Drop Dead Gorgeous by Suki McMinn Read Free Book Online

okay?” he asked.
    She nodded and wiped her eyes. “I’m not dreaming. This is real.”
    “Yes, it’s real.”
    “Last night, I thought I was losing my mind.”
    He glanced at the bag of garlic and homemade stake on the floor. “But today you went shopping in case you’re weren’t crazy?”
    She laughed and then her smile faded as she touched his face.
    “You’re so pale. And your eyes – they look…different. Lighter.” She touched his mouth. “May I see?”
    He parted his lips and watched her eyes as they lingered on his fangs. His erection reminded him what he was, but he ignored the signals his body gave him.
    “God, I’ve missed you,” he said. “I shouldn’t be here, but I couldn’t stay away.”
    “I’ve missed you so much. I mourned you. I thought you were dead.”
    “I am,” he said soberly and watched her eyes glisten with fresh tears.
    She shook her head as if to clear it. “But you’re here.”
    “Yes, I’m here.”
    She kissed his lips lightly and hugged him to her again.
    “But, I can’t stay,” he said.    
    She pushed him away and looked at him questioningly.
    He’d had a last embrace, a final moment with her, and he knew that was more than he should have had. It was time to end this, to let her go. He focused his thoughts and looked deeply into her eyes.
    “You won’t remember. You won’t be afraid.”
    “What do you mean?”
    He was startled by her response and it broke his concentration.  He was obviously doing something wrong. He brushed her hair back from her face and focused again, drawing all his energy into his thoughts.
    “I wasn’t here.”
    “When?”
    He was spooked and stood up.
    “What’s the matter?” she asked.
    “Nothing. Nothing.” He sat back down and took her hand in his again. Giving his focus a little test, he aimed his thoughts at the TV behind Clara. It came on.
    She turned her head and he turned it off just as quickly.
    “Did you do that?” she asked.
    “It’s okay. Just relax.”
    “Did you turn that on and off?”
    “Yes. Just forget that now. Relax.” He kissed the back of her hand and began to focus his energy again, looking into her eyes. “You won’t remember.”
    “You keep saying that. What won’t I remember?”
    “Fuck.”
    “What’s the matter?”
    “Nothing. I’m sorry. Something’s wrong.”
    “What is it?”
    “Nothing for you to worry about.” He kissed her softly. “I should go.”
    “But you just got here. You can’t leave.”
    “I have to do laundry.”
    “What?”
    “I need to go. It was a mistake to come here.” And I can’t seem to use my magic on you. Something’s fucked up.
    “No, don’t say that.”
    “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m glad I came. I had to see you – to hold you one more time.”
    “Say you’ll come back.” Her eyes teared and his undead heart melted.
    “I can’t.”
    He stood to leave and she followed him to the door. He kissed her again and they held each other and rocked gently back and forth.
    “There’s something I should tell you,” she said and he pulled back to look at her. “If you don’t ever come back – I didn’t tell you before and I’ve regretted it. I never thought I’d get another chance…I love you.”
    He felt a jolt to his heart, and said, “I love you, too,” before kissing her one last time. Then he turned and left without looking back, silently vowing never to return.
     
    Derek wasn’t certain just how far he could trust Terence or Raymond, but he needed information and they seemed the logical source. He felt certain he shouldn’t trust Madeline.
    When he got back to the nest, he found Raymond painting by the firelight – a dark portrait of Derek based on a photo he’d taken and a subsequent pencil sketch. Terence sat at the table behind the sofa, working on his laptop. Derek noticed chains on the floor attached to the legs of the table and tried not to think about why they were there. He’d never asked about the fate