Courted by the Vampire by Sandra Sookoo Page A

those women touch your heart in an unforgettable way?”
    Edwin cleared his throat and threw her a pointed glance. If you wish to go on a fishing expedition, spatzi , you should have brought a pole.
    Is that supposed to be funny?
    He sighed. “I have long ago accepted the fact I will be alone for the rest of my life. That is the way it should be. I am too dangerous, my job is too perilous, and my genes are too terrifying.” He hated the bitter note in his voice.
    “I don’t see why you should deny yourself a bit of humanity. Your parents obviously didn’t.” Her frown deepened. “You’re misunderstood, perhaps, but not dangerous. At first, I thought you might lean toward the that, but after schlepping around a state forest with you for two days, I’m convinced there’s a man with a sense of humor under your starchy exterior. I might get to see him sometime if you’ll just let yourself crack.”
    Her green eyes drew him, and he leaned closer as the floral scent of her soap wrapped around him. “There is nothing to misunderstand. I told you what I am. You must accept that, if not for your own safety, then for mine.”
    She shook her head. “You’ve only told me a portion of the story. You ’re hiding a big secret.” She met his gaze with no trace of fear in her eyes. Let me into your mind, damn it.
    No. You are not ready. Maybe he was the one not ready.
    Her huff of disappointment lasted only a few seconds. “What exactly did your grandfather tell you about me? Why do you only wear long pants and long sleeves in the middle of a humid Midwestern summer? Why, when you let me see into your soul in an unguarded moment, do I feel unbelievable sadness and anger as well as longing within you?”
    “Ah , you are too curious for your own good.” He leaned back against the sand dune and wrapped a strong arm about her shoulders then pulled her close to his side. “I will make a deal with you. I will answer one question now, but the rest will have to be saved for another time.”
    “Do I get to pick the question?
    He fought back a grin. “No. I wear the clothes I do because I have found when the sun is at its highest point, my skin tends to be sensitive and will retain a rash. It is a precautionary measure at best, but no need for concern.” Without conscious knowledge, he traced tiny circles on her arm until she shivered under his touch. He feared he was falling down a slippery slope, but was undecided if he wished to stop the slide.
    “But your head is uncovered and I don’t see any rash,” she protested. She lifted a hand, perhaps to touch his face, then apparently changed her mind and dropped it into her lap.
    “I do not claim to understand the phenomenon.”
    “I keep telling you, you don’t have to go through life alone. You just need to relax enough to let another person be your friend.”
    “It is impossible. If you knew the rest of my story you would not think so.”
    Sighing, she snuggled into his side. “Then you’ll just have to tell me the truth.”
    “It is not advisable at this time.” He tucked her head beneath his chin, wondering at the blanket of peace that accompanied the action. “Sleep while you can. I will wait for the ghost.” He would gladly sit on the beach for days, with her in his arms. Contentment such as this was never his for very long.
     
    *****
     
    Her heart pounded erratically as she ran. She searched the dark and empty streets for something, real or imaginary, she couldn’t say. Fear clogged her throat, robbed her breath. A man who had no scruples, who knew no compassion, who hunted her for sport, chased her. She darted down an alley and leaned her back against the cold brick wall of a building. It was impossible. She couldn’t out-run him. She was going to die.
    The shadow of her pursuer appeared at the alleyway entrance. She screamed as the long wicked blade of his knife glinted in the streetlight. She ran away only to crash headlong into the body of another man.