincent.”

I let out a dry chuckle and shook my head. Then I released my grip and let my hands slide down Julian’s thighs as I looked up at him. “No, I don’t want things to go back to how they were,” I said. “I couldn’t handle that either.”

Julian crouched down and kissed me tenderly. “Why don’t you get dressed and come join me in the living room so we can talk about all this?” he suggested.

I glanced down at my naked body. Only then did I realize I wasn’t wearing any clothes. “Uh, yes. That sounds like a good idea.”

“Plus, you’re freezing cold,” Julian said, brushing his fingers down my cheek.

“I’ve been sleeping in a cold room all day. I’ll warm up by the fire. I promise I’ll be nicer to touch then.”

Julian stood and walked to the door, a smile on his face. “I don’t mind,” he said. “But don’t take too long.” Then he disappeared down the hall.

As I dressed, I avoided looking at the mess I’d made of the door, ashamed of my unnecessary outburst. Properly attired, I joined Julian in the living room. He had a healthy fire going, and I settled into a nearby chair, savoring the warmth. Julian sat on the sofa, sipping from a glass of bourbon, judging by the smell.

“I didn’t know we had any spirits in the house,” I said.

“I found the bottle when we arrived. It was in the back of a cabinet. I decided to keep it for emergencies.” One corner of Julian’s mouth lifted in a familiar half-smile. “Tonight, I felt I could use something to calm my nerves.”

“I’m sorry if I scared you,” I said. “I know it probably doesn’t help, but I scared myself, too.”

Julian laughed. “No, that doesn’t help at all. Would you like one?” he asked, lifting his glass.

“I would if I thought it would do any good.” I smiled. “Alcohol doesn’t really affect me, and I can’t drink it…straight.”

Julian raised his eyebrows and burst out laughing. “Oh my God, Vincent. Could this get any weirder?” I tried to interrupt him, but he raised his hand. “No, I’m not saying I don’t like how things are. But you have to admit, it is unusual.”

“Extremely,” I conceded.

“Now, do you want to tell me what’s going on? What happened in the hall back there?”

“It’s hard to explain,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “Since last night, after we…something is different for me.” Julian tensed as I spoke. “I’m not sure what your expectations are for how things will be between us now, but I seem to have developed very strong feelings for you.”

Julian’s shoulders relaxed, and he resumed breathing. “You’re freaking out because you really like me?” he asked.