Page 41 of Vanessa’s Bravery

“How old were you when it started?”

“Fifteen.”

“And did you have to… I’m sorry, it’s none of my business to ask that.” He dropped his lids.

She stroked her hand over his cheek. “If your question was whether I had to have sex then, the answer is yes.”

“You were so young.”

“That’s why I asked a friend of my family. He’s only two years older than I am, so he agreed to help me.”

“Did you date him?”

“No. We never dated. He’s still a very good friend, even though it’s been fourteen years since I had sex with him.”

“Excuse me? How long? You can’t be older than twenty-four.”

She laughed. Of course, he’d noticed that she looked young. A vampire hybrid’s appearance didn’t change anymore after the age of twenty-one. “I’m actually thirty-two.”

“Impossible.”

She rolled her eyes. “Guess I have good genes. Anyway, my friend helped me all those years until I was old enough to pick up other guys to have sex with when I went into heat. I hope that doesn’t shock you.”

Cole chuckled. “You’re talking to a guy who paid for sex all his life. You did what you needed to do. Just, please, if I ever meet this friend of yours, don’t tell me it was him. I’d rather not know who he is.”

She understood that. “I promise.” She kissed him. “So, what made you move to San Francisco, when you could choose any place in the world?”

“I found a note and a phone number in my dad’s old diary that made me wonder if somebody here in San Francisco knew of a cure to my condition. Turns out, I didn’t need a cure, just the right woman.”

“And your dad?”

“He committed suicide 17 years ago. I never knew my mother. She dumped me at his doorstep after I was born with that ugly growth.”

“I’m sorry.” She kissed him softly on the cheek, and trailed more kisses down his neck and along his shoulder.

“He never found the woman who was meant for him.” There was sadness in his eyes, and her heart broke for him. “He spiraled into a depression that he couldn’t climb out of.” He sniffled. “I’m sorry, Vanessa, I didn’t mean to spoil the mood.”

She gave him a peck on the lips. “It’s part of you, the happy and the sad. It’s what makes you, you.”

Cole pressed his forehead to hers. “You saved me, not only from being killed by a vampire, but from giving up hope of finding happiness.”

His stomach suddenly growled loudly.

He smirked. “And apparently you also kept me from eating my lunch.” He gave her a playful slap on her ass. “How about we eat the takeout?”

“Yes, we should definitely do that. You need to keep up your strength, because I can feel another wave of heat coming on.”

“Guess that means that my services will be required again shortly.”

There was a sparkle in his eyes that made her heart beat excitedly. But would that sparkle still be there once she told him that she was a vampire, and that instead of French food for lunch she’d rather drink his blood?

When exactly was the right moment to bring this up?

She wasn’t quite ready for it. Their relationship was still too new, and if she sprung this on him right now, she might destroy the happiness she saw in his eyes.

20

They’d eaten their takeout, and Cole had noticed that Vanessa only picked at her food, barely eating any of her salad, while he’d finished his steak and French fries in no time.