Page 7 of By The Moon

“Yours?” Jerome answered immediately. “My sister is home from college.”

Crowding Jerome, Louis asked, “Can I trust you?”

Without hesitating, Jerome answered, “Yes.”

Taking Jerome’s hand in his, he concentrated on his apartment and took them there. He grabbed Jerome as he sagged and held him as he panted. “Deep breaths.”

“Now that’s one way to get around.” Straightening, Jerome stared at Louis, but he didn’t appear afraid of him, only more curious. “What are you?”

“Vampire.”

Jerome nodded. “I always knew there was something different about you. Even back then when you saved me. I knew you weren’t the same as me.”

“I’ve watched over you. Kept you safe.”

“I’ve felt you from time to time and I knew you wouldn’t hurt me. How would I know that?”

“Because you’re mine.”

“I feel like I’m yours,” Jerome whispered. “I feel like I’ve been waiting for you to come back to me.”

“We should talk before anything happens.”

Jerome smiled. “What’s going to happen, and what’s your name? You never told me when I was younger.”

“Louis. My name is Louis.” Louis reached out to touch Jerome but dropped his hand before sliding his fingers over Jerome’s honey skin.

Jerome closed the gap between them and took Louis’ hand in his own. “Are you mine too, Louis?”

“Since the moment we met.” From that second, Jerome was the only person Louis thought about, the only one he had on his mind. The one he lived his life for.

“I was twelve. That’s why you stayed away.”

Nodding, Louis moved over to the sofa and sat. “Please sit with me so we can talk.”

“How am I yours?” Jerome sat next to him, close enough that Louis could feel his body heat. He leaned into it, closing his eyes and didn’t open them when he felt a puff of air on his lips. “Please,” he murmured. Jerome’s lips touched his once, twice, then a third time before moving away. “I want more.”

Opening his eyes, Louis nodded. “Me too, but we need to talk.”

“Why? What’s that important that we pause to talk?”

“If we have sex and I bite you, you’re mine.”

“Okay.” Jerome smiled. “I’m not seeing the bad in that. I’ve waited years for you. I knew you existed, knew there wassomething between us, but you never appeared. When I was awake, that is.”

“I couldn’t see you then. The need to be with you was overwhelming and you were just a child. I had to stay away. The only time I gave in was when your mother passed away, but you know that already. I knew you needed me and I needed to be there for you.”

“And what do you want now?”

Louis licked his lips, his eyes dropping to Jerome’s plump ones. “You know,” he whispered.

“I do,” Jerome murmured, “But we need to talk.” Jerome gave a slight smile. “Isn’t that what you said?”

“Us being mates is forever. Once I bite you during sex you can’t decide you’ve had enough. There is no walking away once that happens.”

“What about my degree?”

“I would never stop you from pursuing it, because I know how hard you’ve worked to earn your place. I would want you to be careful, though. There are bad vampires.”

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