Drained

Chapter Seven

          I agreed to stay with James.  I didn't know how it was going to work, but I was ready for it.  I wasn't the type to make these kinds of big changes in my life.  It felt right though.  The thought of being near him all the time really excited me.

          When I told him yes, a wide smile spread across his face.  I couldn't help but smile too.

          "Let me show you around the house!  I have some spare rooms made up, and you can take whichever one you like."  I had never seen James this excited before, and I really liked seeing this side of him.

          "Sure, I'd love to get a tour of the place.  I should call my roommate though.  She's probably getting pretty worried about me at this point.  It'll just take a minute."

          James excused himself to the kitchen, and I called Sydney to let her know I was alright.  She was heading back to her parents' house today for the winter, so I wouldn't have to explain my new living arrangement to her for a while.

          After I hung up with Sydney I walked to the kitchen to get the tour from James.

          "Okay, I'm ready."  I smiled at James as I walked in.

          "Great," he responded with that killer half-smile of his.  He took me all around his house.  It was beautiful with dark hardwood floors throughout and the decor looked like it came right out of a magazine.  We saw three bedrooms downstairs, and then he pointed out his own room at the end of the hall.  I recognized it as the room I woke up in last time I was here.  Upstairs we saw two more bedrooms as well as a home theater.  Each of the bedrooms had a walk-in closet and its own bathroom.  This house was like a dream.

          "Your house is amazing.  I'll do whatever I can to deserve to live here.  I can clean, cook, and whatever else you need." Even though James had invited me to stay, I felt like I was intruding.  I felt like I needed to repay him for his hospitality.

          "Please, that won't be necessary.  I want you here, Lindsey.  Now, which room would you like?"  As he spoke, James moved closer to me and took my hands in his.

          With him touching me I felt as if I could no longer think rationally.  In that moment, I wanted to tell him I would stay in his room.  I wanted to kiss him and let him take me back to his bed.  I tried to push these thoughts out of my head and decided on the first room to the right down the hallway.  It was the room furthest from his without retreating upstairs.  I figured a little bit of space between us would be best for now at least.  

          "It's uh, been kind of a long day.  I  should probably get some rest."  I started walking towards my room but stopped and turned back to James.  "I don't have any of my stuff."

          James chuckled, "I have some things you can borrow for tonight.  I can take you back to your dorm for your stuff tomorrow.  Follow me."  He started walking down the hall to his room, and I trailed behind him.  He pushed the door open for me, and I went in with him right behind me.  I had been in his room before, but I couldn't really appreciate it until now.  It was huge and just as well decorated as the rest of the house.  His large four-poster bed was the focal point of the room, but his stone fireplace was gorgeous.  The place was so inviting.

          James walked to his dresser and pulled out a t shirt and a pair of sweatpants.  "Here, they'll be big on you, but you can sleep in them tonight.  I have an extra toothbrush in the top drawer in my bathroom.  You can use that and anything else in there that you need."  I smiled at him and went into the bathroom.  

          I closed the door and leaned my back against it.  How did I get wrapped up into this?  I'm staying with this perfect guy who is apparently my soul mate.  And a vampire.  Maybe I would wake up, and this would all be a weird dream.  But I don't think I wanted it to be.

          I got ready for bed and put James's pajamas on.  They were pretty big on me, but they were really comfortable and smelled just like him.  I walked back through the door to James's room.  He turned to look at me and immediately looked tense.  The only light in the room was a glow from the fireplace, and I could barely see his face.

          "Thank you.  I'll, uh, head to my room now."  He started to walk towards me, and I was frozen in place.  When he reached me he moved his hand up and brushed a piece of hair from my face.  He rested his hand there and rubbed his thumb against my temple.  I closed my eyes and leaned into his touch.  His other hand caressed my cheek, and I felt his lips on my forehead.  I sighed, and without thinking about it I reach my hands up to James's stomach.  We stayed like that for a few seconds before he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into him.  He kissed the top of my head then rested his chin in the same spot.

          "You have no idea how long I've been waiting to find you.  I don't want to come on too strong and scare you off, but I just don't want to waste another moment without you."  He sounded so sincere, and I didn't want to let go of him.  I knew though that if I stayed here I might do something rash.  I reluctantly pulled away and immediately felt cold.

          "I think I should go get some sleep.  I'll see you in the morning."  I stood up on my tiptoes and kissed James on the cheek.  "Goodnight, James."  He nodded, and I turned to walk out of the room.

          I reached my room and laid down in my new bed.  I'm living with a vampire, and I think I'm even falling for him.