Chapter 22
Sarma rose early, her body heavy as if she hadn’t slept the night before. She wished she could rest, but her body never turned off, never let go of the unease. A cold mantel of sadness settled on her shoulders accompanying the tension that followed her like a lap dog. At least a breathtaking sunrise splayed out before her motel room’s balcony. Corals, oranges, and pinks streaked the sky like paint across a canvas.
Back on the road, she stopped on the coast where a rocky hill sloped down to a sandy beach, and a waterfall cascaded into the bright turquoise water. After a short stroll, she climbed back into the car. Winding through the canopy of redwoods that towered above, she searched for a place to stay, but there were no campsites available. She should have guessed since Big Sur was a popular place in the summer.
Night would come soon, and the windy road continued on for a while before any hotels appeared. Still, someone told her this area was a place to see condors. She would stop for only ten minutes then continue on.
After climbing through an opening in a fence, she huffed up a worn path. Since she was still healing, she paused often, catching her breath. Golden grass covered the rolling hills, a soft breeze bending the stalks to the side. Finding a spot to recline, she settled on the ground to view the birds.
Between low white clouds, two condors swooped around, circling, following the current with their wings. They held an ancient, deep presence that finally eased Sarma. In the distance, waves tumbled against the shore making her drowsy.
Sarma thrust her head up at footsteps crunching on the path. The hairs on her arms tingled and stood on end, her heartbeat sped up. Every time she heard footsteps, something bad happened. She scanned the area, but there was no one.
She glanced back to the smooth fliers. It was probably the wind rustling through the grass. A spray of sparrows darted over her and she jolted. Maybe she should leave. She rescanned her surroundings but no one was around. Her shoulder tightened.
“Sarma?” A familiar man's voice called her name.
Sarma turned. Reinis stood above her—a silhouette in the sun.
Another dream?
She shielded her eyes from the sun and peered at the vision again.
“Sarma,” he murmured, kneeling down and touching her cheek.
His skin was warm—that never happened in the dreams. Her chest hummed.
“Reinis?” she said, afraid to believe it could actually be him. Her heart pounded and ached simultaneously.
He took her hand in his. His eyes darkened. “You're in danger.”
Sarma’s heart thundered in her chest. Reinis’ hand held hers firmly.
“You’re real?”
“Yes, and I’m here.”
She wanted to pull him into her arms, kiss him hard and deep but instead, she froze. She was dumbfounded. “How did you find me?”
“I know this is strange seeing me here, I promise I will explain. We need to talk.”
Sarma didn't want him to explain. Though her life had turned upside down since they met, she wished him to stay, forever. At the same time, she never wanted to see him again. She wanted him to leave, and worse, she wanted to embrace him and cry on his chest.
“Who said I want you to explain? It’s not just weird you’re here, it’s scary. I don't need trouble from you or anyone else.” She stood up and cocked her hands on her hips. Even so, she couldn’t take her eyes off his face.
Against pale skin, Reinis’ usual dark stubble led up to his messy hair standing on end, the fade freshly trimmed. He’d dressed in simple but sexy clothes. Black, slim jeans, white t-shirt, a black leather biker jacket that emphasized his broad shoulders—the shoulders that made her feel safe. And his stomach, those perfectly cut muscles under his shirt. She could slip her hands underneath that cloth. Reinis blushed as if he knew what she was thinking.
“I don't mean any trouble, I mean to help.” He took a step toward her.
“Don't mean trouble? I slept with you and turned my life inside out.” Breathless, she jabbed the air with her finger. “And why the hell do I need help from you or anyone else?” She smoothed the skirt of her sundress. She had zero desire to talk, but she couldn’t deny the memory of his touch. His hands running through her hair, removing her clothes, penetrating her…she needed to stop these runaway thoughts.
The last few weeks had been a nightmare and right now, she was liable to scratch someone’s eyes out. Still, she wanted to run to him. Melt into his arms and let his kiss take her away. Take her away to a faraway place where only they existed and she didn’t need to worry about what next. Buzzing in her chest felt electric.
A cloud floated over and blocked the sun. Sarma’s arms and legs were bare, and she shivered. She wanted to warm up with him under blankets, bare skin to bare skin. The two times she’d seen him, it was night. Daylight illuminated his green eyes, and they had flecks of gold, like someone else’s eyes she’d seen, but couldn’t remember whose. She returned her gaze to those eyes filled with light and trust, and something else. A mystery she couldn't put her finger on. He was irresistible. So damn irresistible.
Admiring the masculine lines of his sharp cheekbones and jawline, she found her eyes wandering to his lips. The lips that grazed her breasts and kissed her belly. That tasted her and made her hungry for him again. Lost in the moment, he was silent as well as if content to stand watching her.
Reinis broke the silence. “Please, I need to tell you some important things. You and Marita are in danger. Give me a chance.” He stepped forward again, making the space between them minuscule.
How did he know Marita’s name? They had never met. She’d only seen him twice, once in the club and once . . . “First, tell me how you found me. Seeing you appear here without warning . . . it’s a little much.”
He covered his eyes with his hand, exhaled, and then glanced back, meeting her eyes. “I admit this is frightening to you, but I’m asking you to trust me.”
“I met you once, we slept together, and I left your country. What basis do I have to trust you?” Sarma knew the answer to the question. Trust came naturally between them. When they met, it was as if she had known him forever. She smoothed her skirt again.
“Why would I come all the way across the world if it wasn’t important? I promise you, I will explain everything. I need . . . I need you to listen to me. Please.” He pressed his hands together as if he prayed for her to say yes.
“Fine. I don't know how the hell you found me. For the record, I'm going back to you being a creep,” Sarma protested and crossed her arms. “Anyway, if it involves my best friend, who I would do almost anything for, I'll give you some time.”
Marita pissed the royal hell out of her, but steadfast friends like her were difficult to find. How many times had Marita come running when Derek acted like a total jerk? Loyalty made up for her mistakes.
“At least let me grab my jacket from the car,” Sarma stated. She was cold but wanted to stay by the water. The hum in her chest radiated through her.
Reinis’ self-control balanced on a thin wire. After the times he’d spied on her at the house and the bookstore, he was finally so close yet so far away. He didn't want to talk. He wanted to close the space between them, tip her chin back, and kiss her deeply. His fingers remembered how silky her hair was. Her soft, nude skin, under his hands. His shaft hardened in his jeans, craving her wet canal. But he shoved aside his feelings, reminding himself of the grave danger.
She would always be an assignment.
They headed to the car and then wandered down to the beach. Perched on a flat rock near the water, he took her in, his blood racing. Her red and white polka dot sundress hugged her waist and exposed her dainty cleavage. The sun caught in her eyes. Catching him staring at her, she smiled then quickly wiped it away.
“Did you meet Gatis?” His imprint hummed in his chest, corresponding with hers. A silent communication. He knew her, but even more important, knew what she felt. She trusted him intrinsically a
nd though unaware of it, the imprint influenced her to be more comfortable around him despite her legitimate fears.
“You know Gatis? How do you know Gatis? This is getting too weird.”
“Yes or no, Sarma?”
“He’s dating Marita.”
Reinis grimaced inside. What he sensed was correct. His following Sarma had served a double purpose—staying by Sarma and he’d discovered Gatis needling his way into Sirsniņa’s life. He was using Marita to get to Sarma. Though his pulse reared in anger, he maintained his calm expression.
“And he came to my house.” She pulled the skirt lower around her calves and the thin coat closer around her waist.
He took off his jacket and handed it to her. “Say nothing and accept. You’re cold, and I’m not.”
Reluctantly, she reached out her hand and put it on.
“So he knows where you live?” A growl almost escaped his throat, but he caught himself. He was going to rip Gatis to shreds.
“How do you know Gatis? Latvia can't be that small.”
“Sarma, I'm going to reveal the most unbelievable thing you’ve ever heard. It's so far out; your mind will tell you I'm lying even when I prove what I say. Will you listen to me?” Reinis dipped in closer. Mesmerizing desire instantly connected them.
Turning away, Sarma gripped the stone’s edge. She opened up her arms, and her hair fell across one shoulder leading to open cleavage. He didn’t try to hide that his eyes followed her movements. As if she noticed, she turned back toward him.
“I can see you’re uneasy. You have every right to be. Will you listen to me?” He repeated the question as if each word carried weight.
“Yes, but in the end, if I don't like what you say, I reserve the right to walk away, and you will never bother me again. Stay away from me in every sense of the word.”
“Agreed. But I'm warning you.” He lurched forward and grasped her hands tightly, eyes piercing hers, “I will protect you, no matter what.”
Sarma scoffed, “I don't need you to protect me.” She didn't pull her hands away, though, and her voice trembled.
He sensed her urge to kiss him. Fire gathered in his loins again. Exhaling, he let go. It was hell to be so close—her soft but firm hand in his, desire pumping through his veins, and all the time aware that he couldn’t touch her in the way he craved.
Holding strong and commanding his hardness to stand down, he stared out at the ocean swell. If only he could brush the loose hair away from her face, run his thumb across her cheek and lips, and take her in his arms. He remained still and in perfect control instead. He remembered his mother’s words to heed their decrees. Death or exile.
“I’ll give you a chance to explain. I’m ready to listen.”
How could he tell her? He didn't know where to start. The truth was all he had. That and a couple of fangs to prove it. Reinis launched into his story.
“Gatis, Ilze, and Andis are cousins. And we are . . .” He paused. “Another species.”
“Another species?” Sarma sat forward.
“How do I explain it to you?” He clasped his hands together and hunched over the rock. His heart felt wrung out. He wanted her to accept him. Though it was unfair, he didn’t want her to be angry. His chances were slim. Reinis sat up again.
“In your culture, you have what you call fairytales. In those stories, there are beings that humans say are mythical. What I’m trying to tell you is that certain things do exist. Things that you’ve been told are unreal.” He unfolded his hands and gripped his knees.
“I know this is confusing. But there is only one way for me to tell you. I need to be straight so you understand the true danger you’re in. I owe you the truth.” Not a whiff of amusement was expressed in his voice. He locked eyes with Sarma.
“I'm a vampire.”
Chapter 23
The ocean waves gnawed at the shore, and nearby seagulls squealed loudly. With the all the clamor, Sarma wasn’t sure what words Reinis just spoke. “What did you just say?”
With arms around her waist, Reinis touched his lips to her ear. “I’m a vampire.”
Sarma burst out laughing. Not a chuckle, but incredulous laughter, as if he was the funniest person she’d ever met. She pulled away and squeezed her stomach that cramped from her belly laugh.
His face remained stark as he waited for her to calm down. Reinis exuded security and composure as if he fully believed every single word he said, but she couldn’t stop her giggles.
He rose from the flat rock they sat on and began to pace. “How do you think I found you? I can hear and see things you can't.”
“Give me a break.” Sarma laughed.
“I need to you to listen to me,” Reinis demanded. “I’m not playing games.”
“Right,” Sarma said, holding back a giggle.
“I can pinpoint wherever you are. And so can Gatis. He wants to hurt you and Marita.” His words—solid and focused sliced her laughter in half.
Sarma jerked still. He had a point. How did he find her at Big Sur? No one knew where she was. And in Latvia? How did any of them track her down? All. The. Time.
“Gatis is harmless. He treats me like a friend and makes Marita very happy.”
In a flash, he was back on the rock, sitting beside her. Arms around her waist, baring long incisors, pupils tiny as pinpricks. And so close, with his hot breath on her cheek.
Sarma froze. Stopped breathing. “Reinis!” She punctuated each word. “You scared me to death. Get away from me, now.”
With a snap, he jolted a few feet away, his teeth in their original place. “I apologize for scaring you.” He wrinkled his forehead. “I won't touch you again. My teeth are real. I am real. The danger is real.”
His face was impenetrable. His whole body emanated power and confidence with an edge—the same way it had in the club. Sarma's fear mixed with the light emanating from her chest. There it was again, that unusual sensation. The first time she noticed it was after their sexual exchange and several times at home, but never related it to him. Somehow the feeling connected her to Reinis. Should she trust him or tell him to go to hell?
The way her whole life had gone to hell.
Sarma needed to get out of here. Fast. She slept with a vampire? He never hurt her before, but what's to say he wouldn’t now?
“The last thing I want is for you to be upset. If Gatis weren't after you and Marita, if it weren’t absolutely necessary, I would have never told you.”
Shivering from nerves, Sarma marched back up the beach slope. With everything happening, emotional pressure built like a volcano ready to blow. Her lower back hurt again.
“You are a super creep. I don't know how you pulled off this stunt, but you win. I’m amazed. Now you're done.” Out of breath, she hauled her tired body up the hill.
As she neared the top of the ridge, she turned to view the ocean. The moon bloomed in the east while the waves swallowed the sun. He trudged up the hill. If he could move fast, why did he take so long? And damn it, she had his jacket on. His leather coat that looked insanely sexy on him and wafted his pine scent up to her nose. Gritting her teeth in the cold, Sarma tore it off.
Reinis’ breath was in control at the top. Not at all like Sarma's breathlessness. His rock hard body was very fit.
“I'm talking about your life. You don't know my cousin Gatis and his family. You don't know the lengths they’ll go to.” His voice faded.
“To do what?” She shoved the jacket into his hands, despite the goosebumps that had sprung up on her arms.
“I can't tell you.” He pushed it back toward her.
“How absurd!” She yelled at him over the crashing waves, tossing the jacket at him. Heavy, it tumbled toward the ground. Before it landed, he swiped it out of the air. Again, he’d darted so quickly it made her want to pass out. How did he do that?
High tide hit. The huge waves crashed against the rocks where Sarma and Reinis sat only minutes before. Ocean foam sprayed everywhere, and the wind
drifted the mist up to them. Her heart urged trust, but her brain urged her to run. Why was he doing this to her? Reinis’ sincerity hit her hard. He was dead serious. The beat of attraction for him surpassed the physical.
She needed to be close, to talk for hours, and find out everything there was to know about him. How he spent his free time. Where he liked to be touched and how. Now that she knew—well, considered—the fact that he was a vampire, she was curious what his life was like. Yet again, none of this made sense. The whole thing had to be some kind of a ruse.
Sarma scrambled across the highway. A figure stood by her car. No, not someone else. An urge to scream hit her.
“Laima?” Sarma blinked and drew in a deep breath.
Laima stood next to her Jeep. In the fading light, it struck her whose green eyes Reinis had. Tall, slim, powerful build, impeccable looks. Their loveliness was super-human. Black braids crowned her head, and she wore a long, silvery dress that shimmered under the moonlight. They were statuesque, tall, self-possessed, and stunningly gorgeous. Reinis was a god and Laima, a goddess.
“I knew you wouldn't believe him. That is why I came,” Laima said in perfect English, with the same smooth, sexy accent as Reinis.
“You speak English?”
“Yes, I do. Marita's family in Latvia doesn't know what I am. I have to hide. It's safer. I'm the same as Reinis. A vampire.” Laima's voice remained steady.
“If what you say is true, why did you come into my life?” Sarma sniffled from the cold. This was crazy. Was she having a breakdown? Perhaps this was all a dream. Wake up, she demanded herself and pinched her arm as hard as she could.
Laima's eyes expressed the same motherly love she had shown in Latvia. Laima’s touch had been so nurturing. Her fear lifted like thinning smoke.
“Come with us. It's cold and we need to talk. Let me care for you.”
Forbidden Darkness (Immortal Desire Series Book 1) Page 14
