Aris Rising: The Court of Vampires: AN INFINITY DIARIES NOVEL by Devin Morgan Page B

you. There is truth in the very core of who you are. It is that truth that draws me to you.”
    A slow smile covered his face. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought it was the old Carlos as he looked at her fromhead to toe. “And, I must confess, some other parts as well.”
    Sarah felt a heat inside her as his eyes trailed the contours of her body. She was confused by her own reaction. She was pleased he found her attractive, not frightened, not put off. She was so drawn to him. Even as she fought the attraction, she wondered how long she would be able to hold out against his charm. Then she remembered, she would have to become an Immortal to share anything other than friendship with him. His actions just seemed so human sometimes she forgot what he was. “How can you possibly forget that ,” she thought then immediately put it from her mind.
    “Are you ready to find the perfect Christmas tree? I saw several vendors as I walked from the bus stop.”
    “I thought we might go out into the country to cut one. There are Christmas tree farms west of the city. I haven’t done that since I was a little girl and I think it might be more fun for you, a little less current day commercial.”
    “Wonderful.” Lifting her light-weight white down coat from the sofa, he held it for her. Standing behind her, he slid it over her arms then wrapped it around her waist. His face nestled in her sweet smelling hair and for just a brief moment, he touched his lips to the base of her neck. She shivered as she drew away from him.
    “Great, we’ll take my car and be out of the city in an hour or so.” As she closed the door behind her, the tingling on the back of her neck where his lips had rested ignited a fire somewhere in a dark place deep inside her. She put that, too, immediately out of her mind.
    #
    A light dusting of snow covered the ground and their boots left a dark path of footprints through the trees.
    “These trees are grown for the express purpose of being cut to the ground?” His eyes were busy assessing the pines that surrounded them. “Some of them have been growing for several years.” Itwas hard for him to believe such a sacrilege was a part of modern society.
    “Well, it’s a Christmas tree farm.” Sarah didn’t know why she felt embarrassed to have brought him here. “There were farms in England, weren’t there?”
    “Yes, of course. But farmers grew food and crops to make cloth and rope. Not farms for trees.” Realizing just how critical he sounded, he stopped walking. Turning to face her, he gently rested his hands on her shoulders. “Sarah, I am so sorry. I did not intend to offend you. I think your Christmas tree farm is a splendid idea.”
    She chuckled at his feeble attempt to apologize. She was growing much too fond of this strange being.
    “Come.” He took her hand and began walking quickly down the path. “Let us find the perfect tree.”
    She hurried to stay a pace with him and felt a strange disappointment that he hadn’t kissed her. She could have sworn he wanted to. “Why,” she asked herself, “would I want him to kiss me?” She answered her own question. “Could it be I’m falling for him? No, I can’t be that crazy. That just can’t happen.”
    #
    The ringing of the telephone was barely audible over the sound of Sarah’s electric toothbrush. She heard it, lifting the receiver just in time.
    “Hello?”
    “DeMarco?”
    His laugh was clear as he answered. “Si. DeMarco. I am calling to tell you that you are in my thoughts and to wish you well on Thanksgiving.”
    She didn’t tell him she was just thinking about him, wondering if she would hear from him while he was in Italy. “Thank you. It’s great to hear your voice. How are you?”
    “All is well here, but I do miss your smile.”
    “Are you with your family?”
    “No. I am taking care of some business in Milano before I travel to be with my family. It seems so long since I have spent much time with them.