Mortal Wish Read Free Page B

sorrows?
    “One dance,” Claire agreed.
    “One dance,” he repeated and with ease lifted her from her barstool.
    A moment later, she found herself on the dance floor, his arms holding her close to him, his thighs brushing hers, his hand on the small of her back pressing her closer to his torso, so she could feel his body heat engulf her. She closed her eyes and let herself fall into the dream that her life was only just beginning. That it wouldn’t end.

4
     
    Jake pulled her closer and moved to the rhythm of the music. He hadn’t danced in a long time, but the steps were ingrained in him nevertheless. He’d always loved dancing, always loved the feeling of holding a woman in his arms.
    Pressing his cheek to hers, he spoke softly. “I heard that sometimes the hot spring needs a sacrifice to grant a wish.”
    Claire pulled her face back to look at him. “Who told you that?”
    “Mrs. Adams.”
    She leaned back into him. “She never mentioned anything to me about that.”
    “Maybe you’re not the one to offer a sacrifice.” Maybe Mrs. Adams had meant this only for him—without knowing what his wish was—because he was the one asking for the impossible, and his wish demanded a sacrifice.
    “What if it’s all a lie?” she mused. “What if the spring does nothing? What will you do then?”
    “What will I do?”
    “Yes, you. If you found out tonight that the spring doesn’t work, what would you do tomorrow?”
    He’d thought about it ever since he’d decided to come to the island. “I would go to the beach and wait there until the sun rose.” He wouldn’t seek shelter from it, but allow the sun to turn him into dust and the ocean surf to sweep his remains away as if he’d never existed.
    “Yes, your life would just go on. I wish it were the same for me.”
    Jake didn’t correct her assumption. He heard the rising tears in Claire’s voice, but he wouldn’t allow her to cry. Not as long as she was with him. At least for tonight he wanted her to feel joy and pleasure.
    “Come to the beach with me, now. And I’ll make you forget the things you want to forget. Just for tonight. Just you and me. The world around us doesn’t exist. The spring doesn’t exist.”
    She didn’t pull away from him despite his outrageous offer. Instead he felt her nod. “Yes, make me forget, just for a little while.” Then she lifted her head and looked at him. “You must think me easy.”
    He moved his head from side to side. “Do you think me easy?”
    Clearly surprised at his question, she shook her head. “No.”
    “Then why would I find you easy? Just because you allow yourself to say yes to something you want? I don’t judge people who follow their desires.” Jake lowered his head until his lips hovered over hers. “You still have a chance to change your mind, but once I kiss you—”
    He didn’t get an opportunity to finish his sentence, because Claire leaned in and kissed him. Stunned and elated at the same time he savored her soft lips for an altogether too-brief moment, before she pulled back again.
    “I won’t change my mind.” Her whispered words blew against his face.
    Without waiting for the song to end, he led her toward the bar, tossed a twenty on it and left without another word. It didn’t matter what the bartender thought of them. Finding his bearings, he turned into the next side street and headed northwest.
    The beach was deserted. And just like he’d thought he’d seen from his bedroom window, there was a small shed. He approached it and read the sign on it: Beach Rentals . A small padlock denied access to the contents of the shed. He reached for the lock.
    “What are you doing? You’re not going to break in, are you?”
    He winked at her. “Let’s live on the wild side for tonight.” Then he moved so she couldn’t see how he was opening the lock: with pure vampire strength.
    The shed contained what he was looking for: cushions for the lounge chairs that were neatly stacked up