Chapter 33

My entire body tensed when I heard it.

Right after Greg told me, Nick came out of the room. His dark brown hair was still half wet, he was wearing black pants and a white shirt. One of his hands was carrying his black suit. He looked up and gave me a small smile, "You guys aren't done yet?"

I could hear Greg calling my name from the phone, but I didn't answer. Nick's smile faded as he walked towards me, "Eleanor, what's wrong?" He put his suit on the pantry table before putting his hands on my waist. My body jolted slightly when he touched me, causing the corners of his mouth to turn down.

"Nothing." I quickly answered, not returning his hug.

"Did Greg make you angry again?" He released his hug and took his phone from my hand to talk to Greg. My eyes stared at his broad chest, which was half a meter away from me, but my mind was still fixed on Greg's last sentence. Elizabeth is dead?

Unable to prevent my gaze from shifting to Nick's face, he had just turned off his phone, his blue eyes looking at me with a questioning gaze. Did Nick kill Elizabeth?

"Do you need blood again?" he asked softly. His hand returned to my waist, and I instantly felt safe. He couldn't have done it, could he?

"No, I'm fine." I smiled at him. "Are you leaving?"

He still looked at me with a slightly worried expression, "Yeah, are you okay being alone? I'll be back soon."

I was about to say 'no,' but my brain started spinning faster, "Who are you meeting?" My hand straightened his half-opened button.

"Erik." His fingers pulled my hair that fell in front of my eyes and tucked it behind my ear. I tried to hide my panic from my face. So soon? If Nick leaves, then my plan with Greg will be in vain.

"I—I feel a bit unwell." I muttered a little lie.

"Yeah, you look pale. Maybe you didn't drink enough this morning, Eleanor." He was about to step away to get me some blood, but I stopped him. "No, I'm not... thirsty, Nick."

What should I do? Damn, I didn't expect it to be this soon. "Do you have to leave now too?"

Nick looked hesitant for a moment, "No, I think I'll ask Erik to come here."

Oh, damn, Erik will definitely report Alastair's location. In my panic, I reached for Nick's neck to make him lean down a bit and then kissed him. I didn't think before doing it. His lips didn't reject me, although he seemed slightly surprised. I almost forgot my purpose when Nick deepened the kiss. He was very experienced in this, every time he kissed me, I forgot everything. His hands moved up to my waist, his touch almost felt like it was on my skin directly.

"Eleanor." He whispered my name on my lips. The places he touched felt warmer than before. I tried to think again, although there seemed to be a thick fog covering my brain right now. Focus, Eleanor!

I opened my eyes and pulled my face away, my breath as ragged as Nick's. His darkening eyes stared at me. I couldn't slow down my pounding heart in my chest.

"What are you doing to me?" he whispered hoarsely. What are you doing to me, Nick?

"Loving you." I replied, pushing my heels and kissing him again, wrapping my hands around his neck until our bodies almost stuck together. I could feel the mint from his lips, my sensitive skin became more sensitive as he touched me. It felt like fireworks were shooting through my entire body to the tips of my fingers. I had never felt anything like this before.

"Eleanor, we have to stop." Suddenly, Nick pulled away, and the fireworks in my body extinguished, leaving only a faint warmth lingering.

I swallowed before answering, "Don't you want me?" I tried not to show my disappointment.

Nick lifted my chin and kissed me briefly, "I want you very much. That's why we have to stop." His kiss moved softly to my temple.

"Why?" My question came out unintentionally. Nick sighed and moved slightly away from me. "Because I'm not sure I can stop if we start, Eleanor. You don't know how much I want you right now." One corner of his mouth was pulled up, but it was his dark eyes that made me lost when I looked into them. Nick had always been in control, he always hid his true feelings behind a calm face. But this time, I didn't see any control left in him.

My heart was pounding so hard that I could hear it in my own ears. I wanted him too, so much. I moistened my dry lips before opening my mouth again, "So... what are you waiting for?"

***

I'm not sure how long I've been sleeping. I moved my body slightly, but an arm held me back, and I felt a little sore in some parts of my body. Not a painful sore... I slowly opened my eyes and looked at the dark ceiling of this hotel room. My eyes could see well in the darkness, I turned slightly to my side. Nick was still asleep in a prone position, one of his arms was around my waist since earlier. I could feel his regular breathing on my shoulder, for a moment I looked at his peaceful sleeping face. My gaze shifted to his slightly open lips, for the first time, there were no serious wrinkles on his forehead, no calm mask on his face. My hand moved to his messy brown hair and touched it gently. "I love you, Nick." I whispered without a sound. Nick didn't move at all, so I lifted his hand from me carefully. I drank enough of his blood earlier, I hoped he wouldn't wake up for a few more hours.

I looked at his face again and leaned down to kiss the corner of his lips briefly, "I love you." I repeated before pulling my blanket to cover my naked body and getting out of bed. If I could choose, I would rather be in bed with Nick right now, but there is something important I have to do now.

I put on my jeans and jacket in a bit of a hurry. There's no time for a shower now. My backpack was ready on the sofa, I felt very guilty taking money from Nick's wallet. But I didn't have any money at all right now, my credit card and ATM card are in my wallet, which I don't know where it is now. I will replace everything later, after all this is over.

I put on my sneakers and took a piece of paper I had prepared earlier. I left a message with a short sentence next to his pillow and left this hotel room.

"I will be back." I murmured before closing our room door.