Free Immortal Wounds: Book #1 in the Immortal Wounds Vampire Series-Paranormal Romance/Vampire Romance/Romantic Fantasy by Nicole Grane Page B

me, his eyes soft and full of wonder. “Please, don’t misunderstand me, but why ever not?”
    I was sniffling now, surprised by his line of questioning. I looked up into his face. “I never found anyone I was comfortable with,” I admitted.
    His eyes widened. “You’re . . . ‘comfortable’ with me?” His face held mixed emotions.
    “Yes.”
    A strange expression claimed him. He hadn’t liked what I’d said. He stared at me apprehensively.
    “I’ve had boyfriends. It’s not that they didn’t try, that I haven’t been close before,” I said defensively. I didn’t want him to think I was completely naive. “I’ve just been waiting for someone my soul connected with.”
    “Your soul connected with mine ?” His voice was barely a whisper.
    My eyes were as low as they could go. I couldn’t look him in the face now. All my cards were on the table. I was exposed and completely open for heartbreak. This was a disaster of epic proportion. I’d been too honest. This was too intense for a first date. This whole day had been too intense for a first date. I’ve never jumped into bed with anyone I’d just met. But I didn’t feel that way with Marcus. My soul was telling me I knew him. Somehow I knew him, and that I was his. With everything that had happened, my time with Marcus had to be ticking away. I fully expected him to run screaming from my house at any moment.
    “You’ve . . . never?” He was truly in shock.
    I took a deep breath. “Never,” I breathed out.
    Marcus remained speechless.
    “You must think I’m completely weird,” I said, rolling my eyes slightly.
    He shook his head. His eyes were full of excitement. He looked overjoyed as he pulled my face to his and kissed my lips softer, but just as eagerly as he had before.
    I was taken aback. It took me a few moments to realize that I was back in his arms. My lips remembered what to do.
    He gently pulled back. A look of peace reflected back at me. “I can’t believe you’ve waited for me all this time? That you’ve never loved another!” He was elated.
    “I didn’t know when I’d find you,” I admitted shyly.
    He smiled. “Are you truly alright?” he asked, sounding worried again.
    “Yes, I’m fine . . . just embarrassed.” I blushed, dropping my stare once again. “I keep passing out on you.”
    His finger caught my chin, lifting it to meet his stare. He smiled kindly. “You don’t need to be embarrassed. Not with me . . . never with me.”
    He wrapped his arms around me, and cradled me against his chest, his hand soothingly stroking my hair.
    I closed my eyes and smiled, as I felt the love and safety of his embrace.
     

Chapter 6: Confession Time
     
    I put my hand over my mouth as I yawned unexpectedly.
    “It’s late,” Marcus said as he rose from the bed. “You’ve had an unusually long day,”
    “NO!” I grabbed his arm, pulling him back beside me. I felt suddenly flushed. I didn’t want to tell him, but I knew that my reaction to him leaving would not be swept under the rug.
    He gave me a quizzical look.
    “I’m afraid to go to sleep,” I admitted. “I don’t want to dream anymore, and I don’t want to be asleep if that monster comes back.” I felt myself nearing hysterics.
    Marcus reached out, placing his hands at the base of my neck. His fingers gently rubbed, as if trying to sooth me—it didn’t work.
    “I mean, what am I supposed to do? How would I fight it? Do I need a gun—are we talking silver bullets? Marcus, I’m not that good with a gun, and if it comes to sword fighting like in my dream . . . ”
    He put his hand over my mouth, silencing me. His face grew serious, his eyes flashing black with anger. “He’ll never touch you.”
    I found myself inching slowly away from him. His words made me cringe, and although they were not meant for me, they terrified me, almost as much as the look on his face.
    “Phoebe I’m sorry,” he reached out quickly, taking my hand in his, and pulling me back