Free Beautiful Death by Christina Moore

dream.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    6: H ideaway
     
    WHEN Tristan woke again it was past dusk, so said the little silver clock on the nightstand now turned to face him. He couldn’t believe he slept so long. So much for getting his sleep back on schedule. Guess he didn’t really have one to start with, not with the post-accident insomnia.
    His brain ached, just behind his eyes, reminding him of the booze he had indulged in last night. But the faint pain would be gone soon. No matter how much he drank, Tristan never got a hangover and his headaches were always very short lived. Good genetics? Maybe. Whatever the reason, he was grateful for it.
    A soft scent found him and immediately the thought of that sexy woman he dreamed so vividly about. He could still feel her touch, the press of her breasts against his chest, the sensation of soft lips opening across his neck. He slipped farther down under the sheets and shuddered, feeling as if she had just caressed him again. You know, the woman that looked like Ash. God . There was something seriously wrong in his head to be dreaming about Ash as a woman. And a vampire on top of that. What could the dream have meant though? As far as dreams go it was fairly normal. Who didn’t dream about sex, or the promise of sex, right? And the vampire part was because of last night’s choice discussion, that he got. But did the woman have to look like Ash?
    He groaned and rolled over, wondering if he should even bother asking Ash about it. Maybe he had a sister, or a twin. Yeah, that had to be it. Or maybe it was the vibe he kept picking up from the guy. Either way, Tristan was sure he was in the wrong place.
    “Jesus Christ,” Tristan groaned as he climbed out of bed, “What the hell is wrong with me?” 
    As he got up he was shocked to find he was in bed naked. He slept that way some nights, but he was sure he’d fallen into bed last night fully clothed. Every part of him hoped that it was Haruka that helped him out of his clothes and not Ash. He shook off a sudden image of Ash stripping him down and enjoying it.
    After a quick shower and some clothes, Tristan decided it was time to check out of Hotel Ash. While he didn’t completely dislike the guy anymore after speaking with him last night, he thought it best to leave the country. If this Malik person, vampire, really wanted to kill him then he’d have to cross the seas for him. It seemed like so much effort for a nobody.
    Tristan only got as far as the door to his room before he found the way blocked. He let out a shocked sort of gasp and jumped back. Ash was standing in the hallway, arms crossed over chest and a crooked shit-eating grin on his face. Tristan wasn’t prepared to see him again so soon, not with the memory of that woman so fresh on his mind. He had to stifle a shudder. And not the good kind.
    “Uh, morning,” Tristan said, uncomfortable all of the sudden. Couldn’t imagine why.
    Ash’s grin softened. “Good evening. Going somewhere?”
    Jesus, how did he know? “No…”
    Ash raised a single brow as if he didn’t believe him. “Haruka has prepared dinner for you and then we are going out.”
    “Where to?”
    “Someone I need to speak with. You are coming with me.”
    Tristan pushed past him, careful not to touch him. “Care to elaborate?” Tristan asked as he reached the front of the house.
    “No.” Ash almost laughed and added, “How do I guarantee your life if I am not with you?”
    He looked at Ash with a bit of confusion. “How is today any different than yesterday? Did you go see that vampire you needed to talk to?”
    “We spoke, yes.”
    “And?” God, why was he being so tightlipped all the sudden? What a pain in the ass.
    “She could not say.”
    Tristan furrowed his brow at Ash, curious. “Couldn’t, or wouldn’t?” Ash only cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Fine, have it your way. Where’s the chow?”
    Ash looked confused. “Chow? No, Haruka is Japanese, not