by Amy Miles
Closing her eyes to the pain, she nodded. “But that is a story that I reserve only for my dearest friends…and you Gabriel Marston, are still a stranger.”
His pout was endearing but Roseline shook her head. “Fine. Then I’ll have to see about changing that.”
“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me,” she chuckled. Roseline left him next to his purring car. The winds whipped around her, tangling her hair around her face, but she didn’t notice. Her thoughts had drifted away, to a time so long ago. To when life had been simple and death meant the end, not the beginning.
***
“Great news,” Gabriel crowed loudly as he slid into a seat next to Roseline little over a week later. After the party she’d tried her best to avoid Gabriel. The more time she spent with him the more confused she got. The worst part…he wasn’t just a pretty face. She really enjoyed spending time with him, which made it so much harder to keep up her abnormally rude pretense.
Not only had Gabriel begun meeting her in the hall to walk Roseline to her classes but he’d also managed to slip in a few lunches as well. Her fight to remain indifferent was a losing battle. Just seeing Gabriel made her stomach flutter and the hairs on her neck stand to attention. Every nerve in her body was in tuned with his presence and fighting her natural urges was really wearing her out. Her will power was fading quickly.
“Aren’t you going to ask what the great new is?” he pressed, his stunning smile too inviting to refuse.
Roseline rolled her eyes and used her finger to mark her place in her book. She was reading Pride and Prejudice, for the millionth time. And as she sat there, huddled away in the corner of the high school library, she found herself wishing fate had allowed her to find her own true love before she’d been turned into a monster.
But despite her terrible lot in life, Roseline had never lost the hope of finding love. Fane had certainly tried his best to fill that roll…but it’d never felt truly right to Roseline. But now, with Gabriel in the picture, everything had changed. Maybe it was the lingering essence of him that wafted past her in the hall or the dreams that were so vividly tempting that had made her pick up the classic book again.
Or maybe it was because she had to. That’s what she liked to think at least. Her English teacher, Mrs. Carlson, had instantly picked up on Roseline’s meticulously well educated background and persuaded Roseline to take the time to volunteer as a tutor. Why did she agree?
There was only one reason that could’ve talked her into spending an hour every morning before school teaching some simpleton the eloquent words of Jane Austen. She was trying to avoid Gabriel. He’d taken to waiting in the parking lot for Roseline to arrive with Sadie, and it was making her really uncomfortable. The gentlemanly show of affection was much too sweet for her to respond snidely to. So Roseline did the only thing she could…avoid him!
She fully expected some pimple faced pencil pusher, who’d never developed a romantic bone in his body, to arrive for their first tutor session. But he didn’t even have the respect to show up on time. At least Gabriel would distract her from chewing her nails as she nervously awaited her pupil’s arrival.
Resigned to hearing him out, Roseline sat back, crossing her hands primly over her book. “I’m a bit busy at the moment Gabriel. Can’t this wait?”
Gabriel grinned, shaking his head. “Humor me.”
Her sigh was exaggerated and only made Gabriel’s smile broaden. “Fine. What could possibly be good enough to have you nearly bouncing in you seat?”
“I signed up for a tutor.”
“Ok…?” Roseline frowned, confused as to why Gabriel of all people would need a tutor. He was a shoe in for valedictorian. “You’ve lost me.”
“An English tutor?” Gabriel pressed, his eye brows bouncing suggestively.
His words hit Roseline like a ton of bricks. “Oh no,” she groaned, burying her head in her arms. “You didn’t!”
“Of course I did,” Gabriel laughed, pulling out his own version of Pride and Prejudice. “So, where are we?”
Roseline’s head popped up as she shook her finger at him. The word agitated didn’t begin to explain the tension coursing through her veins. “You expect me to believe that Mrs. Carlson actually allowed her star pupil to take her only tutor?”
“Yep,” Gabriel flashed his brilliant smile. He leaned forward. “I can be very persuasive.”
Roseline rolled her eyes, miffed at the nerve Gabriel had. “If you think I’m going to waste my time teaching you about love you’re sadly mistaken.” Roseline cried, slamming down her book as she rose to her feet. Curious eyes glanced their way as Gabriel grabbed Roseline wrist.
“Please, sit down. You’re making a scene.” Wincing, Roseline realized he was right. And it was for that reason alone that she returned to her seat. “Thanks.”
“I’m not doing it for you,” she snapped, tossing her bag onto the table. “So what’s your angle Gabriel? Think I’ll ask you back to my place for a study date and you can make your move?” Roseline hated the ice in her voice but his carefully planned trickery had really thrown her. She’d guessed that Gabriel had influence with the teachers, but to think of him manipulating her English teacher for his own purposes was not only brilliant but terribly annoying.
“Hey now,” Gabriel cried, throwing up his hands in defense. He lowered his voice, ducking his head in lower so no one could hear him. “I’m not that kind of guy…but then again you’d know that if you actually gave me a chance.”
“A chance at what? You’re with Claire aren’t you?” Roseline retorted. She would rather die than let it slip that she’d overhead their fight.
Gabriel shook his head, leaning back. “No. We broke up.”
“Oh, and you two seemed like such a cute couple,” Roseline smirked, folding her arms firmly across her chest.
“What’s your deal?” Gabriel questioned, eyeing Roseline. “Did I do something to royally tick you off?”
Roseline sighed, flexing her cramping fingers. She hadn’t realized how hard she’d been holding her arms until she felt her nails pierce her skin. Gabriel glanced down. “Hey, you’re bleeding.”
Carelessly swiping the blood away, Roseline shrugged. “Look, it’s not that I don’t like you Gabriel. We both know I do. But this really isn’t going to work.”
“Why not?” Gabriel asked, leaning in closer again. His eyes flickered back towards the half moon cuts in Roseline’s arm. His stomach churned, but oddly not from revulsion. “You’re not even giving me a chance.”
“Yeah, so take a hint.” Roseline tried to continue her abrupt tone but it came out more as a desperate plea.
Gabriel sat back, lacing his fingers together on top of the table. “Why?”
“Why what?” Roseline snapped.
Gabriel smirked. “Why can’t you leave?”
Roseline’s mouth gaped open, flabbergasted. “I was here first.”
Gabriel snickered, slouching in his chair. “Oh, that’s real mature.”
Roseline groaned and buried her face again. “Just please leave me alone. I’ll beg if I have to.” Painful moments passed while Roseline waited for his response.
“Why?” His voice was so close to her ear that Roseline could actually feel his breath wash over her neck. Her skin quivered as pleasure rolled through her, slamming into her gut like a wrecking ball. His alluring scent was too strong, consuming her mind in an instant.
“Oh no,” she moaned under her breath. That was all it took. She knew she was going to lose control in a public school, surrounded by gawking teenagers.
In less than an hour the entire school would know she was a freak and she’d be forced to move. No. Roseline couldn’t let that happen, no matter how painfully her toes curled with desire.
Without thinking, Roseline grasped Gabriel’s hand and yanked him to his feet. He barely had time to grab their bags before he went stumbling after her.
“This isn’t going to help our reputation, you know?” Gabriel chuck
led as he struggled to keep up with Roseline. She ignored him, desperate to find somewhere quiet to talk. Roseline twined her fingers with his as she wound through the maze of halls until she finally found the exit. Instinctively she headed for the parking lot, making a beeline straight for his Range Rover.
He paused, eyes widening with surprise. “You want to skip school?”
“Got a problem with that?” Roseline snapped, shifting from foot to foot. She was nervous, insanely so, but she had to do something. Emotions were boiling up inside her faster than she knew how to handle.
“Not at all,” Gabriel grinned and unlocked the doors. Roseline hopped in and threw her bag over the back of her seat. “Where to?”
“Anywhere. Just drive.”
Gabriel threw his car into reverse, tires squealing as he spun out of the parking lot. The guard at the base of the hill tried to stop them but Gabriel blew past, merging recklessly with the busy street. “Well that was fun.”
Roseline glanced over at him. “First time?”
“Yep,” he nodded, looking really pleased with himself. “I think I should do that more often.”
Roseline couldn’t help but laugh. She leaned back into the seat and closed her eyes, working hard to slow her pulse. Roseline ceased breathing until she knew she was able to handle Gabriel’s enticing scent without jumping him during rush hour traffic. They drove for a while in silence before Gabriel spoke. “That was quite a scene you made back there.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. I just had to get out of there.”
Gabriel glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. He was having trouble reading Roseline. One moment she was cold as ice and the next he thought she was gonna yank him into a bathroom stall and blissfully make out. Not that he would have minded that one bit!
“So…” Gabriel tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “Are you really mad about being my tutor?”
“No,” Roseline laughed, shaking her head. “Actually I’m pretty impressed. Do you have all of the teachers wrapped around your pinky?”
“Most of them,” Gabriel admitted proudly. “I’ve always had a way with women.” Roseline glanced over at him and Gabriel grimaced. “No. I didn’t mean it like that,” he stammered. “I just meant…”
Roseline rested her hand on Gabriel’s arm as he cut off. “I knew what you meant. Although, if you want to keep your reputation, I probably wouldn’t react like that ever again.”
Gabriel rolled his eyes. “Yeah, like I care about my reputation. I’ve just been yanked out of the library by the hottest girl known to man and I’m pretty sure the rumors are already raging like a forest fire! By the end of school, everyone will know that you violated me.”
Roseline giggled. “And I’m guessing you won’t do a thing to slow that one down.”
“Are you kidding?” Gabriel scoffed. “I’ll be a hero!”
Roseline rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
”It’s true. Every guy in the school has been after you.” Gabriel laughed at Roseline’s puzzlement. “Really? You didn’t notice?”
She shrugged, glancing out of the window. “They’re not my type.”
“Oh, so you have a type now. I can’t wait to hear this.” Gabriel pulled into an overflowing parking lot. Roseline glanced around, confused.
“Where are we?”
Gabriel opened his door and hurried around to Roseline’s side. “Come on.” His fingers entwined with hers as he helped her down. She blushed, pleased at how warm his hand felt against her skin. “So…?”
Roseline smirked. “Not gonna let that one go huh?”
“Not on your life.” He led Roseline towards a large stone building. A massive banner of a beluga whale sprawled across the front. “Want to see some whales?”
She shrugged and mounted the steps next to him. Gabriel swept her to the side as he moved to open the door for her. “After you, my lady.”
Shaking her head, amused by Gabriel’s showmanship, Roseline stepped into line for tickets to Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. Although she’d never given any thought about going before, Roseline had to admit she was excited. Gabriel ducked in front of her just as she reached the ticket booth and paid for their entry fee. Handing her a ticket, he eased them towards the entrance.
As soon as they’d maneuvered through the slow moving crowd, Gabriel took her hand again. “This is nice.”
Roseline knew she shouldn’t agree with him, but she did. She knew she shouldn’t be there with him, but she was. She shouldn’t crave his blood, his very essence of life, but she did…more than anything else in the world. This was a bad idea but she couldn’t make herself part from Gabriel.
“So…you’re a pretty good football player,” Roseline said, knowing she sounded lame but couldn’t think of any other safe subject as they approached the shark exhibit.
Gabriel nodded. “Yeah, so they tell me.” Roseline watched him closely, noting the nearly invisible eye tick, the firm set of his lips and the slightest increase in tension in his fingers.
“You hate it though don’t you?”
His response was immediate. “Yep. I have since the first day my dad made me try out. I never wanted to play sports. As a kid I was terrible. I think Steve had almost completely given up hope until he saw me goofing around with Oliver in the backyard. After that he just became obsessed,” Gabriel allowed his lip to curl with disgust. “He wants me to go to Notre Dame. It’s where he spent the best years of his life. At least that’s the crap he’s shoved down my throat for four years.”
The hall in front of them darkened, the air cooling slightly as they moved further underground. A pale blue light shone on the carpet, lighting the room ahead. Gabriel led them past fish tanks with dancing tropical fish and beautiful coral to an empty bench near the back of the shark room. They sat, staring at the beasts of the deep as they lazily glided past.
“What do you want Gabriel?” Roseline asked softly. She knew he was talented, he’d proven that by the make shift gallery in his attic, but she wanted to know more. What drove him? What thrilled him? What made him get out of bed every morning?
“I want freedom. I want the chance to decide what’s right for me.”
Roseline nodded in agreement. She could sympathize. “It’s not easy when that choice is taken from you,” she whispered, thinking back to the moment her humanity had been stripped away. She’d pleaded with Vladimir to show mercy on her sister and later to let Roseline die when the pain had consumed her, but he’d only laughed at her.
Gabriel glanced over at Roseline, pulling their hands into his lap. He gently ran his finger along the inside of her wrist. “Somehow I knew you’d understand.”
Roseline blinked back tears, turning away to watch a hammer head shark disappear overhead. “I do…more than you could ever know.”
“But you’re here now. Don’t you get along with your mom?” Gabriel asked, beginning to trace his finger up to her elbow. He loved the texture of her flawless skin under his hands. He had to stop himself from thinking of how much more he would like to touch.
“Sure I do. She’s great. But I don’t know how long I’ll be here.”
Gabriel tensed, his fingers pausing their motion. “But you just got here.”
Roseline nodded, swallowing the cotton ball that felt like it’d been lodged in her throat. “Yes, but it might not be a good fit for us.”
“Are you guys in some kind of trouble?”
“No,” Roseline shook her head. She didn’t want Gabriel to think she needed saving. That was the last thing she wanted in case Vladimir ever found her. She couldn’t bare the thought of Gabriel foolishly trying to protect her against the wickedest being known to man. “It’s mom’s job. She moves around a lot.”
“Oh,” Gabriel breathed a sigh of relief. “So you really might have to leave?”
Roseline bowed her head, unwilling to let him see her tears. “Yes.”
Gabriel’s hand slipped back down her arm, twining with her fingers. He squeez
ed her hand affectionately. “Then let’s make the time we do have together memorable.”
Roseline was caught off guard as Gabriel stood and swept her up into his arms, already beginning to twirl her around as if they were the only two people in a grand ballroom. Roseline effortlessly fell in with the familiar steps. “Well aren’t you full of surprises,” she gushed, blushing furiously at the gawking bystanders.
Gabriel smiled knowingly. “What can I say? I’m a man of mystery.”
Her soft laugh cut off as Gabriel dipped her low, bending her backwards so low her hair swept the floor. He pulled her slowly upright, his gaze unwavering from hers as two little girls burst into applause.
“I bet you’re like this with all the girls,” Roseline smiled, feeling perfectly safe in his confident arms. He twirled her around one last time before clasping her hand in his and led her out of the room.
“No. I’m really not.” Gabriel’s smile faltered as he stopped by the jelly fish tank. There was something mesmerizing by their movements under the backlights. “I’ve never been with a girl like you before Rose.” He turned, gently pulling Roseline closer. “There’s something about you that makes me feel complete.”
Roseline chuckled, playfully slapping Gabriel’s chest. “Oh come on. That’s a terrible line to use.”
Gabriel’s hand slipped behind her back, pulling her within an inch of him. His eyes glowed iridescent blue in the tank light. The heat radiating from his body drew Roseline in closer, like a moth to a flame. She felt her body mold around his, her lips trembling as he closed the gap. “I barely even know you and yet my world seems to revolve around you. You’re in my dreams, my every thought…I can’t get you out of my mind and it’s driving me crazy.”
Roseline laughed weakly. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
A growl rose in Gabriel’s throat as he crushed his lips onto Roseline’s. She instantly locked down on her muscles, refusing to let them move an inch while Gabriel’s lips parted. The boiling began in her heart, liquid fire pumping to all areas of her body. The flames licked hotter and hotter as her lips moved against his, her body pressing intimately close.
