Temptation by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page A

But maybe he did get mixed up.
    â€œThe beach isn’t very crowded tonight with this heavy fog,” Gabri said. “It shouldn’t take long to find him if he’s there.”
    â€œYeah. I guess,” April said reluctantly. “But it’s so dark tonight. . . .”
    â€œTell you what. I’ll go with you,” Gabri offered. He smelled so lemony, so good. He leaned toward her, his handsome face brightening out of the shadows, his eyes locked on hers.
    â€œThat’s really nice of you,” April said. “But—”
    â€œI’m a nice guy,” Gabri said, smiling to let her know he was joking, not seriously boasting. And then he quietly added, “You’ll see.”
    â€œBut you don’t have to take me—” April started.
    â€œNo problem,” he assured her. “Come on.”
    She felt his hand on her back as they turned the corner and began to follow Dune Lane to the ocean. To April’s surprise, the curtain of fog grew lighter as they neared the beach.
    â€œThe town of Sandy Hollow is low,” Gabri explained. “Sort of in a gully. When a fog floats off the ocean, it hovers over the town and stays there.”
    â€œAre you a science expert?” April asked, teasing.
    â€œAsk me anything,” he said, his hand still lightly on her back.
    A heavy layer of low, gray clouds hovered over the shore, but the beach was clear. No fog at all.
    The waves were high and rough. April could see the white froth on the towering wave tops, even in the darkness.
    A few couples walked near the water. A group of teenagers huddled around a small bonfire, sounds from their tape player competing with the rhythmic thunder of crashing waves.
    No sign of Matt. Or Todd.
    April and Gabri, walking close together, occasionally bumping shoulders, made their way south toward the rock cliff. As they walked, he told her about a whale that had somehow lost its direction and washed ashore in the early spring. He made her laugh by imitating the frightened look on the whale’s face. And then he described the heroic actions of the townies who managed to pull the whale back out to the water and send it on its way.
    He’s really smart. And funny, April thought.
    And interesting.
    I’ll bet he doesn’t waste his time at stupid horror movies.
    She stopped and peered down the empty beach.
    Was she really attracted to Gabri? Or was she just angry at Matt?
    A little of both, probably.
    â€œHe’s not here,” she said softly, staring at the steep rock cliff beyond the rowboat dock, feeling Gabri standing close behind her. “But the beach is really awesome tonight. The waves are so rough.”
    Gabri checked in all directions, making sure they were completely alone. The ocean waves thundered, black against an even blacker sky.
    They were surrounded by the blackness. And alone.
    And Gabri could resist her no longer.
    She was so beautiful. So perfect. So sweet.
    Yes, the nectar would taste so sweet.
    He needed it now. He needed the nectar.
    Not just because of his silly bet with Jessica. But because he needed the nectar to survive. It was the nectar that kept him going so many long years after he had died. It was the nectar that made him an Eternal One.
    And now he was about to drink.
    She stood in front of him, her back to him, arms crossed, staring at the dark, tumbling waves.
    He leaned forward as his fangs slid wetly down his chin.
    Gently, gently he raised his hand and pushed the hair away to reveal the back of her neck.
    So pale. Such tender skin.
    Breathing heavily, Gabri opened his mouth wide and lowered his head to bite.

CHAPTER 8 “TWO CAN PLAY DIRTY”
    Watching the waves, nearly hypnotized by their dark, rolling splendor, by the soft explosion of sound as they hit the shore, April felt Gabri somewhere close behind her.
    Matt isn’t here, she thought. No one else is here. The beach is so empty.
    I’ve got to get