Free Cherry Stem by Sotia Lazu Page B

there.”
    His step faltered for only a split second.
    He opened the door and held it for me. “If you change your mind, ever , I will be waiting.”
    “I won’t.” I couldn’t get enough air in my lungs to do more than whisper, but I was reasonably confident that I meant what I’d said.
    He bobbed his head once. “I will be here, regardless.”
    I cupped his chin, allowing myself to take in the lines of his face, his cheekbones, his high brow, his square jaw. “Thank you.” I meant it.
    I was halfway up the stairs when he said, “Please be careful.”
    * * * *
    I was too stressed to fly after leaving Constantine’s place, so I decided to take a stroll first, let the night air calm my nerves.
    The way things had been going the past couple of days, it made sense that my little walk would end up frazzling me even further.
    The conversation with my ex had gone well, all in all. I felt bad for having caused him pain, but at the same time, I felt vindicated. Besides, I’d hurt him less than he’d hurt me. At the end of the day, we’d been civilized—mostly—had had closure, which had been long overdue, and he would talk to the council for me. I hoped they would agree to see me, and that they weren’t the grudge-holding type.
    When the new council was first formed, they’d asked me to voice my approval of them when interacting with other vampires. I hadn’t refused, but I hadn’t socialized with any vampires other than Constantine, so it’s not like I’d really helped them. I hoped the former lack of active support on my part wouldn’t make them think twice about helping me now.
    My nostrils flared as a car went slowly by. The driver, fortunately alone, was drunk but extremely polite when he stopped and asked if I needed a lift. I locked gazes with him, declined, and ordered him to go straight home and never again drive inebriated.
    The alcohol on his breath and the smells of the night—trees, flowers, a cat or two, the earth itself—made me think of another smell. Blood. The whole emotional roller coaster seeing Constantine had put me through had me on edge, and I needed to feed.
    A couple turned the corner, coming my way. They were holding hands, and the boy, who couldn’t be older than seventeen, with saggy hair and baggy clothes, leaned to whisper something in the girl’s ear. She laughed, her earrings jingling, and turned to him for a kiss, her auburn hair catching the streetlight and showing red streaks.
    Red.
    Blood.
    I could have a quick snack on the spot and be on my way without either of them remembering what had happened. Their pulse, throbbing, was calling for me to do just that. I didn’t even have to go for the neck. A nibble on the bend of the arm would be more than fine.
    No. Even if they didn’t remember the violation of a happy, carefree moment, I would. I didn’t want to burst their bubble. They had a few more years ahead before they absolutely had to face the cruelty of the world. My stomach protested my altruism, but I ignored it.
    They smiled when they passed me by, and I returned the smile, fully meaning it. I know; I’m a really scary vampire, aren’t I? They were so cute and so obviously in love.
    Love . Love is something beautiful, something that should be treasured, and something not all people find in a lifetime. Many take it for granted, failing to recognize its magnificence. I am not one of them; I know love needs nurturing to thrive, and right at that moment, I felt too scattered to focus on that nurturing. I knew if I let myself go, what I felt for Alex would become deep enough, but I doubted I’d be able to handle it. Perhaps once I had my shit together, if he was interested in something more than sex and could wait that long…
    Time was something I had in spades, barring an impromptu staking, decapitation, or burning, but Alex was mortal. Even if he fell head over heels for me, he would one day want more—a family, someone to grow old with. I would never grow old