Page 82 of Eternal Craving

“Where’s the owner?” I asked.

“Out of town on business.” Sunaria was dressed in a long, red gown, accentuating her curves. She was a perfect, erotic vision, and yet even with her back to me, I knew she was aware of my response. She seemingly warmed her hands in front of the fireplace, her long, dark locks tumbling over her shoulders.

A reflection from the orange flames danced over her as I admired her from the doorway.

We were minutes from Miranda’s place and knowing that we were close to Jacob provided some comfort. I’d declined the invitation to stay with her and Alicia, especially with my nocturnal lifestyle being what it was – and keeping Sunaria away from Miranda was a wise decision.

So much had happened that I’d found little time to consider my new life until now. Thoughts of Jacob kept me focused. I couldn’t go back, but I had hope for the future, my son’s future, and the elusive promise of his happiness.

Having not fed in a while, fatigue was setting in, and my hands shook slightly. The guilt after each kill weighed so heavily upon my conscience that I wondered if I’d ever get used to it. Hunger seemed a good alternative to the dread that followed the act of satiating it. I’d never want this for Miranda.

Sunaria turned to face me. “You were thinking of her.”

“Miranda? Not in that way.”

“Remember I hear your every thought.”

“Then you know I’m being honest.” I approached her, concentrating on shutting her out of my mind.

“What are you doing?” She faced the hearth again.

I slid my hands down her arms and grasped her wrists, clutching them behind her back and tightening my grip. “Don’t be angry with me for wanting privacy.”

She leaned back into me.

“For the first time, I’ll be able to understand how a woman really thinks.” I chuckled to myself.

“You don’t get to hear mine.”

“Ah.” I let her go. “This vampire Order, is it safe to assume they’ve lost track of you?”

“No.”

I wrapped my arm around her waist and hugged her.

“As your elder, I have a right to know your mind,” she said.

Silence, the best answer.

“If you obey me,” she continued, “you’ll escape punishment and will be well rewarded.”

The thought of her rummaging around in my mind made me uncomfortable.

“Like the reward I have for you upstairs.” She turned to face me.

Her mind was inaccessible as she grasped my hand and led me out. Her expression was full of excitement.

We ascended the narrow stairway.

When we reached the top, she lifted herself up onto her toes and leaned in to kiss me, pressing her red, full lips against mine. She tasted lusciously sweet.

We burst into the room.

There, wearing nothing but a jeweled choker, lay a young, pale blonde on the chaise lounge.

Above the fireplace hung a portrait of an older gentleman and this very girl, who now wrapped an arm around Sunaria and relaxed against her.

The banker had married her youth and she his money, it seemed, and now she lay in Sunaria’s arms. I wondered if business had really taken her husband out of town. Sunaria gestured that she wanted me to join them.