Chapter 36 – Moving On

Chloe was released from the hospital with a relatively clean bill of health, a prescription for antibiotics, and strict instructions to rest. She’d been back in school for a week, and her ordeal—along with her return—was the only source of gossip heard in the hallways and at lunchroom tables.

Even though Chloe claimed she was fine, that all she wanted to do was put the whole thing behind her and move on, I knew the constant whispers and questions were getting to her. But every day she put on a brave face and came to school like nothing had ever happened to her. She was so much stronger than I’d given her credit for.

Jax was still gone, and Chloe continuously apologized to me, as if Jax taking off was somehow her fault. I kept reassuring her it wasn’t, but she was much too compassionate not take the blame. I had to admit, I was beginning to worry about my brother. Normally when he took off, he’d at least reply to messages and check in; he hadn’t done either this time. Dad was becoming increasingly worried, too, and that was never a good thing.

Thankfully, Isach hadn’t shown his face since kidnapping Chloe. If he knew what was good for him, he’d never step foot in this town again, at least not while I was here, because I was going to kill him the next time I saw him. No questions asked.

I walked into my first class to find Chloe sitting in her seat in the back of the room. She was gazing off into the distance. “You’re deep in thought,” I said as I slid into the seat next to her. She’d been doing that a lot lately, and I was now starting to worry about her, too. “Everything okay?”

She leaned over and gave me a quick peck on the lips. “They are now.”

I grinned and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You think your aunt and uncle will let me hang out after school today?”

“I don’t see why not.”

Since going missing, and then being found in the condition she had been in, her aunt and uncle hadn’t let her out of the house much, other than to go to school and the doctor. As much as that sucked for me in terms of seeing her, I was grateful for how protective they were being now. Not that their restrictions could stop Isach if he decided to come back and finish what he’d started.

“Hey,” Abby said as she sat at the desk on the other side of Chloe. “Mom texted me. She’s picking me up early for a dentist appointment, and Dad is working late. She said if you want to tag along, we can stop for dinner somewhere.”

“Oh, um, do I have to?” Chloe cringed, and I stifled a laugh.

Abby shrugged. “I don’t know. Ask her.”

Chloe spent a few moments on her phone before saying to Abby, “Okay, I’m not going.” Then she turned to me. “Feel like going to your house after school and finishing our history project?”

“I hope you’re not expecting me to say no to that offer.” I winked, and her face flushed.

The scent of her blood rushing to her cheeks had anticipation erupting in my chest. The last time I’d been truly alone with Chloe was the night I’d spent in the hospital with her, and we’d been constantly interrupted by nurses coming in to check on her. So to know I was going to have the entire afternoon alone with her? The day couldn’t end fast enough.

Finally, the day did end, and I was waiting for Chloe at her locker after her last class. Her face lit up with a blinding smile when she saw me, and my heart melted.

“C’mon, I want to get you out of here before your aunt shows up and drags you home.” I laughed.

Taking my hand, she walked to my truck and climbed in. Instead of sitting in her usual spot by the passenger’s door, she slid to the middle of the seat. When I got in, she rested her head on my shoulder. She was exactly where she belonged—with me.

“We obviously don’t have to work on our project. I just used that as an excuse,” she said.

We’d finished the project a week ago, on one of the many long days we’d been forced to stay at her house under the supervision of her aunt and uncle.

“We can do whatever you want.” I pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward my house.

The drive was relatively quiet, and by the time I pulled into the driveway, Chloe was almost asleep. I frowned. Based on the way she was constantly yawning and the dark circles under her eyes, she obviously wasn’t sleeping well.

Chloe yawned and stretched, then followed me out of the truck. She started toward the house. I grabbed her hand and spun her around to face me, my lips landing on hers in a kiss that was nowhere close to suitable for public display. Good thing no one was around to see us.

“I have been waiting all day to do that,” I said.

She smiled against my lips. “You can kiss me in school, you know.”

“Not like that I can’t.” I laced our fingers, and we walked inside. I stopped suddenly. Was I seeing things? “Jax?”

“Oh, hey,” Jax said.

He’d been gone for days, and that was all he had to say to me? I wanted to ask him where he’d been and what he’d been doing, but that could wait until after Chloe left.

I shook my head, released Chloe’s hand, and crossed the room to give my brother a hug. “I’m glad you’re back.”

Jax returned my hug, then smiled in Chloe’s direction. “Chloe. Good to see you’re alive. And still human.” He sliced a look at me.

What the hell was that about? Jax of all people should know I’d never try to change Chloe, not after what the transformation had done to Hannah.

I reached for Chloe. “We’re going to my room, so we won’t bother you.” We turned to leave.

Behind us, Jax said, “Good idea. Might as well enjoy the time you have together. It’s not like you two have forever.”

Was Jax seriously taking a cheap shot at Chloe’s mortality right now? Then again, that was my brother. Guess I should be thankful the recent ordeal hadn’t changed him all that much.

I ushered her into my room, frowning at Jax’s ill-timed comment. Like I didn’t know I was on limited time with Chloe. I didn’t need him to remind me.

Chloe sighed and looked around. Then she yawned again.

I kicked the door shut. “You’re not sleeping, are you?”

Shaking her head, she said, “Not really. I mean, not since that night you stayed with me in the hospital. You up for a nap?”

“I think that’s a fantastic idea.”

I tugged her toward the bed, and she didn’t waste any time lying down. She sighed with content. I toed off my shoes, and a moment later, I was lying next to her, my arm curling around her stomach and dragging her against me. I’d never stop being amazed at how perfectly she fit with me.

“Comfortable?” I asked.

“Very.” She snuggled deeper into my blankets and closed her eyes.

Whether we had days or years together, I’d be happy so long as I could hold her like this. I nuzzled her neck. “When I found you, I had so many thoughts racing through my mind, but you know what I worried about the most? Besides you staying alive.” I chuckled softly.

“What?”

“That there were so many things we haven’t had the chance to do yet.”

She rolled over so she was facing me, her brow furrowed. “Like what?”

“Well, I haven’t taken you on a proper date.”

She laughed. “I think we’re past that point, aren’t we?”

“No.” As far as I was concerned, we’d never be past the point of going on dates. I’d take her out every single night for the rest of her life. “We have to hike to the top of Roaring Brook Falls. A road trip could be fun. Every normal couple has to go to at least one school dance together. We—”

“Is this your way of asking me to go to prom with you?” she teased.

I honestly hadn’t even considered prom, but now that she brought it up… I grinned. “That depends on what your answer is.”

She laughed again, and I was struck with terrible life would’ve been if she hadn’t made it, if I—and the world—had been robbed of her vibrant smile and melodic laugh and unending compassion.

“I’d love to go to prom with you, but I have one condition,” she said.

“What’s that?”

“Abby comes with us.”

“Deal.”

She pressed her lips to mine, and I rolled onto my back, pulling her over on top of me. At first, she tensed, and I worried maybe I’d taken things too far, but then she relaxed into my embrace, her body molding to mine.

Placing her hands on the mattress on either side of my head, she moved her knees up to rest by my waist, straddling me, and then she peered down at my face. Her heart skipped and then jackhammered. Her breath hitched, and her heart sped up even more.

“Chloe?” I trailed my finger across her lips. “What’s wrong?”

With a heavy sigh, she sat up on me, her hands resting lightly on my stomach.

I tucked my hands behind my head so I wouldn’t yank her back down on me and kiss her until she couldn’t breathe. Clearly there was something on her mind, and if she’d rather talk than make out, then that’s what we’d do.

“Aren’t you worried at all about what happens next?” she asked.

I gave an awkward one-shoulder shrug. “Ideally, you’ll bring yourself back down here and kiss me again. But I suppose if that doesn’t happen, I’ll survive.”

Laughing, she shook her head. “That’s not what I mean.”

“Hmm. Okay, so I guess I’ll have to kiss you this time.”

“Trent.” She groaned.

I really did not want to have any sort of serious conversation about our future—or lack of a future—not when this was the first time we’d been alone in days, and especially not when having this talk would undoubtedly ruin the rest of our day. But one look at the determination on her face and I knew I wasn’t getting out of this.

I moved my hands to her legs, running my palms up her thighs. She held her breath, watching as I slid mt hands back down. How many more days would we have together? How many more times would I be allowed to touch her? Kiss her? Hold her? I wanted nothing more than to be able to give her answers, but I had none.

“What do you want me to say, Chloe?” I pinned her with a heated gaze. “I don’t know what’s going to happen or how this can work out long-term. I can’t give you the answers I know you want.”

Biting on her bottom lip, she nodded.

“But.” I propped myself up on my elbows, bringing my body closer to hers. “I know how I feel about you, and that’s more than enough for me. One day at a time, remember?”

“What happens when I run out of days?” she whispered.

“Then we’ll deal with it,” I said.

Before she could react, I had her flat on her back, and I was now on top of her, my weight suspended on one arm while my free hand landed on her hip. Even though I’d love to press myself fully against her, she was still healing, and I didn’t want to hurt her.

She blinked several times. “You really need to stop doing that.”

A slow, sensual smile curved my lips. Then I kissed her neck, and she shuddered.

“How about this? Do I need to stop doing this, too?” I showered her neck with tiny, heated kisses.

“No,” she said breathlessly.

“Mmm. Good. How about this?” I slowly unzipped her hoodie, and she froze.

Too far, too fast. I needed to slow down. I stopped tugging the zipper and kissed my way across her collarbone. And then my mouth ventured a tad lower. Every single one of my senses was attuned to her, to every small move she made, every sound, no matter how insignificant, every breath… I didn’t want to push her to do something she wasn’t ready for, so I made sure to pay attention. She moaned softly and arched into me.

I wasn’t a virgin, and I had no idea if Chloe was or not, but I had never wanted any woman as badly as I wanted her right now. We really should’ve had this talk before we got to this point. Then again, I never imagined that I’d actually ever get this far with Chloe. I’d been so convinced she was going to leave me that I hadn’t really prepared myself for any other possibility.

“How do vampires even have sex?” she said.

I jerked my head up to look at her. “What?”

“Um, I, uh, I just mean in general. Can you do that?” She paused. “I mean, I know you can because you told me about Sean and Annmarie, but is it… different? Not that I want to have sex with you or anything.” Her eyes widened with horror. “I mean, I’m sure eventually I’ll want to do that, but not today. Not right now.” Her neck and cheeks turned bright red. “Oh, God.” She covered her face with her hands. “I’m sorry.”

I laughed. I knew I probably shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help myself. She was just so adorable and so incredibly perfect. I never wanted her to change. I never wanted to be the reason she changed. I loved her exactly how she was, and I always would.

“Chloe, honey.” I shifted so I was half on her, half on the mattress, then gently removed her hands from her face, but she refused to meet my gaze. “Look at me.” Gently clutching her chin, I turned her to face me. “Whenever you’re ready for that”—my lips twitched with a smile—“you let me know, okay?”

“Okay.” Her voice barely squeaked out, and she cleared my throat. “So, you’ve… done it before?”

“Yes.” I smiled, amused with how she wouldn’t say the word sex. Was she really that uncomfortable talking about this?

“Right. That was a stupid question. I’m sorry.”

“I take it you haven’t,” I said carefully.

“No. Is that a problem?” She cringed.

“Not for me.”

Even if she wasn’t a virgin, I wouldn’t care as long as she still chose to be with me. But knowing she hadn’t loved or trusted anyone enough to be intimate with them was both a blessing and a curse. Jealousy was a real bitch for vampires, and I didn’t want to waste time being jealous of some other guy. On the other hand, the pressure was now on me to ensure her first time was something special, something she’d always remember fondly. If she even allowed me the honor of being her first, that is.

“Tell me what it means to be your soulmate,” she said.

I dropped my head to rest on her shoulder, and she threaded her fingers through my hair. “It means I’m yours, Chloe. Totally and completely.” I lifted my head to look at her, and I prayed she could see how serious this was for me. “When a vampire finds their soulmate, it’s often instantaneous. When we see them, we just know. I can’t explain it, but it’s like the certainty that comes with knowing your name. The feeling is so strong and unwavering.”

“And that’s what happened with me?”

I nodded. “There’s only one thing in the world that’s stronger than a vampire’s bloodlust, and that’s the love they have for their soulmate. We will do anything to make sure they’re happy and safe. It drives our every thought and action and feeling.”

“So, because I’m your soulmate, that means I belong to you now?”

I wish. “No.” I chuckled. “I have no choice in this matter. I know without a doubt that you’re my soulmate, and there’s nothing I can do about it. Not that I’d want to. I’m quite happy with you.” I winked. “But you have to choose to become my soulmate.”

“I do?”

“Yes.” I nipped at her earlobe, then dragged my lips down the column of her neck, and she turned her head, granting me full access. I still couldn’t believe she trusted me like this. “For you to become my soulmate, I have to claim you, but only if you ask.”

I shifted my weight back on top of her, perfectly aligning our bodies, and continued to shower her neck with hot kisses. Her skin was always so warm and soft, but right now, in the heat of this moment, she tasted better than anything in the world, including blood. She once again threaded her fingers through my hair, and I groaned.

“How do you claim me?” she asked.

If I wasn’t so distracted by our current position and too occupied with kissing her, I might analyze why she was suddenly asking so many questions about this.

“I mark you with my bite, and then we physically seal our commitment,” I said.

Her breath stuttered, but her heart pounded furiously. “But… doesn’t biting me change me?” she asked.

“No.” I kissed the tip of her nose, her forehead, both of her cheeks. “We bite for various reasons. To feed. To change. To claim. And for pure pleasure. It’s all about intent. Our emotions power our bite.”

She lifted her head just enough to capture my lips, and I kissed her with unyielding emotion. My body was hard against hers, my tongue and lips ravenous as I greedily took everything she offered and gave back twice as much.

“Is that what you want?” she asked breathlessly. “To claim me?”

“Yes. I want that more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my entire existence.”

And if she gave me permission, I wouldn’t hesitate. I’d claim her right here. Right now. But I knew she wouldn’t ask, not yet. She wasn’t quite ready, and that was okay. I could be patient. I’d waited this long to find her. A few more months or years wouldn’t kill me.

Before either of us could say anything, my cell phone rang, and I gave her a puzzled look as I moved off her and retrieved my phone from the bedside table. The only people who ever called me—Dad, Jax, and Chloe—were currently all inside this house.

“It’s your aunt,” I said, accepting the call.

I didn’t even get a word out before Beth said, “Put Chloe on the phone.” I handed her the phone.

Sitting on the edge of the mattress, I slipped my shoes back on. Clearly our afternoon was going to be cut short, but why? I listened to both sides of the conversation, and a sick feeling built in my stomach. Something was wrong.

“Hello?” Chloe said.

“Why aren’t you answering your phone?” Beth demanded.

“It’s in my backpack. I didn’t even hear it ring. I’m sorry.”

“I need you to come home, Chloe. Now.” Beth’s words were shaky.

Chloe sat up, heart racing. “Why? What’s wrong? Is everyone okay?”

I didn’t know if I should cringe or smile. Of course Chloe’s first concern would be for everyone else’s safety. I hated that she even needed to worry in the first place.

“Everyone’s fine. I’ll explain when you get home.” And then Beth ended the call without a goodbye.

I stood and gathered my keys. What could possibly be going on that Beth ordered Chloe home like that? Chloe wasn’t in trouble for something, was she? We left quickly, and neither of us spoke on the drive back to Chloe’s house. I wanted to ask Chloe what she thought the issue might be, but she stared out the window, lost in her own thoughts.

I pulled into the driveway and stopped alongside a car with an out of state license plate. I had no idea who that car belonged to, but my instincts were raging inside of me. I was half tempted to throw the truck in reserve and take off—with Chloe—because I had a feeling leaving her here was going to be a very bad thing.

Chloe reached for the door handle, but I stopped her before she could open the door. “Hey. Want me to stick around?”

“No, but thanks.” She leaned over and gave me a kiss. “I’ll text you later, okay?”

“Okay.”

I waited until she was safely inside. I drove down the road, just far enough out of sight from her house, and stopped. Then I listened.