He looked into my eyes, and I was awestruck, my lips still tingling. "I was thinking," he said. "Why don't I get us a boat so we can go out on the lake, just the two of us?"

"Sounds nice, a chance to escape all the drama for a little while."

He threaded his fingers through my long locks, his flirtatious grin fixed on his face. "I'd love to have you all to myself."

"You know how much I love being with you," I whispered.

His smile eased into a big grin, and he gently caressed my face and softly kissed me. "How about this weekend?"

I drew in a short breath, but the words remained frozen in my throat. I walk over to the railing and stared into the woods.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

He regarded me intently, his hair swaying in the soft breeze wafting in from the silent woods.

"I've got a lot on my mind," I finally answered.

He came from behind and hugged me. "Like what?"

I spun around, then pushed the black hair from his face, raking my fingers through it. "I'm so thirsty. How about a soda?"

"Sure. I'll take a Sprite or Pepsi."

I unlocked the door and stepped inside. "Jesse, we need to have a long talk. Let's have a bite to eat and chat." When I glanced over my shoulder, he was still standing at the doorway.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" he asked.

"No need for that. I mean, after that fantastic kiss on the lips, do we really have to be that formal?"

"I don't want your parents getting mad that I came in without permission," he said.

I slowly walked to the doorway and stared into those eyes that still took my breath away; there was nothing dead about them. "Are you able to come in and get it yourself?" I asked.

"I'm not really that thirsty anyway," he said. "I'd rather hang out here on the porch."

Our eyes locked. He was so handsome with those strong, chiseled features, eyes as blue as the sky, and lips sculpted perfectly for kissing. I stared at his sensuous mouth, and he looked so cute with that pouty bottom lip of his.

"Are you coming back outside?" he asked.

"Are you coming inside?" I retorted.

We stared into each other's eyes for a long moment, and it would have taken a knife to cut the tension between us. The challenge had been issued, and we both refused to give in.

"Something's changed between us," Jesse said. "I can sense it."

I shook my head.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I put two and two together."

"And what did you figure out?"

"I want to know what you're hiding from me, Jesse," I finally blurted out. "What's going on?"

Jesse stared at me in silence as he contemplated what my words implied.

I inched closer to the doorway. "Take off your shirt," I demanded.

His beautiful eyes shone as he gazed straight into my eyes. "I had no idea you were so bold, so kinky."

My lips pressed into grim lines. "I need to know if I'm crazy, which is a very serious possibility. Take off your shirt right now please."

He gazed deeply into my eyes. "No."

"No?"

He smiled. "No."

I cleared my throat. "Why not?"

"Why not?" he repeated. "Because I suddenly feel very shy. You're treating me like a piece of meat."

"Maybe the real reason you don't want to remove your shirt is because you don't have a scar from the bullet wound. I'm sure it healed very fast, and that's why you didn't want to go to the hospital," I said.

He nodded, seemingly impressed with my insights. "Why?"

"Because I think you're special." If I was right, he would know what I was talking about. I didn't want to risk our friendship by flat out calling him a vampire, just in case it wasn't true.

His voice cut into my thoughts. "Special? I'm glad you think so. I feel the same about you."

Boldly, I held up the crucifix. "Cut the games, Jesse. I know what you're hiding. You're immortal."

He laughed. "Listen to yourself, Taylor! Do you think a cross can actually stop me?"

"Maybe not, but apparently, you can't come in without being invited."

He shook his head.

I continued, "If necessary, I can also kick a leg off one of my mom's wooden chairs."

"To stake me?"

"Only as a last resort, if I need to defend myself," I retorted.

"I'm a little curious about how you came to this interesting conclusion."

The massive lump of dread thudded down into the pit of my stomach like a lead balloon. "I put the pieces together, and they all fit quite nicely. Why don't you stop trying to hide from me when I know the truth? You can trust me to keep your secret. My bond is my word."

"Those were my words."

"And I mean them."

He gazed deeply into my eyes, then slid his shirt over his head.

My gaze darted from his powerful shoulders to his rippling abs and perfect chest, sculpted with hard muscles. His hair fell in disheveled waves across his forehead, but I didn't see any scars on his perfect skin.

"I knew it!" I said, gasping. "It's gone!"

"Looks like we've got a lot to talk about," he said.

I tried to ignore the dry sensation inside my mouth. "How long did it take you to heal?"

"About twelve hours. It was a deep wound," he said.

My eyes widened. "What are you?"

"You've clearly already decided that. You're holding a Bible and a crucifix and threatening to stake me."

"Don't forget the garlic. My pockets are loaded with it."

His gaze narrowed. "I love a girl who's always prepared for battle."

"Are you going to answer me or not? What are you?"

"I think you already know the answer to that, Taylor."

I fidgeted and tried to look away. "I don't." I gazed up as he loomed over me. Shivering, I was thankful for that invisible barrier that kept me safe.

His blue eyes began to glow, like nothing I'd ever seen before. I watched his teeth turn from normal to pointed fangs, right before my very eyes. My heart lurched, and I suddenly began to gasp for air.

"Yes, Taylor. I am a vampire," he said.

A cold chill shot down my spine as I stared into those glowing eyes and took in those sharp fangs. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words would come out. Max snarled, then barked fiercely. I glanced up at the blue sky, then down at the lush green grass, then the open patch of woods. They were all real, and so was the creature standing before me.

"Taylor..." he said.

My hand trembled as I rubbed my face, my brain still trying to circle around his shocking admission. I couldn't believe my suspicions had been so spot on. I just stared at him, my feet frozen in place. Right there before me was a real, live, modern-day vampire, a supernatural, mythological, undead creature of the night-and, in his case, day. He was a dead person who existed by drinking the blood of the living.

I clenched my jaw and grabbed the doorway, trying to swallow the rising panic I felt.

"It must come as quite a shock to see me this way," he said.

"It's more like a punch in the gut," I said. I couldn't stop staring. Part of me wanted to protect him, but the other part was totally freaked out and wanted to call 911.

"You can control when your eyes and fangs transition?" I asked.

He blinked. "Yes." He looked scary, almost deadly, and completely unpredictable.

I took a step backward, my heart still racing. "Turn it off then!"

He did, and I was completely baffled as his eyes turned back to light blue and his fangs faded back into normal teeth. I had just eye witnessed a paranormal phenomenon, and I wasn't even sure how I was supposed to react. It took every effort in me just to breathe.

All of the sudden, my dog decided he could not stay indoors any longer, and he bolted out the door.

"Max!" I screamed.

Chapter 21.

Max had run out of the house, and I had no way to protect them. Just like that, Jesse held all the cards, all the power. My breath caught in my throat as Max barked furiously.

Jesse bent down and stared into my dog's eyes. "Stop barking and stay right here by me."

Max immediately obeyed and lay down next to Jesse's feet.

Jesse petted him, then smiled at me.

"Don't you dare hurt my dog!"

"Why don't you come out and get him?" he asked calmly.

"Can you promise me you'll, uh...drink responsibly?"

"I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not even thirsty," he said.

We stared into each other's eyes. It was if he was daring me to walk past the barrier that was keeping me safe. But then another thought hit me: Mom and Dad will be home any minute. I didn't think he'd hurt them either, but part of me just didn't know for sure. For all I knew, he'd use them to threaten me to come outdoors. I could only pray he wouldn't resort to such a horrible tactic.

It was clear that he hated losing any confrontation and that he wanted to have control over the situation, but I needed to let him know I wasn't an easy mark. It was almost as mentally exhausting as a game of chess. We stared at one another, each wondering what the other's next move would be. It was a stalemate, with both of us refusing to budge. In the end, I was sure there'd be no clear-cut winner.

He motioned for me to come out.

I glared. "You know why I can't."

He petted Max behind the ears again, as if taunting me. "You'd risk your dog's life?"

"You wouldn't hurt him!" I said. "You love animals."

"But when he first ran out here, you thought I'd hurt him. You panicked."

"I-I don't know. I'm so confused! I can't think straight. I mean, this is a lot to process." My hands continued to tremble. "Why aren't you trying to lie to me and get me off your scent? That's what you should be doing right now. Instead, you're showing me tangible proof that I can't deny."

"I would try to mislead anyone else, but I can't lie to you, Taylor-not you."