Rosalina's Hope by D.D. Dass (free novel 24 .txt) 📕

towards her house. Her drive was empty, and for a second, I wondered if she was even home, but I wasn’t deterred, ringing the doorbell before stuffing my hands in my pockets. I waited seconds before Rosa answered, looking so startled I almost laughed.

 

 “What are you doing at my house?” Mentally undressing you, my hormones raged, but I clenched my teeth, summoning the control I hadn’t thought I’d be needing. I wasn’t a sixteen year old boy, I was old enough to have some control over myself…or so, I’d thought. Rosa seemed to be making exceptions.

 

 “You did really think I’d give up so easily? I’m a jock after all,” I teased, hoping she couldn’t see how much I abruptly wanted her. Before she could reply, I stepped into the house, surprised at the modern attributes it held. Huh, looks could be deceiving.

 

 “Get out,” she hissed. I raised my hands in surrender, but held my ground, taking her in all the while. She was dressed in a black tank-top and black shorts that showed off her slender legs. At the sight, my hands stung to run down those smooth legs, legs that led down to small, socked feet. I arched a brow at the socks before lifting my gaze to her face once again. Naturally, Rosa was gorgeous, damp hair hanging at her shoulders, making that lavender scent stronger and unconsciously, I wondered if she tasted as good as looked and smelled. My mouth dried with want and my teeth began to sharpen.

 

 It wasn’t true, werewolves and vamps being enemies, in fact, we had a lot in common. We both drank blood, the only difference: they drank from humans, we drank from our mates. Neither of us took lives, though the vamps blood living was a necessary the Lycans didn’t have.

 

 “You owe me, Roza,” I told her seriously. Her face flushed with anger, looked oddly adorable and I had to look away before she saw the horribly idiot grin I wore. There was something wrong here, I knew, so…bizarre.

 

 “Do you always stalk girls you just met?”

 

 “No, just you.” The words were out of my mouth before I even thought them. At least it’s the truth, I thought, trying to keep away from how truthful it’d actually been. 

 

 A distraction was what I needed, so naturally, I looked at Rosa again. Her blue eyes were surprised as she chewed her bottom lip –bringing my attention to those slightly puffed lips, pink and plump, so kissable.

 

 “Fine,” she sighed. “Since you’re obviously not leaving…What is there to possibly talk about?” She didn’t give me the chance to answer, good thing too since I had no idea what shit I’d blurt out next. I just really wanted to know her. Instead, she headed for the stairs and dutifully I followed, trying to keep my eyes off her body. It proved almost impossible, because she was perfection to me with smaller breasts, a flat belly, hips curved and slender legs. Stop being so damned creepy I inwardly snarled to myself, looking at the floor.

 

 Distraction.

 

 “Where’s your family?” She glanced at me, but opened a door. Her bedroom, I thought unsure of how to feel about the excitement spiking my veins.

 

 Quickly, I tampered into my wolf, making sure he was composed enough, finding him watching Rosa with…interest. It was bizarre for the wolf in me to even consider someone as anything but an enemy, though with Rosa, who was so fragile and endearing, it’s wasn’t exactly a shock he found her…different.  

 

 I followed again, hoping the room would tell me more about her character…The room however, was pretty bare, walls a neutral yellow with a neatly made bed, a while dresser and walk in closet. But it was hers, and that made it…comfortable, fragrances intoxicating the entire space, making my head spin slightly.

 

 She sat silently on her bed, but I noticed her anxiety and stood by the window, hoping to ease her distress.

 

“It’s my parents’ anniversary so they’re out for dinner and Iris –my sister, is on a date with her boyfriend.” So they had left her alone. I inwardly groaned. Did they not understand how extremely fragile this girl was? How easily she could get hurt. Could they possibly have not learnt by now?

 

Humans.

 

“They left you alone then?” She stiffened a bit, raising her chin.

 

“I can handle myself.”

 

“I never said you couldn’t,” I reminded, testing her to disagree. I enjoyed a challenge.

 

“It was implied,” she retorted, catching me off guard. She was right, of course, it had been. So the girl was intelligent then. For a second I simply stood there, watching her intently, wishing she’d look up at me just once. It was strange, how much I enjoyed having those dim eyes on me.

 

“What’s your favorite color?” The question worked as I thought it would and she glanced up, the blues of her eyes swimming with questions. Half-heartedly I gestured for her to begin, only then did she seem to remember the question.

 

“I don’t have one.” My eyebrows rose in question. Another pressing surprise.

 

“Have you ever had a boyfriend?” Though I already knew the answer, I wanted to hear it from her. Nobody else seemed to matter.

 

“Um…” she fumbled. “I suppose Robert counts as my boyfriend, but I can’t really remember much of the relationship.”  Her answer puzzled me, but I was too determined to find out more about my latest obsession. My only obsession.

 

“Iris is your twin, yes?” She nodded. “Then why are your eyes blue instead of brown?” At the question, her lips twitched, taking on a little smile that I involuntarily returned, shoulders relaxing as she did.

 

“Rare occurrence really, just chance. I’ve always been a little screwed up.” In disbelief, I shook my head, about to shoot another question when she spoke up.

 

“My turn.  How old are you?” Startled, I ran a head through my hair.

 

“Twenty two,” I blurted before I thought better of it.

 

Instantly, the atmosphere tensed. Forcefully, I kept my gaze locked on hers, willing the suspicion to dissipate.

 

“Twenty two in high school…?” And so the lies begin, I thought irritably. I’d never been one to lie, easily avoiding situations in which I would have too, but this girl took me off guard, and though I didn’t want to lie –trusting the secretive eyes and pretty, hushed mouth –I knew it was inevitable.

 

Stop bein’ dramatic, I steeled, answering before she could realize I was thinking too hard about it.  “I’m not the smartest guy around.”

 

Her eyebrows rose in disbelief before she gave a pretty snort and I grinned, pleased that she didn’t think I was an actual idiot, even when I acted like one.

 

Surprising me once again, she asked another question, this time much safer. “What’s France like?” I almost curled my lip at the muggy memories. France, a total piece of work it was, I wanted to mutter bitterly, but it wasn’t France that pissed me off, not at all. It was my screwed childhood.

 

Swallowing the words, I spoke casually. “Ma cherie, France is charming, Paris extremely so. I can’t really explain, though I could take you,” my accent flowed free, covering the lie better. Of course I could take her if she really wanted, though it wouldn’t mean I was going anywhere near that manor. In fact, I’d do everything in my power to stay away from that nightmare.

 

She narrowed her eyes, making me instantly alert. Had I said something to upset her?

 

“Don’t you have a girlfriend?” I bit back a wince. It wasn’t like I would lie about it, not something so insignificant anyway.

 

“Oui, I do.” Something close to disappointed flicked in her eyes before she dropped her gaze. My chest tightened with an unknown emotion and suddenly I needed to change the subject, to put that smile back on her face.

 

“How’d you get the scar?” Smooth, Seb. Fuckin’ smooth. Instantaneously, she froze, and the sadness in her was tangible. I could’ve kicked myself in that moment. Throughout the conversation I’d completely forgotten about her past, damn me, I was such an asshole. How the hell could I let myself forget something so important?

 

Easy, you’re getting far too comfortable, my wolf answered angrily. Anger directed at me only.

 

“Forgive me?” Her hand was on her scar, making me wonder exactly how many times it proved a reminder of her kidnapper. If I could turn back the hands of time, I’d never have opened my mouth; if I could turn back the hands of time, I’d have murdered whoever dared hurt her.

 

“For what? It was a simple, ordinary question. ‘m just overreacting…Just…Give me a minute, p-lease?” Her voice broke at the end, though before I could apologize, she was walking out of the room and into another. Idiot, idiot, idiot, I insulted over and over until with a heavy sigh, I let my head fall back against the wall with an inaudible thump.

 

A few minutes passed, the agitation and worry building. The lights were on in another room, down the hall, where I could hear Rosa. Or her breathing at least, harsher than I was comfortable with. Somehow, I found my hand on the door handle, entering the unknown room before I realized it.

 

Absently, I notice it’s a spacious bathroom, but I don’t take the time to really examine it, locked on Rosa’s face; tear-stained cheeks flushed with shiny eyes to match.

 

My breathing caught in my throat. Your fault! Her eyes met mine briefly before she backed away, a horrible fake smile pasted over her lips. Pained, I shut my eyes, inwardly recoiling from the foreign pain sweeping over the expanse of my ribs.

 

For the first time since its awakening my wolf howled not for hatred or aggression, but tenderness, urging me to grab her, hold her, hide her away from all the pain. To bare it for her. And there was no resisting as I gripped one dainty in my larger one, caressing the softer palm as she stared up at me, eyes wide in disbelief. The touch sent a river of quiet fondness, protectiveness, and something else, something strong, stronger than anything I’d ever felt before.

 

“You’re...touching me,” she whispered, more to herself than me I thought. “And it feels…tolerable.” Suddenly, I was aware of the way she avoided contact, dropping her hand to move back in a slight haze.

 

“No, no!” she breathed. “Come here. Please.” As if she had to beg. I complied readily, two steps closer, so that my heat was positively smothering her. I couldn’t help but lean closer than necessary.

 

Her cool fingers rose to stroke over my temple, down to the slope of my cheekbone. At the electrifying shock, I inhaled sharply, shutting my eyes at the intense feel of it. With force, I resisted the urge to take charge, instead letting her feel me at her own pace. My breathing was even, though it took much effort, especially with her whisper soft touch, shooting demands through my entire being. When those fingers brushed my nose, the scent at her wrist so appealing, I had to open my eyes again, ready to pull her into me right then.

 

But, she looked so self-conscious and unsure, letting her hand fall to her side, but never actually stepping away. I nearly growled.

 

“Sorry…” She backed away, giving me the room to clear my head. The outside world became clear once more, and I made out the sound of a car pulling into the drive, loud to me, though probably not to Rosa.

 

Time to go, I thought grudgingly.

 

“I’ll see you at school tomorrow?” She shook her head and I opened my mouth to demand why not when she said, “Its Saturday tomorrow,” she reminded with a small, shy smile.

 

Crap, football season began tomorrow morning. Suddenly, being with this girl was so much more imperative. 

 

“Right…” Nobody made the first move. We stared, and her lips parted slightly, breaths coming shorted. I yearned to lean in, to brush her lips to mine carefully as she deserved, but car doors slammed shut, interrupting. This time, she did hear, and was frantically pushing me backwards