“I remember you claimed to be, but I don’t understand why.”
“Why? Amaia, you are the most amazing woman I have met in five lifetimes. You understood me. When you looked at me, I knew you saw who I was. You didn’t assume anything. Talking to you that first night, I felt comfortable discussing my uncensored thoughts. You let me reveal myself to you, and when I did, I found nothing but understanding. It was a relief. I couldn’t make sense of my life at the time, but you made me feel as if everything was all right. Conversing with you was refreshing. Your mind works in remarkable ways. It was a privilege to be the man who saw the real you.”
“How can you be so sure? It was my job.” Amaia remembered how comfortable he had made her. No other man had wanted to see her; they all wanted her to be their fantasy. She knew she hadn’t been playing him as she did her clients. There had been a mutual openness and with it, a mutual caring.
Michael sat up and cupped her face, stroking her cheek with his work-worn thumb. “Because I know you. I’ve seen the show you put on for others, but that woman was never the one who entertained me. You loved me too, though you were reluctant to admit it. Do you remember how that felt?”
“No. I know we fancied ourselves in love, but I can’t remember the precise feelings.”
“I still am in love with you, Amaia. If you give me the chance, you can feel it in this life.”
The warmth of his hand emanated throughout her body. It was easy to convince herself that the racing of her heart was strictly to warm her skin to his touch. She wanted to feel the kind of love he spoke of again. If nothing else, it would make a fascinating study. To Michael, his love was strong enough to break the bonds of death. Amaia needed to feel it as a vampire to understand why she had been able to kill him so easily. Maybe it was she who had something to learn from this life.
Chapter 29
Algar, August 1747, 5 months later
She came as often as she could without rousing Lawrence’s suspicions. She preferred to visit every two weeks, but that wasn’t always feasible. The more time passed, the harder it became for Amaia to pretend that her visits were compelled by the pull of Michael’s aura. She looked forward to her visits, desiring Michael’s company for its own sake. Regardless of how long she stayed away, Michael was always pleased to see her, and he never pushed her to explain her long absences. He honored her request to not pry into her life.
Long before he could see her, Amaia saw Michael on top of his roof, apparently repairing a leak. As soon as he saw her, he stopped and raised a hand in greeting. She found the way his face came alive and his energy changed flattering.
“Do you have time to eat lunch with a friend?” Amaia lifted her picnic basket. It was easy enough to run with, and it gave the illusion that she lived closer than she did.
“For you? Always.” Michael climbed down and led Amaia to the shade of a giant oak in front of his house. “Does this work?”
“It’s perfect. Could we ask for a more beautiful day?” Amaia matched Michael’s grin. A smile usually graced her face when she was around him, and it wasn’t the sham she was used to wearing around men. It felt liberating.
“No, that’s why I’m taking advantage of it and getting this roof fixed.”
“Oh, well I can leave if I’m inconveniencing you.” Amaia made to turn around, but Michael caught her around the waist. It was one of their increasingly frequent moments of physical contact, and Amaia felt her entire body respond. Even the faint energy that she emitted buzzed.
“Stop right there. The roof can wait ’til tomorrow. Much better use of this fine weather to spend it in your company.”
Amaia unpacked the basket. It was nothing fancy, just a roasted hen and some bread with fig preserves, but they ate and talked and ate some more. There were moments she even forgot she was a vampire. She could easily have been mortal, eating with Michael in the gardens at Hampton Court Palace as she had one hundred and twenty-five years ago. It was an idyllic day. Every day she spent with Michael felt the same.
***
“Do you want to go riding with me? There’s a lovely lake I’d like to show you.” Michael went to saddle his horse, Callie.
“I prefer to walk.”
“I’m afraid it’s rather far.”
“Horses tend to not like me.” It was the truth. Animals were much smarter than humans and knew to keep their distance from Amaia’s kind. Her mimicry could only fool humans. Most animals couldn’t stand the scent of vampire.
Michael chuckled. “I doubt that very much.”
“I’ll show you.” Amaia approached Michael and the horse with her hand outstretched. As soon as she got close, the mare whinnied and tossed her head, trying to back away.
Michael made soothing noises and patted the mare on the side of her neck. “Odd. Callie tends to like everybody.”
“I told you.”