Page 105 of Eternal Surrender

I didn’t want her to know that James and I had spoken, fearful it would lead to more questions.

I pulled on my shirt. “How are things between you and James?”

“Fine.” She watched my reaction. “Are you inside my head?”

I reached into her mind trying to extract what she was up to. “Absolutely not.”

Ingrid turned away from me and continued dressing.

Suddenly, I wanted to be anywhere but here, coaxing my thoughts out into the night, allowing my imagination to entertain an endless array of possibilities, and if I dared, allow my true nature its freedom; blood was calling my name.

“You didn’t ask me,” she said.

“Ask you. . . ?”

“About my new case.” She squinted my way.

Faint blue veins arose on her neck and beckoned, inviting me to share their mystery.

“Belshazzar’s is history,” I said. “As in you and I history.”

Ingrid scanned the floor, feigning she was looking for an item of clothing she’d already gathered.

“You understand why?” I asked.

“I’m going to take a peek around.”

I moved closer and grabbed her arm.

“A girl’s got to try.” She pulled out of my grip and buttoned her shirt.

“My world has nothing to offer you.” I fought the urge to thrust her against the wall and take her again.

I wanted to draw her into a tight hug and tell her it was me, but that could never happen.

Nor could drinking from her.

“I don’t believe you’re capable of hurting anyone,” she said, perhaps having caught my eyes devouring her.

“Hurry up.”

She grabbed her bag.

I reached for Ingrid’s arm, pulling her toward the long corridor, leading her toward the elevator.

“Déjà vu,” she whispered.

“As I recall, that time didn’t go well either.” I searched her thoughts for any evidence she was ready to put this place behind her.

“Something tells me I’m getting to you.”

I nudged her into the lift and waited for the doors to close. We jolted upward.

She gave a crooked smile. “You don’t like small spaces, do you?”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what?”