ABIGAIL

“Where are we going?” Abigail asked him for the dozenth time. And, liked every other time she voiced the question, Alexander gave no answer as he drove through the city.

She fiddled with the radio stations, eager to fill the chasm of silence that plagued the car. Stealing a few glances his way, she noted his hands were gripping the steering wheel. His perplexed expression kept bothering her, so she reached over and tapped him on the shoulder.

At last, he blinked several times and turned his head her way. “What is it?”

“Where are you taking me?”

“I—I don’t know. There are so many things I must look into. The Council must be informed about the incubi interest in the fate, yet I cannot bring myself to get in contact with Lucious.”

Abigail took hold of his hand, patting it gently. “I can tell you’re hurt by whatever happened between you and your friend, but you can’t let it rule you.”

“You do not understand.”

“No, I don’t. Maybe you just need someone to tell you that it’s alright. I’m sure he’ll come around if your friendship is worth anything to him.”

Fifteen minutes later, Alexander parked in a small car park near the shoreline. He stepped out of the car and opened the the door for her before she could even undo her seatbelt. Once she joined him in the chilly autumn breeze, he took hold of her hand and led her to the edge of the dark sea that looked like it could swallow her up with ease into its inky depths. Wet sand remoulded under her feet as they walked along the shore. The salty air caused her to shiver, so she huddled in closer to him.

She gazed at his lonesome face. “Why did you bring me here?”

Alexander managed a faint smile that was only illumined by the soft moonlight as it filtered through the stray, puffy clouds in the sky. With every step, his march slowed until he came to a halt. Reaching out to cup her cheek, he searched her face for something.

Her heart raced when his cool fingers brushed her skin. To this day, her reactions to his touch remained a mystery. She wasn’t certain what brought out such desire in her to be held by him. The longer she thought about it, the less she cared for the answer. He was with her now. Or, was he? The sorrow hidden behind his grey eyes reflected the torment his soul was undergoing.

When his thumb brushed her lower lip, her breath hitched.

“Do you want to be mine?” he whispered, or perhaps he said it normally, but her heart was too busy pounding like a drum in her skull for her to know for sure.

“I believe that’s not the reason you’ve brought me here,” she replied, giving his hand a squeeze.

His lips tugged into a wistful smile. “What do you believe I brought you here for?”

“I’m not psychic, Alexander. I can’t read your mind.”

“And here I thought you were already doing such a wondrous job.”

She swatted him on the shoulder. Allowing a laugh to escape her, she nudged him to resume their walk, so she wouldn’t freeze to death. The cold didn’t seem to bother him at all. Must be nice to be a vampire.

“I keep thinking about you and how you fit in my life,” he admitted, claiming her complete attention. “The last time I loved a woman, I ended up killing her. I fear the same fate may await you if you remain by my side. Today, I wish to give you a final chance to run away from me, Abigail. One last time”—he sucked in a breath, stopping to face her —“to get away from me and return to your life as it was.”

She tried to stay calm at his terrifying confession and couldn’t. Taking her hand out of his, she stepped back. “What do you mean you killed the woman you loved?”

“In the past, my actions, hatred, and desire to take revenge on her family brought such a disaster upon me. I could not save her mortal life and now she lives on as one of the undead. Katharine, she…”

His expression contorted with pain. He turned to the sea, making her face his back.

Abigail rested her hand on his shoulder. Massaging it gently, she glided around him until she could see the wet trails of tears that had cascaded down his face seconds ago. Her mouth opened, but no words of comfort came out. Instead, she moved closer. She rose on her tiptoes and kissed him.

The salty taste of his tears as they comforted one another in a tender kiss brought out her pain and the need to help him right his wrongs. His arms wound around her waist, pulling her into him. She let him destroy the remnants of space they had between them. Fighting against the current that carried their need for one another was impossible because, in his arms, she felt complete. Not a single one of her past relationships felt this perfect. She never craved their attention or had the incessant need to see them. Hell, she never fell in love with any of them.

She pulled away, realising how much she had fallen for the man in front of her. He was everything she wanted and everything that scared her. If she stayed with him, would he resume trying to control her every action? What if he got bored of her one day and chose another woman? He has no shortage of them.

“Do you love me?” the words slipped out of her mouth before she could rein in her interest.

Alexander seemed taken aback. “Abigail, I don’t know how to answer you.”

“I know you don’t. I get it. I mean, how can you love someone you’ve only met less than a month ago?” She tried to laugh it off, but he didn’t join in on her attempt to lighten the mood. “I’m sorry I asked.”

He shook his head. His thumb brushed across her knuckles as he looked down at her hand. “Don’t be. Every woman desires to be loved. As I am now, I do not know if I can provide that for you. “

“I guessed you wouldn’t be able to quit your supermodel harem.” She tried moving her hand away, but he caught it.

“I have not slept with anyone else since we spent the night together.”

“How do you expect me to believe that? I can’t ignore your reputation of a playboy.”

He released her hand and ran his hand through his platinum hair. “Is there a way I can convince you?”

“Yes, there is,” she replied, meeting his earnest gaze.

ALEXANDER

Alexander had never been so nervous in his entire life. The beautiful redheaded woman before him held his undivided attention while she stared back at him full of determination and defiance. He awaited her response like a school boy anticipated the bell to ring and release him from class.

“What can I do to convince you?”

“I want you to trust me,” she replied softly. “I want you to give me the amount of trust you expect me to give you.”

He inclined his head. The offer was fair. This woman knew how to bargain. With a playful smile, he leant in. He dipped his head and pulled her hair away from her neck, leaving soft kisses along her pulsating vein. Her body trembled a little with excitement. He knew the effect he had on her. It was the same effect she had on him. But, for a mere excursion of lust, he would not allow someone to knock on the gates of his heart. To him, Abigail had become a separate entity in his life. She was neither one of the women he fed and slept with to quench his sexual desires nor was she a friend he would never make a move on out of respect.

She let out a slow breath once his lips travelled to her collarbone. “Alexander, it’s a bit cold for sex on the beach.”

He burst out laughing and withdrew. “I own a villa nearby if you care to stay there with me tonight.”

Her eyes twinkled with anticipation, and she nibbled on her plump lower lip. He wanted to get another taste of her before the night was over. Having her spread out on the cotton sheets, moaning his name, and begging for more…

Abigail wrapped her jacket tighter around her body. “I have jury duty tomorrow. I have to go home somehow and grab a change of clothes.”

“You cannot go there until we know if Glen was speaking the truth about the hunters. It is no small matter if they have figured out that you are a part of my circle.”

“But I didn’t do anything to them, and there’s a huge fine for not showing up at court!”

“I will pay the fine for you,” he replied sternly.

“I can’t accept that. Look, I just don’t see how I can be a threat to those hunter people or whatever you call them.”

“You helped Andrew get away, or have you forgotten?” he snapped, grabbing her wrist. He pulled her after him to his car, pushing her into the passenger seat. Just this once, he could not allow his guard to crumble. Lives were at stake. Rather, one in particular, and she was right in front of him. He couldn’t permit himself to make the same mistake as he had done in the past. His emotions ruled him back then. Because of that, he lost not only Katharine but a part of himself also.

He got in his car and drove to the villa he had not visited ever since he had purchased it ten years ago.

ABIGAIL

Abigail woke up when Alexander’s car pulled up in front of a two-storey villa with tall windows that covered almost every inch of it. She yawned and followed him inside like a trooper. Any other way, and she guessed he would pick her up and carry her instead.

He unlocked the front door, deactivated the alarm, and switched on the lights.

“Do you live here?” she asked, studying the polished wooden flooring and, oddly enough, normal décor. She half-expected there to be grand statues of him or endless works of art lining the walls. She found none of that. Only scarcely spread out modern paintings and simple furnishings.

“I do not. I have a housekeeper taking care of this property once a week,” he said, taking her hand.

She followed him up the wooden staircase to the first floor. They passed a few rooms on the way until he stopped in front of another and waved at the door.

“You may rest here for the remainder of the night.”

Abigail caught his sleeve when he shifted to move away. “Don’t go.”

“I have to make some calls, and you seem tired. Get some rest, Abigail. We can speak tomorrow.”

“Abby.”

“What?”

She cleared her throat, knowing full well what she was about to do. Allowing him to call her in the same way her mother did was equivalent to admitting she had fallen for him. Tonight really is full of strange revelations. “You can call me Abby. It feels weird when you call me Abigail. It’s as if you’re purposefully creating distance between us. And, I know I was the one who insisted on it first but—”

“I understand.” He gave her a peck on the cheek and opened the door to the bedroom for her. “Please, get some rest.”

She didn’t let go of his sleeve. Eyeing his drained expression, she tightened her hold on him and pulled him into the room with her.

“What are you doing?” he asked, his eyes growing wide.

“I’m asking you to help me undress.”

He licked his lips. She noticed how his eyes ignited with a faint glow, displaying his excitement. If she could keep him with her long enough, maybe he would forget about his pain for a short while. She undid the first button of her coat, then the second, watching his reaction for any change.

Alexander groaned and caught her hand on the final button. “As tempting as the offer is, I cannot ignore the important matters that may affect my friends.”

“Will you join me in bed once you’re finished?”

“I will consider it.”

He left her room, closing the door behind him.

Abigail stared at the ground for a minute. Is he rejecting me or did the situation really become so dire? Her doubts gave her no solace. So, she discarded her coat on the side of the bed and made her way to the bathroom to fill up a bath. As the water started running, she felt him wrapping his arms around her waist. She slowly straightened up after checking the temperature of the running water.

Smiling, she asked, “I thought you were too busy.”

“For once, I wish to avoid my responsibilities and spend the time how I want to.”

“Does that mean you intend to take a bath with me, Mr Grekov?”

“I intend to do much more than that,” he whispered into her ear and his lips crashed against hers.