My stomach fluttered at his words. I looked up. "I love you too. And, I do want to go away with you." His eyes lit up. I traced the outline of his chest muscles through his black button up shirt. "But not yet. I need one more day. Can we go tomorrow?"
I watched different emotions flicker across his features, and heard a low rumble in the back of his throat. "Tomorrow then." He smiled, but it was more than a smile. It was a seductive promise.
Working to gain control of my desire, I said, "Okay."
He pressed his lips on mine. Gently at first, his lips caressing, encouraging. I opened my mouth, and he deepened the kiss, changing sweet to sexy. I felt his longing low in my belly. And almost changed my mind.
When his lips left mine, he blazed a trail down my chin, to my jaw, and down my throat. I sighed, "Christopher."
Professor Pops broke the spell. "Can the two of you move away from my office? The further the better, please. I've got work to do."
We both froze, having momentarily forgotten where we were.
I cleared my throat, and said, "Sorry, Professor." Grabbing Christopher's hand we ran down the hall, through the kitchen, and to the front door. My feelings were conflicted. When his lips were on mine, our bodies touching, I didn't want to stop, but I couldn't allow myself to move to the next intimacy level either.
Christopher watched my face, his eyes dancing with amusement. "I know you're confused. Your body telling you one thing and you mind saying something else. And that's why I'm going to leave. Make it easy on you. Because, I want you certain. I want your body and your mind on the same page. K?" He opened the door. "I'll see you tomorrow."
I nodded, tears filling my eyes. No idea why. "K," I responded.
Chapter 7
As soon as he left I grabbed a jacket. I needed to talk to Cindy. And I couldn't wait until she got off work. If this going all the way business was going to happen, I needed her input.
On the ride over (yeah, I kept my purple Schwinn. Sure I could've vampired myself to Cindy's work, but I liked bike riding. It allowed my mind to mull over my problems) a million different things ran through my head, like going to see Abernathy, Dorian, the Vampire Queen, Silindra, Christopher, Cindy, and Gabe. I wondered if talking to Cindy was a good idea. Had she and Gabe done it? The idea turned my stomach in knots.
I slid to a stop at Bertilinis. Locking the chain through the middle of my bike, and a bike stand, I went inside.
The most delicious smells filled my nose. Homemade red sauce, basil, garlic, sweet butter, and fresh baked bread swirled in the air like an aromatic cloud. For a moment I almost wished I could still enjoy those flavors, savor them.
"Snow," Cindy shouted, slapping menus down on the hostess table, and hugging me. Even in a uniform-white ruffled shirt, black pants, black tennis shoes, and a black half apron wrapped around her hips, she still looked like a model. Her blond hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, and she wore some shimmering shadow on her eyes, and pink lip-gloss.
"Hey Cindy."
"Hey yourself. You look radiant. I take it vampire boyfriend has been taking care of you." She nodded knowingly, and I blushed.
"Um, that's sort of why I came by." Glancing around the dimly lit restaurant, I asked, "Can we talk?"
"Of course." She looked at her watch. "My shift ends in thirty minutes. Let me run home, shower and change, and I'll meet you at your house in like an hour? There's something I want to talk to you about too."
I knew from experience an hour meant two, but that was okay. "Sure. See ya." I pushed open the glass doors.
***
Almost three hours later, she showed, coming into my room with a flourish. It was nearly dinnertime, and I eyed her neck hungrily.
She covered her neck with her hands. "I love you, Snow, but I draw the line at you sucking my blood.
I sighed dramatically, rolling onto my back. "Fine."
She tentatively came and sat on my bed. "Are-Are you going to be able to handle my being this close?"
I started laughing so hard tears leaked from my eyes. Cindy slapped my leg. "You're rude. A rude, rude vampire."
I sat, crossing my legs, wiping the tears from my eyes.
We looked at each other, and started laughing again.
"It's so cool. You're a vampire, but not a blood crazy fiend. You're still you. I think people have the totally wrong impression of your kind."
"I know, right?"
"It's the same with witches," she continued. "Most people think witches are green and covered in warts. Not so, though. I mean, look at my face. It's flawless." She turned from side to side.
"You're right, of course." I shrugged. "Maybe people get a little crazy because we scare them."
She sighed heavily. "Oh, the trials of the gifted and magical." Then we busted up laughing again.
Several minutes later, she carefully wiped under her eyes with her fourth fingers only and crossed her legs, so we were sitting on my bed our knees touching. She said, "Alright, spill it. What's going on?"
I sighed, pulling at a loose string on the white bedspread. "Christopher suggested we go away together for a few days. He even got Professor Pops' permission."
Her blue eyes shone brightly. "Holy sexcapades, that's awesome." She patted my calf, checking out my face. "Okay, it seems like it might not be great. Why isn't it great?"
"It is, really. I mean I love him-"
"Whoa. Whoa. What?"
"I told you already, didn't I. When I saved him, I knew I loved-loved him."
She grew serious. "You mean it?"
"Yes, Cindy. I mean it."
"You aren't quietly pining for Gabe, hoping I'll drop my guard one day, and then you'll pounce, taking back your man. The man I stole from you." She sniffled. It really bothered her.
"Cindy, I swear." I paused. "I-I love Gabe, b-"
"I knew it," she whispered fiercely.
"Let me finish. Sheesh."
She crossed her arms. "Go ahead."
"I've loved him a long time-as a brother," I finished quickly.
She huffed.
"And maybe before the whole me becoming the Seal fiasco, I thought I loved him more than that."
"See-" she began, but I held up my hand.