Dark Secrets

by P. L. Midnight

  I hadn’t seen him appear or anything, but I hadn’t heard a door open either. The man was stealth personified.

  Victor carried a silver tray with a covered dish, a carafe and a bowl of what appeared to be fresh fruit. He’d gone to a lot of trouble it looked like, so I decided to keep any comments about his attitude to myself, at least for the time being. The food smelled good as my stomach reminded me of my hunger. He walked towards my bed. I’d swear he was grimacing as he placed the tray on the oversized nightstand beside the bed. I wondered for a moment what I’d done and decided he was just being an ass as usual.

  “Do you need help sitting up?”

  “No thanks,” I said frowning only once as my ribs gave me a sharp pain when I moved to sit up. He looked at me with what appeared to be genuine concern, as if he couldn’t understand how I could still be that sore. However, as usual with Victor the look passed across his face quickly and disappeared.

  “I can see by the grimace that you’re still sore. Let me help you.”

  He gave me no choice as he leaned over and gently lifted me the rest of the way into a sitting position. He was right about one thing: there was no way I was going to be able to leave anytime soon. He tucked the covers in around me. Immediately he moved back, as if shocked by the intensity of touching me. Unfortunately, I’d felt it, too, all the way to my nether regions. It seemed we were both unhappy about how our bodies were reacting to the slightest contact. Neither of us mentioned it as Victor carefully placed the tray on my lap and quickly moved back from the bed as if the very devil was chasing him.

  Did I need a bath or what? He looked like I offended his sensibilities or something. It was that look you get when you bite into a sour lemon. Strangely though, he was still handsome even when he scowled. I wondered if the man ever smiled, but thought better of asking in his present mood.

  I opened the silver dome and found warm scrambled eggs with cheese and two slices of what appeared to be freshly sliced, toasted sourdough bread. I looked up at Victor and gave him one of my biggest smiles. I loved eggs with cheese and toast. I know it sounds strange, but my mom used to make this for me when I was sick. That was before everything changed and she had to work long hours to support us, but it still brought back pleasant memories of her taking care of me.

  He merely watched me and made no move to help me again as I grimaced when I leaned forward to place the lid on the nightstand.

  A look of pure lust filled his eyes as he looked at me. I felt my nipples harden against the soft, oversized t-shirt I wore. When Victor finally spoke, his deep voice was a little husky, “I’ll be downstairs. If you need anything, pull the cord near the headboard of your bed.”

  He no sooner spoke than he flashed me another of his almost disdainful looks and quickly left the room. In spite of his attitude towards me, someone had gone to a lot of work to prepare the eggs—which were perfect—and the toast that was golden brown and slathered with melted butter. It had taken a while to cut up the variety of fresh fruit that was in the dish, too. I decided to eat my eggs while they were still warm. Regardless of his opinion of me, I was going to enjoy the feast that he’d probably prepared for me.

  I took a mouthful of the eggs and could barely contain a sigh of pure delight as the warm confection slid down my throat. I spread the toast with some of the fresh honey that was thoughtfully placed on the tray. I relished each bite and finished it all, even the rather large dish of fruit. I was certain that Victor wouldn’t have appreciated feeding me as Sebastian had promised to do a few times when I didn’t want to eat. However, it might have been interesting eating from his long, graceful hands. I’m not sure where that unwelcome thought came from, but I didn’t even like the guy. I was so not going with romantic thoughts of him. Yuck.

  I missed my guys, even more when I was alone, which was most of the time now that I was getting better. My thoughts returned to how they’d all treated me. They’d cared for me and touched me with chaste tenderness. Their kisses and slight caresses were magical and happened as often as they could manage them without being obvious. Victor seemed to be barely tolerating my presence in his home, but what could I do. I’d just ignore him. He’d saved my life, but I didn’t have to chitchat with him.

  I was just finishing the hot herbal tea when the man that had been occupying my thoughts returned. He had a few books in his hands and my coat draped over his arm. I tried smiling at him again, but got his usual contorted facial expression as his eyes traveled down my silhouette, outlined under the covers. Oh well, whatever, I thought. I’d appreciated the breakfast and I would act accordingly. At least my parents had raised me with some manners.

  “I see you finished everything. Good, it will help you recover from your injuries quicker.” So you can get out of my house sooner, I thought, but he failed to add it.

  “Yes, thank you, it was delicious. Your domestic is a very good cook. The eggs melted in my mouth and the toasted bread was perfect.”

  “I made them.” Just as I thought.

  “Thanks.”

  “You already said that.”

  “Yes, I guess I did. I was quite hungry, I suppose.”

  “Indeed you were.”

  “I’m surprised you cook.”

  “I don’t know why that should surprise you. Many guys can cook these days. Besides, making a few eggs and toast hardly constitutes cooking.”

  “It was cooking to me. It was one of my favorites. My mother used to make this for me when I was little. Sorry, you just didn’t seem like the type that would cook his own meals.”

  “Don’t be sorry, I don’t cook my own meals.”

  “But, you cooked this for me.”

  “The housekeeper is off for a few days.”

  “I see.”

  “No, you don’t see anything. I gave her some time off so I could tend to you myself. I’m curious as to what type of man you think I am.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” I said feeling a little intimidated as he walked purposely towards the bed having draped my coat over a chair and placed the books on the dresser.

  “Oh, I think you do know, Emma,” Victor said as he reached down and lifted the tray off my lap grazing my thigh as he picked it up, which woke those butterflies in my stomach. He placed it on the nightstand. His eyes, almost obsidian now, were glittering dangerously as he watched me. He didn’t seem to miss anything as I blushed at the intensity of his scrutiny.

  Victor surprised me by sitting on the edge of the bed and turning to look at me before he spoke in his softer, huskier, deep sexy voice, “I just want to check your injuries. You looked as if you were in pain earlier when you tried to sit up.”

  I stammered at his tone and close proximity. After all I wasn’t exactly in my normal street clothes and this man wasn’t a doctor. “Um, yeah, sure, of course, and um thanks.”

  I held my breath as a burst of something close to a large charge of static electricity descended down my body when he grasped my arm. It was an impersonal touch, but it left me breathless and quivering. I didn’t like my reaction to this arrogant, unfriendly man.

  He lifted my arm and quickly ran his hand up and down, checking for lingering injuries. I only flinched a couple of times as he examined me. Each time he’d tenderly study the area that had caused the pain. He seemed to be puzzled as to why I wasn’t completely healed, which I didn’t understand. It had only been a little over a week since the accident, according to him.

  He put my arm back down and gently grasped the other one, reaching across me to do so. I inhaled deeply when his touch moved across my breasts causing a poignant yearning inside me for more contact with his body. He stopped examining my arm and devoured me with his eyes for a few seconds. My cell phone rang, breaking the spell.

  I hadn’t realized he’d even returned it.

  He cleared his throat as if unable to speak at first, then said in an impersonal tone, “Can I get that for you or do you wish to answer it?”

  “I’ll call whoever it
is back later, thanks.”

  Victor gave me a rather expressive look before speaking, “I’m going to have to redress that ankle. It may hurt a little since you seem to be healing a little slower than I expected. I have to go get some more gauze. I’ll be right back.”

  He almost ran out the door he was so anxious to leave after having almost caressed my ankle. I looked down and realized that my nipples had hardened under the thin t-shirt again. How embarrassing. I wondered if that was why Victor had left so quickly.

  Victor didn’t have the look of an innocent and wasn’t totally immune to me. He looked to be at least twenty-five and with looks like his, he’d likely had more than a few women in his life. He also looked ready to devour me, as he was holding my ankle, with what wasn’t a naive expression.

  He just seemed to run hot and cold like a faucet. He seemed to be chilly again as he returned with his hands full of gauze rolls. His hard, emotionless sapphire eyes were back. I’d managed to pull the comforter back over my breasts affording me a little dignity. I was still blushing as Victor sat back down on the bed and pulled the comforter out of his way so he could attend to my ankle.

  He ignored me, and without speaking a word, he began to unwrap my ankle. He worked quickly, attempting to be impersonal but gentle. When he finished his hand lingered a few moments on my calf before he finally spoke, “The swelling seems to be gone, but it’s still badly bruised. As I said you’re a slow healer, it seems.”

  His eyes met mine as he pulled the comforter back over my exposed legs. Victor’s eyes were no longer cold when he looked at me. They were full of a molten fire that seared my insides. All of a sudden, his face came towards mine. I knew he was going to kiss me. He’d been anything but welcoming when I woke. Now, he wanted to kiss me. Did I even want him to kiss me? My body didn’t resist even while my mind hesitated. I unconsciously leaned toward the handsome, unpredictable stranger.

  His lips pressed against mine in a powerful, perfect kiss. No one had ever kissed me the way Victor did that day. It was not a gentle kiss seeking permission as his full lips dominated while his tongue slid possessively between my lips, exploring and captivating me with its intensity. He kissed me hard, nibbling on my bottom lip then lingering to enjoy my response.

  At first, I had no real idea what to do. My body seemed to respond on its own without much provocation from me. I merely mimicked what he did, which brought a groan from him, as his tongue danced a dance as old as time with mine. I felt lightheaded and breathless from the urges he’d stirred within me.

  Victor leisurely plundered my mouth as his hands pulled me out from beneath the comforter and onto his lap. This was certainly no innocent teen, I thought, as his hands skillfully stroked my back and massaged my neck pulling me closer until our bodies almost melded together. My breasts were gently pushed against his chest, as I straddled his lap, facing him. His tongue explored and retreated until I thought I couldn’t stand any more of the intensity of our entwined mouths or the nearness of our bodies, dressed as I was. One of his hands moved down to caress my exposed thigh, causing feelings in me that weren’t appropriate for someone I hardly knew.

  His hands held me softly, but unwilling to move from around my waist when I would have broken the kiss.

  One minute we were close to becoming lovers and then it was as if someone had dumped ice water on him. His mouth retreated as the customary coldness overcame him. Victor nearly dumped me on my butt, he was so anxious to get away from me. What the hell, I thought. Had I done something wrong? It was that faucet effect, again. I could tell by his eyes, which had turned as cold as ice when he looked at me.

  “I’m sorry, that shouldn’t have happened. You’re an innocent, and a guest in my home. I’ve been no gentleman with you. It won’t happen again. I’ll drop off your dinner later.”

  I didn’t have a chance to say anything, not that he would’ve listened anyway as he damn near ran to get to the bloody door after his sincere and rather rushed apology. It wasn’t his fault. I’d wanted that kiss and his touch as much as he’d wanted me.

  I slid my fingers across my tender lips as I thought of the kiss we’d shared. Tears filled my eyes as I wondered what was wrong with me. I just didn’t understand how he could turn off his feelings so quickly. I was still under the influence of what we’d shared a few moments earlier. My desire still lingered. I sat on the bed trying to recover from his brutal desertion and apology. He’d even made it clear that I wouldn’t be seeing him for long at dinner.

  When I hurt, I usually get mad and do something stupid. That day was no exception. In my confusion, I supposed that if he thought I was going to sit there and do nothing, he had another think coming. I knew where my phone was located. I’d quietly hobbled over to it and found that my money and other things were back inside my coat pocket. Good, I was leaving tonight, I thought as I limped back to the bed.

  I was bored with no one around. The books he’d brought were classics that were hardly my type of reading material. However, to pass the time I did read some of a Charles Dickens book, since he’d been kind enough to bring them.

  I made my final decision after Victor had almost dropped the dinner tray on the nightstand and bolted to the door without a word. I couldn’t call Tori from inside the house for fear he’d hear me. Although he’d made it quite clear that he didn’t want me here, he might still stop me just to be contrary. I decided I was leaving even if I had to hobble to the damn road. My ankle was still sore, but I could make it to the road now that it looked like most of the ice was gone.

  I thought, if I stayed inside the trees, he’d never notice me leaving.

  I’d call and ask Tori to pick me up. I had enough money left for a car if I used the credit card. I was getting out of there right away. Victor could keep my car and the stuff left in the trunk. Maybe he could get a few bucks out of it, which he could use towards any costs he’d incurred on my behalf.

  Victor had hurt my feelings worse than I was willing to admit when he’d left me after that epic kiss. I’d always remember the kiss, but I couldn’t stay there with him any longer. I looked at the time. I knew that Mrs. McClain wasn’t around and Victor probably retired to his library as he did most nights.

  I hobbled over to the chair where my coat lay. I was dressed in warm pajamas. They’d have to do since my clothes were nowhere to be found in the room. Fortunately, there was a pair of those heavy suede boot-like slippers that would do for temporary footwear. When Tori got there, I’d have her go into a store and buy me some jeans, a sweater, and a few undergarments. That would do until I could find a thrift shop in Columbus and buy a few more things.

  Thanks to the stupid car accident, my funds were going to be limited, so it was back to thrift stores. Perhaps I could get some kind of job to help with my expenses while I looked for Mom. My biggest problem was going to be avoiding Dark Hearts, the Order, and my guys. Yes, I still thought of them as my guys even though they’d lied to me. I wondered as I had several times if they had a good reason for their lies.

  I was grateful that Victor had found the Thanksgiving picture of them in the car. He’d brought it inside and put it in the drawer of the nightstand, probably thinking they were my family. He’d probably brought in my clothes, too. I just didn’t have time to look for them. If he heard me moving about too much, he might come looking for me. I didn’t want that to happen. I don’t know why my leaving would bother him, but who knew how his mind worked.

  I put on my coat, made sure my money, cell phone, ID and bankbook were inside the pocket. I slid the small frame holding the picture of my guys in the other pocket. As I quietly hobbled towards the door, a white piece of paper drifted to the floor, which I didn’t notice. I slowly opened the door and peeked down the hall, looking right and left. The coast was clear.

  I slowly made my way down the stairs. Each step caused a throbbing pain in my ankle. It was a slow, painful process, but I finally made it. I slowly limped over to the doorway to make sure Victor wasn
’t about. I finally managed to carefully open the front door and step outside. It was cold. I was glad that my hat and gloves had somehow found their way into my room as I’d need all the protection I could get from the bitter winds that seemed to surround the damn castle.

  I carefully picked my way across the front lawn, avoiding the fallen branches that still littered the ground, providing evidence of the intensity of the ice storm. I’d been more than a little attracted to the man who’d saved my life, but it was apparent those feelings weren’t reciprocated. I wasn’t going to be toyed with any longer. I couldn’t take one more minute under his roof, where I obviously wasn’t wanted. Nevertheless, I’d always be thankful that he’d been kind enough to rescue me from certain death.

  It was bitterly cold. The wind even whistled through the thickness of the evergreen trees. At least, it wasn’t quite dark yet. I could still see where I was going. I carefully stepped over the debris scattering the ground. When I was nestled in the trees a little ways from the house I felt safe enough to call Tori. Unfortunately, there was no signal.

  I pulled the scarf tighter around my neck in an attempt to keep warm as I slowly wove my way across the thick strand of trees towards the road. I’d walk until I got a darn signal. I had to get away from Victor, from all of them. My need for them was becoming an almost physical necessity that I didn’t want. If I was going to concentrate on finding my mother, I had to have a clear head. My ankle was now aching intensely with each step I walked towards my freedom.

  I chanced a look back at the castle. No lights were on yet, even though it was quickly growing dark. Perhaps Victor’s library didn’t face this direction. I could only hope that was the case. Thankfully, the moon was waning gibbous or almost full, which provided enough light for me to find my way through the trees.

  As I turned back around to hobble to the road, I heard the loud flapping of what had to be very large wings.