Dead Girl Pictures

Answers

I wake up as we are pulling into Samuel's driveway. The large black iron gates are blocking the way with the large B in the center. As we get closer the gates part in the middle for the Rover to enter.
"Well that's cool", I half mumbled still not all the way awake yet. I hear Samuel quietly laugh from the drivers seat.
"It's handy to have the device on the car so the gate can automatically open when you drive up. No buttons to push or having to roll down your window."
"Reminds me of Jurassic Park", I say with a laugh.
His driveway is much like the one at the house we are staying at. All hillsides and scrub grass. When we break out on top the house is stunning. I can tell there is more glass walls in this design and it's bigger. Huge decks are on the front and back of the house giving way to a view over the valley. The side is pushed into a hillside that blocks his view of the house we are staying in.
"Your place is beautiful.", I say to him. He looks at me with such tenderness it makes me blush a bit.
"I was hoping you would like it. It's just me here and I have no idea why I built such a large house but I'm beginning to see that it was a good thing I did." He says this while reaching across to cup my face and run a finger over my jawline. I feel myself heat up over this small touch. He chuckles like he knows my thoughts and says "Later, baby". I don't really have time to process this before it's a flurry of activity of all of us getting in the house and setting down with drinks. Natalies crew is already here getting dinner going.
"It's going to be about an hour before dinner but there is beer and other drinks in the kitchen. Also we did some appetizers because I figured we would be hungry from the hike." Natalie announces to the group at large. We are all settled into the extremely comfortable furniture in Samuels living room. The room is huge with sweeping ceilings that  went up past the second story. The second story made a balcony over the first floor so someone could look down into the living room. It was an amazing home anyway you looked at it.
"How about this, Natalie, let's bring the appetizer in here and the drinks too." Samuel says. I appreciate his effort. This couch is super comfy and it has a footrest. Jake jumps up to help Natalie bring in the food for everyone.
"What do you want to drink?", Samuel asks me.
"Just a beer please. Thanks.", I give him a small smile as he gets up and asks Kate what she wants to drink. She and Brian are snuggled up on the opposite couch from me.
"This house is amazing.", she says to me "I'm getting some ideas for the new house we are about to start redoing back home."
Samuel and Natalie come back in about that time and both had an identical look on their face. They didn't want us going home. I don't blame them. I had known Samuel for all of a day and a half already I didn't want to leave him. We have 5 more days here. Who knows where they may lead.
"Okay, here we go!", Natalie smiles as she sets up the food on the huge coffee table between the couches. Samuel hands me my drink and then places a water in front of me.
"Just in case you want it. Want me to fix you a plate?", he asks.
"You know, I think I'm good right now. Can I use the restroom though?"
"Let me show you where it is at." He bends down and takes my hand to help me up. I'm stiff in my movement and I am glad for the help he gives me. We head down a hallway that is off the kitchen. One wall is all glass as you walk and looks over the west valley that the back deck at our house looks over. We head into the master bedroom and it's just as amazing as the rest of the house. The bedroom itself is huge with a wall of windows facing the west and doors out to the deck. The bathroom is grand as well with a shower that could fit 6 people and a tub situated so it faced a wall of windows itself and one could look out over the valley while enjoying the jets.
"Damn.", was all I could say. Samuel laughed at my jaw dropped look.
"I know it's a bit much but I wanted something striking that would make my girl happy to call this place home.", he says in a low voice. I turn to look at him when I ask my next question.
"Did you build this house for a specific person?" I almost don't want to know the answer to this question. What if he did? Then what do I say? Where would that leave us?
"Yes. I did"
My heart sinks.
"I built it for you. I just didn't know it at the time."
I turn around again to hide my emotions from him.
"I'm not the girl you need, Samuel. I have an expiration date that is closing in everyday. I'm not here for a quick fling or to let you watch me die. That would be cruel to both of us."
"What if I could cure you?" He whispers from right behind me. I didn't hear him move at all.
"How?" I ask not looking at him just yet.
"What if I told you I wasn't all the way human? What if I was more than human?"
"Like what? Werewolf? Wizard? Dragon? Vampire?"
He is quiet behind me.
"Vampire. Am I right?" I ask still not looking at him.
"Yes. I am a vampire. What do you know about my kind?"
"Not much but my Grandmother told me all about the other worlds. Fay, wolves, shifters, witches. I pegged Natalie as witch when I first met her."
I can feel the surprise coming off him.
"So, vampire, how are you going to cure me? Because I really don't want to die?" I turn to face him as I ask.
Before he answers me he pulls me in for a soul searing kiss.