Chapter 14: Chapter 14

“I see, I had no idea.”

“There’s a lot of stuff you don’t know yet, buttercup,” he replied. “Feel free to ask. We haven’t talked much about ourselves.”

“True,” she said and frowned. She didn’t want to bring up her dark past and ruin the mood. Maybe she could ask him instead… However, before anything, they were interrupted by the waiter who took their orders. After he had left, she saw her chance to find out more about her soulmate.

“So, why don’t you tell me something about you? What do you like to do in your free time?” she asked.

He laughed. “That’s the most straightforward thing you’ve ever asked. Among other things, I like to play the piano. I have a grand piano at home, and playing helps me focus. It’s my way of relieving stress.”

“Hm, that sounds very cliché for a vampire,” she commented.

He snorted. “What, you think I sit in a huge dark room, looking all dramatic while I play? No, it’s not like that.”

“Alright, I believe you,” she chuckled. “I played the piano while I was in high school, so I’m familiar with the basics,” she revealed and garnered his interest. His eyebrows rose in surprise. “I practiced some easy songs and chords, then I learned Für Elise, but after that, I stopped.”

“You could always get back to it,” he suggested. “I will help you if you want.”

Elena watched the white daisies that decorated their table. “Maybe.”

The waiter returned with their orders and placed the dishes on the table. Without even trying hers, Elena knew that it would taste great—it already smelled and looked delicious, which justified the steep prices.

She absentmindedly took a sip of her wine, swirling the liquid back and forth in the glass while her gaze wandered over the other people in the restaurant. Most of them were human, but she spotted two werewolves sitting near the doors. Maybe they were soulmates too…

When her gaze returned to Ryder, he was about to try the wine he had ordered for himself. The sight of him drinking red wine was something else—it looked like blood, identical to the ruby color of his eyes. Her gaze was drawn to them like a moth to a flame. With his looks, it had to be rather easy to find humans who were willing to donate some blood. Elena wondered if he often spent time with other women, and then she reminded herself that it was none of her business, but the thought bothered her. She continued down that strange and twisted path, thoughts growing darker and darker.

“Is the food not to your liking?” His husky voice distracted her and made her return to the present. She looked at her plate and back to him.

“No, it’s very good. It really is. Thank you for taking me here, I’m grateful for that.”

“Then I’m glad. We can come here as often as you like,” he said, invitingly, and cocked his head, studying her reaction.

“Yes,” she answered, surprising herself. “I would like that.”

And a second after the words were out, she wanted to bite her tongue. Why had she said that?  Perhaps because she didn’t want to part ways? Ryder made her feel cherished in a way that her boyfriend had never accomplished. She would hold the memory of this night dear to her heart, and if she could add new memories in the future, wouldn’t that be amazing? Her doubts dwindled the more time she spent with Ryder.

“Have you lived in New York for a long time?” he asked suddenly.

“No, I moved here around four years ago when I got to know Steph,” she answered, ignoring the way he scowled upon hearing her boyfriend’s name. “Before that, I lived in a different part of the country. Why do you ask?”

“I was wondering why I didn’t find you earlier, but the city is huge, so it makes sense it didn’t happen right away, especially with you moving here only four years ago.”

“You have been looking for me?” she asked.

“Of course. I’ve started searching over a century ago, but it was pointless since you weren’t even born yet,” he chuckled and shook his head. His lip ring gleamed in the light.

“But now I’ve found you,” he grinned, showing his deadly white fangs.

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About an hour later, they ended up strolling through the lit-up roof garden of the mall, enjoying the warm summer night. From up there, they had a spectacular view of the nightly city. Elena vowed to return to this place soon. Every minute spent here had been worth it.

As they walked past bushes and flowers, her hand brushed his. It was an accident, but the next time it happened was intentional. She slipped her hand in his, and he held it gently. It was astonishing that a vampire was capable of being so sensitive. He took care of her like she was made of glass. And compared to him, it surely was true.

They walked to the edge of the garden and stood at the railing, watching the net of streets that lay below them. Many cars followed its lines, and some people lingered on the sidewalks, but it was significantly emptier than during the day. Elena enjoyed the light breeze on the rooftop and put her elbow on the railing.

After a moment of silent hesitation, Ryder’s hand squeezed hers. He captured her attention and met her sparkling green eyes with his red ones. She could have sworn their color had become more vibrant suddenly—or maybe it was just a trick of the light. In the dim lighting, his face was painted with shadows, and the sharp contours of his jawline were prominent. His teeth played with his lip piercing while he gazed at her like he was trying to solve a puzzle. She would have given a lot to find out what kind of dilemma played out in his head right now.

Slowly, he raised his hand and cupped her cheek, not breaking eye contact. He studied her reaction, and once he didn’t receive any sign of fear, he closed the distance between their bodies. She gazed up at him, hypnotized by his ruby eyes, trapped within them. Ryder’s thumb drew calming circles on her cheek, setting off the warm magic of their soulmate bond with his gentle touch. His scent washed over her, making her delirious. Pushing him away never crossed her mind—she was under his spell.

He leaned in and pressed a kiss on her jawline. Then, he wandered deeper, brushing his lips over her skin in slow motion until he reached her neck. That’s when she stilled. His breath caressed her as he lingered right above her jugular. He placed a kiss on it, feeling her frantic heartbeats.

Paralyzing terror caught her in its grasp. She panicked. Vivid pictures of the night her parents were murdered circled in her head. Just like in her nightmares, she felt the vampire’s teeth sinking into her neck again, burning like a hot iron as they drew blood. Black spots swam over her vision, and her survival instinct kicked in. What the fuck was she doing? Why did she let a vampire get so close to her?