Chapter 9 #3
“What are you talking about? I’m surrounded by loss.
Tornadoes destroy everything in their path.
I’ve seen people lose everything. I’ve seen houses ripped from the ground.
I’ve seen people fly through the air, screaming, reaching for someone to grab their hand, and you think I don’t understand loss? ”
He places his hands on his hips, shaking his head. The metal roof clinks under his boots while he paces back and forth. “Seeing it is one thing, experiencing it is another.”
“Are you so afraid to live that you’re willing to die?” I whisper when the truth sets in, when I really listen to him speak. His words soak into my mind, replaying on a loop.
Waiting for the storm to take him.
He should have died with his brother.
“You didn’t die with your brother because you got changed into a vampire, didn’t you?” The words are soft and full of emotion, sadness, and understanding, controlling my tongue.
He whips his head to me; the truth shining in those crimson moons.
“Yes,” he admits, rubbing the middle of his chest. “I would have died. I should have. I was with him during that chase, and we drove right into the bear cage. The tornado was rain-wrapped. There was nowhere to see until it was too late.”
I gasp, covering my mouth with my hands. I can’t imagine. Rain-wrapped tornadoes are one of the most dangerous. As a chaser, it’s imperative that we are educated enough to know when it’s heavy rain or a tornado hidden within.
“We tried to drive away, but it was one of the worst tornadoes in Oklahoma’s history. It was too strong. It pulled us right off the ground.”
“You were in it?” I take his hands, wanting him to know he isn’t alone. “In the tornado?”
He angles his face away from me, the sadness evident in the way his eyes glisten. “It was the worst experience of my life.”
I cup his strong, defined jaw and slide my fingers across his stubble. He leans into my touch, hiding his eyes as he closes them, and the most beautiful iridescent tear glitters in a straight line down his cheek.
“Talk to me. I’m not going anywhere. Let me see you.” Lifting my other hand, I palm the other side of his face, begging him with a touch to give in to me.
The hot coals sear me again, his lashes like dew clinging to a blade of grass in the morning.
“You’ve seen more of me than anyone else ever has.” He presses his forehead against mine, clutching our hands between us. “You’ve gotten closer than anyone has.”
“Let me get closer.” The words are a phantom over his lips. “Please.” My mouth hovers over his as I fight the need to break the distance to feel him take me in a heated kiss.
I’m not the begging type, but if he needed to me to, I’d fall to my knees.
“You should run. You should run away screaming. Doesn’t it scare you to be in the arms of a vampire?
” He pushes my hair out of the way, dipping me over his knee, baring my neck to him.
“Knowing I could drink every drop of your blood.” He caresses my jugular, tracing it with his calloused fingertips.
“Knowing I could be the reason for your death?” Oklahoma bends down, teasing me with the sharp points of his fangs. “All I have to do is bite,” he moans the last word, fighting the urge to sink his fangs into me.
“I’m only afraid that you won’t,” I admit, turning my head away to give him better access.
“Mmm,” he moans, pressing his nose against my throat. “Your body calls to me.”
“Answer, then.”
He breathes heavier. His hands tighten on my waist. His eyes meteors burning across the night sky. A wave of desire pushes into my chest. It’s as if he is pushing his heart into my soul, allowing me to feel what he is feeling. It takes my breath away.
My entire body burns with need, my blood heating for his liking.
I want him to take it.
Take me.
His knuckles drift down my face, neck, the middle of my chest, a constant growl vibrating from him.
“I can’t take you. Not yet, sugar. I want to, I do. I really fucking do, but there’s so much more you need to know.”
How could he have known what I was thinking? “I didn’t say anything.”
“You don’t need to.”
His lips inch closer to mine, apprehension stopping him from kissing me. Time stands still as I wait. My nerves send a tremor through my system, the air around me electrified as the predator lurks closer.
And closer.
He cups the back of my head, devouring me again with his eyes. So much emotion is always in them. He’s drowning.
If he allows me, I can save him.
Finally, his lips press against mine. The kiss is rough. His fangs nip at my lip. Blood pools in my mouth, and Oklahoma is there, his tongue slipping between my lips.
He groans, plunging his tongue deeper. “Fuck! I need you.” Wrapping his arms around me, and in another gust of wind, we’re on the ground.
We aren’t just on the ground; we’re on the porch.
He places his cowboy hat on top of my head, then leans down and kisses my cheek.
I close my eyes, relishing in his touch. Our bond, the connection, it strengthened tonight. I want to understand it, but I can’t unless he makes me understand.
A cool breeze drifts across my face, and when I open my eyes, I’m staring at smoke swaying and drifting from the fire pit.
He’s gone.
And my entire being is on fire.