19. Rune
Rune
Wearing a thong and bra, I step into the bathroom and tug the towel off my head.
My damp hair falls onto my shoulders.
I’ve been restless all morning. All night. And it’s taking everything I have to focus on getting ready for the day.
Crossing the tile floor, I hang my hair towel on a hook near the shower, then I move back to the sink.
I’m reaching for my hair product when the air around me shifts. And my next inhale smells like a thunderstorm.
The weight inside my chest pulses, and heat slides down my limbs.
It smells like that cave.
It smells like him.
I press my hands to my bare stomach.
I need to find him.
My heart jumps an extra beat.
I have to touch him.
The weight in my chest shifts. And I stumble forward a step, bumping into the vanity.
I lift my gaze.
And freeze.
In the glass, where the mirror should show me, with my hair down, wearing my matching baby pink bra and panties. It shows me something else.
Someone else.
My lips part as I stare into the solid black eyes of my vampire.
He’s watching me. His chest rising and falling beneath that same black robe.
But this time, his hood is down. And a soft glow is illuminating his features.
I lean closer to the mirror.
He’s so handsome.
I brace my hands on the edge of the sink.
This is so crazy.
The vampire moves closer. “?Me entiendes?”
A shiver rolls down my spine as he speaks.
His voice is… gods, it’s magnificent.
“Você entende-me?”
My eyes move to his mouth. To his lips. To the flash of white fangs.
“Do you understand me?”
My gaze snaps up.
And he leans closer.
“I understand.” I lift one hand and press my fingertips to the mirror.
His exhale dances impossibly over my skin. A breeze promising rain to come.
This can’t be real.
I shift my hand, pressing my palm to the mirror.
“Mon Coeur.” The vampire reaches his hand out toward mine. “Where are you?”
My eyes catch on the colorful hearts circling his wrist.
Then his palm presses to the glass on the other side of the mirror.
Heat flares where we touch.
Then… he’s gone.
I blink. And my reflection blinks back.
“What the actual fuck?”