Chapter 37

ELEANOR

Logan took me to a seafood restaurant for our first date, hiking for our second date, and to the Norton Simon Museum for our third. From then on, we were inseparable.

I would find him waiting for me outside my classes, and we would have lunch together, or I’d meet up with him in the library, where we’d spend long nights studying, drinking sugary drinks, and sneaking in fried chicken.

For Christmas, I invited him to come to dinner at Dean and Constance’s place, and they were overjoyed to welcome him.

Dean spent a good half hour showing him around the studio, pointing out my old paintings and the awards I’d won.

Constance hauled me into the kitchen with her. We prepared way too much food, and Logan was polite enough to eat it all.

Constance and Dean would not have us sleeping in the same room, so he spent the nights on the living room couch.

When I was sure they were asleep, I snuck out of my room and into the living room. I could hear his soft snoring. His feet were sticking out off the edge of the couch.

I crept up to him and kneeled by his face. His dark hair fell into front of his eyes, I pushed it back lightly, and he stirred. His eyes opened slowly, and he blinked, taking me in.

“Hey, Dimples.”

“Hey.”

“You wanna join me?” He lifted his covers as I nodded. I kicked off my slippers and sank into the couch with him. He wrapped his arm around my waist tightly and pressed me against him.

I felt him breathing into my hair, and he kissed the top of my head.

“There were some really nice paintings down there,” he whispered.

“Yeah, Dean has a gallery. I’ll take you here tomorrow if you like.”

“I meant your paintings, Dimples.” He chuckled.

“Ah, thanks,” I leaned my head back so he could kiss my nose.

“So, next year will be my last year here, Dimples.”

“Hmm, I’m aware.”

“And I wanted to go on exchange.”

“Where?”

“France.”

“It’s a beautiful country,” I murmured.

“You never told me you’ve been.”

“Didn’t I?” I paused. I hadn’t mentioned much about my first family. I tried to avoid the subject as much as possible. “I lived there for a few years with my first family.”

“Are you telling me that you speak French? Because, if you do, somehow, you’ve just gotten so much hotter,” he growled in my ear. I giggled.

“Then I shouldn’t tell you I speak a little Spanish and Italian too. Though I’ve forgotten most of my Italian, and I haven’t practiced Spanish either. I learned French first.”

Logan groaned and rolled back so he could flip me toward him. Face to face, I wrapped one leg around his waist, and he held onto my thigh.

“You’re killing me, Ellie,” he groaned, kissing me softly.

“I also know how to ride horses!” I informed him.

“That’s interesting. I like it better when you ride me,” he said with a chuckle.

“I wanted to ask you before you decided to drop language bombs on me, Dimples, would you want to come with me? On exchange, next year?”

My heart skipped a beat. I could just make out the earnest expression on his face in the darkness.

“Sure,” I whispered.

“I love you so much,” he blurted, then groaned, dipping his head down and burying his face in the hollow of my throat. I could hear him breathing heavily, his hand squeezing my thigh.

“Well, you know, that’s good to know because I kinda love you too,” I whispered.

He lifted his face to gaze up at me. “Kinda?” his voice was strained. He grinned. “Kinda?”

I giggled. “Okay, not kinda. I do. I love you.”

His hand slid up my back, and he pulled my face to his. His lips crashed against mine, moving slowly, as his hands traced my body, moving over every curve, taking his time.

***

When we returned from Christmas break, we went straight to the international office to get as much information as we could and fill out our applications.

We also both signed up for French classes, which was good for me because there was a lot that I had forgotten. It was torture for Logan.

When he got his first A+, I decided to take him out for dinner. We organized to meet up after my last physics class.

He was waiting for me in the library, texting me all class long. I sent him a string of hearts and kissing emojis.

“Ellie Martinez! Are we disturbing you?” the professor snapped. I immediately put my phone down.

“Sorry, professor.” I blushed deeply.

“Blasted phones,” the professor grumbled as he went back to his presentation.

Behind me, I heard a heavy chuckle. Annoyed, I spun to give the person the stink eye but stopped in my tracks, my jaw-dropping, my eyes widening. I felt my whole body tensing.

The man sitting behind me was gorgeous. Straight nose, wide full lips, flawless taut white skin, and high cheekbones. He was dressed in black fitted clothes.

His ebony hair hung down slightly in front of his black almond-shaped eyes. I wondered how I hadn’t noticed him before.

And though I hadn’t seen one for a decade, I was sure I was staring at a vampire. Not just any vampire. He was a pureblood.

I could feel my heart racing, my palms sweating, as a slow panic overtook my whole body.

He was gazing at me, cocking his head slowly to one side, a smile playing on his lips, a twinkle in his eyes. I could just make out his sharp white teeth.

Very, very slowly, I turned back around to the professor, raising my hand. “Can I be excused?” I croaked.

The professor scowled at me.

“Fine, go. I don’t want to know. Just know you’ll still be tested on the work we see this evening.”

“Of course,” I mumbled, tossing my things into my bag, almost falling as I dashed for the door of the classroom.

I ran down the hallway, practically tripping over my own feet. I headed toward the library, but it was still early evening.

There was nowhere safe for me until the sun came up. And I knew he could sniff me out wherever I went.

I veered away from the library. I didn’t want Logan messed up in this, heading to my car. I could drive. I could drive into the dawn. I sprinted across the parking lot.

I didn’t make it to my car. He was there. Waiting. His hands folded across his chest, grinning at me. I froze, glancing around quickly, my heart racing.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you,” he murmured, his voice soft and deep. He was suddenly by my side, towering over me, his eyes brilliant crimson.

“Oh fuck,” I whispered.

“Your name?”

“Ellie.”

“Short for Eleanor?” He cocked his head to one side.

“No. Ellie. Ellie Martinez,” I insisted. He pursed his lips.

“You know what I am, don’t you, Ellie?” He sneered. My heart skipped a beat.

“Yes,” I whispered. He was circling me slowly, a finger tracing across my collarbone, across my back.

“I remember your scent,” he murmured, tipping my head down next to my ear. “You still smell so ~sweet~,” he growled.

I was frozen to the spot. My eyes darted around, looking for someone, anyone to come by. But the parking lot was empty. And no one could stop him if they wanted to either.

“Please,” I whispered.

He chuckled, drawing back. “I saw you die,” he continued. “I wonder, who else knows you’re here, heart beating?” he mused.

“No one,” I murmured.

“Well, that’s a shame. I’m sure your mother would like to know. I’m sure your brother would like to see you now. You are exactly his type, AB negative, right?”

He chuckled, then lifted his head and turned back toward the building.

At the same time, Logan appeared, waving at me.

“Hey Dimples, I saw you from the window. Didn’t we say we’d meet in the library?” he called, jogging over, eyeing the vampire suspiciously.

The vampire smiled at him sweetly.

“I apologize. That confusion must have been my fault. Dear Ellie here was giving me a ride after my car broke down,” he reached his hand out, and Logan shook it warily.

“Really?” he asked me, frowning. I nodded quickly.

“Yeah, sorry.”

“I’ll find another ride. Thanks, Ellie. It’s been a pleasure. Don’t be a stranger.” The vampire winked at me, then, smirking at Logan, strode off toward the building.

“Who the fuck was he?” Logan asked, scowling after him.

“Logan, any chance you want us to head to France tomorrow?” I squeaked.

“What?”