by Taylor Dawn
“Stop,” Micah jumped in front of her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “There is nothing wrong with you, G.” His face softened. “In fact, some of us feel like you hung the damn moon.” One side of his mouth lifted in a half-dimple grin.
“Micah, don’t.” she knew what was coming and she wasn’t sure she was ready to hear it.
“I’m tired of pretending I don’t feel anything for you. Do you have any idea how exhausting it is?” he scrubbed a hand over his face, the sound of his 5 o’clock shadow scraping his callused palm. “I’ve been in love with you since we were kids. When Zach was dropping worms down your shirt, I was the one trying to save you. Hell, you probably don’t know about the fights we had because of you. He’d devise a plan to torment you and I wouldn’t go along with it. I can’t begin to count how many times I went home with a black eye or bloody nose.” He laughed.
Tears began streaking down Gia’s cheeks. Why couldn’t she love someone normal like Micah? Instead, she held her love for Layton, knowing full well that them being together wasn’t right. There wasn’t a future with a vampire, only a road paved with heartbreak. At least Micah was a living breathing human being.
“Listen, I’m not gonna stand here and tell you what to do, G. You wouldn’t take my advice if I did. I just want you to think about the future and what will make you happy in the end.”
Gia silently nodded and resumed her walk back to the house. Blue Creek was supposed to provide clarity but so far, it only incited more confusion.
***
Rolling over in her bed, Gia grabbed her phone and glanced at the time—2:07 A.M. She’d tossed and turned for what seemed like an eternity, but true rest never came. As she sat up and tossed her legs over the side of the bed, she sighed. Maybe her fitful sleep was the result of Micah’s disconcerted snoring just across the hall. If she didn’t know better, she would’ve thought she had a large dog as a roommate. The growling baritone damn near vibrated the floor joists of the small home. Shaking her head, Gia slid her robe over her tank and shorts, then ventured down the small hallway, and into the living room. When she was at home in Vegas, she loved going outside during the night when sleep eluded her. There was something calming about the dry desert air. She wouldn’t find the same type of atmosphere in Blue Creek, but maybe it would be better. After unlocking the door, she slipped onto the small covered porch of the house. She made sure to close the door as quiet as possible, as to not wake Micah. From the sounds coming from his room, she would wager that even a major earthquake wouldn’t wake him.
Stepping to the edge of the steps, Gia breathed in the damp night air and crossed her arms over her chest. She rubbed her palms over the silken fabric of her robe while gazing down the dirt road that led to the house. All of a sudden a rustling in the brush nearby caused the hair to rise on the back of her neck. With her body frozen in place, Gia mentally calmed herself. She was practically living in the woods now, there were all kinds of creatures that came out at night, looking for food. It was probably just a small animal searching for something to eat. Gia smiled, almost laughing out loud at the absurdity of her fear. There was nothing to be afraid of in Blue Creek. A full smile spread across her face. Turning to head back into the house, she met with a hard surface that stopped her in her tracks. Before she could scream, Gia felt a cool hand being pressed over her lips.
“I couldn’t stay away,” Layton’s whisper was music to her ears.
Without thinking, Gia threw her arms around his body, enveloping him. “Please tell me I’m not dreaming right now.”
“I’m here.” He soothed while running his fingers along her spine. “Being away from you almost destroyed me,” he admitted.
“Same here.” Gia pulled away, looking up at his face. Lifting her hands, she began tracing the features of his face. Each hard line felt like satin as she ran her fingers over his skin in the moonlight.
***
There wasn’t anything that could compare to holding Gia in his arms. Even after just a couple days, Layton learned that he couldn’t live without her. When she left, she took a piece of him with her and he wasn’t whole. Embracing her and smelling her sweet scent was beyond compare.
“Why aren’t you sleeping?” He held her face in his hands, taking in the dark circles under her eyes.
“Stupid insomnia.” She shrugged.
“Are you feeling well?” he began running his hands over her.
Gia backed up and batted his hands away. “Stop being a mother hen. I’m perfectly fine.”
Layton pursed his lips then said, “I should go so that you can have some rest.”
“Don’t leave,” her tone was full of worry.
“Then I’ll stay.” He gave a small smile.
“Good,” her face brightened.
Just as he reached to pull her to him once more, Layton felt something shove at his body and razor sharp teeth puncture the side of his abdomen. Gia’s scream permeated the air followed by the fierce growl of his nemesis.
“Layton, run!” Gia shrieked.
He rose to his feet and steadied his stance. “Somehow I thought you would fight clean. I guess I was mistaken,” he stared down the four-legged beast.
“Why are you talking to it? Fucking run!” Gia came down the steps.
“He won’t do anything with you here.” Layton put his hand up to stop her.
“I’m dreaming, that has to be the explanation. Or else why would my vampire boyfriend be talking to a big ass wolf?” Gia began talking to herself.
“I assure you, you’re not in a dream.” He told her.
“Then explain why you are acting like that nasty thing is a person?” she tossed her arms in the air.
“Because he is a person.”
“If it’s possible for vampires to go insane, I’m pretty sure you’re knocking on the door to the nut house.”
“He hasn’t told you what he is?” Layton cocked his head to the side as the wolf growled and took another step toward him.
***
“No, the furry thing with drool coming out of its mouth hasn’t filled me in. Is he a unicorn? Wait, don’t tell me, he’s a human isn’t he?” Gia doubled over laughing. When she stood up straight once more, the wolf pivoted around to face her. “Oops, did I offend it?” she bent down and began communicating as if she were speaking to a small child, “I’m sorry Mr. Wolf, I didn’t realize you had delicate sensibilities. My humblest apologies.” She made a motion as if she were tipping an invisible hat to the wolf. When she stood up once more, her playful expression changed into a wide-eyed stare as the wolf began shifting into human form. What was once grayish shaggy fur was replaced by smooth human skin. The sounds of cracking bones could be heard as the animal morphed into her friend, Micah. Gia’s mouth opened and shut but coherent thought couldn’t be found. She could feel the blood departing her face and her legs become wobbly. As her eyes rolled back into their sockets and her body wilted to the wooden surface of the porch, Gia could hear Layton’s muffled voice calling her name.
Nine
“DUDE, BACK THE FUCK UP and give her some room to breathe,” Gia could hear Micah’s agitated voice as she fluttered her eyes open.
Staring up at the ceiling above her, Gia sucked in steady breaths while shaking her head. It was a dream, right? She really didn’t see her childhood friend turn from an animal to a human being, did she?
“Do you need anything?” Layton crouched down beside the sofa she lay on. He ran a finger down her cheek, trying to comfort her.
“I need someone to tell me I didn’t see what I think I saw,” she sat up, her voice shaky and unsure.
“I’m afraid it wasn’t a dream, G,” Micah came closer.
Gia put her hand up to stop him. “I don’t want to be rude, but I need you to give me some space right now.”
“I understand.” He nodded his head. “I have some errands to run anyway.” He said as he made his way to the front door and disappeared through it.
Gia sat
up, her fingers running through her hair. “Did he invite you in?” she asked.
“More or less,” Layton replied. She knew he wasn’t allowed to enter a home unless he was invited.
“That doesn’t sound good,” she smiled.
“I might have threatened him in order to enter this house.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“Because I would go to the ends of the earth to make sure I am by your side.”
“Chill out Casanova, let me get my bearings before you wax poetry and shit.”
“Can I get you anything?” he stood and asked.
“No.” she glanced toward the window by the front door. “Shouldn’t you be asleep soon?”
“Yes, but I don’t want to leave you.”
“If you don’t leave, you’re going to be like an overcooked French fry, Layton.”
“I have a couple hours.”
“Do you have a place to go?” she looked around as if searching for a place to stash him away from the impending sunlight.
“I own a home here in Blue Creek.”
“Wow, any more homes I need to know about?” she laughed.
“Would it matter?” he asked.
“No in the least.” Gia stood, making her way down the hallway toward her bedroom. Even with the realizations that one of her best friends was a wolf, Gia still couldn’t seem to control her attraction to Layton. Was that how you were supposed to feel when you were in love with someone? If it was, then she had all the symptoms and didn’t want a cure. Sure, it was wrong but she couldn’t bring herself to care about the consequences right then. Smiling to herself, she turned back toward the doorway to see Layton standing there with his shoulder propped on the facing and his arms crossed over his black t-shirt. “What?” she asked.
He shook his head and gave a small smile. “Just standing here staring at the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Kyle.” Grabbing the bottom of her tank top, she lifted it at a slow pace until it was over her head. There she stood in nothing but a pair of booty shorts, waiting for him to touch her.
Treading to her, Layton quickly slammed his mouth on hers, then cupped one of her breasts in his hand. Moisture flooded between her legs as his tongue dashed and darted between her lips. It was like he couldn’t quite get enough of her taste and she loved that. There was a certain desperation in the way he devoured her and if truth be told, that need ramped her up even more.
“I need your hands on me,” Layton reached for her hand and placed it on the front of his black leather pants. The outline of his cock pressed against the thick fabric as she stroked and teased with her small fingers. Groans escaped his chest, filling the air to the brim with excitement. At a languid pace, Gia unbuttoned his pants and pulled the zipper downward.
“Someone isn’t wearing underwear.” She teased as his erection sprung free.
“Is that a problem?”
Gia wrapped her fingers around his shaft and tightened her grip. “No, not at all.” She then sunk to her knees and dragged his pants to his ankles. When she darted the tip of her tongue out and tasted him, Layton sucked in a sharp breath. She wasn’t stopping. If his needs were dire, hers were even more urgent.
Again and again, she pulled him past her lips and into the warm confines of her mouth. Each twitch of his cock let her know she was affecting him—just as she had wanted to. When his hands dove into her hair and gave a tug, Gia made her actions more insistent. She wanted him to explode on her tongue so she could revel in the fact that she’d done that to him. He had to be close to release by the way his stance had become rigid but he wasn’t saying anything. Worry struck her.
Pulling her mouth away, Gia looked up at the man above her. His eyes were glowing a bright aqua and his medium length hair fell around his face as he looked downward. “Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yes. Why wouldn’t I be? I have a beautiful woman at my feet. Any man would die to be in my shoes right now.” Layton cocked his head to the side, studying her.
“I don’t want anyone else in your shoes, I just want you.” She stood, nuzzling her face into his chest.
“Then say yes to my marriage proposal.” He pushed at her shoulders and gazed into her eyes.
“You’re not giving up, are you?”
“Did you expect anything less from a soulless bastard such as myself?”
“You have a soul, Layton. It’s just one of the many reasons I love you.” She smiled.
“And another reason is?”
Gia took a few steps toward the bed. “You’re really good in between the sheets.” She knew full well what she was doing—she was delaying her answer to his proposal. In her heart, she knew she would say yes, but there were a few things she needed to do before committing to Layton for the rest of her life. The main one was to find out more on her family history. There were so many questions that burned to be answered and until she could rest easy on her queries, she would have to keep putting off her answer to him.
***
If he wasn’t already dead, the suspense of waiting for Gia’s answer would’ve put him in the grave. He’d sat behind his desk at Desire wondering if he should travel to Blue Creek to be with Gia, or stay away. The fact of the matter was, he couldn’t be away from her for long. She was his everything and then some. If she needed more time, he would give it to her and hold his frustrations in check for the time being. At least he was there to protect her from what lurked in the shadows of the small town she now called home.
“I feel like you’re a million miles away,” she reached for his hand, tugging him closer to the bed.
“Too much on my mind to make sense of.”
“Then stop trying. I want you to be here, with me. Please?” she begged with her sparkling eyes.
“If you ever realize how much power you have over me, I will be in big trouble,” he leaned his head down and placed a soft kiss on her swollen lips.
He watched her crawl onto the bed, pulling him along with her. At a rapid pace, he removed the rest of his clothing and was soon on top of her. Every part of her was hot to the touch, so much so that it almost frightened him. They were so different—night and day, literally. But somehow, they’d found each other. He couldn’t imagine that he was just that lucky. Years had passed in solitude, making him wonder if he would ever be happy in his non-human form. Now, he knew that it wasn’t only possible, it was happening right before his eyes.
Ten
THE SUNLIGHT PIERCED through the sheer curtains and warmed Gia’s face. She had been lying in bed, staring at the ceiling for what felt like hours. Layton stayed with her until she’d fallen asleep in the early morning hours but as it was with most good things, he had to leave. If there was one thing she could’ve wished for, it would have been that Layton could day walk and be with her almost every moment. When he was gone, she missed him. When he was near, she mourned the fact that she would have to miss him again. It was a virtual hell she was living in.
Letting out a sigh, she sat up and grabbed her phone from the makeshift nightstand. Whoever decided that a wicker laundry hamper would make a good bedside accompaniment, was sorely lacking in interior design experience. As she tossed her legs over the side of the bed, she unlocked the screen on her phone and noticed several missed calls from her brother. Gia’s brow furrowed as she listened to a voicemail he’d left.
“Gia, as your brother I’m telling you that you’re an idiot. Why in the fuck would you go with Micah to Blue Creek? The people there aren’t the friendliest, to people like us. Please call me back.” His tone was anxious and hurried.
Rolling her eyes at Zach’s worry, Gia finally stood from the bed. When she placed her phone back on the hamper, she noticed a small box that was partially hidden by the wide-based lamp. Once it was in her hands, she lifted the top and sucked in a sharp breath. Her hands trembled as she stared at the Ascher cut diamond solitaire held up by a thin platinum band. Each facet grabbed the
light in the room, transforming it into shards of glittering wonderment. Hesitation swamped her as she plucked the ring from its velveteen confines. No, she wouldn’t try it on—that had to be some sort of bad luck. Instead, she inspected the inside of the band where she found an inscription. I never pine for sunlight when I’m with you. For you are my sun, my stars, and my life. LK.
Tears sprung from her eyes as she placed the ring back inside the box. How could she keep putting him off when he’d written something that touched her so deeply? She couldn’t. It was time to give Layton the answer he was hoping for and she’d do just that when nightfall came.
“What is that?” Micah’s voice boomed behind her, causing Gia to drop the box to the floor. When it rolled to his feet, she stood, wide eyed and embarrassed.
“It’s nothing,” reaching forward she tried to relieve the box from his grasp.
Micah jerked his hand back, then proceeded to open the ring box. Anger tormented his face as he stared down at Layton’s declaration of love. “Give it back to him, Gia.”
“What? Why would I do that?” she snatched the box from his large fingers.
“Because the fucked up fairy tale you have in your mind isn’t the reality that will play out. Hand the ring back to him and break things off.”
“Stop being a jealous asshole. This is none of your business, Micah.” She spat. “Why don’t you go find a woman’s leg to hump so you can act out your pent up sexual frustration.” She turned to grab her phone once more.
“This isn’t a joke. I’m trying to protect you.” His voice softened.
“Then don’t. I’m a big girl, I can handle making decisions that affect the rest of my life.”
“If you marry Layton Kyle, you won’t have a life to live.” He took a seat on the edge of the bed.
