Escaping The Beast: A Darkhills Romance (The Darkhills Series Book 2) by Elizabeth Greene (young adult books to read TXT) 📕

Maybe it was just a hunger thing. Perhaps he was full and just didn’t want or need her in that way after that one bite earlier. She really didn’t know enough about it. But it felt like it was a bit of a delicate subject to just come on out and ask him directly about his feeding habits. Also, she didn’t want to act like some needy, sulking girlfriend already asking him if he was still into her.

Girlfriend? Was that what she was now? Were they like that? Did vampires even have ‘girlfriends’?

It sounded a little ridiculous even to her own ears. Lovers felt more appropriate but the phrase felt so intimate.

Perhaps he was bored now that he’d had one taste, he’d satisfied his curiosity and would quickly lose interest. This was likely just some fun to him. She had stated in the terms of their contract that she wouldn’t be required to perform any acts of a sexual nature. Had this all been a play on his part so he could have her: seduce her enough so that she would give herself over to him willingly?

She sucked in a breath and closed her eyes.

It wasn’t like that. She reassured herself.

Lucian had shown her more kindness, support, and respect than she could ever remember anyone else having done in her entire life. He had said he cared for her and he had promised her honesty. Furthermore, nothing between them had felt fake. Transparency had opened up between them, for the first time since her childhood she had given someone her trust and it felt as though Lucian knew the significance of that. It was frightening, but there was a soothing relief that came with letting him wrap his strength around her.

But they had a contract. She was being held as a guarantee for her father’s debt. Katherine's heart ached when she considered what might happen when the two months were up, or if her father somehow managed to come up with the money sooner. She would be free to go and there would be no reason for her to ever see Lucian again. For him to bother with her anymore. A few passionate days with someone was not enough to warrant anything more than that. Who was to say the feelings that they had developed during their time together would translate to anything substantial or long-lasting?

Long-lasting. Katherine had no idea how anything could work with Lucian long term. She was human and had planned on living a normal, albeit hopefully successful, human life. Her dreams and aspirations most likely appeared so trivial to him. Lucian was already centuries old. He would continue to outlive her and stay just as vibrant and strong and capable when she would inevitably age, wither and die. There was no possible way that they could have any kind of a future together. Not without her sacrificing everything she had worked towards so far and becoming a vampire herself. And that was assuming he would want to share his long existence with her.

She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. She was giving herself a headache and her heart rate was back up to near panic levels.

What on earth had she been thinking, falling for him?

“Darling, are you well?” Lucian spoke softly from behind her.

“Lucian, what are you doing?” She spun instantly at the sound of his voice and threw herself at him, trying to push him back, away from the windows.

“I’m enquiring after your wellbeing,” Lucian stilled her and brought her face up to his, his dark eyes shining a lighter shade of deep brown in the light. She had never seen his eyes look anything other than black, they were so enthralling.

“But it's daytime, why aren’t you burning up?” She frowned, her hand skirting over his face in a cherishing caress.

Lucian chuckled softly.

“Tinted glass. There is a UV reflective film that keeps the worst of the sun's rays at bay. But you were concerned for me?” He smiled at her warmly.

“Yes of course I was concerned! How was I to know the windows were vampire friendly?” Katherine frowned.

Lucian’s head tipped back and he laughed freely. It was both infuriating and distractingly attractive.

“Vampire friendly? I might suggest to the installation company that should become their new marketing slogan.”

“Well, I don’t think it’s funny,” Katherine pouted and smacked his bare chest.

“Sorry, darling; I don’t mean to make light of your concern. I’m touched, truly. Please be assured that I am safe and well. If it were the height of summer and the sun was at its strongest then I would likely still struggle to see and would experience some skin irritation but, things being as they are, I am unharmed,” He smiled at her, holding her hands firmly against his chest.

Katherine huffed in response.

“Perhaps you need a little demonstration of precisely how strong and able I remain?” Lucian raised a suggestive brow and in a blur of movement, Katherine found herself spread out upon the couch, the cool leather against her legs and Lucian’s lips trailing kisses down her body.

“You’re insatiable,” she breathed, unable to resist his seduction, not when it felt like her entire being came alive whenever he touched her.

“Especially when it comes to you, I find I am unable to resist you, my beautiful darling,” he murmured against her skin as he kissed and nibbled at her stomach, which chose that moment to rumble loudly.

“Hungry?” Lucian laughed, looking up at her with an amused and light expression. The lightness there filled Katherine up with inexplicable joy.

She giggled and nodded her head. “Are you?” She asked squirming beneath his touch, the thought of his bite making her pulse hammer in her veins.

The sun suddenly went down behind his eyes and his gaze became shuttered and guarded once more. It happened so quickly Katherine felt as though she’d been emotionally slapped. The wicked grin that worked across his lips