Creatus (Creatus Series) (4 page)

She ripped off another piece of bagel with her slender fingers then stood again, walking over to the wall of windows overlooking the harbor. “Nice place. What do you do for a living?”

Good
, he thought. She really didn’t remember. “I’m a doctor.” She turned to face him and the light from outside made its way through the shirt, illuminating every curve beneath the thin white cotton. “Umm… Kristina, you’re standing in direct sunlight.”

She glanced
at her choice of clothes and then traipsed toward the sofa, her hands roaming over the soft leather. “Nothing you haven’t seen before if you’re a doctor,” she teased, a lightness in her voice he hadn’t detected earlier.

“True,” he allo
wed. She definitely had spirit.

Her eyes roamed over the black and white nature prints he’d hung on the wall behind the sofa. “What type of practice?” she asked, making eye contact with him again.

“Family medicine.”

Kristina
returned to the sofa, plopping down and then tucking her leg underneath her. Resting her elbow on the armrest, she focused a poignant gaze on him. “This is kind of awkward. You know I’m not really suicidal, right? I hate my life, but I knew you’d come. I didn’t want to die.”

He nodded, nibbling on the inside of his cheek, still a bit perturbed by her stunt that could have killed her. “Did you call Beth?”

“No. I needed a shower, and I wasn’t sure what to say. I didn’t tell her I was going to jump off a bridge. I just told her I’d be happier wherever I was. She, as always, assumed the worst.” She took a sip of coffee and then her gold-flecked eyes peeked up at him under long blond lashes. She was even more beautiful than her mother had been.

“Why don’t you call Beth while I get cleaned up, and then we’ll go out and get some fresh air? I have the week off work, so we can do whatever you want.”

She inhaled a deep breath and then let it out. “Anything I want except leave. Otherwise they’ll kill me, right?”

Chapter Four

Kris stared at the stranger sitting beside her in the front seat of his car, surprised he didn’t feel like a stranger. It felt as though she’d known him her entire life. And in a way, she had. Since he’d saved her from the same fate her mother had succumbed to by the hands of that thief in the alley, Derrick had consumed her. Every night
since that day, he’d occupied her dreams. His leading role had turned more seductive since she’d become a woman, though. As a child, she’d thought he was an angel sent from God, an angel dressed in black. But now that she was able to stare into his fathomless dark eyes that seemed to go on forever, she realized he wasn’t an angel, but a man. A man she wanted to get to know better, fully. She wondered for a second if he was real this time or if she’d wake up any minute, realizing she’d taken her fantasies to another level.

Derrick pulled up in front of her apartment and turned to her. “You’re so quiet. What are you thinking about?” he asked, reaching for her hand.

His warm touch sent a surge of pleasure through her body and she smiled softly at the feel of his hand around hers and his comment. “I’m not quiet. Actually, my friends, teachers, and employers have always called me a blabbermouth. Said I just spouted off whatever I wanted without thinking.” She curled her hand around his, loving the intimacy she already felt, even though he was hiding something from her. She’d never experienced familiarity with any man, even if they’d dated a few weeks, which was about the extent of her relationships. But just in a few hours—well, days but she’d been unconscious most of the time—she believed she could trust Derrick. “I was thinking about you. Wondering if you’re really here.”

He returned her smile, but then frowned. “That’s what you were thinking? If I’m real again? How can I prove I’m real?”

This time an even broader smile lifted her cheeks. “I’m sure I’ll think of something. But first off, I guess I should get into my own clothes. Not that I don’t feel all warm and snuggly in the sweatshirt you insisted I wear, but what will your family say if they see me wearing your clothes?” She opened the door and hopped out, noticing her Grand-Am was sitting in its normal parking spot. She spun toward Derrick and caught him with his mouth open as if he was ready to speak, but she interrupted him. “How did—did you bring my car here?”

“I had my brother...” He shook his head, throwing his hands up. “What do you mean, ‘meet my family’? How do you know about my family?”

“You said something the other day I remembered. About choosing.” She glanced up and down the road as she walked around the front of his Navigator. “Come on up. I suppose you have my keys.”

He pulled her key ring out of his pocket and handed it to her, a look of concern on his face. But then he followed her up the three flights of stairs to her apartment without
speaking.

Kris ope
ned the door and stepped inside. Her home looked exactly as she’d left it, but it felt different, as if there was a subtle alteration she couldn’t place. She wondered if Derrick or his brother had searched it. Not that they had any reason, but still, it felt strange standing in her doorway, as if someone had been here.

It wasn’t as though she had anything to hide, and even if she did, she certainly didn’t have any place to hide it.
Her home consisted of three small rooms, shaped in an almost perfect rectangle. The front door opened into the living area, no foyer; and off to the left, sat a galley kitchen with its tiny dinette. Her bedroom was directly on the other side of the living room. Again, no hallway, just one door that led to her bedroom. She had an end unit, though; so all three rooms had windows overlooking the alley, and then the bedroom had a second window overlooking the street.

The wood floors and walls were whitewashed white. She loved the solid alabaster color; it felt clean and fresh. The only color she’d added to her simple décor was green by the way of plants. She enjoyed the tropical feel of her apartment with its exotic foliage, sheer curtains, and sparse furnishings and wall decorations. Everything she owned, other than the plants, was white, tan, or black, as she’d seen in home magazines. She’d mimicked Caribbean cottages with their simplicity and inexpensive furniture. She’d made sure the warmth she couldn’t find in Somerville was always present in her home.

Derrick looked around appreciatively; though, her place was nothing like his high-rise apartment with its dark walnut floors, chrome appliances, and leather furniture. In fact, if you compared their homes to their personalities, she realized, they’d have nothing in common. She hoped that wasn’t the case.

Kris gestured to her tiny couch with its white jacquard slipcover she’d found on eBay. “Make yourself comfortable, Derrick. I’ll only be a minute.”

He sat as directed, looking completely out of place.
Like Adonis himself in a peasant’s home
, she thought. She skipped off to her bedroom, her heart pounding. Kris went directly to her full-length wicker-framed mirror, a bargain she’d found at a thrift shop. She twirled once as she inspected her body, marveling at the way her skin glowed and her hair appeared glossy, healthy. Amazing what a couple of days of no alcohol or drugs could do. But there was more; she looked good mentally too, happy even, an unusual occurrence. She tugged Derrick’s sweatshirt up around her face and inhaled. The scent took her back to when she was a child, curling up next to her mother on the loveseat as they’d watched a Disney movie. Derrick used the same fabric softener her mother had used. Somehow, envisioning him using fabric softener made her laugh.

Deciding to keep his sweatshirt on a few more minutes, she removed her vintage shredded skirt from the other night. When Derrick had left his bedroom this morning, she’d yanked off the blankets to reveal that she was in her undergarments.
She didn’t remember undressing so she could only ascertain that she’d finally passed out and he’d undressed her. She didn’t know how she felt about him undressing her, but then again, her clothes had been soaked. He’d washed her clothes and had them sitting out for her, but the sheer peek-a-boo tank wasn’t appropriate for the daytime. Heck, it was hardly appropriate for the nighttime, the reason she’d sifted through his closet for the t-shirt.

Anxious to get out to Derrick before he disappeared, Kris rummaged through her closet,
selecting a pair of faded capri jeans and a long-sleeved black t-shirt. The simple attire would complement Derrick’s tan khakis and plain white button-down oxford. She could picture him with a white jacket over top and a stethoscope around his neck. Although, the image that popped into her head was of a doctor on a soap opera, not any of the physicians she’d ever seen.

If Derrick had been her doctor, she would have never fussed about going. In fact, she probably would have made up excuses for regular examinations. His brooding eyes, dark features, and onyx-colored hair over light olive skin gave him a Mediterranean look. But then again, she’d dated several Portuguese and Lebanese men over the years with similar skin tone, but neither of them had Derrick’s high, prominent cheekbones, slender nose, and square jawline. And of course, his striking almond shaped eyes with their immense depth. Somehow, he looked to have a touch of American Indian, Mediterranean, and Asian appearance all at once. He resembled no man she’d ever seen in person or a celebrity.

Was he real?
He’d asked how he could prove it to her. And right now, she could only think of one way. Since she’d only used her finger and toothpaste to brush her teeth earlier, she darted into the bathroom to brush her teeth before she tested his tangible existence.

Taking one long look at herself in the mirror, she drew in a deep breath, steeling herself. Would he agree, she wondered. He seemed attracted to her. He’d called her beautiful after all.

Determined, she marched out of her bedroom, but then stopped when she entered the living area. He was holding up a picture of her mother and her, taken a few months before she was murdered. Her mother had taken her to see Santa Claus and then they’d jumped in one of those photo booths. They’d taken silly and serious photos. Kris had enlarged and framed the serious one.

“She was beautiful, wasn’t she?”

Derrick turned in her direction, his expression surprisingly solemn, and if she wasn’t mistaken, his eyes looked glassy. “Yes. Very.” He set the frame on the window ledge and crossed the room, taking her hand in his. He led her to the couch, pulling her down beside him. “Kristina,” he paused as he lifted his hand to her neck, “I can’t introduce you to my family today.”

“Why not?” she
demanded, attempting to put power behind her question, but a trace of defeat filled her tone and she was certain he’d recognize it. She’d assumed since she had to choose as he’d said, that they’d want to meet her. “You said your brother moved my car, so he obviously already knows about me,” she continued before he could answer, adding validity to her petition.

“Listen to me, please. I’m different. My family’s different.” He shook his head. “We need to make sure—”

“Derrick,” she moved his hand to her lap, “I am sure.”

“But you don’t even know me. You—”

“I jumped off a bridge to get your attention,” she interjected. “Do you think I would do that if I wanted anyone else?”

“You were sick. Under the influence of—”

“I knew what I was doing—” she tried, but this time he cut her off by placing his fingers over her lips.

The edges of his mouth quirked up, but she could tell he tried to resist smiling. “Please stop interrupting me. I was wrong,” he said. “I guess you do like to talk.” He raised his hand when she started to interrupt again. “Kristina, you heard me. They’ll kill you if you ever try to leave. Let’s just take a few days, ge
t to know each other. And if…” he lowered his head to look into her eyes, “if you decide to be with me, then yes, I would love for you to meet my family.” He stopped as if it were okay for her to speak again.

“But your brother knows…” she said, undeterred by his suggestion
that his family was dangerous. She just couldn’t imagine that anyone related to him would harm her.

“Well, he’s my brother. He’s allowing us time. But he wouldn’t hesitate…” he trailed off, not wanting to say that his brother would be willing to kill her, she assumed.

Kris’ heartbeat kicked up a notch, wondering what was so secretive. “So tell me then, and I’ll decide.”

He pursed his lips, obviously determined to keep her in the dark as long as possible. “No. But I’m glad you finally believe I’m real. I wasn’t sure how I was going to prove my existence to you, but I had an idea.”

A thrill shot through her system, watching the way his eyes melted into hers, the ever-slight tilt of his head. Her heart thrummed beneath her ribcage as she realized he’d had the same idea she had. She licked her lips, letting out a soft sigh in anticipation. Her Dark Angel was going to kiss her.

Derrick glided his fingers along her jawline as he inched his head closer. “I’ve wanted—”

She bolted upright as her cell phone rang. “Oh, God!” She threw her hand over her chest and peered down at the caller ID. “Beth,” she whooshed out her friend’s name, not certain why she’d jumped.

“You need to take her call,” he said softly.

Kris shook her head wildly, refusing to break the moment, even though it was already lost. Derrick picked up her phone off the coffee table and hit ‘answer’ before she could object again.

Beth’s voice immediately came over the speaker in a frantic rush. “Kris? Oh, dear Lord, are you there, Kris?”

Kris lifted the phone to her ear. “I’m here.”

“You scared the death out of me. You left me that message and then wouldn’t answer my calls. I thought
… I thought you’d…” Obviously, Beth couldn’t form the words.

“I was leaving town,” Kris lied. “It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, and I didn’t want you to change my mind. And then I sort of just hid. Cleaned up my act, you know?”

“Oh, thank goodness, Kris. I just… I didn’t know what to think. So, you’re not leaving then, right? You’ll still be my maid of honor?”

She couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s question. If she didn’t love Beth so much, she’d think the only reason she was upset was because she’d have to find another size three to fit in the dress Beth had custom made to fit Kris. “Yes. Of course. What are best friends for?”

“Okay, then. I have to go. My mom’s here. We’re going wedding shopping today. I’ll call you later, okay?” Her okay sounded like a question of whether Kris would really be around or not.

“Yes,” Kris assured her. “But if I don’t answer, it’s just because I’m busy.” She looked up at Derrick who hadn’t moved from in front of her. Her heart started pounding double time as soon as he smiled. “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. Bye, Beth.” Kris hung up the phone and switched off the ringer. She didn’t want any more interruptions.

Derrick reached for the phone and set it on the end table behind her. The heat of his body caressed hers as he moved past her. Instead of pulling away, he trailed his hand down her back, wrapping his arm around her waist. “No matter what happens, I’d hate myself if I never kissed you.”

Kris licked her lips again. The anticipation was killing her. Most guys were so sloppy and quick, almost falling forward, missing her mouth. But Derrick seemed to be measuring his moves, planning his approach. His other hand moved behind her neck. And with both hands, he pulled her closer as he moved in again. His eyes held hers as his lips brushed against hers ever so softly. Then he kissed her tenderly on the corner of her mouth, and once again, sweeping his lips back over hers, delicately kissed the other side of her mouth. Her mouth fell open a fraction in submission, as if he’d coaxed her to open up. He drew her toward him and this time encompassed her completely, his mouth closing over hers. He took her top lip, then her bottom, venturing inside and exploring. Her entire body felt weightless as if under a spell by just his kiss.