Darlings of Darkness: A Vampire Anthology Part 124

She nodded and got this dreamy look on her face. "Yeah, he had this neat accent. Man, I miss that guy."

Duncan cleared his throat. "So you know where Ethan lives?"

"Yes."

"Maybe we should call the sheriff and tell him we think Ethan's responsible for those murders?" said Nathan.

Susan's jaw dropped. "You seriously think that Ethan is responsible?"

"We don't know for sure," I said.

Nathan scowled. "As far as I'm concerned, he's responsible for something."

Embarra.s.sed, I looked away. I'd let Ethan into my bedroom and allowed him to do those things to me. What was even worse was that I'd enjoyed it, and wasn't even certain that I had regrets.

Was he a murderer?

I didn't want to believe it.

"Here comes mom," said Nathan, standing up. He waved and she walked over.

"So, what did the eye doctor say?" I asked. She was still wearing her sungla.s.ses.

She shrugged. "He prescribed some eye drops for me. He thinks it might be an eye infection, but doesn't know for sure. If the drops don't work then I'm supposed to come back in five days for more tests."

"Hopefully you won't have to wear your sungla.s.ses to work on Monday."

She smiled. "Now that would be awkward, wouldn't it? So," she looked around. "Have you seen Caleb, yet?"

I shook my head. "No. Did you call him?"

"I did, but he never answers during the day. He says it's because he's so busy. I just hope it's not something else."

"Like what? Another woman?" I asked.

She smiled, sheepishly. "Yeah, maybe."

"Are you talking about Sheriff Caleb?" asked Susan.

"Yeah," I said.

"He's definitely not married," she said. "He has a daughter who just graduated, Celeste. His wife died a few years ago."

"That's what he told me, too," said mom.

"So what's the sheriff's daughter like?" I asked.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you! The redhead we saw on our first day in town... the cute one? That's Celeste."

"The hot one?" asked Nathan.

"Yes, Nathan. 'The hot one'," she said with a smile.

Nathan turned to Susan. "No offense, Susan. You're really hot, too."

Susan's cheeks turned bright red again.

"Hey, here comes my dad," said Duncan, waving his hand.

Sonny walked over with a plate of food and sat down next to mom. He smiled. "Hi, I'm Duncan's dad... you must be Nikki and Nathan's mom? I'm Sonny and I'm going to apologize right now for making a pig out of myself."

Mom laughed. "I'm Anne. That's quite all right. I'm used to it, Nathan eats round the clock."

"I have to be back at the marina in fifteen minutes so I have to eat fast."

I watched as my mom and Sonny began talking about some yacht he was currently fixing.

"How fascinating," she said. "I've always wanted a ride on a beautiful yacht."

He smiled. "Come on by the marina sometime and I'll take you out on a couple. I own a fifty-foot carver myself, and haven't had a chance to take it out much this summer. You'd give me a reason to start the engine.

My mom's face lit up. "That sounds wonderful."

"I'd better get back," he said, standing up. "It was nice meeting you, Anne. Susan, I'll see you at the diner again, I'm sure."

"See you, Mr. Hamilton," answered Susan.

"I probably won't be home until late," said Duncan.

Sonny's eyes narrowed. "That's right. Call me if you need me."

When Sonny left, mom smiled. "Your dad seems very nice, Duncan."

"Thanks."

She looked at me. "And cute, too."

I laughed. He was pretty hot for an older guy.

Nathan stood up. "Anybody interested in going on some rides? Susan?"

"Sure," she answered.

"Duncan, how about some rides?" I asked.

He nodded. "Let's go."

"I'm going to be taking off," said mom. "Caleb's supposed to be stopping over after work. I don't see him patrolling around here anyway."

There were a few cops wandering around but I hadn't seen Caleb around either.

"Okay, bye, mom," I said.

"Don't stay up too late," said Nathan.

"Same goes for you, dad," she replied.

We purchased some carnival tickets and then spent the next couple of hours screaming on the rides. I watched in amus.e.m.e.nt as Nathan pretended to be frightened and hugged Susan for comfort.

"They seem to be hitting it off," said Duncan as we got on the Ferris wheel by ourselves.

"Yeah."

Duncan's face darkened. "So, what exactly happened between you and Ethan?"

Chapter Twenty-Two.

"Not much," I lied.

His eyes narrowed. "Nathan mentioned he was in your bedroom?"

"Yes. He knocked on the door and I opened it. I'm not even sure why I did. He has this way of manipulating people. You heard Susan."

"He'd better leave you alone or I'll manipulate his face," he said. He then put his arms around me and drew me close.

I smiled in pleasure as his lips closed in on mine. Within a matter of seconds, I'd forgotten all about Ethan and was kissing Duncan back as hungrily as he was kissing me. Then the ride was ending, and we were forced to pull apart "What are you doing to me?" he murmured.

I'd certainly felt his excitement brush against me and decided it was probably better that the ride had ended when it did.

"So, Duncan, how many girls have you been with?'

He looked at me in surprise. "Is it important?"

"No, not really."

"If it makes you feel better, I've only been with one other girl. We went out for a few months when I was living with my mom, in Minnesota."

"Do you miss her?"

He grabbed my hand and squeezed it. "You're all I care about, Nikki. I've never felt this way about anyone."

I smiled and kissed him.

"What about you?" he asked, when I pulled away.

I blushed. "Actually, I'm a virgin."

He raised his eyebrows.

"What?"

"You are?"

I scowled. "Yeah, why? Do I seem easy to you or something."

He burst out laughing. "No! I'm sorry. You just know how to..."

I smiled wickedly. "Excite you? You're a guy. It's not too difficult to figure out."

"So, you're really a virgin?" he said, rubbing the bottom of his chin. "Hmm...I'd better be careful then. You're like a delicate flower that needs to be handled with kid gloves."

I snorted. "Yeah right!"

"Okay, maybe I should tell you to be careful with me."

"Maybe, you should."

He smiled as the Ferris wheel stopped at the ground and then helped me down.

"There's Nathan and Susan," I said, pointing towards the ticket booth. They were apparently going on more rides.

"Would you like to go on more rides?" he asked, pulling out his wallet.

"Actually, I have to use the ladies' room," I said, looking around.

He nodded. "I'll come with you."

We walked towards the beach where there was a public restroom open for the festival, which was good because I hated using the satellites.

"Do you want to take a walk by the beach?" he asked when I was finished.

I looked towards the beach. It was dusk and now deserted. "Sure."

We walked towards the lake and I took off my sandals so I could dig my toes in the sand.

"Now that I've got you alone..." he grinned, grabbing my arm and pulling me close.

Duncan was almost a foot taller than me and I stood on my tippy toes to meet his lips. We started kissing and then I remembered.

"Wait," I said. "It's getting dark. We shouldn't be out here alone."