The Vampire’s Redemption

Michael snorted. “Oh, please.” It was true. He was falling for Danielle, he had realized it pretty much right away. But he wasn’t about to admit it to Stephen; his brother was clearly freaked out enough.

“You are,” Stephen said. “It’s obvious.”

“How is it obvious?”

“Because you’re taking it maddeningly slow with her. She told me you haven’t even kissed her yet.” Stephen’s eyes sparkled maliciously. “She seemed rather disappointed about that, by the way.”

If vampires could blush, Michael would probably do just that right now. “She told you that?” he said, incredulous.

“Yes. And that’s how I know you’re falling for her.” Stephen met his gaze straight on. “It’s a horrible idea, Michael, you know that. You have to step away now before things go too far.”

Michael stared at his brother. He could hear the worry and the fear written all over Stephen’s features and he wanted nothing more than to be able to wipe them away. But he couldn’t do it. He had nothing to soothe his brother’s terror with.

“I’m sorry, Stephen,” he said quietly, “I can’t. I can’t step away.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m already in too deep.”

The realization came to him just then, and it was crystal clear. He had fallen fast and hard for Danielle, and he wouldn’t be able to walk away from her now even if he wanted to—which he really, really didn’t.

Stephen looked at him, horrified. “Then we must leave.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Michael said quickly.

“Oh come on, Michael!” Stephen snapped. “What are you going to do? Start a relationship with this girl? Live a white picket fence and apple pie life? You can’t do that, you don’t have the tools. You can’t offer her anything. You’ve seen vampire/human relationships before, and you know it always ends bloody.” He took a step forward, his dark eyes all but impaling his older brother and keeping him rooted to the spot. “Do you want it to end bloody, Michael?”

Michael cringed. This was too much of a raw wound for Stephen, and he knew there would be no constructive talk on the matter.

“I understand why you’re afraid,” he said, as carefully and gently as he could. “But it might be different with her. And really, is her turning off our hunger such a bad thing?”

Stephen looked at him as if he thought he had gone mad. “Uh…yes,” he said pointedly. “Yes, it is.”

Michael sighed. “Whatever. And besides, who said anything about a relationship? We’re only here briefly, and I intend to get as much out of this time with Danielle as I possibly can.”

Stephen shook his head sadly. “It’s a slippery slope, brother.”

“Maybe, but I’m willing to take the risk.”

“It’s not just about you,” Stephen said. His shoulders were already slumped; he knew he was defeated. “At least promise me you won’t tell her about what we are.”

“I promise,” Michael said.

He had no intention whatsoever of doing that. He wasn’t afraid of Danielle, but he also wasn’t that far gone that he didn’t realize whatever made her turn off a vampire’s instincts might not be good news. There was no telling what she might be able to do if she ever found out about what they were.

*****

Danielle didn’t start this time. She heard him walk up to her as she was about to climb into her car in the Wooden Horse’s parking lot. She turned around slowly, and sure enough Michael was behind her, watching her. Just like before, she wasn’t sure whether she was happy to see him.

“I didn’t think I’d see you again tonight,” she said.

“I needed to see you, but I knew you probably wouldn’t be happy if I bothered you at work.” He walked up to her. “I’m sorry about my brother.”

Danielle nodded curtly. She knew Michael had nothing to do with what happened, but she couldn’t help mistrusting him a little. She kept herself distant and guarded.

“He said you’ll be safer if I’m not in your life,” she said. “What did he mean?”

Michael cringed visibly. “I’ve been hurt in the past. He just doesn’t want to see me get hurt again.”

“He said you might hurt me.”

Michael winced, and Danielle felt a knot forming at record speed in her stomach. Was there some truth in Stephen’s words, then?

“Was he right? Will you hurt me?”

“No,” Michael said immediately, and with such a fierceness in his voice that Danielle felt herself drawn to him all over again. “I won’t hurt you, Danielle. You have my word on that.”

Danielle watched him intently. He seemed sincere. She desperately wanted to believe him.

“So what do we do now?” she asked. “Is this goodbye?”

“No.” Michael seemed genuinely taken aback. “Why would you think that?”

Danielle lifted an eyebrow. “What else am I supposed to think?”

Michael smiled. He stepped closer, until he was close enough that he could reach out and place a hand on her hip. He lifted his other hand and cupped her cheek. The contact seemed to burn her from within.

“I don’t care what my brother says,” he said, his impossibly green eyes looking even greener in the light of the full moon. “If you’ll have me, I’m not going anywhere.”

Danielle swallowed past her suddenly dry mouth. Her heart was beating very fast within her chest. “I’d like it if you stuck around for a while.”

Michael’s smile broadened. “Then it’s done.” His eyes flashed with a malicious glint then, and his smile turned into a smirk. “Stephen tells me you’ve noticed I haven’t kissed you.”

Oh God. Danielle flushed scarlet, and she promised herself she would have a word with that nosy brother of Michael’s. “I…uh…well…” She cleared her throat. She might as well put all cards on the table. “I was beginning to think you may not be attracted to me.”

Michael blinked. “Are you serious?”

Danielle shrugged, feeling foolish. “I’m not really sure what else to think. You’re new in town, perhaps you’re just looking for a friend.” Michael’s hands were still on her, and she knew now that she couldn’t be more wrong. But he still had not kissed her.

“I’m not just looking for a friend, Danielle,” Michael said. “Friends are a great thing to have, but that’s not what I’m looking for in you.”

“Then what are you looking for?”

Michael didn’t answer. His hand slid from her cheek to her nape, and he pulled her in.

He kissed like a god. Passion frizzled and sparked underneath, but his kiss was slow and sensual. Danielle let herself go and kissed him back just as passionately. She had fantasized about this moment for quite some time. As it turned out, it exceeded all of her expectations.