Free Immortally Yours by Ashlyn Chase Page B

the possibility that if they
stayed together, people would eventually mistake her for his daughter…and
later, his granddaughter.
    Coming up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her and
kissed her ear. “Nothing says you have to leave.”
    “But I do! If we stay together, how could we get away with
your aging and my never getting a day older? Won’t your friends catch on?”
    Colin held her quietly for a few minutes. When he finally
spoke, he said something she never expected.
    “Lizette, when two people are in love, they don’t think
about leaving each other. I’m sorry you don’t feel as strongly about me as I do
about you, but I wish you wouldn’t talk about leaving. Not for a long time.
Maybe not ever. I’m sure we can figure something out.”
    She turned around in his arms and stared at him. “Are you
saying you’re in love with me?”
    He chuckled and looked down for a second. Then, as if he
mustered some courage, he looked her right in the eyes and said, “Yes. I love
you. I was doubting myself for a while—really couldn’t believe it happened so
fast. I know you probably don’t—”
    She cut him off with a kiss. A hard kiss that grew into a
long, deep, passionate one. When they broke apart, she whispered, “No, you’re
wrong. I love you too. That’s why I’m so sad. I don’t want to leave
you.”
    Colin cupped the back of her head and drew her face against
his warm shoulder. “Let’s not assume that’s going to happen. Let’s just be
happy. Love doesn’t come along every day.”
    “No kidding. I haven’t loved anyone in hundreds of years.”
    “Lizette?”
    She almost didn’t answer. She didn’t want to tell him she
had never loved any of the men she’d slept with and allowed to take care of
her. But he deserved the truth. If this was to be the first honest romantic
relationship she had ever had, she might as well be open to anything he asked
her. “Yes?”
    “I—I know you wanted information about the other immortals I
alluded to, but do you still? I mean, does it really matter?”
    Little hairs stood up on the back of her neck. He sounded
willing but not happy about it. Was there something he couldn’t tell her? Were
they dangerous—even to her? Was there a way she could die? And now that she
didn’t want to, would he tell her about it?”
    “Oh, fuck. What is it?”
    He frowned down at her face. “I thought you wanted me to
tell you.”
    “Well, yes. I mean—no. I don’t know! Can you tell me what it
is without telling me what it is?”
    “Huh?”
    She shook her head. “I’m not sure I want to know anymore. I
mean, you said you didn’t believe in suicide. If you were still alive and I
tried it, how terribly would I hurt you?”
    “What? Horribly! No, it’s not that. I still don’t know any
way you can kill yourself without causing brain damage and, Jesus…Why would you
think…?”
    “Never mind. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed anything,
but since you can’t divulge the identity of your patients, I thought you
wouldn’t have anything else you could tell me.”
    “Oh.” He kissed the side of her head and stroked her back.
“No, I was going to say that I might be able to ask one of them permission to
talk to you. If she chooses to reveal herself, maybe she can help you understand
that you don’t need to disappear.”
    Lizette caught her breath. “Really? You might be able to put
me in touch with someone like myself after all?”
    “I know how badly you want and need to know you’re not
alone. Which is no guarantee that it will happen. I only know of one person
like you. Immortal without knowing why…or as you put it, without fangs or fur
at the full moon.” He chuckled. “God, but you’re cute.”
    She grinned. “I’m not sure I’d want to meet the other kind
anyway. How do you deal with them, knowing they could kill you?”
    A wry smile crossed his face. “We meet in public places—and
never under a full moon.”
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