Page 34 of Forever Touched

Everett shared a look with his brother, who nodded and turned to leave.

When Kade continued to stare at me with a big grin on his face, Loch called back, “Kade.”

Kade winked at me, then took off after the prince.

Everett stepped back into his room, and I followed him, casting one last longing look down the hallway. I really needed to leave, but I couldn’t just walk out of this place. The island was huge. I wouldn’t make it to the mainland on my own—not in one piece anyway. Most of the kingdom’s Venturi lived here, and with their ability to walk in the sun, they’d catch my scent for sure. One whiff and I’d be a goner.

At least the nightclub afforded mesomeprotection. Out here, I was a sheep among wolves with very sharp teeth.

Everett shut the door behind me, sealing us inside his room once more. I tried to conjure up a healthy sense of fear but couldn’t quite manage it. Probably because the shock of staring death in the face earlier this morning hadn’t worn off yet. Resisting the urge to touch my throat again, I said without facing him, “Do they know what I am?”

“That you’re a witch?”

“No. A . . . a blood whore.”

I worried my lip, waiting for his answer. It came all too soon.

“Yes. They know I’ve been with you for the past few nights. I couldn’t avoid telling them when I came home carrying your unconscious body.”

Great. Just great. Nothing like bringing home your dirty little secret for the family to meet.

Feeling exposed again, I crossed my arms over my chest. “How did you find me anyway? I thought you’d be long gone.”

He paused for a beat, then said, “I was in my car across the street. I was going to follow you home, but then I heard you scream.”

My eyes widened. Screamed? But I hadn’t screamed out loud. Or had I? Setting aside my confusion, I dropped my arms and turned to look at him. He really was a handsome devil. Even when he’d worn a mask, I’d enjoyed looking at his face. I wondered if he felt the same about me, or if seeing my entire face killed the mystery for him. He really had no reason to want me anymore. I wasn’t anything special under all the makeup, sequins, and sultry looks.

Star was sexy and alluring. A pretty package that begged to be unwrapped. Adalyn, on the other hand, was simply tired. Tired and fighting to survive.

Suddenly unsure of myself, I covered my insecurity with a light scoff and said, “For a vampire who hates witches, you sure do rescue me a lot. I’m surprised you didn’t turn me when you had the chance. I was almost drained, after all.”

“I don’t.”

I blinked. “Don’t what?”

“I don’t hate you.”

Something fluttered in my chest, and it wasn’t panic. Confused, I blurted, “You might crave my body and blood, but I saw how angry you were when I kissed you.” At that, his eyes flashed in warning. “See? I struck a nerve. I’m still just a disgusting witch to you.”

He didn’t respond, but his eyes were slowly peeling back my layers, seeing far more than I wanted him to.

Growing desperate, I said, “I’ve heard the stories about you. I know what you’ve done to my kind. How you went on a killing spree up and down the coast, all because of one witch’s deeds.”

His expression hardened, making the hairs on my arms slowly stand on end. I was definitely treading on dangerous ground now. “And yet you still had sex with me.”

I swallowed carefully before replying, “Yes. It’s my job.”

His brows lowered. “Is it? You don’t seem to like it when your clients touch you.”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

He suddenly moved.Prowled. Like a predator on the hunt. As he approached me, I went poker straight. The need to run trembled through me, but I knew how dumb that would be. So I held still and let him invade my personal space, tilting my head back as he filled my vision. Once there, he stopped and stared down at me with so much intensity that my toes curled.

“I don’t have to like it,” I finally replied, needing to cut throughsome of the thick tension between us. “I just have to pretend to.”

“Is that what you did with me? Pretend?”

A swallow got stuck in my throat. It almost hurt to maintain eye contact with him now, but I didn’t dare look away. “I’m very good at pretending.”

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