Chapter 43: .•17•.

Her shift soon ended, the girl already feeling so dreadful about that trip back to the manor. About what could possibly happen to her tonight. She really didn't want to go back there. She didn't like being alone with him. And much less having to sleep in a bed right next to him.

She was so sure that he'd done this because he feared that she was going to run away. This quiet and unnerving chaperoning of his. And she still couldn't understand why he hadn't just killed her instead. Sucked her dry of her blood and moved on with his life. Why bother at all? Why go through all that trouble of curing her mother, instead of just taking what he wanted from her straight away? It didn't make any sense. There were so many humans in this town, in this world. So many people he could take blood from. So many hospitals, so many blood banks. Why her? Why not someone else? Why did he seem to be so obsessed with her?

Her gaze refocused, just in time to watch him approach her. That slick smile of his discreetly tugging at his sensual and soft pink lips. There was a look into those dark and captivating eyes of his, a look that made her want to either run away screaming or throw herself right into his arms and beg for him to ravage her. She couldn't seem to understand why that was happening. Why everytime that she was around him, she found herself constantly torn between those two strong feelings. Fear and...yearning. Hot and smouldering need. Skin-prickling terror.

"Ready, sweetheart?" He asked with that all-too-fake and sickly sweet voice of his, offering his hand for her to place hers in.

She swallowed, her gaze shifting between his face and that outstretched hand of his. She could sense Dan's presence close by, who was probably already paying close attention to this little interaction between them. He seemed to be so interested in anything that they did together, like a proud little auntie. Or more like a die-hard fan of their so-called relationship.

Taking in a deep and encouraging breath, she finally dared to place her hand in his. Allowing him to pull her closer. She squealed a little as soon as he unexpectedly wrapped his arm around her waist, pressing her up against his hard and muscled body. And without even giving her a single warning, he leaned over her, pressing a soft and warm kiss at the corner of her lips. She felt her knees soften a little, her heart fluttering. She hated it. This rather wanton and submissive response of her body. She forced herself not react or push him away though, very much aware of their present audience.

Their gazes met as he pulled back, a deviant promise glinting in his. Giving her a glimpse at his true nature. The real him. That side of him that seemed to be reserved only for her nowadays.

They bid their goodbyes to Dan, walking hand in hand like a happy and in love couple as they exited the cafe. Heading back to where he'd left his car. He held the door open for her, like a true gentleman. She politely thanked him and got in, watching as he went around the car and then seated himself into the driver's seat. A cool and slightly tensed silence falling between them.

Her gaze trailed over the side of his face beseechingly.

"Why are you doing this?" She couldn't stop herself from asking. She really wanted to know. The real reason behind all this charade.

He only gave her a fleeting glance in return. Remaining completely silent.

"Why me?" She insisted, almost imploringly.

"What do you even want from me?" She could hear that tremble in her voice. That faster pump of her heart.

He only gave her his silence. Once again.

The engine of his car roared to life, Diana's shoulders slumping as she further sank into that seat. Letting those few tears that had gathered into her eyes finally fall. She softly sobbed, remaining quiet for the remainder of that painfully awkward ride. Facing away from him. Letting those tears fall free down her cheeks. She stoically endured, patiently waiting for them to get home.

Home. She almost laughed at that term echoing into her mind. That place was anything but. It was nothing but a house of horrors. This masked monster's lair.

However, as soon as the car's wheels stopped she shot out of that seat once again, desperately running like a crazed lunatic straight towards the entrance. She needed to get away from him. Hide somewhere into a dark and tiny corner where she could bawl her eyes out.

She only got to place her hand on the handle though, before she suddenly found herself whirled around and slammed rather roughly against the inside part of that door.

Dark and blood-red eyes met her own, the girl's breath stopping into her lungs.

"Want to know what I want? I want your blood, Diana," he uttered between gritted teeth, holding her trapped against that door with his body.

"I think I've already made that pretty clear," his head tilted to the side as he watched her, letting his gaze roam all over her tear-stained face. The girl could only blink, widely staring up at him.

"And I want your pussy, Diana," he added, making her breath hitch in her throat.

"Your sweet, tight and virgin little pussy. I want to have it. Make it mine," he crudely uttered, placing a hand underneath her jaw to cup it. Her throat emitted a small a frightened whimper. She stared between those blood-red eyes, uncertain of what was happening. Of what he was about to do to her.

"I want to have all of you. Your pussy, your ass, your tits, your lips. All of you,"

"Why? I have absolutely no idea. Maybe because I'm fucked up like that," he held her jaw in his hand as he spewed out those words, his lips so incredibly close to hers. So close to touching.

"And I want to hurt you. You and only you,"

She shuddered at the sound of that, fearfully peering between his eyes. Noticing the way that they dropped to stare at her mouth for a moment, before returning to hers. Her heart pounded so fast within her chest now. Scared of what could possibly happen. Of what he could do to her next.

But nothing could've ever prepared her for what followed. Because in the very next moment, he closed that tiny distance between them and crashed his lips against hers, moving into a slow, hot and burning kiss.