“Is it that obvious?”
“Luca, you’ve moved her into your estate. You disappeared with her on the jet all day. And since you didn’t fill me in, I know that you’re doing something that you know I wouldn’t approve of; something you know that you shouldn’t. For all I know, she’s in your bed right now.”
I don’t confirm or deny that.
“She is,” Adrian says, his eyes widening as he watches my face.
“No, she’s not,” I answer. Because she’s not. I was in hers. And Adrian correctly guesses that next.
“Then you were in hers,” he says firmly. I stare at my hands, my jaw clenched so tightly that I can feel it twitch. Adrian rolls his eyes.
“Luca. I don’t want to rain on any parade, but you know this isn’t a good idea. And you know why.”
I take another slog from the flask and set it on the table, then turn a hard gaze to my friend.
“I’m not a child, Adrian. And the last I knew, you worked for me, not the other way around.”
A stain of red flashes on Adrian’s cheeks and I feel instantly guilty.
“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “That wasn’t called for. I’m sorry, Adrian. I’m on edge.”
“It’s alright,” Adrian says, laughing it off as he always does. “I get it, Luca. She’s gorgeous. And smart. And has it all pulled together. She is the total package. But it’s not a good time for you.”
“It will never be a good time for me,” I point out, dejected. Adrian stares at me, his thoughts hidden. I arch an eyebrow at his expression. “What? It won’t.”
I’m grumbling now like a spoiled child, but I can’t help it. This is my life we’re talking about. And at this particular moment when there is a beautiful woman sleeping in the house who by all logic is unattainable to me, I’m feeling like life is a little unfair. In fact, life is sometimes a raging bitch whom I would like to punch in the face.
“It is what it is, Luca,” Adrian says quietly.
“I know.”
I reach for the flask on the table one more time and take a gulp. I’m finally starting to feel sleepy.
“Thanks for the drink,” I tell him.
“Thanks for the shitty company,” he tosses back. I smile.
“You’re welcome.”
Adrian shakes his head and tucks his flask back into his pocket. I nod at him.
“Good night.”
“’Night.”
He goes in one direction for his room and I go in the other to Eva’s. I find myself once more thankful for him. He’s been there for me since I was a kid. We grew up together and he’s talked me into as many things as I’ve talked him into. I know that he means well. And more importantly, I know that he’s right.
And I hate that.
As I make my way through the quiet house, I feel significantly sleepier and I silently praise the effects of the Scotch. But as I enter Eva’s rooms and latch the door behind me, my mind starts to fog and cloud and I curse.
Fuck.
Not now. Please not now.
But the inky black fog still curls around my conscious thought, threatening to eradicate it, blurring the edges of logic, quickly absorbing any cognizant thought. My shoulders slump.
Fucking full moon. If the situation weren’t so dire, I would laugh that I had just blamed my darkness on the full moon like Adrian. I’m not a werewolf. But I am cursed and it is coming.
Right now.
I lean against the wall for a moment, trying to breathe deeply and stave it off.
I feel different than normal. My mind is a blur, but not blackness. I’m puzzled and confused, but remain still for a moment, trying to breathe through it, to figure it out. I should be slipping away at any moment, but instead, I am remaining in a static foggy state.
What the hell? Why are things changing?
“Luca? Is everything alright?”
I glance up to find Eva sitting up in bed, her sheets pulled tightly around her shoulders. Her face is anxious and beautiful in the moonlight.
“It’s coming,” I tell her brusquely. “Now.”
She leaps from the bed and rushes to me, naked. Her hands are on my flushed face, her cool fingers brushing the hair away from my forehead.
“It will be okay, Luca,” she tells me calmly. “Focus on my face. Look into my eyes. We can do this.”
“You don’t understand,” I growl. “I’ve got to get out of here. Now.”
I start to leave, to turn away, but she clings to my elbow. “Do you trust me?” she asks. “You won’t hurt me. I know it. Trust me now, Luca. Don’t leave.”
I’m still able to think logical thoughts, although the clouds are building in my mind. Perhaps I can remain sane tonight. Perhaps she can help me. It’s a possibility. All things are possible, right? I know that I’m beginning to think like a lunatic, but I don’t care. All I know is that I want to stay with Eva. I don’t want to leave this room.
I don’t want to hurt anyone.
I turn to her and fold into her waiting arms. But even as I do, the fog begins to overtake me and turn to red. My vision tunnels and I gasp. I can see through the fog, but my thoughts are sluggish and growing slower by the moment. I suddenly feel sexuality raging through me; a fierce and aggressive need and I am hard against her.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Her gray-green eyes are turned toward me, confused and anxious.
“I don’t know, I don’t know,” I mutter, trying to turn away, but she holds me fast and my thoughts aren’t coming as they should.
“This isn’t right,” I tell her helplessly. “This isn’t right. I’m not myself.”
The light fades away and the blackness comes, as it always does.
The last I remember, I am pulling her back to the bed and my hands are on her neck, her eyes closing.
Then nothing.
When I open my eyes again, it is light. And I am in the stable. I sit for a moment, alone, trying to remember what happened, what I have done.
But nothing is there.
I catch glimpses of things; of Eva’s frightened face, of my fingers around her neck, my tongue on her body, my hard thrusts into her.