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JESSE TOOK ME ON A tour of the east wing, the one where he’d spent most of his childhood. He showed me all the places where he used to hide. He showed me Sam’s, Kierra’s, and his rooms, as well as the living room where they all hung out. I loved hearing all about his childhood memories.
When we passed a big door with beautiful decorations carved in the wood, I stopped. “What’s in here?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
He opened the door and took me inside. “This used to be my parents’ bedroom.”
It was just an empty room, with stone walls and a fireplace. Oval windows stretched across the wall, offering a panoramic postcard view of the spectacular courtyard. Jesse told me that no one had resided in the room since his mother had left.
“My father moved to a different room to try and escape the memories of his bad marriage. He was so sad about losing his children. My mother caused a lot of emotional damage by leaving.”
I’d talked to people around the castle who knew and loved Jesse’s mother, and they only had sweet things to say about her. Some had even told me that Ethan and Loraine were the perfect couple for centuries, that their beautiful children were conceived in complete love.
“This room is huge,” I said.
“I was little then, but I remember running in here during thunderstorms. My brother and sister and I jumped in bed with my parents because we were scared of lightning.”
“I can imagine how scary a rainstorm would be in a castle like this.”
“Especially when the lights went out and we saw weird creatures flying outside our windows.”
“Gargoyles?”
He put his arms around my waist. “Yes. I loved my mom and dad so much, and I remember playing with my brother and sister around the castle and outside.” He pointed out the window. “I used to hide in the mazes in the garden.”
“It sounds like you had a pretty normal childhood. Your mom and dad kept the supernatural stuff from you really well.”
“That was my mother’s doing. She wanted to give us as normal a life as possible. I never knew what that meant when I was little, but now I do.”
“One thing is very obvious,” I said.
“What?”
“They both love you dearly.”
“I know.”
He continued the tour, and we walked in the hall. He set me up on a window ledge, as if he was putting a doll on display.
I wrapped my legs tightly around him. “Thanks for the tour,” I said. “Since it’s about over, do you take tips?”
He was unable to look away from my lustful gaze. I grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him close. “Here’s your tip.” I slipped my tongue into his mouth and kissed him slowly and seductively.
“Hmm. Maybe I should give you another tour tomorrow,” he joked. “That’s quite a tip.”
I grinned.
“But then again... “Tu es la femme de mes rêves.” (You’re the woman of my dreams.)
He swooped in, his lips moving against mine softly. I ran my fingers through his dark hair as he kissed me passionately.
“Too muh rhon foo,” he whispered seductively in my ear. “Vous êtes si sexy.” (You drive me crazy. You’re so sexy.)
“Keep going,” I said, panting between breaths. “I get so turned on when you talk the language of love.”
His tongue trailed down my neck. “Mon coeur, (my love) mon trésor, (my treasure) ma chère, (my dear) mon ange, (my angel). “Je te veux vraiment.” (I want you badly.)
I glided my arms around his neck as his tongue probed my mouth. He lifted me up from the ledge and spun me around. I couldn’t get enough of him. The connection we had was undeniable, and I couldn’t keep myself from kissing him.
“Je t'aime de tout mon Coeur,” Jesse said. (I love you with all my heart.)
We started to talk back and forth in French. I lost track of time, but we had a major make out session, and Jesse was able to control his vampire urges. Our kiss was the highlight of my day.
After the soul-searing kiss, he stroked my face softly and gazed into my eyes.
“I feel so safe when I’m with you,” I said.
“I love you, Taylor. I’ll do anything to protect you.” Then, smiling, he gripped my hand and walked me to my room like a perfect gentlemen.
“Come lie next to me,” I said. “I wanna fall asleep in your arms.”
“I’d love to hold you all night. But my father put us in separate bedrooms for a reason. He doesn’t want me to hurt anyone. I don’t want to upset or anger him after he’s been so wonderful to us.”
“I get it. And I don’t want to disrespect him. At least give me a kiss goodnight.”
“I am happy to oblige,” he said, then planted one on me.
I said goodnight, got ready for bed, and crawled up in my warm covers. I fell asleep in no time.
***
“TAYLOR!” A WOMAN CALLED in a warped voice.
I sat up, and swirls of mist danced around me.
A transparent woman in a long white dress held out her hand. She had curly red hair that fell down her back, and her eyes sparkled like sapphires. I didn’t believe in ghosts, but she sure looked like one, and I was much too old for a visit from the Tooth Fairy.
“Come,” she said, beckoning to me and reaching her hand out.
I was speechless, but I didn’t move. I wasn’t going anywhere with her.
She smiled, sensing my reluctance. “I won’t hurt you. I only want to show you something.”
“What?”
“Must you be so stubborn? If it was my aim to hurt you, dear, I would have already done so. I cannot kill the vessel who holds me.”
I was frightened, but I was also confused and curious; I had to know what she was talking about. I shivered as my feet hit the cold floor.
She walked me through the house and led me to the empty room, the one Jesse’s parents used to sleep in.
I glanced around and shrugged. “What’s the big deal? I’ve already been here tonight.”
In the next instant, before my spectral visitor could give me an answer, my eyes fluttered open. It had all been a dream, a very strange and lucid dream, and all I could do was chuckle at my crazy head and go back to sleep.