Page 12 of Eternally Yours

I cocked my head at him. “You think this is funny?”

“No. But I know what you’re thinking and it’s pointless. You can’t escape. Come here,” he said as he grabbed my wrist and ushered me toward the window.

I yanked my hand back. “I’m not going anywhere with you. I swear if you don’t let me go—”

In the blink of an eye, he pivoted to face me, his body dangerously close to my chest, his heady scent hitting my nose like a locomotive. “You’ll what?” he uttered. “I told you already. I can’t let you leave.”

I swallowed my next words, unable to focus on anything but his nearness and my body's absurd attraction. So, he was gorgeous, but he was also a kidnapper. I couldn't forget that. As I scrambled to find a suitable reply, my gaze dropped to his mouth. Men weren’t supposed to possess such fleshy lips. This guy was criminally handsome, and I hated everything about it.

Reaching behind his back, he pulled out a long, ornate blade. My body turned to stone as he reached for my wrist with his other hand, holding me firmly. Images of dismembered bodies stuffed inside a fridge flipped through my mind.

“Relax, Loren. I can smell your fear,” he intoned softly. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’m just going to show you why I can’t let you leave.” Before I had a chance to breathe, he slit my wrist and blood oozed. I screamed and tried to pry my hand from his, but his grip was fierce, fingers hard as granite.

“Just calm down. Look. Look down.”

Slowing my breathing, I stared at my wrist and my eyes widened.

Impossible.

My flesh. It was mending itself back together. His fingers relaxed as I touched the healed skin.

“Now do you believe me?” he asked.

Even though I'd seen it with my own eyes, I couldn't believe it. There had to be an explanation for this. A medical reason.

I was dreaming. Or in a coma. Maybe shock. Something. I had to be imagining this.

“I-I don't understand,” I said, my voice a trembling breath. “What... happened?”

His head cocked to the side and he regarded me with a sympathetic look, one that made my chest clench even more with worry.

“First, I think you should have a seat,” he began and nodded toward the bed.

Chapter Six

Loren

Still in awe, I did as he asked and sat at the foot of his humongous king-sized bed. He followed and nestled in next to me. That scent of his continued to send me off-kilter. It was a blend of honey and sandalwood mixed with some exotic fragrance I couldn’t pinpoint. I shook the thought from my head. How delicious he smelled should’ve been the furthest thing from my mind.

My wrist had healed in seconds. I needed answers.

“Early this morning, right before the crack of dawn, I was being chased by a blood-wolf hunter,” he started.

My brows furrowed. “Blood-wolf hunter?

“A wolf genetically modified for the sole purpose of hunting vampires. If it hadn’t been for you, it might’ve finished me off. You stepping into the shadows to save me slowed it down.”

“It attacked me too.”

“I know. And you have no idea how sorry I am. I will never forgive myself for putting you in danger because of my carelessness. I should’ve never wandered into a populated area.”

My temples pounded. What he was saying was straight out of a horror movie. “The attack… I should be dead.”

He caressed my cheek as he pulled a lock of hair behind my ear. “You were damn close.”

His touch was warm against my skin, and I shivered at the electric currents that rippled through me. God. How was any of this possible? What he said. My body’s reaction to him. The hunger in my gut. I turned toward him. “But I saw you. You were dead. How did you…”

He reached for the hem of his fresh black t-shirt, free of blood and tears. Pulling it over his head, he revealed his chiseled chest. I swallowed hard, failing to keep my eyes from staring at the sculpted planes of his shoulders and pectoral muscles. His skin was perfect. Not a single scar marred his flesh.

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