Page 11 of Ghoul Kisses

For the last few weeks, Eric has been avoiding me. Living in the mansion, I notice that servants are constantly cleaning, and the hallways are decorated with expensive artwork. I’m assuming Eric, the servants, and Kate are the only people living in the mansion because I haven’t run into anyone else. To keep myself busy, I write in my journal and go to the library. I still can’t find anything on any paranormal creatures that resemble Eric in the library. Frustrated, I grab the duffle bag from the closet and begin to throw clothes into it. If Eric won’t talk then I am going to leave.

Once I strap my bag across my chest, I rush downstairs to the double doors. Outside, Eric and Jack stand against a black SUV. When they spot me, I exhale and march slowly towards them. I can do this, I can do this, just stand your ground. My gaze falls on Eric as my breath hitches, so I face Jack instead.

“Give me a lift to the city, please?” I ask Jack, giving him a flirty smile. He flashes his pearly whites and blushes. Jack is leaner than Eric, his muscles bulge through his long sleeve sweater. Eric balls up his fists at his sides. Is he jealous? I think that’s what I’m seeing.

“Sure, where would you like to go, sweetheart?” I pretend not to see Eric standing there.

“Home,” I answer. Eric snatches my bag and slings it over his shoulder.

“You’re not going anywhere; we still haven’t found Pete,” he says through gritted teeth. I pull out the key that he desperately needs.

“Eric, if you don’t tell me what you are, I’m not going to help you find the book!” I fold my arms across my chest and pout.

“Jack, leave us,” Eric says, not taking his eyes off me. Jack looks between us for a moment, then hops into the SUV and drives off. Eric rubs his chin. I can see he’s debating whether or not I’m serious.

“Follow me,” he says. We turn back to the mansion. I really never took the time to notice the exterior. The mansion has a Spanish style to it with red roofing, surrounded by giant oak trees. I’ve never seen anything like it, it’s breathtaking. As he opens the door, he ushers me to a black couch in his study. I notice a picture hanging on the wall above the computer desk. A picture of him and two other men sitting on a throne. Both of them look just like him, but one has piercing blue eyes and a scar stretching from the bottom of his chin to his right eye. Eric sits next to me. The cold air from the air conditioner causes goose bumps to arise on my skin. He thrusts his hand through his black hair before speaking.

“I’m a ghoul,” he says slowly. He faces me, waiting for my response.

“A ghoul?” I repeat as if the word is foreign.

“Yeah.”

When I was a child, Jessie used to tell me stories about them; how they prey on humans and eat them, describing them as demons. They are like vampires except they’re alive. I stand up and rush to the door. I’m not going to be one of his snacks. He slowly walks towards me, and I put my hand up to stop him.

“Don’t come near me,” I shout. Eric stops, disappointment flashing through his eyes.

“What do you eat?” My voice is uneven, sounding higher than I intend.

“Raw meat.”

“What kind of meat?”

“Animal meat,” he supplies. I let out a long exhale, feeling stupid for jumping to conclusions.

“I heard ghouls eat humans,” I murmur.

“No, we survive on animal meat. My kind hasn’t preyed on humans in centuries.” I can’t believe I’m talking to someone from a different species. I survey him from head to toe; he looks like a human. In a blink of an eye, he stands in front of me. My back brushes against the wall.

“Are you afraid of me?” Eric asks, brushing the pad of his thumb against my cheeks. I feel my cheeks heating up. Honestly, I don’t know if I am. I am intrigued by him. I want to know him because we have a connection. If he wanted to hurt me, he would have. His touch makes me melt. Taking a step back to catch my breath, Eric doesn’t move, letting his deep black eyes burn through me. I shake my head and let my shoulders relax.

“I want to know more about you,” I say, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Tomorrow then. Meet me at first meal in the morning,” he smiles.

The next morning, I am up bright and early. I slide my white sweater over my head, wiggle my way into a pair of jeans, and tie my hair into a bun. Eric knocks on the door, and I open it. He is dressed a little different than normal; his brown t-shirt hugs his biceps, displaying his muscular arms. He wears dark blue jeans and his hair is damp like he came from the shower. I blush at the thought of him wet and naked. A smile stretches at the corner of his mouth.

“Are you ready?” Nervousness laces his voice. I nod my head.

We make it downstairs to the dining room. Two men and a woman sit at the white marble table. I recognize the two men from the picture hanging on the wall in the study area. Eric is the spitting image of both of them. They must be related. Sitting beside one of the men is a woman with electric blue hair and smoky gray eyes, dressed in a gothic black gown. She is a little taller than me, and her skin is pale and smooth. She stands up from the table, marches towards me, and pulls me into a tight hug.

“It’s so nice to meet you. My name is Odessa.” She releases me.

“You must be Sarah,” she states, her eyes beam at Eric and me.

I nod. Eric motions for me to sit next to him. I take my seat, which places me next to the man with a scar on his face. He stares at me with cornflower blue eyes. Different emotions flood my body. First, I feel confused, then desire blossoms at the bottom of my stomach. My panties become wet, and I feel the urge to jump on the guy and tear his clothes off. What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I so horny? I’m not even attracted to him. I gawk at the guy with a dumb smile as I scoot my chair next to his. The guy flashes his straight white teeth.

“Cut it out, Nicholas,” Eric says. I begin to rub up his pants, unzipping his fly, making my way to his shaft.

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