Coleen: Forever (Waking Forever Series Book 5) Read online

  “That’s very human of you.”

  Coleen shrugged. “Ironic.”

  “Are you going to be okay?” The concern from earlier was more pronounced in Rachel’s voice.

  “What choice do I have?”

  “Do you love her?”

  Coleen couldn’t bring the words forward in her mouth, and she stood, the phone to her ear, in a deafening silence.

  “I’ll take that as maybe.” Rachel gently chided.

  Coleen shook her head. “Take that as I don’t know.”

  “Does she love you?”

  Jesus, she’s unrelenting. “I – I want her to.”

  “Then change.” Rachel said the words so casually, Coleen imagined for a split second it was possible.

  “I am.” Coleen knew her life had already been altered by her interactions with Isla and Julian.

  “Faster.” Rachel teased.

  Coleen laughed. “You are young. Do you have any idea how much baggage has to be shifted after nearly three thousand years?”

  “You can do it.” Rachel was reassuring and supportive. Coleen wished she could feel her friend’s words as much as she was hearing them. “Coleen, you can do it.”

  Coleen closed her eyes. For the first time since that night along the side of a dark road, something certain and real had formed in her mind. “I want to do it.”

  Chapter 13

  It had been a week since Coleen and Isla’s relationship had imploded. Coleen had come to accept full responsibility for how abysmal the whole affair had gone. In spite of wanting to change, Coleen realized her affections for Isla had been rooted in wanting to acquire her. And like any reasonable, real person, Isla had recoiled.

  It seemed ironic that the thing which had ended her time with Isla had nothing to do with her being a vampire, or even that she had intended at some point to turn Isla. The end to one of the happier periods of Coleen’s existence had happened because she had been unable to see Isla as anything more than the object of her own desires.

  Now, Coleen sat alone in her library, a half empty glass of whisky next to her, and a copy of The Agony and the Ecstasy laid open at her side. She had nowhere to be, and no one to be with, because her realizations about Isla had come too late.

  “Coleen, I’m leaving.” Claudio’s voice came from the doorway.

  Standing, Coleen turned to face her friend. “It was good to see you.” She crossed the room, her arms outstretched.

  Claudio pulled Coleen to him, wrapping her in his arms. “I wish you weren’t in such a state.”

  Coleen leaned back. “It will pass.”

  “Should I stay longer?” Claudio tucked a loose strand of Coleen’s hair behind her ear.

  Shaking her head, Coleen managed a smile. “You’re a good friend, but no. I need some time.”

  Claudio stepped back, and bending down, picked up his brown leather bag. “We always have plenty of that.”

  “See you in another ten years?” Coleen put her hand on Claudio’s shoulder and squeezed affectionately.

  “Plus or minus a few days.” Claudio winked and then was gone.

  Coleen’s phone buzzed, and she retrieved it from her back pocket. Panic mixed with surprise coursed through her when Isla’s name appeared on the caller ID. “Hello.”

  “Hi.” Isla’s voice was firm, and Coleen wondered if she was calling to further elaborate on just how awful Coleen was.

  “How are you?” Coleen asked tentatively.

  “Not great, and that’s why I’m calling.”

  “Is Julian okay?” Coleen was struck with a sudden surge of worry and dread.

  “He’s fine. Summer vacation just started, so you’d be hard pressed to find a child that isn’t in a good mood. No, I’m calling about us.”

  Coleen had no idea where the conversation was going, but hearing Isla’s voice again gave her hope that maybe they could work through things. “I’m unhappy without you.” Coleen said it as simply as she could.

  There was a long pause before Isla spoke. “Me too. Can you please come over, and we can talk?”

  Coleen nodded. “Yes. Is an hour okay?”

  “Yes. See you then.”

  The line went dead, and Coleen tucked the phone back in her pocket. Glancing down, she saw red streaks on her blouse, and realized she had been crying. Wiping at her eyes, she walked toward the bathroom. The tightness in her chest, which had plagued her for the past seven days, was lessening.

  Though Coleen knew how easily Isla and she could break, how fragile any relationship was, she believed this was her chance to set things right. As she changed blouses, Coleen resolved that she would do whatever needed to be done for Isla. If it was something she did not understand, or could not do, she would learn.

  ***

  “You look beautiful.” Coleen stood in the entryway of Isla’s house.

  “I look tired, because I haven’t slept in a week.” Isla shut the front door. “Would you like something to drink?”

  Coleen shook her head. “I’m fine, thank you.”

  “Let’s go in the living room.” Isla walked past Coleen, her citrus and floral scent tickling Coleen’s nose.

  Isla sat in the chair, and Coleen sat across from her on the sofa. It was several excruciating seconds before Isla spoke. “Are you currently killing people?”

  Coleen’s manicured brow arched. “No, not since before you were born.”

  Isla nodded. “Have you ever killed a child?”

  Coleen took a deep breath. “No.” Thinking back on the choices she had made throughout her life, Coleen was relieved that her past self had in effect made the answer to that question palatable.

  “How do you feel about killing people?” Isla crossed her legs, and Coleen imagined this is what a job interview was like. A very twisted and depressing job interview.

  “I’ve never accidently killed a human. My actions were always very intentional and calculated.” Coleen crossed her legs, mirroring Isla’s posture.

  “You have no moral conflict with ending a life?” Isla asked.

  Coleen knew then that Isla had been formulating these questions in her head for the past week, and clearly had ideas about what she needed to hear from Coleen in the way of answers. “My morality has always been more about the many, and not just the one.” Coleen could see from the confused expression on Isla’s face that she needed to explain.

  “If it matters, I’ve always been on the right side of history, Isla.” Coleen uncrossed her legs and leaned forward. “To give you examples you can relate to, I ran supplies and spied for the United States during the American Civil War. I led a group of vampires that fought against the Nazis in World War II and helped POW and concentration camp prisoners escape.”

  Christ, this really is a job interview. Coleen paused, searching for a sign in Isla’s eyes that what she was saying mattered. Regardless, Coleen knew she had to finish for her own sake. “Whatever my shortcomings, I have always had a preference for causes that move humanity forward – vampires along with it-- versus what inherently stifles and represses progress.”

  Coleen looked down at her hands. “I have seen humans perform acts of unspeakable horror, and magnificent beauty. I can say the same about vampires.”

  “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Isla whispered.

  “Tolkien?” Coleen wasn’t sure where Isla was taking the conversation.

  Tears filled Isla’s eyes. “You have decided to do good.” Isla winced. “For the most part.”

  Coleen nodded. “I want to be honest, I’m no saint.”

  Isla laughed. “I know you’re not. I’ve never met anyone that is.” She wiped an errant tear from her cheek. “The truth is, I’ve been miserable the past week. I care for you, and I have enough confidence in who I am to know that makes you a half-way decent person.”

  Isla took a deep breath, and ran her hands over her face, and then through her hair. “Besides, Julian adores you, and he is a way bette
r judge of character than I am.”

  “I’m sorry for what I said about killing you.” The weight of her words from a week ago had all but crushed Coleen. No matter what happened with Isla, she needed her to know that.

  “I know you are, and I shouldn’t have shushed you.” Isla smiled. “Hazard of raising a ten year old.”

  “Can we still see each other?” This was the question that had been planted firmly in Coleen’s mind since she arrived. She would find comfort if she and Isla parted on good terms, but she would find happiness if they could be a part of each other’s lives.

  “Yes.” Isla looked intently at Coleen. “But we have to be really honest with each other, and I don’t want you turning me into a vampire.”

  Coleen nodded. “Agreed. I don’t want to be with you if I can’t be honest, and I won’t repress who I am either.”

  Isla frowned. “What does that last part mean?”

  Coleen took a chance, and gestured for Isla to join her on the sofa. Relief washed over her when, without hesitation, Isla got up and sat down next to her.

  “Not to put too fine a point on it, but I assume I’m not the only one wanting to have sex.” Coleen looked directly at Isla, gauging her reaction.

  “You assume correctly.” Isla’s calm demeanor was undermined by the flush of red to her neck and cheeks.

  “Sex and the desire to feed are very closely related for vampires. I’m sure once we’re together I’ll want to take your blood.”

  Isla covered her neck with her hand. “Does that hurt?”

  “I’ve been told it can for a split second, and then it’s rather nice. Assuming the vampire doesn’t get carried away and take too much blood or bite too deep.”

  Isla lowered her hand. “Will you get carried away?”

  “No.” Coleen moved closer to Isla, needing to reassure her there was no danger. “There are many things age affords me, and a better control over my desires and need to feed are among them.”

  Coleen placed her hand on Isla’s knee. “It’s how I’ve gone this long wanting you, but not having you.”

  Isla laid her hand over Coleen’s. “I want you to have me.”

  Isla pulled Coleen to her. Falling backward onto the sofa, Isla framed Coleen’s face with her hands as her tongue made contact with Coleen’s. Catching Isla’s urgency, Coleen lifted up, spreading Isla’s legs and then lowering herself between them.

  Isla tugged at Coleen’s blouse, soft whimpers escaping her as she pulled it over Coleen’s head, and then quickly unlatched the front hooks of Coleen’s bra. Tossing the silk garment to the side, Isla pushed up on Coleen’s shoulders, and then lifted her head. The first touch of Isla’s lips to Coleen’s hardened nipple sent a bolt of heat through the vampire.

  Coleen placed her hand behind Isla’s head, pulling her closer. Isla reached down and cupped Coleen hard through her jeans, eliciting a cry from her as her hips instinctively thrust down. Coleen had never been with a human, and had not imagined the raw desire that was now radiating from both Isla and her was possible.

  Pushing harder against Coleen’s groin, Isla wrapped her fingers in Coleen’s long locks, and pulled her head back. Coleen’s eyes were an iridescent blue, and her incisors fully extended. There was no fear in Isla’s eyes, only lust and affection as she pulled Coleen back to her.

  Coleen reached down and began unbuttoning Isla’s pants. Isla pushed Coleen up, and quickly unbuttoned her own jeans, and then lifted her hips so Coleen could pull her pants and panties off. Coleen stood up, pulling Isla to her feet. She turned her around, and bent her over the back of the sofa. Isla spread her legs as Coleen pushed two fingers into her. Groaning, Isla leaned back as she clutched the fabric of the sofa.

  Coleen began thrusting the full length of her fingers into Isla, setting off a series of moans from her. Coleen’s own body was on fire, and after several minutes, she paused long enough to remove her own jeans.

  “Where are you going?” Isla looked back, a panicked expression on her face.

  Coleen didn’t respond, but quickly pushed her fingers back into Isla, and resumed her slow and steady rhythm from moments before. Stepping closer, Coleen pressed against Isla’s backside. Isla’s heat and the smell of her sex caused Coleen to quicken her pace.

  Isla shifted, and reached back, removing Coleen’s hand. Coleen resisted, and pressed her palm against Isla. “Why are you stopping me?” The desire that coursed through her caused her voice to be an octave lower than normal.

  Isla turned to face Coleen, pressing her body against hers she looked up into Coleen’s brilliant blue eyes. “They’re beautiful. You’re beautiful.”

  Coleen tightened her hold on Isla, needing to feel the full length of her body pressed against her. “Then why did you stop?”

  “I don’t want to come yet.” Isla stated plainly as she began kneading Coleen’s breast. Kissing along Coleen’s neck, Isla began to suck on the cool skin. “Let’s go into the bedroom.”

  Coleen followed Isla down the hall, and into her bedroom. Isla slid onto the bed and laid on her back, her legs spread as Coleen lowered herself on top of her. Isla guided Coleen’s finger until it was inside her again.

  Coleen thrust her hips and finger forward. Isla clutched Coleen’s shoulders, low throating gasps escaping her. Spreading her legs wider, Isla rocked her hips in unison with Coleen’s. “Harder.” Isla panted into Coleen’s ear.

  Lifting herself up, Coleen added a second finger, and thrust forward harder. The wetness and tightness that surrounded her sent sparks of pleasure through Coleen. Shifting to the side, Coleen began rubbing her clit against Isla’s hip bone, the pressure causing an exquisite burn at the back of her throat.

  Coleen and Isla’s eyes met, and Isla turned her head to the side, exposing the full length of her neck to Coleen. Not hesitating, Coleen sunk her teeth into the soft flesh of her shoulder. Hot mineral tasting blood with hints of honey and citrus flooded her mouth, and Coleen climaxed. Seconds later Isla cried out, wrapping her legs around Coleen’s waist as she came.

  Coleen slipped her fingers from Isla. Sliding down the bed, Coleen ran her tongue along the inside of Isla’s thigh. The scent of oranges pervading her senses as her tongue found Isla’s swollen clit.

  Running her tongue in circles around the sensitive bud, Coleen slowly slid one finger into Isla. Grabbing at the back of Coleen’s head, Isla pushed her closer, forcibly thrusting her hips up before crying out again as her second orgasm gripped her.

  Isla pulled Coleen up, and then slid down so Coleen was straddling her shoulders. Something like a growl escaped Coleen as Isla pulled her down, and her mouth found Coleen’s clit. Instinctively, Coleen rocked her hips back and forth. The pressure of Isla’s mouth against her was exquisite.

  Clutching at the headboard, Coleen steadied herself as her body lit up, every nerve ending vibrating in unison with Isla’s tongue. Arching her back, Coleen cried out as the building tension in her clit exploded and flooded her entire body.

  Coleen fell to Isla’s side, and immediately pulled the beautiful woman to her. Isla wrapped her arms around Coleen, throwing her leg over Coleen’s hip before burying her face in the side of her neck. Coleen gently stroked Isla’s back, the sound of her heartbeat humming in her ears.

  After a few minutes, Isla sat up, and sliding over, straddled Coleen’s hips. Taking Coleen’s hands in hers, Isla entwined their fingers. She looked down at Coleen for several seconds before speaking. “Your years of practice paid off.”

  Coleen grinned. “I hoped you would notice.”

  Isla laid her head on Coleen’s chest. “It’s amazing. No heartbeat, but you’re the most alive person I’ve ever met.”

  Coleen wrapped her arms around Isla, and kissed the top of her head. “How long do we have?”

  Isla lifted her head, and looked at Coleen. “I’m burning all my babysitting credits.”

  Coleen grinned again. “Sleep over?”

  Isla sat up, and slid her hand down to where
she was straddling Coleen. “I’m not planning on getting much sleep.”

  A fresh wave of desire swept over Coleen. She sat up, and wrapping her arms around Isla, turned her over. Running her lips across Isla’s clavicle, and then up her neck, Coleen placed a series of soft bites along Isla’s heated skin. “I’m not planning on letting you.”

  Chapter 14

  Isla walked into the kitchen in a pair of dark blue silk panties, and a gray t-shirt that read This is My Clone. “Cory isn’t responding to my texts.” She laid her phone down on the counter.

  Coleen had gotten out of bed when Isla suggested she might want some hot tea, and was just removing the steeped tea bag from the steaming mug when Isla came in. “Maybe she forgot her phone.”

  “It’s already after eleven. She wouldn’t keep Julian out this late. Besides, she’s practically married to her smartphone.”

  Coleen handed Isla the mug of tea. “Do you want anything else?”

  Isla took the tea, and holding it up to her nose, took a deep breath. “No, this is perfect.” She turned and walked into the living room, Coleen followed.

  They both sat on the sofa, Isla resting her legs across Coleen’s lap. “I may break down and actually call her.”

  Coleen stroked the tops of Isla’s thighs. The smoothness of her skin was intoxicating. “Why wouldn’t you just do that to begin with?”

  “No one talks on the phone anymore.” Isla took a sip of her tea.

  “You talk to me on the phone.” Coleen rested her hand between Isla’s knees.

  Isla leaned over and stretching, put the mug of tea on the coffee table. “I accommodate you.”

  Coleen frowned. “How?”

  “You’re a very different generation. You’re used to talking on the phone.” Isla teased.

  Coleen playfully pinched Isla’s legs. “You would need to go back to smoke signals to accommodate my generation.”

  Isla squealed and grabbed Coleen’s hands. “Stop! It tickles!”

  Coleen stopped when she heard her phone buzzing in her purse. She couldn’t imagine who would be texting her. “Let me see who that is.” Begrudgingly, she shifted Isla’s legs to the side and got up. She pulled her phone out, and saw a message from Claudio.