CHAPTER 27
I dreamt I was in the woods. I recognized the area from our family trips to the Adirondacks. There was a sparkling blue lake I used to like to swim in. Tall pine trees circled the lake on all sides. It was a beautiful spot for camping. I remember it being my Moms favorite place in the whole world. She used to say, "When we are here I feel like we are walking alongside the Creator."
I felt sadness welling up in my heart. I missed my Mom so much. The silver wolf appeared. I hadnt noticed him. He nuzzled my hand that was hanging by my side. I looked down at him and tentatively patted his head. At my touch, he leaned his body into mine. He was a beautiful animal. His coat was a thick silvery blue. His intelligent eyes were an unusual light gray. All of a sudden, a cool wind blew in and I shuddered. A dark cloud rolled in and blocked out the sun. I felt afraid. The wolf whined loudly and nudged me. He took off at a run and turned and whined at me as if he wanted me to follow. I began to walk toward him at a brisk pace. He trotted back and nudged once me again. He took off like a bullet and I began to run as fast as I could. I knew now that someone or something was stalking me. I tried to keep up, but the wolf was too fast.
I tripped and fell over a rock and felt a presence creeping up behind me, but when I turned to see who it was, I woke up. I woke up out of breath, as if I really had been running. I lay there panting, trying to make my heart return to a normal pace. I wasnt afraid of the silver wolf. I knew the wolf was trying to protect me. I trusted him. I was afraid of the benevolent presence that had been chasing me.
When I finally had some semblance of control, I rolled over to look at Roberto. He lay there in his peaceful slumber. I was getting used to it more now. It no longer freaked me out to see him like this. I traced a finger along his strong jaw line, liking the feel of the slight stubble
225 there. I laid there for a while finding comfort with being by Robertos side. I knew I should get up and go check on Janel, who was probably harboring a monster hangover by now. I reluctantly threw the covers to the side and saw that both Roberto and I were naked. I remember him taking off his clothes but I didnt remember mine coming off. I smiled as I imagined Roberto undressing me as I slept. I rolled over and gave him a quick kiss on his still mouth. I forced myself to get out of bed. I went over to the dresser to get my clothes and found a note.
Mia Cara,
I hope you slept well. Thank you for a beautiful night. You are more than I ever dreamed of. I want you to rest today and spend some time with Janel. We will leave at sunset. I love you.
R
I smiled. Roberto was what my Mom would call a definite keeper. He was always so considerate. Not to mention the hottest man I had ever seen. Well, him and Alex. Plus Cristoforo and Leeds. These evolved ones were all extremely good-looking, I thought to myself. Since I was an evolved one, I wondered why the good-looking thing didnt extend to me. Oh well, who the hell cared. I got Roberto and thats all I cared about. I went into the bathroom, showered and dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt.
I found Janel in the kitchen again. Only this time she didnt look so chipper.
"Good morning. How are you feeling?"
"Like shit. Why do I do this to myself?" She groaned.
"Because you like to have a good time. Theres nothing wrong with that Janel. I do want to talk to you though. Weve been friends for a long time now. And I know a lot has changed in a short amount of time. I want to apologize to you if Ive been thinking only about myself. You too have been through a lot this last week. I wasnt the
226 only who lost their whole life."
Janel came over and hugged me. We stood like that for several minutes and held each other and cried. Janel stepped back and wiping her eyes said, "I am the one who has to apologize. You lost your whole family a few days ago and here I am jealous that your life has taken all of these exciting twists and turns. How sick is that? Im sorry sweetie. I really am an a*shole arent I?"
I laughed at her. "Youre not an a*shole Janel. You are who you are and I happen to love who you are. You are the one person who can make me feel better. You have a gift for making people feel better, physically and emotionally. Thats what makes you such a good nurse."
Janel looked sad, "Was a good nurse. I guess that part of my life is over now. What am I going to do with my life now?"
"I dont know. Im not even sure whats going to become of me. Right now Im taking it one day at a time. But for now you can give me your expertise advice on men."
"Ohhhh, men troubles? Has Roberto been a jerk? No offense Olivia, but he seems like he can be a bit bossy. I think hes used o getting his way."
If there was one subject Janel was an expert on, it was men. "No hes not being a jerk. Im afraid I am the jerk here."
I explained to her about Alex biting me and everything Roberto had told me. About how I didnt fess up to him about the bonding words Alex had spoken. When I was finally finished spilling my guts about the whole sordid affair Janel asked, "How do you feel about Alex?"
"I honestly dont know. I love Roberto with all of my heart. I need him to be close to me. Physically close I mean. When he isnt around I feel jittery"
"Hmmm, you feel safe with Roberto. What about Alex?" she asked.
227 "Well, I dont think Im in love with Alex. Hes very sexy though and when I was with him I really wanted to sleep with him. He makes me feel special, like he would choose me in a room with a thousand beautiful women. I dont know why but I think Alex would accept me no matter what. He would take the good with the bad. And hes an easy-going kind of guy. And has a great sense of humor."
Janel frowned at me for a second and then her face cleared, "Well, I definitely think that you shouldnt tell Roberto anything until youve had a chance to talk to Alex about it. And your feelings will probably be clearer when you do see Alex again. Your emotions have been in turmoil. Its only natural youre confused."
Janel looked at me and cocked her head to the side, "There is undeniably something different about you. Did you do something to your hair? Are you styling it different?"
"Ahhhh, yeah. When I was being chased through the swamp by the Guardian fanatics and having a horny devil trying to dress me up like a tart I stopped at the local beauty shop and had a makeover," I joked.
"Ohhhh okay Miss Sarcastic. I was just wondering thats all. Something seems different. Maybe its just that you are a little more assertive. It fits you well sweetie. I like seeing you be strong. It makes me feel like a proud Momma," she laughed.
I laughed with her. This felt good. Normal. I sobered at the thought that we would be going into danger tonight. Rescuing Alex was not going to be easy. I still hadnt gotten the whole plan from Roberto. I wondered who was all going.
To Janel I said, "Tonight is going to be dangerous. I dont want you going along."
"Im not going. The plan is for you and Roberto to go in one car and Juan, Mark and Cristoforo will be in
228 another car. I will stay here with Andy." Janel stated the last fact rather dreamily.
"How do you know all of this?" I was a little perturbed she had more information than I did.
"Andy told me last night. Didnt Roberto tell you any of this?"
"No, we didnt really have time to talk about it."
Janel laughed, "I bet not, you two are always going at it pretty hot and heavy."
I blushed, "We are not! Well, okay maybe we are but we are in love. Thats what you do when your young and in love. Or so Ive been told."
I thought back to my newlywed days with Brian and it wasnt anything like the passion I shared with Roberto.
Janel looked at my face and said rather crudely, "Youre thinking about that limp dick bastard you were married to arent you?"
I laughed, "I wouldnt even call that thing a dick, and it was more like a Jane."
We both burst out laughing and Janel said, "You go girl, thats the first time I ever heard you say anything so crude. That was awesome!"
Janel and I sat and talked for another hour. I thought about telling her about my silver wolf who I was starting to call Bullet in my mind. How strange is that? I have an imaginary pet wolf and named him Bullet. Am I going on three or thirty? I wasnt sure how to broach the subject.
Do I just say, "Hey, I have an imaginary friend now? I think he is my protector. By the way he is a silver wolf that I named Bullet." Janel has always been an open and enlightened person but I think this one was a little too much to swallow even for her. So I kept quiet.
We spent the rest of the afternoon being normal for a change. We watched some television. Janel always liked to watch MTV and I spit out my diet coke when a video came on featuring a certain subspecies rock star. Janel
229 asked me what was going on but I felt this secret wasnt mine to tell. I lied to her and told I had a sexy dream about him. She accepted that and even stated she has sexy dreams about him all the time.
We ate a late lunch and then I told her I was going to take a nap since I probably wasnt going to sleep again tonight. Since meeting Roberto I have been averaging about five hours of sleep a night and it was catching up to me. We arranged to meet before we left and I went up to Robertos room.
I undressed and crawled into bed beside him. I didnt curl up next to him because he was cold. I wrapped the blankets around me and drifted off.
I woke up because I was hot. Roberto was kissing my neck and rubbing his body up against mine.
"Mmmmm Cara, you are my fantasy come to life. Its very erotic for a vampire to wake up next to a naked woman."
He started rubbing my nipples in a circular motion with his palms and I couldnt think. I ran my hands through his thick hair and down his back to cup his buttocks. I kneaded him for a little while then moved my hands to the front and cupped his rock hard erection in my hands. He groaned, "Cara, we dont have time. The others will be waiting for us." He pressed his lips to mine and I slipped my tongue into his mouth. With my hands still around his pulsating cock, I began to stroke him.
"Merde Olivia, no time for this. Ahhhhhh, Dio, yesss!" he ground out as I cupped his sac in one hand and kept pumping with the other.
I was eager and wet for him so I maneuvered myself so I could guide him into me and when he slid into my wetness he cried out, "God yes Olivia...."
As he repeatedly plunged into me, I was overcome with erotic sensations pulsating from deep inside.
He reached down and rubbed my swollen nub with
230 his thumb. I felt the first wave of my climax and my muscles clench around Robertos cock and a few seconds later I heard Roberto cry out with his own release.
"Mmmmm Piccolina, you are so wicked to make love to me like that when we have no time." He teased me as he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me and ran his tongue around my ear.
"I didnt start it. You did. I was sleeping like a perfect angel when you began kissing on me."
"You were sleeping like an angel. I couldnt believe you were here when I woke up. I wish I could wake up every night with you by my side Olivia."
I wished it too. I thought as I watched Roberto get up and walk naked to grab his clothes. Holy Moly what a view! This was the first time Id seen him strut around naked. His backside looked like it was sculpted from marble. I am one lucky girl.
"You better hurry and get ready," he said as he pulled on a pair of jeans.
Watching him dress was like having my very own porno movie come to life. I couldnt stop staring as he stood there with nothing but jeans on that he hadnt buttoned yet.
"Did you hear me?" he asked.
"Ummm yeah, ready, yes." I repeated.
Roberto laughed at me, "Have you never seen a man naked before?"
I snapped out of it. "Of course I have. I was married and I did work in healthcare. And of course there was Leeds, no one could ever forget seeing Leeds naked." I taunted him.
Roberto growled and took a step toward me and I ran into the bathroom laughing.
Roberto yelled from the other side of the door, "Were going to feed. I left a backpack on the bed for you to pack a few things for the trip I want to leave right after,
231 so make sure youre ready, okay Piccolina?"
"Ill be ready." I called back. I heard the bedroom door close and I hurried and jumped in the shower. I got dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, packed a few things in the backpack Roberto left for me. I left the room to find Janel to say goodbye.
Janel was in the kitchen with Andy making sandwiches. Janel turned when I walked in and said, "We made you some sandwiches for the road. We know you guys want to leave right away."
I smiled at Janel. She looked happy. She and Andy seemed to be getting along well. I was glad. Janel really was a good person.
"Thanks. Roberto did say we were going to get going right after they feed."
"Ewwww, that still creeps me out." Janel said.
I laughed at her. "Youre a nurse. Blood shouldnt creep you out."
Roberto, Juan and Cristoforo came back from their hunt.
"Are you ready to leave?" asked Roberto.
"Yes, my backpack is by the door."
"Okay. Ill meet you out by the car." He said, knowing I wanted a few minutes to say my goodbyes.
Janel came over with the bag of sandwiches, "You be careful. You may be a powerful Sensay but if you get hurt I will kick your ass myself."
I hugged her. "I will be careful. Besides I have three powerful vampires to protect me."
I pushed the hair back behind my ears and Janel said, "Holy crap, I thought there was something different with you hair. I cant believe I didnt notice it before."
"What?" I asked confused.
"Come with me a minute," she said as she took my hand and pulled me down the hall. She made me stand in front of the mirror that hung in the foyer.
232 "What is it?" I asked again.
"Your hair. You have a thin streak of silver in your hair."
I looked closer and there it was a long thin strip of silver that started at my right temple.