Waiting by Kiahana Page B

town into the forest where she changed us both. No one ever entered the forest at night, too afraid of the noises, and that night I finally understood what some of them were. Victims changing over, or just plain being eaten."
    I shivered and he wrapped his arm around me, flipping me with one smooth move so we were now spooning. I could feel his heat through the blankets, though I knew his body was cold.
    "I did a lot of horrible things the first decade or so of my life, not really knowing I had a choice otherwise. I hate myself for what I've done, the pain I've caused others unintentionally, even when I thought I was helping. I'll never be able to forgive myself, and like Francis says he'll do, I live everyday trying to make up for it."
    I didn't press him further, not wanting to keep his thoughts dwelling on his past. The past was past, we all had to live with it. For instance, my decision to be prude and inexperienced was kicking me in the face now. I'd had sex twice before, well once really, since my first time was a disaster, but those were spaced about three years apart, the last time over four years ago. Neither time was something to brag about. I didn't want to be lame for him, but also wasn't even sure what vampires could do with humans.
    "Can you... I mean, are you a ble to. ... if we wanted to?" That was so lame, but I still waited anxiously for his answer.
    "We can do anything and everything together." He moved at human speed, slowly rolling until he was on top of me again. His erection reminding me he was able to get hard. "Once you know everything about me, your curiosity no longer eating at you, I plan to make you mine." His words were like a spark, igniting my earlier fire , making me rub up against him.
    "What does it mean, to 'make you mine'?"
    "It means that we'll be together. I'll never change you over unless you ask me to, or unless I have no other choice to save your life." I can live with that. "I want you to be comfortable, happy, sated, and have no regrets about us, then I can make you mine."
    His eyes flashed, the purple completely taking over and exposing his feelings. Since he was a mystery everywhere else, I'm glad I had one factor on my side. His eyes. They could never lie to me.
    "How often do you need to feed? Is that what you call it?"
    "Depends. If I'm well and unharmed, once every other day. I take a little from two participants, then wipe their memory, close the holes, then send them on their way."
    "Have you ever done that to me?" I felt his body shudder, closing his eyes for a brief moment before responding.
    "I've never tasted your blood before tonight. The only reason I altered your memory was to keep you safe, but I've never done it before."
    With one quick movement I was back on my side and he was spooning me, kissing my hair, then squeezing me tight.
    "Now, get some sleep. You have to get up in a few hours if you want to make it to work, but if you're p lanning on calling in sick..." h e let it dangle, the possibilities flying through my head, mostly of us continuing to lay in bed together.
    Playing at nonchalance, I sighed then wiggled my butt against him.
    "Good night."
    He groaned then released his grip slightly, but his warmth still enveloped me.
    "Good night. I might not be here when you wake up , but I'll leave my cell number," h e whispered into my ear, making me shudder.
    "You should stay. Unless you really need to take off, b ut I'd like to wake up with you ."
    Parker chuckled, kissed my hair again, but didn't respond.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    EIGHT
     
    My alarm went off at six thirty but I hit snooze. At six forty five when it sounded again , I reached up to hit it but a cool hand caught mine, then slowly trailed down my arm, instantly waking me and every nerve ending in my body. I sat up and turned off the alarm, then glanced back at Parker laying in the same exact spot as when we'd fallen asleep.
    "Good morning."
                    I smiled ear to