Crave - Teresa Mummert Page 0,5

he shrugged.

“You’re a hunter.” It wasn’t a question but I wanted to understand how he went from wanting to save people, to killing them. They’re not people anymore I reminded myself.

“I do what I have to do,” he said nonchalantly as he shrugged. We all did what we had to do, but most didn’t take pride in the fact we were now forced to fight, forced to kill. Regardless of the vampires animalistic behavior, they looked very much like us and killing one of them got to you, changing you forever. The line between murder and self-preservation had blurred. There was no right and wrong, only kill or be killed.

I relaxed back onto the grass, the heaviness of the conversation fading my buzz into the background of my mind. We laid in silence for a few minutes watching the branches blow in the wind, the rustle of the leaves blending with the soft rush of water. I searched for the right words to make what he’d done okay, but my mind faltered.

“You really shouldn’t be walking alone at night, you know. It’s not safe.” His tone was serious and I knew he probably heard Grayson yelling at me from his window. The whole damn town probably heard him.

“Well, I’m not alone now, am I?”

“Who said you’re safe with me?” His eyebrow had risen before he let out a quiet laugh, sending butterflies scattering in a frenzy inside of my stomach once again.

I sucked in a ragged breath trying to contain my nerves as my heart raced from the closeness of his body. “What brings you to Seven Valleys?” I asked, searching for the conversation to break the awkward silence as my heart hammered in my chest.

“I have a cousin who lives down Green Valley Road. I came to stay with him for the summer. Nice change of scenery.” His gaze drifted down my legs before meeting mine again.

“Most of us from here spend our lives trying to get out of this place and you came here on purpose?” I sat up, wiping the dirt and grass from my palms as he did the same.

“It’s not so bad. I’m here with you, aren’t I?”

I looked down at the ground between us, trying to hide the blush I could feel creeping over my skin even though the darkness would hide my embarrassment. Placing his fingers under my chin, he slowly lifted my face upward. Our eyes locked as he leaned in closer to me, his mouth nearly touching mine as his minty breath fanned over my face. All of the fear, the trepidation faded into the background like the soft hum of music vibrating through my soul.

Tilting his head, he gently brushed his lips against mine causing my body to shiver. My eyes fell closed as I let my lips part, granting him access to deepen our kiss. His hand slid to the back of my head, his fingers becoming entangled in my hair.

I wanted to forget everything and enjoy myself, if even for a fleeting moment. I pressed my hands against his muscular chest, sliding my fingers down over the hard ridges of his stomach as they flexed and pulled beneath my touch. His mouth broke away from mine, leaving me breathless and confused.

“What’s wrong?” I wrapped my arms around my chest, feeling self-conscious and wondering if my breath stank or if I had drooled on him in my momentary lapse in judgment.

“Shh,” he whispered pressing his finger to my lips. Over the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind, there was the faint echo of someone yelling. I leaned forward trying to decipher the message when I realized the voice belonged to Grayson.

“Shit. That’s just Grayson. He must have stopped by my house and got scared I wasn’t home or something.”

Standing up, he held out his hand for me and I slipped my fingers into his, letting him pull me effortlessly to my feet. I brushed the dirt from my bottom, upset that our time had been cut short.

“Your boyfriend?” Elijah questioned, his eyes narrowing like it was all my idea to bring him out here to make out and now he’d end up in a fight. Grayson wasn’t that type of guy. A guilt trip was more of his style.

“No. Just someone from my past,” I stammered, not wanting to go into the details of my failing love life with a virtual stranger. “I should go before he wakes up the entire town,” I said. “Thanks for... everything,”