by W.J. May
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Not much,” I lied.
His eyes narrowed. “Nathan mentioned he was in your bedroom?”
“Yes. He knocked on the door and I opened it. I’m not even sure why I did. He has this way of manipulating people. You heard Susan.”
“He’d better leave you alone or I’ll manipulate his face,” he said. He then put his arms around me and drew me close.
I smiled in pleasure as his lips closed in on mine. Within a matter of seconds, I’d forgotten all about Ethan and was kissing Duncan back as hungrily as he was kissing me. Then the ride was ending, and we were forced to pull apart
“What are you doing to me?” he murmured.
I’d certainly felt his excitement brush against me and decided it was probably better that the ride had ended when it did.
“So, Duncan, how many girls have you been with?’
He looked at me in surprise. “Is it important?”
“No, not really.”
“If it makes you feel better, I’ve only been with one other girl. We went out for a few months when I was living with my mom, in Minnesota.”
“Do you miss her?”
He grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “You’re all I care about, Nikki. I’ve never felt this way about anyone.”
I smiled and kissed him.
“What about you?” he asked, when I pulled away.
I blushed. “Actually, I’m a virgin.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“What?”
“You are?”
I scowled. “Yeah, why? Do I seem easy to you or something.”
He burst out laughing. “No! I’m sorry. You just know how to…”
I smiled wickedly. “Excite you? You’re a guy. It’s not too difficult to figure out.”
“So, you’re really a virgin?” he said, rubbing the bottom of his chin. “Hmm…I’d better be careful then. You’re like a delicate flower that needs to be handled with kid gloves.”
I snorted. “Yeah right!”
“Okay, maybe I should tell you to be careful with me.”
“Maybe, you should.”
He smiled as the Ferris wheel stopped at the ground and then helped me down.
“There’s Nathan and Susan,” I said, pointing towards the ticket booth. They were apparently going on more rides.
“Would you like to go on more rides?” he asked, pulling out his wallet.
“Actually, I have to use the ladies’ room,” I said, looking around.
He nodded. “I’ll come with you.”
We walked towards the beach where there was a public restroom open for the festival, which was good because I hated using the satellites.
“Do you want to take a walk by the beach?” he asked when I was finished.
I looked towards the beach. It was dusk and now deserted. “Sure.”
We walked towards the lake and I took off my sandals so I could dig my toes in the sand.
“Now that I’ve got you alone…” he grinned, grabbing my arm and pulling me close.
Duncan was almost a foot taller than me and I stood on my tippy toes to meet his lips. We started kissing and then I remembered.
“Wait,” I said. “It’s getting dark. We shouldn’t be out here alone.”
He snorted. “Listen, if Ethan shows up, I’ll knock his lights out.”
Duncan would have been a formidable adversary for anyone, but not for whatever kind of creature Ethan was. There was no question in my mind about that.
“Duncan, he’s not normal. Remember how he grabbed me and ran through the woods? Even you can’t compete with that.”
He sighed. “Fine. Just one more kiss and we’ll head back.”
I slid my arms around his neck and we began kissing, again. Just when my legs began to feel like jelly, he released me.
“Hey,” I pouted as I opened my eyes.
“Well, well, well,” chuckled Ethan. “You’re a naughty little vixen, aren’t you?”
Duncan lay on the ground, obviously unconscious. I rushed to his side and looked up at Ethan. “What did you do to him?!” I yelled.
He sighed. “Don’t worry he’s just taking a little nap. I should have killed him for even touching you.”
“Ethan, you have to stop this. I’m not Miranda.”
He grabbed my hand and lifted me up. “You are Miranda. I can see it in your eyes, the way you smell, how you taste…” he murmured, looking into my eyes.
My heart began to race as he bent his head and began kissing me. A wave of hot pleasure shot through my body and I released a strangled moan.
Just then, Duncan came back to his senses. “Leave her alone, you asshole!” he raged, trying to get Ethan away from me.
Ethan’s eyes burned with fury and I watched in awe as he let out an unearthly roar. Before I could do anything, he held Duncan in the air by his throat.
“Please, stop!” I sobbed, rushing towards them. I started hitting Ethan in the back, but it was like hitting a plate of steel. He used his other hand and pushed me to the ground.
Duncan’s eyes were bugging out of his head and his face was turning purple. I knew he would die if I didn’t do something.
“Ethan!” I screamed, getting back up. I hit him repeatedly with my fists, but he continued to ignore me. It was only when a group of men began racing towards us that he swore and released Duncan.
“Let’s go, now,” ordered Ethan.
I backed away from him and then turned to run. Before I could take five steps, I was in his arms and we were racing across the beach like a flash of lightning.
“No…” I sobbed as the lights from the carnival became a blur.
