AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What’s wrong?” he asked me.
“I really should call someone. Let them know I’m okay.”
“We have to get your story straight first,” he said, and I knew he was right.
I would either have to make up a lie about running away and going on a bender, or admit I was kidnapped and hoped my family and friends didn’t report my sudden reappearance to the humans. Because there was nothing I could tell them that would be the truth, and it would be an exercise in futility for them to try to investigate. I was sure they had enough criminals and problems to deal with, and chasing down sadistic vampires would do them no good.
I woke the next morning with a yawn and a stretch. This room wasn’t the homiest but it did for now. The urge to invite myself into Shep’s house last night was strong, but I refrained. I wasn’t ready to sleep with him. Or anyone. I was too fucked up. But being held in strong arms as I slept didn’t sound too bad.
After using the communal bathroom, I took a quick shower. Then, I dressed in shorts and a hoodie Shep had bought me last night. I washed the sneakers off in the sink (per Shep’s instructions) and put those on as well. I avoided the mirror while brushing my teeth and after combing my hair, I let it air dry and hoped it didn’t look too crazy. I was thinking I should grow it longer so I could just tie it into a messy bun and not have to worry about facing a mirror.
When would the fear of looking at myself heal? Maybe there was a spell for that.
I wandered into the main area and curled up in a lounge chair in front of the massive television. The area was mostly quiet, the kitchen and bar unmanned. I had no idea what time it was since I had no phone, watch, or a clock in my room. The sun was starting to rise and it was light out, and being it was April, I assumed it was about seven or eight a.m.
I mindlessly watched some morning show out of New York, but it didn’t hold my attention very well. I grew restless and decided to walk the same trail we had last night and go sit by the lake. Well, on this side of the fence since I didn’t have a key.
The morning air felt nice and the hoodie kept me warm enough since it was a little cool. The paved road was a winding one, and as I passed by a large warehouse and a bunch of small houses, I wondered what they did here. Did they manufacture or export goods in that warehouse? It had to be something lucrative since this whole lakefront property and those homes didn’t look cheap. Nor did that Humvee and the brand new SUV Shep lovingly called the “grocery getter” parked outside the clubhouse. And those golf cart-looking things hooked up to charging stations looked new as well.
I wondered if they dealt in illegal things. Guns? Drugs? I didn’t want to think about it. Whatever it was, it was none of my business. Everyone here had been more than kind to me, and they all seemed like they gave a shit about not only me, but each other and even the women I’d left behind in that house, guilt clawing at me.
I thought about those four young ladies. I hardly remembered their names but never got last names. Why hadn’t we exchanged last names? I also wondered if Brittney and Leann had gotten away when they stormed out the front door. Were they safe?
“Good morning.”
I started at the sound, but then relaxed when I turned and saw Shep standing on the porch of the largest house in the area. He wore only a pair of gray sweatpants and no shirt, and I had to tell myself to close my mouth.
Holy shit.
Massive shoulders. Biceps like melons. Strong forearms. Sexy-as-hell tattoos covering his arms and chest. A light dusting of dark hair on the solid pecs leading down to a washboard stomach, and that damn V disappearing into his waistband that made girls do stupid things.
Close your mouth, Nera…
“See something you like?” he asked.
Crap!
I cleared my throat. “I was just, ah, taking a walk. Got up early, I guess. I don’t have a clock, so I just woke when my body told me to.”
With his coffee cup in his hand, he closed the distance between us until he was standing three feet away. “Have you eaten? Come inside.” He jerked his head toward his house.
Who was I to say no?
I followed him inside, the rich aroma of coffee hitting my nose. I inhaled and let out a sigh. I missed coffee so much. The withdrawal headaches had been the worst when I was first taken. Water was all the bastards gave us.
He led me to a kitchen island covered in white and black swirled marble and instructed me to sit in a black leather padded barstool.
“Cream and sugar?” he asked.
“Just black,” I replied.
Get in my belly!
He chuckled. “Ooh, hardcore. I love it.” He set a mug in front of me, and as I lifted it, he clinked his with mine. “Cheers.”
“Cheers to caffeine. Come to mama.” I tilted the mug to lips, closed my eyes in ecstasy, and groaned as the nectar of the gods slid down my throat. It was absolute heaven.
“The little things, huh?”
