Stakes & Stilettos - Michelle Rowen [118]
“What is going on?” I managed in a hoarse whisper.
“Is that new?” Thierry asked, referring to my amazingly stylish Wal-Mart nightshirt. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.”
It was dark in the house so I could barely see him, even taking my improved vampire vision into consideration.
“Shh.” I peeked out the curtain to the outside. Gideon was nowhere to be seen, but I wouldn’t expect him to survey the house from a visible location. “George said you went to the airport.”
“Obviously that’s not the case.”
I could barely breathe. I wanted to tell him everything in a rush of words but I held back, too stunned to think rationally. “I figured you’d never want to see me again.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Those actually were your words, not mine.”
“You shouldn’t be here.”
He moved closer and studied me. “You’ve been crying.”
I shook my head. “Allergies.”
“I came here because there are a few things that must be said between us before I will accept once and for all that our relationship is over. That’s why I’m here.”
I glanced out the window again.
“What are you looking for?” he asked. “Or, should I say, who are you looking for?”
I blinked. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“Why not?”
“I told you that this was over, Thierry. I…” I swallowed hard. “I still mean it.”
“I don’t think you do.”
I sucked in a quick gasp of air at that response. “Then you’re wrong.”
His gaze grew serious. “Who is responsible for this, Sarah? Who is coercing you to say these things to me?”
This was bad. Very, very bad. I’d already had second thoughts about telling him everything. It was too risky. Was I willing to put the lives of my friends and family in jeopardy just so I could tell Thierry I hadn’t meant all the cruel things I’d said to him?
I shook my head. “It’s me. All me. And I don’t know why you’re here. You obviously accepted it when I told you the first time and didn’t care one way or the other. It’s better that way. You and I are through and it’s never—”
Placing a hand on either side of my face, he leaned over and kissed me. I gasped against his lips before wrapping my arms around his waist and opening my mouth to his. After a moment he broke it off and stared down at me.
“We’re through?” he said softly. “Are you so sure about that?”
I cleared my throat. “I can’t help it if you’re a good kisser.”
“Who forced you to end things with me?” he asked again. “Was it the Red Devil? Who is he? What does he want from you? Please tell me. You don’t have to be afraid.”
I tried to pull away from him but he held on to me tightly. “Why do you think that? Maybe this is the way I feel. I mean, your money—”
“A lie. You don’t care about my money.”
“I totally do. I love rich guys. The richer the better. Money makes the world go around. And, to say the least, you’re way too old for me. My parents think you’re eight years older than me, which sounds a lot better than 650 years older.”
“You knew that from nearly the moment we met. I’ve tried to push you away for your own good because of our many differences, but you wouldn’t let me. How is it any different today?”
How was this different? The fact that Thierry didn’t want to take my breakup at face value was unbelievable, especially since he’d reacted so coldly only a couple of hours ago.
“Look, Thierry, this isn’t right—”
“You love me,” he said. “I know this more certainly than anything else in my life.”
I glared up at him. “Somebody needs an ego check.”
“And I love you.” He swallowed. “I love you, Sarah. I know if I tell you that in my many years I’ve never felt like this for anyone else, you probably won’t believe me, but it’s true. I had my fortune told two hundred years ago, and it said that my true love would one day arrive and that I would fight for her. I always thought it was a lie until I met you. I love you. Only you. That’s how I know that you were lying to me earlier. And that’s how I know you’re afraid. But I’m here now and nobody is going to hurt you.”
It was obvious. I was dreaming. I guess