Chapter 18

"Don't you think we should be hiding somewhere a little less ostentatious?" Darci asked, pausing in between bites of her toasted panini.

"No, this is perfect. The better the hotel the more staff; the more staff the better the security. If someone is loitering around, the doormen will see them and security cameras will record their every move." He came over and sat on the bed beside her. "Eat up; you need to regain your strength."

She finished the last few mouthfuls of the sandwich and set the plate down on the bedside table, stretching out on the huge king-sized bed. "I'm tired."

"Then have a sleep and we will talk when you wake up."

Darci yawned and rolled onto her side, snuggling into the silky pillow. She fidgeted at the bandage around her wrist until her eyelids grew heavy and fell shut.

* * * *

Will sat in the chair, legs stretched out in front of him, watching her sleep. Her breathing was slow and deep, matching the regular beat of her heart. He found it soothing. She rolled onto her back, her skirt riding up to reveal her pale, toned legs, and he could see the gentle swell of her breasts as her chest rose and fell with each breath.

He moved closer and sat on the edge of the bed. Her face looked so peaceful and innocent as she slept, and more than ever, he regretted having drawn her into this. He should never have approached her. He should have admired her from a distance and let her live her life.

He looked away for a moment, struggling with his feelings, and when he looked back, her eyes were open, looking up at him. He started to stand and move away, but she caught his hand and drew him back. She pulled gently on his shoulder, guiding him down until they lay side by side, looking into each other's eyes.

He kept still as she wriggled forward, her lips fluttering against his in a gentle kiss. Her lips were warm against his own cool skin, and they awoke feelings in him he had not felt in many years. He pulled her closer until their bodies pressed together, and then he returned the kiss. His lips found hers with increasing urgency as his hands began to explore her body, running down her back and keeping her pinned against him.

He slipped a hand below her top and gently caressed her breast. Her breath on his face came in hot gasps, and he could hear her heart pounding in her chest, its rhythm urging him onwards.

He had no recollection of undressing, but a few moments later, they were both naked, lying entwined amongst the sheets. He continued to explore her body, wanting to know every part of her as she ran soft fingers along his back and down his torso.

At the culmination of their passion, he cried out her name, and for that moment, nothing existed for him except the two of them, together. For a while, they lay there, his arms around her as she rested against his chest, their fingers locked together. They didn't speak, but he listened to her heart as it slowed once more, returning to a steady beat, relaxing and reassuring. With her so close, it was like sharing her heartbeat, being alive again for the first time in centuries.

He looked down at her. An auburn lock had fallen across her closed eyes, and he gently brushed it back behind her ear. He could tell from her breathing that she was asleep once more, and he gently eased himself out from under her. She murmured and smiled in her sleep but did not wake. He pulled the covers up over her so she wouldn't get cold and then retrieved his clothes from the floor.

Their lovemaking had changed something inside him, and he needed time to think. He had planned to leave and take her with him, knowing she would come if he asked her. Now he wasn't so sure. She had made him feel more than he had ever felt before, even in his past human life, and he did not want her love for him to change. And it would, if she came with him, maybe not straight away, but eventually. She would see herself growing older, and out of love for him and the desire to be with him, she would ask him to change her. This he could not do.

He had never made another because he could not bear the thought of inflicting the life of a vampire on anyone, no matter how much they might think they wanted it. His refusal would turn her love to hate or, at the very least, a bitter resentment, and what they had together now would be lost. Better to break things off at once than allow feelings to grow that would later bring about their own destruction.

He sat at the desk and pulled the hotel notepad and pen towards him. He wrote and wrote, tossing page after page into the rubbish bin before he sat back and lay a single sheet of paper down in front of him. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out several fifty dollar bills, placing them next to the letter.

He stood, tucking the chair in, and approached the bed. She lay there, still sleeping, her face serene and her lips curved into a gentle smile. He kissed his fingers, touched them lightly to her forehead, then turned and left the room, easing the door shut behind him.