Page 13 of Kentucky Nights (Dead Man’s Ranch #1)

“You better answer me, Kentucky.” I must be an idiot for threatening a vampire, but I need to know why I’m drawn to him in ways that make no sense to me.

My eyes begin to water from the sheer frustration of wanting to throw my arms around him and kiss him within an inch of my life. That’s so foolish to want when I know in the blink of an eye, he could kill me.

His eyes lose their light as his smile fades into a frown. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Dru. You should go rest. I’ll find my phone and charge it to make sure you can give your friend back home a call.”

I scoff, invading his space when the urge to slap him twitches my palm.

“Oh, don’t you dare even think about telling me what to do,” I hiss through clenched teeth.

“And don’t change the subject. You know exactly what I am talking about.

” I poke him in the chest, ignoring how firm his pecs are.

“You’re choosing not to tell me. I deserve to know after everything.

I’m absolutely terrified of being here, being in front of you, being so close to someone who could kill me quicker than I could even think about screaming, but I am.

You are the very thing I fear, and for some reason, I am here.

I refuse to back down or cower away from the very thing that is bound to kill me. ”

“I’m not going to kill you, Dru. I don’t know how many times I have to say it.”

“Until I believe it.” I shove him again. That was useless. He doesn’t even move an inch.

Kentucky could have pretended to give the slightest sway. It would have done wonders for my self-confidence.

“I could stake you in your sleep,” I grumble under my breath, annoyed by this vampire.

“You could try,” he smirks. “I admire your courage to confront me, Darlin’. It’s admirable, given what you have been through.” He taps the side of his nose. “I smell it.”

I clutch his jacket around me and step back, losing any vibrato I had. “Smell what?”

“How scared you are. That’s what makes you confronting me sweeter than ice-cold blood on a hot summer’s day.”

I swallow, touching my throat in disgust at the thought of tasting blood.

“And yet—” He stretches his arm, his hand near my face, and I flinch.

I expect a harsh touch. Maybe a grab to the face or a slap across the cheek.

Instead, he tucks my hair behind my ear.

The rough callouses on his hand awaken my nerve-endings, the slight stroke of my flesh causes my heart to stammer.

“Your bravery still overcomes the bitter aroma of the terror you’re feeling. ”

Panic surrounds me like a tornado, whirling, spinning, and twirling all around me. I have to put more distance between us. The pull to him is strong, so much stronger than any amount of fear in me.

It’s almost enough to let me forget he is a monster.

Almost.

Taking another step back, my foot catches on a dip in the ground. I spread my arms out, reaching for something, anything for me to latch onto. My fingers slide against the driver’s side door of his pickup truck, barely missing the handle.

Can’t a girl catch a break?

Kentucky is nothing but a mirage in front of me, moving so fast I can’t tell where he is until his arms are wrapped around me. My body is pressed against his, and every hard ridge of his muscles seems to hold onto me. His face is so close to mine, I can see the small freckle on his left cheek.

The entire time he holds me, I’m holding my breath. If I move, if I breathe, I might forget how I ended up here and do something I might regret.

Like kiss him the way my soul is urging me to.

His dark cognac eyes fall to my lips, then up to my eyes. I watch the struggle he has not to give in, to not take the kiss I know I wouldn’t fight him on. Even though I’m in the arms of a predator, I’ve never felt safer.

“You’re starting to make saving me a habit.” This time, it’s my gaze that falls to his lips.

“Saving you is a habit I’ll never break.” His hand cups my jaw, his thumb stroking the edge.

“Why?” The short, simple question has been burning in my mind since I arrived.

Why save me? Why bring me here? Why does he want me to stay? Why isn’t he like the other vampire? I have so many questions.

Kentucky rolls his lips together, lifting me to my feet to help me stand. “Are you okay, Darlin’?” he kindly asks, pushing my hair behind my ear again as if he is transfixed.

“Why can’t you answer a simple question? I don’t understand you, Kentucky.”

“Because the answer I have, you don’t want. It’s easier for you not to know.” He grabs the lemonade I brought him, downing the rest of the cold liquid. A few drops of condensation fall onto his beard from the glass as he has it tilted. I’m entranced by watching his throat move with every swallow.

Time slows right before my eyes as I become transfixed on Kentucky.

The muscles in his neck are so defined, and with every contraction of muscle, my mouth becomes drier, and an urge inside me becomes hungrier. I lick my lips, witnessing the condensation fall onto his beard. I hold my breath and hope he can’t hear the catch with every inhale.

His lips are still wet, and his tongue flicks out, tracing his mouth to gather all the goodness I wish I could taste. His hand rises, and just when I think he’s going to wipe his mouth across the top of his knuckles, he dips into the front pocket of his T-shirt and yanks out a handkerchief.

Of course, he has a handkerchief.

Still, I’m spellbound by how he wipes his mouth. Kentucky runs the cloth down his beard to gather the droplets my dry throat had been thirsty for.

Why do I find myself wishing I were that damn handkerchief?

He tucks the used cloth back into his pocket and pauses, his nostrils flaring as he scents the air, and his eyes shift to the brutal, unrelenting red.

Crossing my arms over my chest as I watch him, my infatuation grows, and I forget why I was getting angry at him. I’ll remember eventually. How can anyone expect me to remain level-headed when he has his damn cowboy hat on, shirt stretched tight across his torso, and leather chaps over his jeans?

He makes it very difficult to focus and remember that I hate vampires.

His fangs descend, and the sudden urge to feel them break the tender flesh of my neck has heat pooling between my legs.

“Apologies, Dru. I can smell…” He clears his throat and turns away, walking toward a stall. “Doesn’t matter.”

“My blood?” Flashes of the bite marks all over my body remove any lust that had possessed me for that minute.

“Amongst other things,” he growls, cutting those glowing eyes at me. “I think it’s best if you go inside, Dru. You need to rest. The vampire who kidnapped you is still out there, right?” The hinges to the stall door creak when he opens it.

“There you go, thinking you know what’s best for me. Again. I decide that. Not you.”

“Darlin’, I’ve been around these parts a long time. I think I know what’s best and what’s not.” He whistles to the horse in the stall.

“You have been alone out here for way too long to know what is best for someone. Typical man thinking he knows better than everyone else.” I place my hands on my hips, debating if I should stake him right through the heart to end this back-and-forth nonsense.

“Come on, Romeo. We need to change your shoes.” Kentucky grabs the lead, a long black rope, and tugs. Large steps send vibrations through the ground before a giant horse comes walking out of the stall.

I inhale, rushing backwards when I take in the size of the beast. That’s the biggest horse I’ve ever seen. His coat is a glossy onyx, deep as the night is long, with a long, wavy mane. How big and gorgeous this animal is, isn’t what has me shaking in fear.

I’m not sure what happens to my body. Everything freezes. My entire body is locked in place, trembling in absolute terror from the sight before me. The horse’s large, scarlet-burned coals bear into me. The entire eye is encompassed in red, no white corners, no pupils, just endless pools of blood.

He neighs, his top lip curling up, and that’s when I spot the fangs.

“He-he-he has fangs!” I stammer, pointing my finger at the creature as if I’m accusing him of a crime. “He’s…he’s…” I can’t finish my sentence because I can’t seem to catch my breath. “Can’t be possible,” I whisper in disbelief.

“Dru, it’s alright,” Kentucky tries to soothe me with the horse by his side.

“Hey, look at me. Dru.” He cups my cheek, his thumb swiping away the tears as I stare at the towering demon.

“My Darlin’ Girl, look at me.” His voice is soft and gentle, smooth like silk dragging across my skin.

The baritone of his timbre speaks into veins and finds the very part of my mind where the fear lives.

“You’re safe. I’m not going to allow you to be hurt.

I will never put you in harm’s way. You’re safe with me. I’m going to protect you, Dru.”

The horse hangs his head, almost as if he is trying to appear smaller. The motion breaks me from my trance, and I cautiously slide my gaze to Kentucky.

His worrisome brown eyes awaken me as I look into them. How could someone so kind have danger lurking under their skin?

“There you are,” Kentucky smiles, showing straight white teeth. “How are you feeling? Do you need to sit down?”

I shake my head, clearing my throat. “No. I’m fine. I’m so sorry. I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that vampires exist, which means other paranormal creatures exist, and it’s a lot to take in. He looks like Lucifer’s pet.”

The big demon neighs, pawing the ground in protest.

Kentucky chuckles. “This is Romeo.” His horse bucks his head, shoving Kentucky’s shoulder.

“And he really didn’t like you saying he was Lucifer’s pet and”— he quiets as if he can hear what Romeo is saying—“and wants you to take it back. Are you kidding me, Romeo? You’re acting like a child who didn’t get his way.

You have better manners than that.” Kentucky scolds Romeo, and the horse’s ears flicker left and right in response.

Turning to me, the vampire grins. “He apologizes, Dru.”

“I-I don’t even know what just happened. You’re talking to him like he can understand you.” My words are glazed in confusion. “I might need to sit down, actually.”

Kentucky’s grin fades. He drops the rope in his hand, blurring to drop the tailgate. My cowboy swings me into his arms and sets me down on the truck. The second his arms fall away from me, I miss the safety his embrace brings. My soul awakens the loneliness in the marrow, and I yearn.

I yearn to the point of hurt, to the point of despair, that if I don’t feel his touch, I’d beg Death for peace.

What is wrong with me?

“You doing alright, Dru?” Kentucky asks, peering inside my soul with how deeply his gaze penetrates. It’s as if he feels what I feel.

“Yes. I’m so sorry.” I hide my face in my hands, wondering when this nightmare will finally end. I’m making a complete fool of myself.

Large hands wrap around my wrists, tugging my arms down. “Don’t be sorry. Romeo’s appearance can be terrifying if you don’t know him. He’s twenty-five hands tall and a thousand pounds. He’s a vampire. If you weren’t afraid of him, I’d be worried, Dru.”

I peer down when his thumb drifts over the top of my wrist, trying to soothe the panic. “He won’t hurt me?” I ask, choosing not to ask him to remove his hold on me.

The more I’m near him, the more I find myself in need, and his touch, his grip on me, it satisfies the craving that’s building for him.

“He won’t hurt you. I promise. He’s gentle until he is in a situation that causes him not to be.

I know it’s shocking. Even in my world, vampire horses aren’t common.

I saved him because he asked me to.” Kentucky scratches Romeo behind the ear.

“He’s been by my side for a very long time, and he will protect you. ”

I hold up a finger. “Okay, I have a few questions. What do you mean, he asked you? And why would he protect me? I’m someone new to him.”

“When I was turned, I was told sometimes vampires get a gift. Mine is talking to animals. I don’t know how it works or why. To answer your other question, he’ll protect you because I told him to. What’s important to me is important to him.” He takes my hand. “Come on. Let’s start slow, Darlin’.”

“You know I only have more questions now, right?”

He scratches his chin, smiling. “If you didn’t, I’d be worried. We can talk about it later if you like. For now, take my hand. I’ll never guide you to anything that will bring you pain.”

With Kentucky by my side, we reach for Romeo, and he moves to be closer, wanting us to rub his neck. He is softer than I thought he would be. His tail flicks, and a muscle on his back twitches when I graze it.

“See? He likes you. There’s nothing to be afraid of.” Kentucky grins at me from the side of his mouth. “I admire how you push through your fears, Dru. I like that a lot. You still trusted me when you had no reason to.”

“You make me realize that maybe there’s nothing to be afraid of,” I say so quietly, I can barely hear myself over the harsh beat of rain coming down on the roof.

The barn darkens as the grey clouds thicken, the red hues of Kentucky’s eyes glowing in the shadowed barn.

“What’s the meaning of the color of your eyes? Why red?”

He growls, the twin flames brighter the closer he gets to me. My heart hammers against my chest, beating like a wild drum when he becomes so close, I can smell his scent over the rain.

“Hunger.”