Waiting Page 7

  He winked again but this time Parker just rolled his eyes as we followed him back into the main area.

  I couldn't help but smile, picturing the two of them rough housing, barbequing, doing anything together that didn't involve fighting.

  SEVEN

  "Like I said before, you don't need to worry about us or Quinn."

  We were standing on the roof of my building again, Parker trying to convince me there was nothing I could do and nothing more they needed to do, to be safe.

  "Under our laws, as messed up as they might be, if you drink from someone else's property without permission, or against their permission, they have the right to kill you."

  That made sense. I guess. Don't touch anyone's property. Wait, property?

  "I'm property?" I didn't have the strength to be angry with the derogatory term used to describe me, but I was still curious.

  "In a sense, yes, and no matter if you hate me, I'll use it to keep you safe."

  My lips twitched, happy to just be in his presence, but even happier that he wanted to be with me.

  He leaned down to kiss me and when I opened my eyes we were standing outside my door. Damn, he really could move lightning fast. Good thing I didn't get motion sickness.

  "Do you need an invitation every time?"

  "No. But if you rescind the invitation, I can't reenter until you invite me again."

  That might be useful against other vampires.

  "So, do you want to come in, or do you have to go?"

  I felt my heart sink at the thought of him leaving, but kept a smile on my face, or so I thought.

  "You don't have to look so sad,” he said with a wide grin. “It's two in the morning and you have work in a few hours, but if you want me to stay, I can." His lips curved into a smile as he tucked my hair behind my ear, goose-bumps rising from his contact.

  "I'd like you to stay, but you don't have to. I mean, you can go home and sleep."

  Why was I babbling? I turned and entered my hallway, took off my shoes while holding onto the door handle, then turned back to find him gone.

  Of course he'd leave. I was a babbling idiot and he was probably just happy to be rid of me for the night.

  I shut the door and threw my purse on the side table, my keys right beside it before heading straight for the bathroom to wash my face. After relieving myself and removing my dress, I brushed my teeth then walked down the hall to my bedroom, pushing open the door and almost having a heart-attack seeing Parker laying across my bed, staring up at the ceiling as if deep in thought.

  “Took you long enough."

  He smiled wide while I clutched at my heart, making sure it kept beating.

  "You gave me a heart-attack! I thought you left."

  I silently thanked whatever God’s above that I didn’t have to take a number two. And that he hadn’t heard it. That would've been horrifying.

  "Why would I leave when my dream woman told me she wanted me to stay?"

  Dream woman? Yeah right. But he was most definitely my dream man.

  "Well I'm glad you stayed. I was sad when I thought you left, and without even really saying good bye."

  I forgot I was practically naked before feeling his eyes roam over my entire body, making me shiver. I walked to my dresser and pulled out a long, red silk nightie, pulled it over my head before removing my bra, then climbed in next to him. He stayed on top of the covers, laying on his side facing me while I did the same.

  "Ask me anything. I don't want any secrets between us." He knew me too well.

  "You can go in the sun, obviously, but tell me about everything. There are so many versions of vampires that contradict with a lot that you can do. You can alter minds, fly, you’re incredibly fast and strong, beautiful, but you can go out in the sun. What about garlic, church, or stakes, not that I'm trying to kill you." He chuckled at my ramblings.

  "Garlic smells terrible, too strong, but it doesn't hurt us. Church is a public building and we can enter as we please like anyone else. Stakes hurt, but don't kill, more like tickle after the initial contact. If we don't get the stake out then long term damage can hold, but once it's out, we heal pretty quickly. You saw what just a drop of my blood did to your ankle, and to Brian's forehead."

  We sat in silence for a bit, me trying to come up with more questions without being annoying.

  "Why did you never get close to anyone? You let me right in when others have tried and tried and you turn them away without so much as a second glance." I thought he knew everything about me, but I guess not. I buried my head against his chest, too embarrassed to actually reveal the reason out loud. "Please. I'll answer all your questions honestly, and would like you to do the same."

  Like I even had the strength to try and lie to him.

  "No one ever compared to you. It was frustrating. I'd try to let guys kiss me, even made the first move sometimes, but they didn't have anything on you. It's pathetic, I know." My head remained buried against his chest, too afraid to see his reaction.

  "I'm glad, though it pained me over the years to see you sad. I'd told myself that if you did find someone, then I'd be happy for you. I even let Brian keep his feelings for you, rather than make him think otherwise, in hopes that maybe he could make you happy if I didn't return to you in time."

  My head shot up, searching his eyes to see if he was joking. He wasn't.

  "You've always been mysterious. I made it my mission, the night of our last party at Brian's house, to kiss you. And even though it went horribly wrong, I still can't regret it. You opened my eyes and showed me what I could of had, and ultimately what I didn't want to live without. No one's been able to compete on even a minute scale."

  Why was I still talking? I'd answered his question, now it's my turn.

  "You said you've been watching me for years. Where were you last week when Francis said he saved my life?"

  "The Pulpas made a grand entrance a few cities over and I was meeting with a friend to get information. There have been some disappearances among some of my friends and I wanted to find out what I could, in hopes to end the questions. Pulpas are behind it, and I have to have proof before I take it to the Council. They are more powerful than any, and their word is law. To question them is instant death. Even the Pulpas fear them."

  It just kept getting weirder.

  "How many make up the Council? Do you have a president?"

  "The Council acts like the president, making a decision as one. There's ten total. They get more done, but we are also a more violent species."

  I turned to lay on my back, trying to figure out which question to ask next.

  "How exactly are you planning on using Quinn to save Francis? I know you said 'the law', but does that mean Quinn will keep his mouth shut and keep Francis from being hunted, so that he doesn't get killed himself?"

  "Mostly," he nodded. "Francis will give him the option to live under circumstances, and under a blood oath. Quinn is second in command to the largest Pulpa group and with his word, Francis can be considered dead and a non-threat, effectively clearing his name and leaving him un-harmed. Unwanted." His eyes darkened again. "But if he does the blood oath and turns back on his word, he dies anyway, a slow painful death, brought on by himself. If he manages to escape before the blood oath is made, then we'll have a problem. Even bigger than just Francis."

  My lips twitched. He could say all he wanted but he really did love his brother and it showed, no matter what he said.

  "Francis said you were both created, turned, or whatever by the same woman and that you're really brothers. How did this all happen?" I turned back on my side and found myself eager for his answers. This was a pretty important question and I can't believe it took me this long to ask it.

  "We were born from the same mum and turned by the same mum. She was turned without any warning and disappeared for a few months, leaving us to beg and fend for ourselves. She showed back up when I was twenty two and Francis was twenty four, had her friends creep us out of t
he town into the forest where she changed us both. No one ever entered the forest at night, too afraid of the noises, and that night I finally understood what some of them were. Victims changing over, or just plain being eaten."

  I shivered and he wrapped his arm around me, flipping me with one smooth move so we were now spooning. I could feel his heat through the blankets, though I knew his body was cold.

  "I did a lot of horrible things the first decade or so of my life, not really knowing I had a choice otherwise. I hate myself for what I've done, the pain I've caused others unintentionally, even when I thought I was helping. I'll never be able to forgive myself, and like Francis says he'll do, I live everyday trying to make up for it."

  I didn't press him further, not wanting to keep his thoughts dwelling on his past. The past was past, we all had to live with it. For instance, my decision to be prude and inexperienced was kicking me in the face now. I'd had sex twice before, well once really, since my first time was a disaster, but those were spaced about three years apart, the last time over four years ago. Neither time was something to brag about. I didn't want to be lame for him, but also wasn't even sure what vampires could do with humans.

  "Can you... I mean, are you able to.... if we wanted to?" That was so lame, but I still waited anxiously for his answer.

  "We can do anything and everything together." He moved at human speed, slowly rolling until he was on top of me again. His erection reminding me he was able to get hard. "Once you know everything about me, your curiosity no longer eating at you, I plan to make you mine." His words were like a spark, igniting my earlier fire, making me rub up against him.

  "What does it mean, to 'make you mine'?"

  "It means that we'll be together. I'll never change you over unless you ask me to, or unless I have no other choice to save your life." I can live with that. "I want you to be comfortable, happy, sated, and have no regrets about us, then I can make you mine."

  His eyes flashed, the purple completely taking over and exposing his feelings. Since he was a mystery everywhere else, I'm glad I had one factor on my side. His eyes. They could never lie to me.

  "How often do you need to feed? Is that what you call it?"

  "Depends. If I'm well and unharmed, once every other day. I take a little from two participants, then wipe their memory, close the holes, then send them on their way."

  "Have you ever done that to me?" I felt his body shudder, closing his eyes for a brief moment before responding.

  "I've never tasted your blood before tonight. The only reason I altered your memory was to keep you safe, but I've never done it before."

  With one quick movement I was back on my side and he was spooning me, kissing my hair, then squeezing me tight.

  "Now, get some sleep. You have to get up in a few hours if you want to make it to work, but if you're planning on calling in sick..." he let it dangle, the possibilities flying through my head, mostly of us continuing to lay in bed together.

  Playing at nonchalance, I sighed then wiggled my butt against him.

  "Good night."

  He groaned then released his grip slightly, but his warmth still enveloped me.

  "Good night. I might not be here when you wake up, but I'll leave my cell number," he whispered into my ear, making me shudder.

  "You should stay. Unless you really need to take off, but I'd like to wake up with you."

  Parker chuckled, kissed my hair again, but didn't respond.

  EIGHT

  My alarm went off at six thirty but I hit snooze. At six forty five when it sounded again, I reached up to hit it but a cool hand caught mine, then slowly trailed down my arm, instantly waking me and every nerve ending in my body. I sat up and turned off the alarm, then glanced back at Parker laying in the same exact spot as when we'd fallen asleep.

  "Good morning."

  I smiled ear to ear after hearing his voice.

  He's real. I'm not dead and he wants to be with me.

  "Do you have plans today?" He sat up on his elbows, his long dark hair loose from its pony tail and cradling his face. "I mean, if I call in sick, would you be here?"

  "No." My happiness quickly vanished. He rolled his eyes then looked me up and down in a very predatory, albeit flattering way. "We won't be here, at least not all day, since there's still plenty more to show and tell you. Is that alright?" He flashed a grin, fully aware that he'd been messing with my feelings.

  "You could've just said that you'd love to hang out with me all day."

  I hopped out of bed and quickly used the bathroom to freshen up.

  When I came back out he was sitting on the edge of my bed, standing once I came closer to him. He pulled me in and kissed me. His breath was still minty and breathtaking. I'm pretty sure he hadn't brushed his teeth, so this must be one of the perks of being a vampire.

  "Are you still tired? If you're going to call in sick then you can get some more rest."

  I eyed the bed, not really sure how I felt.

  "Are you still tired?" If he was then I'd have no problem climbing back in with him.

  "No. I need very little sleep, but would love to cuddle you if you'd like."

  He picked me up and threw me on the bed, covering his body over mine while I giggled and reached for my cell on the night stand.

  I dialed my work number and left a message for the main receptionist and then Julie, in case she went to work today. This would only be my second time calling in sick in over five years. If I wasn't anticipating what a great day I was about to have, then I might've panicked a bit since I need to sign off on almost everything for work to get done at the office.

  "What are they going to do without you?" His eyes grew wide with mock worry.

  "They'll manage." I wasn't going to worry about them all day since I'd be able to make up for lost time on Friday, then have the whole weekend with Parker again. Hopefully. "Where do you live? How do you make a living?"

  "I've made plenty of livings and invested well. I have a place to crash at, but I'm between houses at the moment."

  "Great. An unemployed, homeless man. No wonder you decided to stay the night."

  Before I could blink we were up against the far wall by the window. His body melded mine against the wall and held my head firmly in his grasp, holding my gaze.

  "I have plenty of homes, just none that I'm currently residing in." He swooped down and kissed me, pulling my bottom lip into his mouth then lightly tugged it with his teeth. "I might be unemployed, but I'm the richest unemployed man you'll ever meet. Vampires have intolerance for most jobs, so we make our money in any other way we can."

  "I guess you're worth bringing home to mom then." I was teasing him but his eyes turned dark before he looked away. "What's wrong? You don't have to meet my mom, I was kidding."

  "I'd love to meet your mum." His gaze returned to mine. "If my mum were still alive, I'd be honored to introduce you to her."

  "I thought you said your mom turned you?" Had I misheard him?

  "She did. We killed her the first chance we got after about a year in this new life. After about sixty, Francis started to go crazy. That's when I lost him to the Pulpas. I put up with him and tried to help him for years before finally letting him go."

  He'd killed his own mom, then lost his brother to the enemy. And the amount of years he'd been on his own were mind blowing. I thought my twenty eight years were horrible, but they're nothing compared to his two hundred and something.

  Before I could try and comfort him, he changed the subject.

  "What's on the agenda for today? This is the normal time for breakfast, though you don’t usually eat it. Since you’re staying home today maybe you can make time for it.”

  He placed me back on my feet then took my hand and walked at a humanly speed out to my kitchen.

  I made breakfast while he sat at the counter and watched. After eating I took a shower and changed to come out and find he looked freshly washed and was wearing a new outfit, his hair now cut short against
his scalp, about an inch long.

  Of course he was faster than me. But he had to fly somewhere, shower, change, then come back and he did it all without me knowing he was missing.

  We sat on the roof for a few hours talking and learning more about each other. For example, he was born in 1806 and was turned in 1828. Since they aged quite a bit differently back in the day, he looked more about in his late twenties or early thirties. It was comical to think he’d passed as a high school student come to think of it. But with his ability to alter and control minds it was all too possible.

  Parker sat in the shadows while I enjoyed the more direct sunlight. When I drew closer to him I felt a chill. The same chill I’d felt on the rooftop of the Hilton at the reunion. I asked if he felt it too and he explained that he was partially masking himself from the sun. Like when they mask their selves in darkness to fly, so no one can see them. It was a different kind of mask, since I could see him, he explained. This was to save his strength, while the other is to just remain hidden.

  I rubbed my arms to rid the goose-bumps. Parker stood and came to me, wrapping his arms around my waist. The heat he enamored brought forth a new kind of goose-bump and his nostrils flared in silent acknowledgement. A change of subject was in need, I realized, when the blush crept over my cheeks and gave away my embarrassment.

  “Do you like being a vampire?” I found myself verbally asking before looking away from his piercing gaze.

  “In some ways, yes, others no,” he explained vaguely, continuing after I found the strength to look back into his eyes. “Being stronger than most so I could protect you is in the good category. Having to survive on blood is in the bad.” His eyes turned sad for a moment, tortured. “Being locked in time, forever in the same body….. that’s in both categories.”

  Uh, yeah. He had a gorgeous body. Why wouldn’t he like being trapped forever in it?