Free The Awakening: A Witch-Vampire Romance: Feel the Heat. by Anastasha Renee

grin.
    Now he is just confusing me. “You can see it too? I don’t understand.”
    Serious confusion here!
    “Ella, you have to know that we are different. I just assumed you knew since you’re wearing your family’s talisman.” He nods at my neck.
    I reach up to touch my necklace. “I was adopted , Jaxx. I don’t know who my real family is. The family I have always known just kicked me out of their lives yesterday.”
    “Shit! I should have known it was something like that. You looked so surprised when we shook hands in the Caf the other day. I just never would have guessed that you were raised by Norms.”
    “ Norms? What does that even mean? How am I different,” I ask him.
    The waiter return s to our table with our food and my line of questioning is cut off.
    “Just relax , Ella. I’ll explain everything when we have more privacy,” he assures me. “This isn’t the place for this conversation. I know you have questions, I can see them swirling in your eyes. Just take a breath. Have patience and let’s enjoy our meal,” he suggests.
    We talk endlessly about our in terests during the meal and I realize that we have a lot in common, but the weight of what was just sprung on me is causing a giant knot to form in my stomach. Jaxx is charming, funny, and says all the right things as he tries to keep my mind from wandering past the present.
    Various people approach our table to greet him and he always proudly introduces me with a smile. When we leave the restaurant I feel all eyes on us. He is like a celebrity. Everyone wants his attention, asking his opinion on things. When we get to the door he hands the ticket to the valet.
    “Okay , Ella, just a few more minutes. We’ll go back to my place and I’ll tell you all that I know. I promise I will answer as many of your questions as I can.”
    I let out a huge breath at th is and start to relax for the first time since we arrived at the restaurant. He drives to his house which is quite a ways outside of town.
    “Your home is gorgeous,” I say as we pull into his drive. “Are your parents at home?” I am worried about meeting his parents on top of everything else.
    He pull s the car around in front of the house and stops. “No. This is my home. My parents passed many years ago.”
    “Oh, I’m so sorry. I had no idea,” I say softly and then stay silent for a long moment, just sitting in the plush leather seat. I turn to look at him and he seems to be lost in thought. “Jaxx, really, I’m sorry. I spoke without thinking. I just didn’t know what to say.”
    “Like I said , Ella, it was a very long time ago. I barely even remember them anymore.”
    We g et out of the car and head for the front door. Jaxx disables the security system. “The code is 06202002. I’ll write it down for you later. I want you to feel safe here. If you ever need a place to go, you can come here. Anytime, Ella, I mean it.”
    I just stay mute as we walk in the front entryway. It is vast and opulent. That’s the only way I can explain it. All marble floors and white statues.
    “Don’t feel out of place here , Ella. I didn’t decorate it. It has been in my family for ages. It’s a little much for my tastes also.”
    I giggle at that. I can’t picture him comfortable in this place, in his biker boots and worn tees. He leads me up the main staircase to his room on the second floor and the décor there is completely different. It has hardwood flooring, dark grey walls, and various band posters framed and mounted on the walls. “I can see you here.”
    He turn s and looks at me with a puzzled expression. “What do you mean?”
    “I just mean this area of the house seems more like you. Comfortable, but with an edge. I don’t know what I’m saying. It’s just a guess. I’m going to be quiet now before I stuff my foot in it again.”
    “No you’ re right. You are much more intuitive than you would have yourself believe. It must be one of your gifts, but let’s not get