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Sighing, I slipped into some jeans and an old T-shirt of Drew’s he had left behind. I used to like to confiscate his t-shirts. It was a godsend we’d never moved in together so I didn’t have a lot of his stuff to give him back. I sauntered into the kitchen and put water on for coffee. I’d only had instant these past three weeks and I was seriously craving a midnight mocha, but I hadn’t scraped together the nerve yet to go in and order one. There was a knock on my door as I was about to sit down. The sudden rap startled me. I was way too skittish these days. Monsters. Vampires. What was next? Hobbits on stilts? Or Drew with more flowers in hand begging me to marry him? My hand closed on the door handle. I took in a breath expecting it to be Drew on bended knee and opened the door.
On the other side of it stood Alex looking as normal as anyone.
I drew in a breath trying to shush my frantic heart. Instinct kicked in and told me to run, but I stayed my ground even though fear penetrated every muscle.
“Hi, Sophia.” His voice was a low whisper. A black mid-length leather jacket hung over dark slacks and tan shirt. Sun glasses hugged his face so I could barely see his eyes. In his hand was a cup of coffee. I inhaled and realized it was my favorite. Boy, he knew the way to a girl’s heart. The heady aroma of it made my mouth water. I swallowed my fear as he took his glasses off and slipped them into his pocket. Underneath the dark lenses, his eyes were as dark as the coffee concoction he held.
“Hi, Alex.”
His eyes searched mine. “Can I come in?”
“I thought your kind could come and go as they pleased you’d been invited in?”
His lips turned up in a chuckle. “That’s just a myth. We don’t need to be invited in. I just didn’t want to barge in since it’s rude and I figured you might not be happy to see me after—”
I looked down at the carpet. It was a weave of gray, pink and tan. I’d never noticed the hallway carpet before. My gaze settled on his shoes. They were black leather and looked soft, expensive. I can do this. Part of you still wants to jump his bones. He’s bringing you a peace offering. Let him in. The fear in me receded. My mouth suddenly became dry like someone stuff a thousand cotton balls into it. I forced my gaze back to his chest. The more I studied him, the more my body warmed to the thought of having him naked in bed with me. Finally, I nodded. My eyes quickly met his and I tried to stop the burn coloring my cheeks. “Well. Umm—”
“Sophia, I can go if you want me to.”
I heard the disappointment in his voice as it stabbed my heart. The way he said my name was like a caress I felt on my cheek. I didn’t want him to go. I yearned to be in his arms and his lips finally on mine. Yeah, he was a vampire. I’d been dealing with it for three weeks. Did it still freak me out? Oh hell yeah! But I couldn’t just let him walk out of my life. That would be blasphemy. He let out a long breath, inferring my silence to mean I didn’t want him around. This time met his gaze, almost daring him; I locked my eyes with his. Moving out of the doorway. I saw his smile return.
“I don’t want you to go, Alex. I want you to stay. This is just all a little eerie. ” I leaned on the door and shut it as he walked in and took stock of my apartment. The kettle was beginning to whistle, but I wove into the kitchen and shut it off before it got annoying. When I turned around, Alex appeared in the doorway. I nearly landed on the ceiling. Closing my eyes, I took a long second to catch my breath.
“I’m sorry.”
My hands were shaking. I hated they were, but I couldn’t stop them. When I opened my eyes, he coffee he had brought was on the counter. I gripped it and tried to drink it, but couldn’t because my hand was going a mile a minute. “Shit.” I forced myself to try and calm down. There was a space between me and Alex that hadn’t been there before. I hated it. It was as if a chasm had opened between us and there was no bridge to get to him.
“Sophia, I’m making you uncomfortable. I’ll go.” He turned to move out of the kitchen. I set down the coffee cup, reached out, and grabbed his arm.
Now my whole body shook. “No, Alex. Please don’t.This—you—it’s fucking strange.” Gripping his arm, he was all muscle. I wondered if all of him was. He looked deep into my eyes. For a moment, his hunger flashed, but he reined it in. He was as tense as me.
“I know. I should’ve told you. I didn’t what to spook you and I guess I did. I didn’t meant to hurt you the other night.” His voice was low; hypnotic enough it lulled me a little into calmer water. His fingertips traced the places on my neck where his claws had nearly pierced my flesh. At each stroke, warm tingles started to zing through my body touching my toes and engulfing my heart. I swallowed as my mouth got even drier. His eyes never left mine. We were both transfixed. His other hand rested on my hip. The warmth of his fingertips burned through my jeans. My breathing increased. I was scared of him, but the anticipation of being so close and yet so far made my cravings for him irresistible.
“Alex?”
“Yes.” His fingers pressed lightly on my pulse point before he brushed a piece of hair from my face. His nails curled along my cheekbone. I stepped in a little close so my breasts pressed against him.
Tentatively, I rested my head against his chest and let my hands wrap around his neck. A sigh escaped my lips as I relaxed in his arms somewhat. Like the original moment, he stiffened and then let his palms sit lightly against my back. I inhaled and smelled the mocha on his jacket. His hair was tainted with it along with a hint of vanilla and shampoo. Everything in me felt so right in his arms even though my mind was screaming because of what he was, but I felt safe.
“Sophia.”
I lifted my head making sure my cheek brushed against his so I could meet his gaze. “Yes.”
He paused. We were so close.
“There’s someone at your door. They’ve been knocking for a few seconds.”
