Page 95 of Kentucky Nights
“Come on, Romeo.” I have tears in my eyes waiting for him to come back.
A few minutes pass with no cracks, no crumbles of stone—nothing. Hope begins to fade, and I wonder if Lorcan didn’t know the entire cure.
His ears flicker, and Juliette neighs with excitement, urging him on. Until she becomes impatient, nipping at his neck and pawing the ground.
More time passes without any movement.
Until burning cherry reds stare into mine.
Dru is in the kitchen, sitting on one of the stools, video chatting with Carmen. It’s amazing how technology has advanced. I still haven’t figured out this damn touch screen. My fingers are too fat for this damn keyboard. It’s so fucking little. Every word I type, there’s a typo in it.
“I promise, I’m okay. I’m so sorry I didn’t call sooner. The ranch is in the middle of nowhere, and the cowboy who rescued me didn’t have a phone that worked.”
“Do you know how that sounds? It sounds like he lied to you to keep you there, Dru. I can’t believe this. Do you have that Stockholm Syndrome?”
“Carmen, how could I have that when he didn’t kidnap me? Another person did. I ran away, and Kentucky saved me.” Drureaches her arm towards me. “Come here, Beloved. Let me introduce you to my best friend so she stops freaking out.”
In two large strides, I’m by my mate’s side, waving into the little camera that somehow fits into this tiny phone. “Hey there, Carmen. It’s nice to meet you. Dru has told me a lot about you, and I wanted to let you know that you’re always more than welcome to come visit.”
Carmen’s face fills the screen. “Oh, you bet your cowboy ass I’m coming to visit. Actually, I’m coming to live there, and there isn’t a damn thing you can do about it. You might be all tall and handsome with your little accent and big muscles, but I’m onto you, buddy.” She gestures with two fingers, pointing them to her eyes, then at the camera.
A signal to say she’s watching me.
“Don’t be rude, Carmen.”
“I’m not being rude. I’m being protective. I’m packing now. Send me your address.”
“It was lovely meeting you, Carmen.” I give her a slight wave and slowly back away, not wanting to be a part of this conversation anymore.
She’s aggressive.
I slink away into the bedroom, peeking my head out into the hallway to see that her attention is still occupied.
“I can definitely do this,” I say to no one other than myself to hype myself up.
Never in my life have I done something like this.
I tug my shirt off, grab my hat from the top of the dresser, and set it on top of my head.
I won’t lie, I’m blushing.
“Good lord,” I grumble under my breath. “For Dru. She wants this. You can do this for her.”
Swiping the screen, the camera aims at my face, and I lift it into the air for a better angle.
Hooking my thumb into my belt loop, I lean against the wall, tuck my chin down, flex, and press the button.
“Absolutely not.” I delete the image so it can never see the light of day and try again.
This time, I allow my fangs to show with the murderous color of my eyes.
I snap a few photos. I twist my body one way, then another, pinching the brim of my hat like I always do. I must take a hundred pictures. One of them has got to be good enough.
The mattress dips when I sit down as I swipe through the photos until I find a few I like. I smirk, knowing damn well she’s going to love these.
Checking the time, I realize I’ve been in here way too long. We need to leave soon for our date night. I snag a black button-up and roll the sleeves to my elbows, spray a little cologne, shine my belt buckle a little, and make my way down the hall.
Dru has been ready for our date since before she called Carmen. She wanted to make sure time didn’t get away from her while she talked to her friend. It was the right choice considering they have been talking for around two hours.
