Page 19 of Ghoul Kisses

“Since when have you been interested in me?” I snort.

He doesn’t answer; gulping down his beer instead.

I start with a different approach. I want to see where his head is at.

“Why did you bring me here?”

He peers at me through dark lashes. “Because you’re a fascinating creature.” The bartender places another beer bottle on the counter in front of him.

I don’t know whether or not to be flattered.

“How did your mother die?” he asks, changing the subject.

My mother and I didn’t have the best relationship. She was never around, and Jessie raised me. My mom was always gone with Tom, my stepfather, on business trips. I never saw her. But, she left Jessie with a big allowance to take care of the household while she was away. Money was more important than taking care of us. At one point, I hated her because I felt like she abandoned me. When she died, I didn’t cry.

“Car accident.” I hate having this type of conversation.

“What happened to your parents?” I ask him.

“They died in a war.”

The three lines deepen on his forehead. I can tell he’s caught up in his own memories. I didn’t mean to ruin the moment. Though he’s already opened up to me about being a ghoul, I still want to know him on a more personal level.

“Why do you need three kings to rule?” I’ve never heard of such a practice.

“My father wanted it that way. Before he passed away, he told us that we need to work together and not try to overthrow each other.”

“Do vampires have kings too?”

“No, they have six covens,” Eric says, peeling the label off his beer bottle.

“Have you ever been cliff diving?” he asks, changing the subject.

I shake my head. I never thought about jumping off a cliff; that sounds reckless.

“It will be fun. Come, let’s go.”

“Oh no! I’m not jumping off any cliff.” I’m not about to kill myself.

“Yes, you are.” He calls for the bartender and orders a shot of Jack Daniels.

“Eric, I’m not jumping,” I pout. The bartender sets the drink on the bar, and Eric gently puts the glass to my mouth.

“Drink,” he orders.

“No!”

“Now,” he commands. His voice is authoritative, causing my nipples to ache. I down the alcohol, and the hot liquid burns my throat. Eric grasps my arm hauling me off the barstool, dragging me out of the bar. He orders me to hop on his back and I do what he says. My breast is pressed to his hot back. I inhale his expensive cologne. He grips my legs tight. Moving with lighting speed, we arrive at the top of the cliff. My stomach feels nauseous. I let go of his back.

“You ready?”

“No,” I glance down at the black water. Not being able to see because the sky is black and the moon making ripples with its light, my heart flutters as fear tugs at me. I’m a nervous wreck.

He counts to three and leaps off the cliff. Adrenaline hits my blood hard and fast, the icy water stabs through my body. I cough up salt water, and he grips my waist tight. He is so close to my face that our noses touch. Is he going to kiss me? I hope so.

“Did you enjoy that?” he asks, his voice is warm and rich.

“Yes,” I shiver as I gape at his pink lips. Surprisingly, it was fun.

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