“No, it’s not,” he said, looking around in disgust. “It’s cold and dirty here. When this happens between us, and believe me, Nikki,” he smiled darkly, “it will, I want it to be in a place that’s comfortable, clean, and safe. Not a shithole like this.”
My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at him. He was so sexy, so amazingly beautiful, and his eyes…oh…his eyes…they held an inhuman fire that probably should have frightened me, but instead, made me only want him more. “Why can’t I resist you?” I whispered.
“Because, we belong together,” he replied, kissing the tip of my nose. He then pulled me to his chest and whispered, “Forever.”
The way he said “forever” brought me back to reality. I wanted him, boy did I ever want him, but his “forever” was something much different than mine.
I cleared my throat. “I…I think I should go home,” I said, avoiding his eyes as I pulled away.
“What’s wrong?”
I stared at him in exasperation. “Everything is wrong, Ethan. I still don’t know what happened to Duncan, and…”
It was then that I’d remembered my mother’s terrified screams right before Ethan had snatched me from the cabin. “My mother,” I said, staring at him in horror. “Did you frighten her? She was screaming when we left.”
He looked hurt. “No, Nikki, I wouldn’t do that. Someone else scared your mom. In fact, a man was looking into the kitchen window. But don’t worry, Celeste took care of him.”
“A man?”
He nodded. “Yeah, in fact, he kind of looked like your brother.”
I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.
Was it my father? He definitely looked like Nathan. More like an older brother than a father. Who else could it be?
“You have to get me home,” I pleaded. “I think it’s my dad and I have to make sure everyone’s okay.”
He sighed. “If that’s what you want.”
“It is. Please.”
He picked me up and cradled me in his arms. “Hold on tight.”
I slid my good hand around his neck and stared at his chiseled features in fascination. At that moment, I felt like some all-American superhero was carrying me off somewhere into the night, not a bloodthirsty vampire. It was a nice, whimsical fantasy. One that was also very dangerous.
Chapter Nine
When we arrived back at the cabin, the lights were out and the only vehicle around was mine.
“Look,” said Ethan, pointing towards the windows near the kitchen. The floodlights were on, lighting up the yard. “Something happened here.”
I walked over and looked down at the dirt. It definitely looked like some kind of scuffle had occurred.
Ethan bent down and touched the ground. “I smell blood,” he murmured. “Looks like someone tried cleaning it up. But I definitely sense that it was human blood.”
My eyes filled with tears. “I wonder if it was my dad and they killed him.”
“Celeste attacked the man, whoever he was, without hesitation. She probably fed off of him when it was over and then hid the body.”
I shuddered. “Are you sure? She doesn’t seem that heartless.”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t ever underestimate Celeste. She’s dangerous. In fact, I’ve watched her tear people to shreds without a second thought. I think you should stay away from her from now on.”
Thinking about my dad being murdered by anyone was unsettling. Even though he was an asshole, he was still my father and there were some good memories.
I brushed a couple of the tears from my cheeks. “She told me to trust her and Caleb. That neither of them would hurt us. You think she’s lying?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. But to be safe, it’s better if you stay as far away from her as possible.”
Just then, we saw a pair of headlights moving towards us in the distance.
“Your brother,” said Ethan. “I should leave.”
“You can see that far?” I asked, incredulously.
He smiled and pulled me to him. “Go inside and wait for him. I’ll check around town and see what’s happening.”
I nodded.
“Nikki,” he said. “I swear to you, I didn’t kill anyone, and I have no idea what happened to Duncan.” His face darkened. “Someone is playing a dangerous game, and when I find out, I can’t promise that there won’t be any blood spilled. Nobody fucks with me.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but he placed a finger over my lips to silence me.
“I love you,” he continued, his eyes burning into mine. “You may not believe it and, to tell you the truth,” he said, smiling. “I’m not even sure how it happened so fast. But, I love you and I’m coming back for you. Just give me a couple days to figure out what’s happening.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
He then pressed his lips to mine and kissed me more tenderly than I thought possible. I closed my eyes and relished the way his mouth explored mine and how oddly wonderful he smelled. When he finally pulled away, I groaned in protest.
“Until we meet again,” he said, backing away.
I raised my hand and waved just as my brother’s headlights surrounded me.