Immortal Wounds: Book #1 in the Immortal Wounds Vampire Series-Paranormal Romance/Vampire Romance/Romantic Fantasy Read Free Page B

only this time, I wasn't afraid of him. This time he'd saved me. I breathed in. I could almost smell him. His scent burned my very soul, leaving my heart fluttering at a rapid speed. I tried to shake away the image. Why hadn’t anyone else see him?
    “I need to get out of here.” The very room felt as though it were closing in on me.
    I hurried into my shoes, grabbed a sack from the closet, and headed out the door. I’d been working on a new jewelry collection for work and was running low on supplies—I stopped suddenly.
    There he was, dressed in black from head to toe. His pale skin illuminated by the sunlight. His eyes were dark and intense, just as I’d remembered. His lips, a pale shade of pink, were turned up into a warm smile. He was leaning up next to a shiny black motorcycle that alone would look incredible, but next to him, paled significantly.
    I was at a loss for words. I just stood there, staring at him like he was an elegant piece of artwork that had just been discovered. He was breathtaking! His scent on the wind tickled my nose like a spring rain. I knew that fragrance . . .
    I moved toward him slowly. If he was a mirage—I didn’t want him to disappear. He remained still as I approached. I could feel my pulse quicken as our eyes locked. I paused for a moment, then took in a deep breath. My hand reached out until my fingers gently touched his bare arm. It was firm, slightly colder than my own arm, but definitely real. I closed my eyes and sighed with relief.
    He let out a laugh that was intoxicating, and took me completely off guard. “You didn’t think I was real?” He shook his head in disbelief.
    “Well, I . . .” I blushed every shade from pink to scarlet I was sure. “It’s just that when I think I see you, you disappear. I thought you were . . . in my head,” I admitted, reluctantly.
     “Phoebe,” his voice was soft, whisper-like, as he spoke my name. He looked at me strangely, as though I were someone dear to him, as if he’d known me forever.
    “What did you call me?”
    He stood up straighter now. “That is your name isn’t it?”
    I stared up into his face. “Yes . . .” I answered hesitantly.
    His eyes drifted to my hands that still clutched a canvas sac. “Have I interrupted your day?”
    My mouth was open slightly as I marveled at the perfection before me. Even his words were elegant. “Huh? Oh!” I came back to earth. “I was just heading to the beach for supplies. But I can go later,” I added quickly. “Would you like to come in?” I motioned to the door. “That is, if you have time . . . I mean, you don’t have to . . . only if you want!” I was babbling. My heart raced every time he smiled at me, as though it were jumping out of my chest. I couldn’t think straight for some reason. I was all flustered.
    I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand, clearing the sweat that had formed. My body flushed under his lingering gaze. I felt as though I were swaying, like a newly planted tree in the wind. My vision blurred; as I felt myself fall . . .

     
    My eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the bright light. I was in my living room, lying on the couch. How did I . . .? I jumped!
    “No, no. It’s alright. Lie down a bit more.” My stranger was sitting beside me. His voice was low and calming, almost hypnotic.
    My heart rate slowed upon his command. “I’m so sorry,” I said as I rubbed my forehead, trying to erase the disoriented feeling I had. “I don’t know what happened to me? I’ve never fainted like that before.”
    “I guess I’ll have to watch the way I look at you from now on.” He smiled knowingly.
    I frowned a little. “I’ve never fainted just because someone looked at me. How embarrassing,” I muttered the last part under my breath.
    “I doubt anyone has ever looked at you like that before,” he said with what appeared to be great certainty.
    I could feel the heat in my cheeks once again. I knew he knew exactly why I’d fainted. I was