Chapter Seven

T he sun beat down on Jenny's back as she leaned over the Camry's engine, sweat beading on her forehead. She wiped it away with the back of her hand, leaving a streak of grease across her skin. The familiar smell of motor oil and the rhythmic clanking of her tools against metal grounded her, even as her mind wandered.

Three days had passed since that night in Rook's tea shop. Three days of wild lovemaking for hours when the tea shop should have been open for business. No one in town complained, though.

She felt a connection so deep it both thrilled and terrified her. Her hands moved on autopilot, tightening bolts and checking connections while her thoughts swirled with memories of Rook's skin against hers, his gentle smile, the way his eyes lit up when she entered a room.

She was in love.

She found a soul mate.

She could choose to change Rook's life.

But she would have to completely change hers to do it.

She shook her head, trying to focus on the task at hand. The Camry was coming along nicely. Another day or two, and it would be ready to hit the road. To take her away from Beastly Falls. Away from Rook.

The thought sent a pang through her chest, sharp and unexpected. Jenny straightened up, stretching her back and looking around the quiet parking lot. Her gaze landed on the town's border, barely visible in the shimmering heat haze.

Almost without conscious thought, Jenny found herself walking towards it. Her feet carried her across the asphalt, past the eerie welcome sign, right up to the invisible barrier that kept Beastly Falls separate from the outside world.

There, just beyond the barrier, sat her beloved Volkswagen Beetle. Jenny's breath caught in her throat. It looked so close that she could almost touch it. All she had to do was take one step forward, and she'd be free. In a few days, she would be free to drive away, to chase her dreams, to live the life she'd always planned.

Jenny's hand reached out, hovering just shy of the barrier. She could feel a slight tingle against her palm, like static electricity. She knew Rook was her soul mate. How could she leave him?

How could she stay? Her whole life was out there.

And yet, the interview she'd been racing towards when she first arrived was long past. She'd missed her shot at that dream job. Why not give this—whatever it was with Rook—a real chance? Jenny's hand dropped to her side. She turned away from the barrier, from her old life, and walked back to the Camry. There was still work to be done and a few more days to decide.

As the sun began to set, Jenny packed up her tools. She'd made good progress today. The engine was purring like a kitten, and she'd even managed to buff out most of the scratches on the body. A few more touch-ups, and it would be good as new.

Just as she was locking up the toolbox, a cool breeze brushed against her neck. Jenny smiled, not needing to turn around to know who it was.

"You know," she said, "for a creature of the night, you're not very stealthy."

Rook's rich chuckle sent shivers down her spine. "Perhaps I wasn't trying to be stealthy. Perhaps I simply wanted to admire the view."

Jenny turned to face him, her heart soaring at the sight of him. Rook's eyes roved over her appreciatively, not seeming to mind the grease stains on her clothes or the mess her hair had become after a day of work.

"Like what you see?" Jenny teased, striking an exaggerated pose.

Rook's smile widened, revealing a hint of fang that sent a thrill through her. "Always," he said, his voice low and full of promise.

He closed the distance between them in two long strides, pulling Jenny into his arms. His kiss was hungry, passionate, leaving her breathless and weak-kneed.

When they finally broke apart, Jenny blinked up at him, dazed. "Wow," she breathed. "Hello to you too."

Rook's arms tightened around her waist possessively. "I missed you," he murmured against her hair.

The intensity in his voice both warmed Jenny's heart and sent a flicker of uncertainty through her. This thing between them was moving so fast, burning so bright. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

"I missed you too," she admitted, because it was true. Even though it had only been a few hours since she'd last seen him, it had felt like an eternity.

Rook pulled back slightly, his eyes searching her face. "How was your day? How's the car coming along?"

Jenny heard the unspoken question beneath his words. How much longer until you leave?

"It's going well," she said, keeping her tone light. "Another day or two, and it'll be road ready."

A shadow passed over Rook's face. He nodded, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "That's good. You must be excited to get back on the road."

Jenny's heart clenched at the poorly disguised pain in his voice. Before she could overthink it, she blurted out, "I almost tried to leave today."

Rook stiffened in her arms, his face going carefully blank. "Oh?"

Jenny rushed to explain. "I walked up to the barrier. I could see my car, just sitting there on the other side. All I had to do was take one step, and I'd be free to go."

"What stopped you?" Rook asked.

Jenny met his gaze, seeing the vulnerability there. "You," she said simply. "The thought of leaving you hurt more than the thought of staying."

The look of pure joy that bloomed on Rook's face took Jenny's breath away. He crushed her to his chest, peppering her face with kisses. "Jenny," he breathed between kisses, "my Jenny."

She laughed, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days. "Easy there, vampire boy. I haven't made any decisions yet. I'm just considering all my options."

Rook pulled back, cupping her face in his hands. "Of course," he said, his tone serious despite the smile still playing at his lips. "I would never pressure you to stay if it's not what you truly want. I just glad you're giving us a chance."

Jenny leaned into his touch, marveling at how safe and cherished she felt in his arms. It was a new feeling for her, one she was quickly becoming addicted to.

"Come on," Rook said, taking her hand. "Let me treat you to dinner. You must be starving after working all day."

As they walked hand in hand through the twilight streets of Beastly Falls, Jenny felt a sense of rightness settle over her. The town, which had seemed so strange and unsettling when she first arrived, now felt almost like home.

They ended up at a small bistro run by a family of selkies.

Over a delicious meal of fresh seafood (which Jenny tried not to think too hard about, given the nature of the cooks), she and Rook talked and laughed, sharing stories and dreams. It felt so natural, so easy, that Jenny could almost forget the ticking clock hanging over their heads.

As the night wore on and the restaurant began to empty, their conversation turned more serious. Rook reached across the table, taking Jenny's hand in his.

"I know this is all happening very fast," he said, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. "And I know it must be overwhelming for you. Having a vampire mate is a big adjustment, even for those of us who grew up in the supernatural world."

Jenny nodded, grateful that he understood. "A week ago, I was just Jenny the mechanic, chasing a pipe dream. Now I'm living in a town full of supernatural creatures."

"Do you regret it?" Rook asked.

Jenny squeezed his hand. "No," she said firmly. "I don't regret a thing. I just need more time to process it all. To figure out where I fit in this new world."

Rook brought her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. "I'll love you forever, no matter what you decide."

The raw emotion in his voice made Jenny's heart ache and her body pound with desire. "I need to feel your teeth," she whispered.

Rook closed his eyes, taking a deep breath he didn't need. When he opened them again, the intensity of his gaze made Jenny shiver.

"Not here," he said.

"Anywhere," she breathed.

Rook groaned, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. His hands roamed her body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. Jenny lost herself in the sensations, in the feeling of rightness that came from being in Rook's arms.

They barely made it back to Rook's apartment above the tea shop before he had her pressed against the wall, his lips trailing hot kisses down her neck. Jenny arched into him, her fingers tangling in his hair.

When Rook's fangs finally sank into her neck, Jenny gasped. There was a brief moment of sharp pain, quickly overwhelmed by a wave of pleasure so intense it made her knees buckle. Rook held her up, one arm around her waist while the other cradled her head.

As he drank from her, Jenny felt their connection deepen. It was as if she could feel Rook's emotions alongside her own—his desire, his love, his fear of losing her. She clung to him, overwhelmed by the intensity of it all.

When Rook finally pulled away, licking the wounds closed with his tongue, Jenny felt dizzy and euphoric. She looked up at him, seeing her own wonder reflected in his eyes.

"That was..." she trailed off, unable to find words to describe the experience.

"Incredible," Rook finished for her, pressing his forehead against hers. "You're incredible, Jenny."

They made love slowly, reverently, both of them savoring every touch, every kiss. Afterward, as they lay tangled together in Rook's bed, Jenny felt more content than she ever had in her life.

But as the first light of dawn began to creep through the curtains, reality intruded on their bubble of bliss. Jenny should get back to her room, and Rook needed to retreat to his light-tight sanctuary for the day.

As they said their goodbyes at the door, Rook pulled Jenny close, burying his face in her hair. "I love you," he said.

Jenny's heart soared even as fear gripped her. She wanted to say it back, wanted to promise him forever. But the words stuck in her throat, held back by the last vestiges of her uncertainty.

Instead, she kissed him deeply, pouring all her feelings into the gesture. When they parted, Rook's smile was sad but understanding.

"Until tonight," he said, squeezing her hand one last time before closing the door.

Jenny made her way back to the B&B in a daze, her mind and heart at war. She loved Rook, she was sure of that now. But was love enough? Could she really give up her whole life, her dreams, to stay in this strange town?

As she crawled into bed, exhausted but unable to sleep, Jenny's thoughts drifted to the Camry. It was almost finished. Soon, she'd have to make a choice: stay in Beastly Falls with Rook or drive away towards her old dreams.