Page 70 of Always Eros

“I need to go with Eros for a while. I’m totally safe with him. We just, um, thought things were going too fast, but…” I bite my bottom lip, not sure what to say.

“You don’t have to tell me everything, Justice,” she says, touching my shoulder. “As long as you’re willingly going with him, that’s enough for me.”

“I am.”

I walk to my room and glance around, deciding to just take a light jacket with me before I join Eros, who is pacing the gravel drive. He looks up when I come out and smiles.

I take the hand he offers and follow him beyond the gate, where his car is waiting.

“I’d ask how you got through the gate, but I’m pretty sure I already know the answer.”

Eros smirks. “I didn’t think they’d let me in if I rang the bell.”

“Maybe not.”

He holds the passenger door open for me and waits as I buckle my seat belt before climbing in the driver’s side. Eros starts the car and as the engine rumbles beneath me, I have to grab my seat as he tears off.

He glances at me every so often but doesn’t speak. I don’t pry. I have a feeling I want to be in a steady seat before hearing what’s got him so worked up.

“Carina cares for you, doesn’t she?” Eros asks as we exit the freeway. “I can feel it.”

“Yeah. She’s like a mom to us, even though I don’t think she’s much older than I am.”

“I’m glad. I can sense people’s true intentions. Hers are pure.”

“That’s good to know.” I wring my hands together, unsure of what else to say. Then I remember the weird sex dream and end up squirming. It felt like that day in the woods under the trees, but I know he wasn’t in my room.

“I’ve missed you,” Eros says softly. “So much.”

“I missed you too, Eros. I’m just… It’s… I don’t know.”

“I know.” He turns into the parking garage where his apartment is, and after swinging into a spot and stopping the car, he turns in his seat to face me. “I didn’t know a better way to tell you. I’ve never had to confess my true nature to someone before.”

“You’ve never been serious about anyone?”

His face falls slightly. “Once. A long time ago. But I closed my heart to the possibility until I met you. Regardless of how you feel about me or what happens between us, you deserve to know what I am. Especially because I hope for so much.” He takes my hand, kissing it again, like he can’t help himself. He inhales deeply, his eyelids fluttering. “Your scent is amazing. I adore you, Justice.”

“Why though? We don’t know each other that well, and I’m just this weird, naive guy. I’ve lived my whole life locked away from reality. I don’t know what I have to offer you.”

“You. I need nothing else. If I were fortunate enough to be the recipient of your love, that would be sufficient. I have everything else.”

I nod as my eyes well with tears. “I want to be with you, but I’m so scared. I’m in over my head.”

“That’s why you have to trust me.” He leans close, kissing the tip of my nose, and my breath hitches as I grip his shirt. “Let me take care of you, Justice. I can give you the world.”

“What if I don’t want the world? What if all I want is a normal life?”

“I can’t give you that.” His expression falls as he sits back. “My life is normal to me, but to you…” He shakes his head.

“What about Bowie and Tru? They’re normal like me, right?”

His brow crinkles. “Why don’t we go upstairs to my apartment?”

“Okay.”

After exiting the car, I take his hand and follow him to the elevators. All the angst I was feeling earlier over being apart is gone now, completely soothed by being in his presence again. That must mean something, right? Maybe Micah was right and I should just take a chance. Being with him has to be better than being without him. Even if he is a vampire.

Upstairs, we step off the elevator and walk down the hall to the living room area, where it looks like everyone is sitting around. When they look up and see us, the room falls silent.

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