Page 88 of Bitten By Desire
“Come with me.” He turned and started walking around the side of Zoey’s house.
“Would you just answer my question?” I said to his back.
But he didn’t reply. He disappeared around the corner.
I knew it was a terrible idea, but I followed him anyway. I slid my hand into my pocket and wrapped it around the gold pen. If he got anywhere near me, I’d burn him.
Theo was sitting on a bench in the darkest corner of the backyard. I doubted it was visible from Zoey’s bedroom window. And I really wished he’d just chosen to sit on the patio furniture instead.
I sat down next to him, leaving plenty of distance. “Answer my question.”
“You found the sweatshirt in my house.” His eyes met mine.
That was very loosely admitting it. For just a second I stared at the golden hue instead of replying. “You stopped wearing colored contacts.”
He didn’t respond.
“You’re Callum Walsh.”
He lowered his eyebrows as he stared at me. That same devastating stare as in his portrait. “Is that all that Bennett told you?”
I shook my head.
“Tell me what he said.”
I felt like saying the words out loud would surely sign my death certificate. I gripped the pen tighter in my hand.
“You want to see if an old relic will burn my skin, Emma?”
How did he know I had it? I held it even tighter.
“Why? What did he tell you?”
“Bennett didn’t have to tell me. I already knew. You…you’re a…” my voice broke.
“Say it.”
My bottom lip started to tremble.
He closed the distance between us and lightly traced his thumb along my lower lip.
His cold touch made me tremble even more. But not because I was scared. Because I liked it.
“I’m what, Emma?”
“You’re a vampire.”
His golden eyes bore into mine. “If that’s what you believe, why aren’t you running?”
“Because you said you wouldn’t hurt me.” I believed him. I had no idea why. He’d hurt me ten years ago when he pretended I was lost in his mansion and walked away. He hurt me when he disappeared. He hurt me when he lied about being Callum Walsh. But he’d never physically hurt me.
“If I was a vampire, would I really be able to control myself?” His fingers slid across my jaw and down the side of my neck.
I swallowed hard. That was my only fear. What if he couldn’t control himself? But he wasn’t staring at me like he wanted to suck my blood. He was staring at me like he wanted to kiss me.
“Do you really think I’m a monster, Emma?”
I…I wasn’t even sure anymore.
