“Amber, I really like you. More than I’ve liked anyone for a long time. I think I’m starting to have some serious feelings for you.”
“I like you too, Paul.” She stepped up closer to him.
He laid a hand on her shoulder. “I saw the look on your face when he came to the door.”
“I was just surprised.”
“No. I think it’s more than that. You turned white as a sheet. I thought for a moment that you were going to faint.”
“I told you earlier…that I was tired.”
“Not the first time I’ve seen you react to him that way.”
“You mean that first day in the store? I told you that I was tired then, as well.”
He was dubious. “Yes you did. But just now, you were fine until he showed up. There’s something about him that disturbs you.” He tilted his head slightly. “Want to share?”
God! Help me get out of this! “Paul…I was just surprised to see him there. And I’m tired! Really!”
“Want to forget the movie?” There was a touch of anger in his voice.
“Of course not! Why are you mad at me?”
His cheek twitched. “Because this is the first time since I met you that I feel like you’re lying to me. And I want to know why?”
“Okay…” she said, realizing she had to tell him something. “He does frighten me a little.”
“He hasn’t done anything to hurt you, has he? If so —.
“Paul! He saved my life! Remember? He rescued Star! Honestly. I swear. He hasn’t done anything at all. He’s actually been really nice. There’s just something about him that intimidates me. Maybe it’s his strong personality?”
“Yes. He’s arrogant. I’ll give him that.”
“It’s not anything I can explain. Just a feeling. Just because the man makes me a little uneasy, is no reason to do anything. Like I said, he’s been very nice! So please! Don’t blow this out of proportion.”
He remained there quietly pondering for several seconds. “You’re telling me the truth?”
“Yes!” Her eyes pooled tears. “Yes! Please believe me!”
His face softened and he closed his eyes momentarily and then opened them again. He too was fighting back tears. “It’s just that I like you so damn much! I don’t want to lose what we have…We do have something here…Don’t we?”
He had confirmed her suspicions. He was falling in love with her. And she knew she should be blissfully happy about his confession. She did really care about him, knew she probably did love him. But there was Dorian. What she felt for him was powerful. And it was something she did not as yet understand. She couldn’t tell Paul that. “Yes…Paul. We do have something here.”
He swallowed and said, “Amber…” Then took her in his arms and held her tenderly, trying hard not to cry.
She forced back her own tears .There was no way she wanted to hurt this wonderful man. This man she could probably marry and have a family with. She had to get Dorian out of her mind. She had to resist him! Had to!
Dorian wasn’t any too happy, though he’d very successfully managed not to show it in front of Amber and that Paul. He transformed into a raven and perched himself on her front porch railing. He didn’t like the way Paul had his arm wrapped around Amber’s shoulder while they were watching the movie. And it really stirred his jealousy when she would let him kiss her ever now and then.
He had to do something. And fast. Then he got what he considered an ingenious idea. He flew off in the direction of Paul’s home and store.
Once there, he alighted on the hood of an old Chevy truck that had seen better days. Soon an elderly man who looked to be in his early seventies shuffled out of the store.
Dorian had no intentions of attacking him, but had thought to create some kind of commotion, enough that Sally or Judy would have to call Paul. Then as though planned, Klaus was there fast as lightning and had the old man by the throat, and the old man passed out immediately. Klaus glanced up at Dorian as he dragged the old man out of the store lights to the side of the building. Dorian hopped off the truck and quickly turned to his human form.
Klaus noticed him and said, “Want some?”
“No…Thank you,” Dorian politely replied, as though Klaus was offering him a soda and walked into the store as though nothing at all was happening. He was delighted to see Judy standing by the register talking to Sally. He went over to the magazines and faced away from the women. He picked up a magazine and held it up so they couldn’t see his face. He then focused his powers on the elements and lightning suddenly struck just near where Dorian sensed that Klaus now was with his prey by the side of the store. There was such a bright flash and clap of thunder that the two women screamed. And Dorian couldn’t help but grin when he heard Klaus swearing. Seconds later, the awning over the store came crashing down, and the women screamed again.
At once, Dorian feigned the hero. He rushed over to the women and seeming very sincere, asked them if they were okay. Just then, Klaus came in the store spitting mad. Dorian wanted to laugh, but knew better. “Mr. Klaus! What happened out there? You didn’t get hit by the sign, did you?” Dorian asked, eyes going to the blood on the vampires tan jacket.
Klaus’s eyes still tinted with red from feeding, glared dubiously at Dorian. “Yes! Yes!” he replied, knowing full well Dorian knew better. “Damn thing hit me!”
Rushing over to him, Sally said, “You’re hurt!”
Then a slight grin came to the older vampire’s face. Dorian had actually given him an out in killing the old man. Now he wouldn’t have to go to the trouble of disposing the old man’s body. “No! Not my blood…But there’s an elderly gentleman outside that didn’t fare so well. I didn’t see him until after the sign went down. I went over to him, but it was too late. Already dead… It’s his blood.”
Sally noticed that Judy was on her mobile phone. “You calling Grady?”
“No. Paul…Then I’m calling the sheriff. This is more in his line of work. No animals involved. But I will let Grady know too.”
Sally focused on Klaus then. “Come on to the back and you can wash up.” She glanced at Judy…It is all right, isn’t it?”
“Oh certainly,” Judy said, still listening to the phone ring on the other end.
“Shit!” Dorian hissed under his breath. He shot Klaus a sharp look. Klaus smiled wryly. He’d been invited in to their living quarters.
Paul finally answered and Judy breathlessly relayed to him what happened. “So you’ll be here in just a little bit?” she asked.
He replied that he would and then asked if they were all right.
“I’m okay. So is Sally. And Dorian and Klaus are here.” With that bit of news he obviously closed his phone, for she held hers out. “Damn! He hung up on me!”
Dorian was standing by her. “He is coming?”
“Yes! Now I’ve got to call the sheriff.”
“Tell you what…I’ll go out and move that sign out of the way… so folks can get in.”
“Would you?” Her tone was grateful. “It looks heavy…You sure you can lift it?”
“No problem.”
He went on outside and began moving the sign. That done, he glanced around. No one watching. He went over to the old man that Klaus had propped up against the side of the building.
Then, assuring himself one more time that no one was around to witness, Dorian took a piece of scrap metal that had come off the sign and made a sharp slit right across the two holes in the old man’s neck. Then Dorian stood and threw the metal off into the woods behind the store. Klaus hadn’t quite finished draining all the blood out and it still trickled down the old man’s neck. Dorian felt he’d covered Klaus’ tracks pretty well and went back in the store to wait for the sheriff, figuring he’d be the good citizen and confirm the women’s stories. He was sure Klaus would do the same. Later, he would pay Amber another visit.e we
nt HHH
Eight:
Amber actually felt sorry for Paul as he stuffed his mobile phone in his pocket. The look in his eyes said it all. There was nothing he wanted more than to stay there with her.
She stood from the love seat and joined him, reaching her arms around his neck. “I am so sorry!”
He chuckled at the irony of it all. “Why can’t I just spend a few hours with you without something happening? I’m getting frustrated beyond words!”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, trying to console him. “Later, Paul. Maybe you can come back later? It’s not that late.”
His countenance brightened. “You sure? You don’t mind?”
“Of course I don’t mind. I don’t plan on going anywhere.”
“Then it’s a deal,” he said, kissing her forehead and then heading for the door. “Make sure you lock this. I’ll call you before I start out this way.”
“Anticipating it.” She gave him an encouraging smile and locked the door behind him. Star had already claimed the love seat. “Didn’t waste any time, did you?” she said. He woofed back. “You do understand me, don’t you?” He woofed again. “Thought so.”
She decided to take a shower and redo her makeup before Paul returned. No matter what, she was determined to make Paul happy this night.
He really cared for her. That she was certain of. She couldn’t be so sure about Dorian. Though he probably had the ability to more than rock her world, how could she be sure it was something that would last? She couldn’t. She pushed all thoughts of him to the back of her mind, determined