Keeper's Finder (Keeper's Kin Book 0)

by Beth Alvarez

  “I was sixteen, my face was broken out anyway!” He rubbed the corners of his mouth, smirking at the memory. “Ah, man. It itched so bad, too. Hey, don’t get anything with strawberries, all right? I don’t really feel like risking that again.”

  “Oh, and what difference does it make what I get?” She smirked, slipping through the door when he held it open.

  Josh offered a sly smile, following her to the counter. “Just making sure I don’t get exposed.”

  He ordered a watermelon popsicle while she stared into the deep glass case of frozen treats, eventually settling on raspberry cream for herself.

  “I half expected you to get strawberry just to get back at me,” he teased, sliding cash over the counter. It was folded so the numbers didn’t show, but the girl behind the counter tucked it into her pocket with enough speed for Charlotte to be sure it was another hundred.

  She tamped down a swell of irritation, unwrapping her popsicle on the way back out. “So is that your new solution to everything? Throw money at it?”

  Josh held the door for her, trailing along at her heels. “Here, yes. I had to call and make sure they’d stay open late enough for us to get here. They expected incentive for that. At the restaurant, I just didn’t want to wait. It felt like time to go. You were upset with me.”

  She considered that for a moment, sucking the top corner of her popsicle. Her first impulse was to say she was, but she knew that wasn’t the truth. As desperately as she wanted to be mad at him for everything he’d put her through, the only feeling that kept coming back was pure, sweet relief at being with him again. As well as fear it would end.

  Deciding she didn’t want to have that talk just yet, she nodded toward his popsicle. “You should have gotten blood orange.”

  He perked up. “Did they have orange?”

  Charlotte raised a brow, feeling a tingle of amusement as the joke dawned on him. His eyes widened, and she laughed.

  “Ah, man,” he sighed “That sounds good.”

  “What does?”

  “You laughing. I wasn’t sure I’d ever hear that again.”

  Her cheer faded, though she held on to a genuine smile. Whether or not she’d admit it, he did a good job of melting the ice block that encased her heart. “It’s hard not to be happy when you have paletas.”

  “Yeah, and I should have taken Spanish instead of French. I feel like I can’t entirely appreciate a good popsicle without knowing its proper name.” He rolled his eyes, biting a chunk from the end of his treat.

  All the patio chairs outside the shop had been put up already, so they got back in the car to eat. She licked a stray drop of melting raspberry cream from her fingers. “I’m surprised you like it, to be honest. The pop, I mean.”

  “Not gonna lie, it’s not as good as I remember.” Josh shrugged, passing her a napkin. “It kind of feels like I’ve lost more than I’ve gained.” Bitterness seeped into his voice.

  She wiped her fingers, trying not to look at him. “You got a second chance at living, didn’t you?”

  “Maybe.” He paused, the air weighted with the words he wanted to say. But he swallowed them back, forcing himself to smile again. “We can talk about that later. I know it’s really late, and you probably work tomorrow. There’s just one more thing I want to do before I take you home, if that’s okay?”

  Charlotte eyed the clock in the dashboard. It was already creeping toward midnight; hers wasn’t an opening shift, but it was early enough. Still, the thought of parting again made her heart ache. “Well, we did skip out on the restaurant pretty early. I think we’ve got time to make it more than just a dinner date.”

  “Okay.” Josh bit the last of his popsicle off its stick, licking his fingers clean and then wiping them dry with his napkin. “But as soon as you’re done with that pallet or whatever you called it, you’d better close your eyes.”

  She raised a brow and started to protest, thinking better of it before she’d done more than draw breath. He’d asked her to trust him. Maybe it was a good time to start.

  Nibbling the last of her popsicle free and letting it melt on her tongue, she folded the wooden stick into her napkin and closed her eyes.

  The light from the streetlamps flowed over her face like a caress, not warm enough to replicate the sun, but desperately trying. She thought of the daylight, the sunshine, the clear blue skies over the rolling green hills that hinted at the Appalachians farther east. They’d often talked about the mountains, daydreaming about day trips to Gatlinburg when he found a stable job and they could spare the money.

  Her phone vibrated in her clutch before she could find more than a second to regret that they’d never gone. Her hands tightened, waiting for a second buzz to see if it was a call. It didn’t come.

  “No peeking,” Josh chided.

  “No promises.”

  He chuckled. “You remember when I asked you to prom?”

  “Hard to forget it. I was washing glitter out of my hair for a week. Pretty sure it’s still in my car’s carpeting.” Charlotte grinned at the memory of finding her car filled to the brim with white balloons. The ribbons and confetti inside made her think she was supposed to pop them to look for the invitation. She’d jabbed a dozen with her keys before discovering the one and only balloon in the mess that was filled with helium, its string looped around the emergency brake to keep it from escaping. At the end of its tail had been a card with a hand-written formal invitation, complete with RSVP and a stamped envelope with his address inside.

  “Hey, I swear I thought all those other balloons would fall out and just leave the one. I promise.” The defensiveness in his voice made her laugh.

  “Don’t apologize. It was funny.” She reached blindly across the car to touch his leg. “I just wish you could have followed through on the invitation.”

  Josh sighed, squeezing her hand. “Me too.”

  “You always spent so much time looking after Julian. I respected that. It never bothered me that you skipped prom to go get him.”

  “Well it bothered me,” he replied dryly. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to look after him now. Mom and Dad do their best, but...”

  “But he’ll never trust them like he trusts you. I know.” Charlotte tucked her chin into her chest, smiling sadly. “You also have to remember he’s not a kid anymore, Josh. He’s twenty-one. More than old enough to be responsible for his own actions.”

  “And old enough to buy his own liquor, which is what always gets him into those messes to begin with.” He squeezed her fingers again. “I don’t think I’ll ever let him live that one down, though. I mean, seriously! Of all the nights to get caught with booze, he had to pick my senior prom? Really?”

  “He didn’t do it on purpose.”

  “But he still did it. Either way, I’m sorry it happened. I know I always said I’d make it up to you and take you to some kind of fancy party, but on short notice, this is the best I can do.”

  The car stopped and Charlotte peeked between her fingers as Josh climbed out, leaving the lights on and shining across a familiar high school football field.

  “What is this?” she laughed as he helped her out.

  “Turns out I couldn’t bribe any of the school security to decorate up the gym and let us in, but they did agree to let us spend some time out here.” He nudged her foot. “Might want to take those off, though.”

  She dropped back into her seat and pulled off her heels, tossing them into the floor of the car while Josh plugged his phone into the stereo and turned it up.

  “So many memories here,” she murmured. She could almost see her older brother on the field again, playing one of the countless games she’d been there to watch.

  “I know. You were sitting right there when I met you.” Josh closed one eye and squinted with the other, pointing out one exact spot in the bleachers. Then he dragged her close to his chest, catching her right hand to pull her into a slow dance.

  Fire lit her cheeks and Charlotte bit her lower
lip, watching his polished shoes as one of her favorite ’80s rock ballads floated into the night air. The cold turf tickled her toes, beads of dew slick under her feet. Though she knew better, she lifted her head to look at him.

  His blue eyes caught hers and held them fast, drowning her in the depths of an affection she was too scared to call love anymore.

  In the warm glow of the headlights, he looked as alive as ever. The light washed away the pallor of undeath, bringing out the ruddy tones of his skin, glinting on the hints of red in his messy blond hair and the stubble on his jaw.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  Her chest tightened. “For what?”

  “For always putting off the little things. Always assuming I had more time to do the special stuff that would show you how much you really meant to me. For always thinking I needed to be something else. Something better than who I was.”

  “I was in love with you, Josh. Just the way you were.”

  “I know that now.” He cupped her face in his hand, searching her eyes. “That’s what makes me afraid you’ll never love me again.”

  Her heart skipped a beat and she froze in place. “Stop. You’re scaring me.”

  His brows knit together. “How?”

  “Because this—all of this—is like you’re saying goodbye. I can’t lose you, Josh. Not again.”

  “Charlotte-”

  She leaned up on tip-toe, interrupting him with a kiss. His lips were cool, but soft and responsive, and his arms closed reflexively around her.

  All the fear she’d been fighting welled up to the surface, her heart pounding in her chest and tears brimming in her eyes. She raked her fingers through his hair, pulling him down to kiss him harder.

  He responded in kind, his lips crushing against hers, stirring a warmth she’d never expected to feel again in the pit of her belly. His hands trailed down her sides to latch onto her hips, inching her backwards until her back pressed to the side of the car. Sparks shot through her as he trapped her against the cold metal, the sweet flavor of his kisses lighting a fire that consumed her with a singular need.

  She groped for the side of the car, popping the back door open and almost falling inside.

  Josh followed, shifting her into the vehicle, draping her across the back seat.

  The keening wail of a guitar solo grew distracting and Charlotte growled, evading kisses just long enough to lunge into the front seat and punch the knob to turn off the stereo. Josh retreated for a moment, regaining enough presence of mind to close the car doors. Then he slid over her again, catching her mouth and teasing her lips apart. His cold fingers skimmed her thighs, pushing her dress up and tugging her lace panties down.

  Her body ached with desire, her hips arching toward him even as she tried to free him of his belt. He helped her undress him one-handed, peppering kisses across her jaw and down her neck. Something pricked at her throat and she froze.

  “Josh...”

  He turned away, drawing back and cursing.

  Foolishly, she’d never considered he might want to feed on her. Her heart fluttered, hovering on the edge of panic.

  Sitting back, he closed his eyes and breathed deep, the muscles in his jaw tensing as he worked to get hold of himself.

  So he wasn’t like the others. He was still there, still present, still clinging to all the responsibility that had attracted her in the first place.

  She swallowed, sitting up and sliding closer.

  “I’m sorry. I just need a minute. I didn’t mean...” He didn’t finish. Didn’t look at her, either.

  “Josh.” Charlotte cradled his jaw in her palm, stroking his cheek with her thumb until he opened his eyes.

  “I know it’s hard, but I trust you.” She put a finger over his lips when he started to protest, giving him a level, no-nonsense stare.

  “I trust you,” she repeated, drawing her fingertip down his chin as she straddled his lap, the skirt of her blue dress bunching up around her hips.

  He marveled at her, moving obediently when she picked up his hands and put them on her waist. Then she leaned forward, kissing him again, slow and sensual.

  Tension leaked out of him, replaced with a different kind. She cradled his chin, letting the tip of her tongue flirt with his. His fingertips traveled around to the small of her back, stroking downward until his hands skimmed over her rumpled dress and cupped her soft backside.

  His hands were strong, grounding, sliding down her thighs.

  She held his eyes as she moved over him. He felt only a little cool between her legs, nestled at her slick entrance.

  “You don’t have to do this,” he breathed, his fingers tracing circles on her skin.

  “I think I need it as much as you do,” she whispered, resting her hands on his shoulders as she sank, moaning softly as he filled her. Warmth and satisfaction blossomed in her core, a quiet sigh escaping her lips as her body adjusted to his presence.

  His breath hitched and his eyes drifted closed. He shifted forward, giving her more room to move, leaning back into the cool leather.

  Charlotte lingered for a long moment. Then she rolled her hips, gasping softly as he ground deeper into her. She’d expected it to feel different. If anything, the pleasure was greater now. Heat flowed through her veins, promising fulfillment. She threaded her fingers through his hair and leaned forward, resting her forehead against his and setting a slow rhythm.

  He rose to meet each downward push, gripping her hips and gently guiding her motions. He stole kisses from her lips and the corners of her mouth, trailing down her throat to let his tongue lave the hollow just above her collarbone. Her body reacted with pure arousal, and she whimpered softly in response. His lips closed against her skin and he sucked without biting, making her shudder.

  That tremor set him off. His fingers dug into her thighs and he rocked her harder, taking control, driving himself as deep as he could. Her body hummed with need, every muscle coiling like tight-wound springs.

  “Just a taste,” he pleaded, his lips catching her ear. A shiver of pleasure rolled down her spine and she bucked hard against him, pressing her throat to his lips to beg for kisses.

  He answered with the lightest skim of his fangs against her flesh. “Just a taste, just once,” he groaned, his mouth feathering against her skin in a rhythm discordant to the movement of her hips. “Please.”

  Every rational part of her was gone. “Yes,” she gasped, clawing at his chest, teetering at the verge of losing control. “Yes!”

  Pain shot through her chest and shoulder as his fangs pierced her neck, pleasure like nothing she could recall exploding in white lights behind her eyes. She shrieked, her whole body racked by the pulsing climax that pushed him over the edge.

  Josh moaned deeply as he fed, thrusting upward, his sudden release a cool burst in her core that only drove her higher. Her nails dug into his chest, breath escaping her completely as the crashing waves subsided and she sank against him, barely aware of the soft strokes of his tongue that lapped the last droplets of blood from her shoulder.

  They lingered there a long time, perfectly still, bodies joined and both of them working to catch their breath.

  “God,” Josh said finally, twisting his fingers in the strands of hair that had escaped her bun. “I thought it was good before.”

  Chuckling softly, Charlotte rested her forehead against his once more. She traced the curve of his lips with her finger, studying the crimson stains marring the collar of his white shirt. “Guess it’s true what they say about vampires.”

  He looked at her through heavy-lidded eyes, his brows lifting. “What’s that?”

  She kissed his nose, nuzzling into the crook of his neck. “You’re pretty dead sexy.”

  SEVEN

  * * *

  “SO I’LL GET to see you tomorrow night, right?” Josh reclined against the rear windshield of the car, watching Charlotte from the corner of his eye and grinning to himself when she blushed. That was one place his senses did
seem to have improved; he saw better in the dark. He hadn’t realized it until he’d watched Charlotte grope around in the dark for her panties. He’d laughed at her inability to see, then retrieved them for her.

  “I’d like that.” Her cheeks glowed in his enhanced vision. Her pulse sang, too, clueing him in to more abilities.

  He could sense her heartbeat and her blood smelled sweet, even with a space between them. His eyes fell to the marks he’d left at the base of her neck. The craving abated after just a taste; now her blood only appealed to him like a fresh-baked cake after he’d already had a slice. It still looked good, smelled good, but he had no desire to eat any more. Either he hadn’t been that hungry to begin with, or it was an impulse connected to the act of making love.

  That thought led him to scratch at least one awkward conversation off the list of them he’d need to have with Thaddeus. Knowing intimacy was still possible without a pulse left him puzzled, but pleased. In more ways than one.

  “Though I guess it’ll be tonight, technically, won’t it?” Charlotte shook out her hair, then wiggled backwards on the trunk to lay beside him and stare up at the stars. It felt good to have her there, nestled against his shoulder.

  “Nah. Tomorrow doesn’t start until the sun comes up.”

  She raised a brow at him, though her brown eyes sparkled. “Just because you’re going to be nocturnal doesn’t mean all of us can be.”

  “Hey, I’m not nocturnal. I have a day job, remember?” He nudged her gently, though he sighed. “And I have to work tomorrow, too. I’ve got to be up at the crack of dawn.”

  “So you still sleep, huh?”

  Josh grinned. “Not as soundly as I’d sleep with you beside me.”

  She rolled her eyes, sitting up and sliding off the car. “All right. Let’s get out of here. You’d better be on time to pick me up next time, though.”

  “I told you, that was not my fault.” He feigned hurt, his fingertips resting against his chest. “I even planned on walking to meet you at your house, if I had to.”

  They climbed into the car and Josh adjusted the rearview mirror before backing out, doing a double-take when he caught Charlotte staring at him. “What?”