For those of you who were "bored" by the last chapter, all I have to say is: boo hoo.

I have four more chapters written after this one that are packed with drama and suspense, so you'll just have to deal.

Sweet Dreams

The time at the mansion during Ethan's leave went by too quickly. Mary, Hanna, and I had spent all of our time relaxing outside in the sun, laying around in the living room late at night talking about nonsense, and whipping up ice cream sundaes in the kitchen. Now it was the last night before Ethan's return; he would be home tomorrow at dusk, and I was already dreading having to see him.

I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the purple flowers on my nightstand. My thoughts kept drifting back to our argument, and what could have gone differently.

"You don't know anything about me," was the last thing he said to me before he left. Well, with the exception of when he said my name. But he was right, I didn't know anything about him, and that was mostly his fault. He refused to ever give me straight answers or to bring up anything regarding his past. It was almost as if he was hiding it from me. The night I'd been sick and he told me about when he was turned was the only time he'd ever willingly given me information about himself.

I let my body fall back against my soft bed and wondered how I'd come to accept everything. When had I finally allowed myself to accept this as my fate? Was this how the rest of my life was going to be?

Ethan was in my life forever now. He promised me that the very first time we'd ever met. I wasn't sure we would ever learn to get along, but it didn't matter. I could never leave, and even if I tried I had no doubt that Ethan would follow me. I knew their secret, and since Ethan couldn't get rid of me, he had to keep me.

Without even realizing it, I was suddenly pulling myself up from my bed and walking to the door. In the hallway, I glanced once to the left to make sure there was no one watching me. After pausing for a moment, I turned to the right and walked down the rest of the hall. I walked so far that eventually there was nowhere else to walk.

I looked at the dark wood door in front of me hesitantly. I reached for the silver door handle with my free hand and pushed it open, watching as it seemed to swing open in slow motion.

Inside was dark and for the first few seconds that I was staring into the room I remained in the hallway, afraid to take a step in. With one last glance behind me, I pushed myself through the doorway.

Instantly I felt my heart begin to pick up pace, knowing somewhere deep down that this was dangerous and forbidden. Ethan would probably put me in the hospital once he figured out that I was in his bedroom.

I wasted no time in moving to the windows and yanking apart the dark curtains draped around them. The moonlight crept in, illuminating the room just enough for me to make out the pieces of dark furniture. Ethan's armoire was across from his bed and nightstands, which all looked as if they had never been touched before. If Mary and Hanna hadn't wiped away the dust the room would have looked deserted.

His king sized bed was covered in a brown-gray comforter and pillows in different shades of the same color. It looked as though no one had ever laid on it, for the bedding was immaculately thrown on without a crease or wrinkle evident anywhere. I ran my hands over it, the cool material brushing my skin and sending a shiver over my entire body. I hesitated for a second before climbing onto the bed and lying back against the pillows, my arms falling out to my sides as I stared up at the ceiling.

I couldn't believe what I was doing in Ethan's room while he was away. How embarrassing would it be if he came home early and found me here? I could only imagine.

I rolled over, hugging my arms and legs close as I let my face bury into Ethan's pillow. Instantly his masculine scent flooded my lungs and my body started to tingle all over. Just the thought that I was lying in the spot he would be in if he was home sent mini electric shocks through my nerves.

I imagined his face in my mind. His strong jawline, his wild hair and dark eyes shining. His flawless pale skin and his full lips parting just as he was about to say something. I had no problem admitting that he was gorgeous; he was designed that way. It was his species way of attracting prey. I imagined the way he looked when he would stand in front of me with that annoying smirk on his face. He stood taller than me, his perfectly proportionate body and strong muscles hidden beneath one of the many amazingly styled outfits he wore. His hands, cool to the touch, were deep in his pockets. The way he carried himself exuded his confidence and egotism.

When he was around, I was constantly irritated and frustrated. He would bother me and annoy me at all times of the day to the point that I thought I would explode.

But without him in the house, everything seemed empty and dead. It was easy to forget when I was goofing off with Mary and Hanna, but when I was alone, it was all different. Just knowing that Ethan wasn't around made me feel isolated. I felt detached from everything around me.

Believe it or not, a small part of me actually wished he was home.

I pulled his pillow closer and cuddled up close to it, my body already starting to succumb to sleep. Ethan's face filled my dreams almost the entire night.