One Immortal - Tia Louise Page 0,33

to Elaine, I’m still adjusting to being something other. I don’t want to mistake a ghost for a patron.

I easily locate an empty table in a back corner and go to it. Several minutes pass, and I hear the sound of rain growing stronger on the roof.

The patrons’ loud voices create a wall of noise in the background. Further back, someone is playing a piano, “House of the Rising Sun.” I trace my fingernail along the lines in the tabletop, doing my best not to think about Derek.

After discovering his true occupation this morning, I’ve done my best to suppress all memories of last night. Still, when I’m alone this way, it’s impossible to keep my mind off the intense rush of pleasure I felt when I bit him. It eclipses everything that’s happened before or since. No orgasm compares to the euphoria of his strong blood filling my veins.

With a little growl, I scrub my hand roughly over my forehead. Looking up, I scan the dark bar again, straining my eyes for my friend. More patrons have filtered in to escape the downpour, and I’m afraid if I leave our table to find her, we’ll never get another one. What’s taking so long? I’m back to wishing she could hear my thoughts, because they would be a stern. Hurry up, Lainey!

I’m still leaning forward in my seat, trying to see the front of the bar when my eyes meet his. An onslaught of emotions throws me back—desire, dread, longing, lust, need.

Derek is walking straight to me, and I can’t move. My heart thuds rapidly at the sight of him. I can’t catch my breath. Something’s different about him, but I don’t have time to consider what it might be. He reaches down and takes both my hands, pulling me to my feet and into his arms.

His strong arms surround me, holding me tight against his firm chest as his face presses into the side of my hair. My heart beats painfully, my hands clutch his shoulders, and I can only hold him with my eyes squeezed shut, my face against his chest until our breathing gradually becomes one.

“Melissa.” His warm voice against my skin soothes me. He’s holding me. I’m holding him, and his blood burns hot under my skin.

Mine. The word appears in my mind, even though I know it’s not true. I can’t call him that when I stole what little of him I possess.

After a few moments, he lifts his head and looks into my eyes. “I was so unhappy this morning when you were gone.”

“I’m sorry.” My voice is soft and high. “I had to leave.”

One hand stays around my waist, holding my body firmly against his. The other moves up to smooth my hair off my cheek. “Why did you have to leave me?”

His beautiful eyes are so full of the longing I feel. My heart aches, but I can’t answer him. Instead, I press my face into his chest again, inhaling deeply of his woodsy scent. Only now, it’s slightly different. That foreign thing is back, stronger than before. He nudges me out of those thoughts.

“Tell me why you’re afraid.” I love the sound of his voice, the warmth and comfort of it. If only…

“There’s so much you don’t know,” is all I say. We’re still a moment, holding each other. Then I realize. “How did you find me?”

I step back to see his face. He gives me a little smile. “My partner Patrick is… well, he’s in love with your friend. It’s hard to explain.”

“Patrick is here?” The words are barely passing through my lips when I’m hit with the most powerful wave of nausea I’ve ever felt—even worse than before.

“Oh!” My hand goes immediately to cover my nose and mouth, and I push out of Derek’s arms, staggering back toward the wall.

I expect to see Patrick, but I’m surprised when it’s a different man. He’s as tall as Derek and equally intimidating, but he’s leaner. He looks like Patrick, but he’s darker with brown hair and hazel eyes. All these thoughts skitter through my mind as I struggle to get away from the man’s fierce glare. His presence is overpowering.

“Melissa,” Derek’s voice only glances off my misery. “What’s wrong?”

“Oh, god,” I gasp. Reaching out, I push through the tables. My hip catches one, and it scoots forward against the people sitting around it, spilling their drinks. They complain loudly, but I’m far enough away from that person to have a clear