His Dark Embrace

by Amanda Ashley

  He glanced at her over his shoulder. “There’s nothing to eat.”

  “There is, too.”

  “Well, nothing that looks good. Let’s go out and grab a bite.”

  “All right. I’m going to go change my clothes first. I’ll meet you down here in ten minutes.”

  “Make it twenty. I need a shower after mowing that jungle out there.”

  They decided on hamburgers for lunch. Skylynn took it as a good sign when Sam ordered his favorite sweet potato fries. It wasn’t a breakthrough, but it was something.

  Sam fidgeted while they waited for their order to arrive. He couldn’t seem to sit still and he was either drumming his fingers on the tabletop, tapping his foot, or rearranging the salt and pepper shakers. When the waitress brought their drinks, he drank half of his in one long swallow.

  “Are you all right?” Sky asked when he started shredding his napkin.

  “Yeah, fine. I’m just feeling sort of edgy. I don’t know why.”

  “Maybe it’s the weather.”

  “Yeah, maybe.” He took another drink, then ran his finger around the rim of the glass. “I guess I should be looking for a job.”

  “That makes two of us. It’s a good thing the house is paid for, but taxes will be due in a few months. I think I have enough saved for the first half.”

  “What kind of job are you looking for?”

  “Right now, anything I can get,” she said glumly. “But nobody in town seems to be hiring.”

  “Maybe you’ll have to look in that town I passed on the way here.”

  “Maybe.” She had been hoping to find something a little closer to home. Grover was twenty miles away.

  While they ate, Skylynn reminisced about Sam’s past. “You used to love to go fishing and hiking with Granda. Do you remember the time you went deep-sea fishing and caught a tuna?”

  “No.”

  “Do you remember when you were ten and fell down the stairs and broke your arm? You were thrilled because you got to miss two days of school.”

  He shook his head, his expression pensive, making Sky wonder if bringing up old memories was such a good idea.

  After lunch, Sam suggested they take in a movie, and Sky agreed. After all, it was hours until dark. Hours until she saw Kaiden again.

  On the drive home, they talked about the movie for a few minutes before Sam said, “When I was in the hospital, Boyle said I have a VW. Do I?”

  “Yeah. It’s in the garage.”

  “Maybe I’ll take it out and see if it still runs.”

  “Of course it runs.”

  “How do you know?” he asked, and then his eyes widened in alarm. “You drove my Bug?”

  “Geez, don’t go ballistic. I only drove it once a week or so, just to keep the battery charged. You should be thanking me.”

  “Yeah,” he said, looking properly contrite. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “You should get a new car,” he said, breaking for a red light. “This Lincoln is ancient.”

  “I know, but it belonged to Granda.” Skylynn ran her hand lovingly over the dashboard. “Besides, it’s in good shape.”

  “Don’t you want a car of your own?”

  She shrugged. “I was leasing one in Chicago. I don’t know, maybe I’ll buy a new one, now that I’m here to stay. If I ever find a job.”

  Sam pulled into the driveway and cut the engine. “Do you have the keys to the Bug?”

  “They’re in the yellow jar on the mantel.”

  With a nod, Sam got out of the car and hurried into the house.

  Sky followed him inside, biting down on her lower lip to keep from asking him not to go. She couldn’t keep him locked up inside. He was a grown man, after all, but she couldn’t help worrying that if he left the house, something would happen to him.

  She blew out a breath. On the other hand, driving around town in his own car might help to bring his memory back.

  “Don’t wait up,” he said, twirling the key ring around his finger.

  “Sam ...”

  “What?”

  “Be careful, okay?”

  “Sure.”

  “If you get lost ...”

  He cocked an eyebrow at her. “I might not know who I am, but I think I can find my way around.”

  She forced a smile. “Right.”

  Still, that wasn’t going to keep her from worrying about him while he was gone.

  She was in the living room, trying to find something to watch on TV, when the doorbell rang. She hurried to answer it, hoping it was Kaiden. A thrill of excitement shot through her from head to foot when she called, “Who’s there?” and heard his voice answer, “It’s me.”

  As soon as she opened the door, he wrapped her in his arms. “Hey.”

  “Hey, yourself. I thought you were upstairs.”

  “I went home to shower and change clothes.”

  “Oh. You could have spent the night in my bed, you know.”

  He explained, quickly, how he had left the house last night, only to return after detecting Desmarais’ scent nearby.

  “I wish he’d just go away and leave us alone!” Sky exclaimed angrily.

  “Hey, enough about him,” Thorne said. “I read Sam’s mind last night. As near as I can tell, his injury was caused by a blow to the head.”

  “That’s good news, I guess.”

  Kaiden skimmed his hands up and down her arms. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you, too.”

  “Did you?” he asked with a wicked grin. “How much?”

  “This much.” Throwing her arms around his neck, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, amazed anew that such a handsome, sexy man wanted her. Being near him was like having Christmas every day. Each smile, each kiss, was a gift to cherish. He was immortal, powerful, charming, and he loved her. Best of all, he would never die and leave her alone.

  “I guess you really did miss me,” he murmured as he nuzzled her neck. “How long will Sam be gone?”

  “Not long enough.”

  “Then we’d better not waste any time,” he said with mock gravity, and kissed her again.

  When they came up for air, he drew her to the sofa, then sat, cradling her on his lap.

  “I hate it when we’re apart.” Skylynn wrapped her arms around his waist, her head resting on his shoulder.

  “I’m not too crazy about it, either.”

  “Do vampires ever get married?”

  “What?” Thorne stared at her, astonished by her question.

  “You heard me. Or isn’t your super-duper hearing working tonight?”

  “I heard you. I just ...” He shook his head. “You took me by surprise, that’s all.”

  “I guess human or vampire, men are all the same. As soon as a girl mentions marriage, they get cold feet.”

  “Are you seriously asking me to marry you?”

  “Of course not. Well ... I don’t know.” She bit down on her lower lip, her brow furrowing. “What would you say if I was? Serious? About asking you?”

  “I’d probably say you should have your head examined.”

  “Oh. So, this ...” Her gaze slid away from his. “What we have, it’s just ... sex? A fling?”

  He caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger, forcing her to look at him. “You know that’s not true.”

  “Do I?”

  “Skylynn, I’m a vampire, remember? Not exactly prime marriage material.”

  “It’s okay.” She wriggled off his lap and onto the sofa. “I understand.”

  “Like hell!” He scrubbed his hands up and down his thighs. “I love you. If I still had the potion, if we could have some semblance of a normal life ...”

  She lowered her gaze to the floor. “What’s so great about being normal?”

  He ran a hand over his jaw. She was so young. She had no idea what she was saying. What she was asking. “I’ll never be able to share your whole life,” he said quietly. “I can’t give you a f
amily. I can’t share a meal with you, or stay in one place too long ...”

  He sighed as a single, fat tear rolled down her cheek. “Sky Blue ... Dammit, you mean more to me than anything on this earth. I don’t want to hurt you.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I love you more than you’ll ever know. I want to be with you always, but without the potion ...” He shook his head.

  “We’re together now.”

  “Darlin’, I don’t know how long I can trust myself to stay here with you, be close to you, and not ...” He shook his head. “Dammit, I just don’t know.”

  “I’m not afraid of you. I’m only afraid of living without you.”

  “I’ll stay with you as long as I can.”

  “Then why can’t we get married?”

  “What if I start to lose control? What if I have to leave to keep you safe?”

  “That could happen now.” She took a deep breath. “You could ... you could make me what you are.”

  “No!” He sprang to his feet, his expression grim.

  “Why not?” Lord, was she out of her mind? What was she saying? She didn’t want to be a vampire. But she didn’t want to lose Kaiden, either. “Is it so bad, being what you are?”

  He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “It isn’t something I would have chosen.”

  “Have you ever made another vampire?”

  “No.”

  She took a deep breath. She knew what she wanted, and she wanted Kaiden. “I want to belong to you. Unless you don’t want me.”

  “Didn’t I just say I loved you?”

  “Actions speak louder than words. I won’t ask you again, Kaiden.”

  He shook his head, charmed by her stubbornness. “All right, Sky Blue, if you’re sure that’s what you want.” Dropping down on one knee in front of her, he took her right hand in his. “Skylynn McNamara, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  Chapter 32

  With a joyful “What do you think?” Skylynn threw herself at Kaiden, toppling him over backward. Straddling his hips, she leaned forward to kiss him, then exclaimed, “I can’t wait to tell Sam. And Tara.”

  “Just like a woman,” Thorne said with a smile.

  She drew back a little so she could see his face. “I’ve always wanted to get married in a long white dress in a church... . That won’t be a problem for you, will it? The church, I mean?”

  “No.”

  “Good.” She sighed wistfully. “I wish Granda was here to give me away.”

  He brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “I doubt if he’d be too thrilled at your choice of a husband.”

  “Why do you say that?” she exclaimed. “He liked you. A lot.”

  “Not enough to marry his granddaughter.”

  She didn’t want to talk about that. “It’ll be a small wedding. I don’t have a lot of people to invite. Just Sam and Tara and maybe a few of my friends from back East, if they want to make the trip.” She had a lot of acquaintances in Chicago but no really close friends other than Tara. “And anyone you want to invite, of course.”

  “There won’t be anyone on my side of the church.”

  “You won’t mind, will you, if we don’t have a big, splashy affair?”

  “Whatever you want is fine with me.” He stroked her cheek. “I won’t see anyone but you.”

  “You really do say the nicest things. Are all vampires as sweet as you are?”

  “You think I’m sweet?” He almost choked on the word. He had been called a lot of things in his time, but sweet wasn’t one of them.

  She raised up on her elbows. “Should I get up? Am I hurting you?”

  He lifted one brow. “What do you think?”

  She stuck her tongue out at him. “Yeah, yeah, I know, you’re a big strong vampire.”

  “Want me to prove it?” he asked with a wicked leer.

  “Not right now,” she replied primly. “It shouldn’t take long to arrange a small wedding.”

  “What’s the hurry? Afraid I’ll change my mind?”

  “Yes.”

  “Sky, I’ve loved you in one way or another your whole life. Married or not, I will always be here to look after you. I’m not going anywhere. So take all the time you need.”

  “All the time for what?” Sam asked, breezing into the living room.

  “We’re getting married!” Sky replied. Scrambling to her feet, she smoothed her hair and straightened her sweater.

  Thorne sat up, his back braced against the sofa, his arms resting on his bent knees.

  “Really?” Sam glanced at Thorne, then back at Skylynn. “That’s ah ... that’s great.”

  “You don’t approve?” Skylynn stared at her brother, her hands fisted on her hips.

  He shrugged. “Whatever makes you happy works for me. I guess you’ll want me to move out.”

  “Don’t be silly. I’ll move in with Kaiden and you can stay here. The house is half yours, after all.”

  “So, when’s the big day?” Sam asked.

  “We haven’t set a date yet. Probably not for a couple of weeks. I need to find a dress and invite a few friends from back East.” She worried her lower lip between her teeth. “It might be longer than that. Tara has to be here, and the last time I talked to her, she was in Vermont with her mom.”

  Sky smacked her forehead with her palm. “Some friend I am! I should have called to see how her dad is doing. I think I’ll do that now, before I forget.”

  “She’s something, isn’t she?” Sam murmured as he watched his sister leave the room.

  “Yeah.” Thorne’s gaze followed Sam’s. Skylynn was something, all right. Part innocent, part temptress and all woman.

  Sam dropped into the chair across from the sofa, his long legs stretched out in front of him. “I was driving around tonight, not going anywhere in particular, but things looked familiar, you know? I mean, I don’t really remember these places and yet I knew I’d seen them before.”

  “Sounds like your memory might be coming back,” Thorne remarked.

  “I hope so. Do you want a beer?”

  “No, thanks.”

  “I don’t think she keeps anything stronger in the house.”

  “It’s all right,” Thorne said. “I’ll get something later.”

  “You don’t drink?”

  “Not alcohol.”

  “Really? Well,” Sam remarked, slapping his hands on the arms of the chair, “I think I’m gonna call it a night.”

  “See you tomorrow.”

  “No doubt,” Sam said, grinning.

  Thorne watched Sam go up the stairs and then, unable to resist, he honed in on Skylynn and opened his vampiric senses.

  “... so glad to hear that,” she was saying.

  “He’s coming home tomorrow,” Tara said. “He has to take it easy for a while, of course, but the doctors are optimistic that he’ll recover without any ill effects.”

  “That’s wonderful news. So, have you reset the date for your wedding?”

  There was a long pause, and then Tara said, “We called it off.”

  “What? Oh, Tara, I’m so sorry, but ... what happened?”

  “I found out he ... he ... he’s not to be trusted!”

  Sky heard the heartache in Tara’s voice, knew her friend was trying not to cry.

  “While I’ve been here, taking care of my mom and trying to keep my dad’s spirits up, Lance has been out on the town with another woman.”

  “Did he tell you that?”

  “No. My friend Nancy saw him in a bar with some blonde. When I confronted Lance, he denied it at first, and then he admitted it was true.” Tara sniffed loudly. “It’s probably just as well. His mother hates me.”

  “I don’t know what to say. Is there anything I can do?”

  “No. Men are scum.” Tara sighed dramatically. “So, what’s new with you? Are you still seeing that guy across the street?”

  Sky hesitated, wondering if she should tell Tara about her upcoming wedding n
ow, when her friend’s plans were in the toilet.

  “Sky? Don’t tell me he proposed.”

  “Not exactly. I asked him to marry me.”

  “What? Are you kidding?”

  “Nope. If you feel up to it, and you can get away, I’d love for you to be my maid of honor.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it, you know that. Now, tell me all about him. What does he do?”

  “He doesn’t do anything. I guess he must be rich.”

  “You guess?”

  Funny, Sky thought, she had never really wondered about that. Where did Kaiden get his money?

  “Must be nice,” Tara remarked. “That means you won’t have to work unless you want to.”

  “What? Oh, right. Listen, I’ve got to go.”

  “Okay. Let me know when you set the date.”

  “I will. Bye for now.” Sky disconnected the call, then sat there, her fingers tapping the side of the phone.

  Where did Kaiden get his money? Did he rob his victims of their cash as well as their blood? Of course, he probably didn’t need a lot of money. He had lived in that big old house for so long, it was surely paid for by now. Still, there was upkeep on the house and grounds, taxes on the property. Utility bills. He always drove a new car. His clothes were well-made and looked expensive.

  It occurred to her that she really didn’t know much about the man she wanted to marry, except that he was a vampire, and she loved him.

  In the living room, Kaiden frowned as Skylynn hung up the phone. Love really was blind, he thought with a wry grin. He couldn’t help wondering if she would change her mind about marrying him now that she realized how little she knew about him. It would be for the best if she did. Oddly enough, now that he had accepted her proposal, he hoped she would never come to her senses.

  He looked up as she entered the room. “Everything okay?”

  “Yes.” She smiled at him, her eyes alight with mischief. “Now that we’re engaged, shouldn’t you kiss me or something?”

  “Or something.” Rising to his feet, Thorne drew her slowly into his arms. “What did you have in mind?”

  She leaned into him. “What do you have in mind?” she asked with a teasing grin.

  His gaze moved over her face as he drew her hips against his. “Can’t you guess?”