Chapter 28

"So, you have decided to no longer have him in your life?"

"No, he decided that for me," Dominique sighed.

"If you still want him, why do you not go after him?"

"He was right with what he said today. He isn't the old Tim I knew, but in some ways, he still is. I'm going to try to move on with my life and be happy. If he winds up being a part of it later, then so be it, but for now, I'm going to finally start doing what I want and living the way I want. I'm tired of feeling like I'm alone all the time."

"Dominique, you are not alone. You do have friends that love and care about you. I love and care about you," I said as I bent down and kissed her.

When I broke the kiss, I cupped her cheek, and she looked into my eyes. I could hear her heart beating really fast. She was nervous but excited at the same time. I knew it was from me saying I loved her.

"I appreciate you being my friend, Nathaniel. And you're right. I have friends, like you and Melissa, who love and care about me, and that's all I need right now."

"You know that is not what I meant when I said I loved you, Dominique," I said as I looked into her eyes.

"And if I told you I loved you?" Dominique asked.

"You would make me very happy. I would love to have you be with me, but I also don't want to push you into anything you are not ready for. So I'm here whenever you are ready."

I could hear her heartbeat, and it had increased even more. It was beating so fast that I could see her artery pulsing in her neck. I felt the hunger hit me, and I knew I had to get away from her before I did something stupid and scared her off. I got up and sat back across from her, trying to ignore my urges.

"Thank you, Nathaniel. I think I just need a few days to process everything."

"Will you still stay with me?"

"I don't really like having to run out of a closing garage door if I leave."

"Simple enough. I will give you an opener, and you can come and go as you please," I said.

"Seriously? You'd trust me at your house? What if you aren't there?" she asked.

"I wouldn't mind. I trust you, Dominique. So, will you come back with me tonight?"

"I need a few days, Nathaniel, just to get myself right after today. I don't know if I can do that while being around you."

"I am still worried for your safety. I will stay away from you if that is what you wish. After that, you can return home and only come back over if you wish."

"Alright, but only for two nights. Then I'm going home, okay?"

"Fantastic! I'll see you later tonight," I said as I grabbed the envelope off her desk.

I went home and waited for Dominique to arrive. However, when I felt her drawing close, I also felt fear. I went outside and could hear her heart beating fast. I walked up to the car and knocked on the window. Dominique screamed, and her eyes flew open. When she looked up at me, I opened the door. I was worried about what had happened.

"Dominique, what is wrong?" I asked as I moved so I could see her.

"I, I'm not sure," Dominique stammered.

Dominique shook her head and got out of the car. I could see she was shaking. Whatever had happened must have really shaken her up for her to be visibly shaking. I watched as she leaned against the car.

"Dominique, what just happened? Why are you shaking?"

"Can we go in before we talk?" Dominique asked, looking towards the woods.

"Sure. Come on," I said, wrapping my arm around her and walking her towards the house.

Once we were in the living room, I made sure she sat down and then sat beside her. I held her close until the trembling finally stopped. Dominique took deep breaths and let them out slowly as she tried to calm herself. I waited until she was ready before I said anything.

"Are you ready to tell me what happened now, Dominique?"

"I'm really not sure what happened, Nathaniel. I went to my house to get a couple of things because I was just going to stay here for the next couple of days. And when I went to leave, I saw the eyes again. Then I didn't see them. Then I did see them when I got in the car. I thought I was going crazy as they were just there. However, I couldn't see what it was attached to, just a shadow, and a damn big one at that. And then, then that thing ran at me. It was in the woods, far back enough to where I couldn't see it. And then, all of a sudden, it was being attacked. And by another huge shadow," Dominique said, taking in a big breath.

"And you didn't see what it was?" I asked.

"No. It looked huge, though. That was no wolf. Wolves aren't that big, Nathaniel. But this set of eyes was different. The other pair I saw looked brownish-yellow. This one looked bright blue with gold specks. They were actually gorgeous. And when I was going up the driveway, I looked behind me, and I saw one of the shadows running behind me, and it was rapidly catching up, but it stayed in the woods, so I couldn't really see it."

"Dominique, I am pleading with you to stay here for the next few days, not just the next few nights. I can't say what it was at your house, but I don't like it."

"Trust me when I say I am not going anywhere for a bit. I was already planning on asking Melissa to open and close the bar for me for a couple of days, so I had time to think and get away from Tim, but this, this just sealed the deal for me."

"I'm glad to hear it, Dominique," I said, pulling her close.

Dominique pulled out of my arms. I was disappointed, but I could tell she was tired. I heard Dominique sigh, almost as if she was trying to make up her mind about something.

"Nathaniel, would you, um, would you mind laying with me for a while? Just until I go to sleep?"

I didn't mind at all. I was thrilled that she had asked me. I smiled and stood up. She took my hand as I held it out to her. I led her to the bedroom she had previously stayed in.

"Can we stay in your room tonight?" Dominique asked.

I tensed up. I couldn't help it. How could I explain to her that I couldn't let her stay in my room? How was I supposed to explain it without telling her I died during the day? I didn't think she would want to sleep in my room. I suppose I should have, as it is normal for any rational person to want to sleep in the bed with someone they care about. But since she didn't know about me and I wasn't a normal person, that couldn't happen. So, I did the only thing I could think of. I sat on the bed and patted the spot beside me. Dominique frowned, but she sat beside me.

"Dominique, you said you needed a few days to yourself. That you needed time to think. I am willing to give you that. However, I am not willing to let you completely into my life quite yet. There are things I need to tell you, and I have been holding back from telling you because I fear you will run away from me. Until I am ready to tell you everything, I would rather you stay in here. I will lay with you for a while and then retire to my room. If this is not okay and you want to leave, I can not stop you, but I hope you will understand. I'm hoping you will give me a little more time."

"I don't understand why you won't let me in, Nathaniel. I have let you into my life and told you things I don't share with anyone. If you think your life is so bad that you must hide it, then I can't help but wonder what type of man you are. I mean, all I asked was if we could sleep in your bed. And you won't even let me do that. How can you say you want someone but won't be truthful with them? Why do you fear someone will run away from you? How can you expect someone to want to be with you when they don't really know the real you?" Dominique asked.

******Author's Note******

I will not be keeping this story on Webnovel since they decided not to contract it. Once I finish it, I will publish it elsewhere. I hope you all enjoy the story and let me know what you think in the comments. If you want me to finish out the story here, let me know. It will remain free and I'll continue to post until it's either completed or I decide to move it elsewhere.