SHIVER: 13 Sexy Tales of Humor and Horror Read Online Free PDF Page A

listen-”
    Now I’m not even pissed at him. I’m just pissed at myself. I start lecturing myself. “Fuck a duck ! You know when they say a guy is too good to be true, they aren’t kidding. He’s got it all. The looks, a heart of gold, he loves me to the ends of the earth, but wait! He’s bat-shit crazy. Of course , he is! That’s life, doll.”
    Pushing passed Bastien, I unlock the door and walk out, clomping my heels as I go.
    “Emma, honey! Wait! I can explain!”
    Unshed tears sting my eyes. I sniffle as I make my way out the door and onto the street, hailing a taxi. I manage to get one in seconds and in less than ten minutes, I’m home again.
    I don’t allow myself to cry until I reach the deserted elevators. As soon as the doors close, I let my tears fall freely.
    I love Bastien, but it’s obvious that he needs help. He’s clearly delusional. Regardless of that fact, he is my husband and I will do whatever it takes to see him well again. I love him. He’s everything to me.
    The elevator door opens and I swipe away stray tears.
    I unlock my apartment door, step inside and switch on the light.
    “I’ve been meaning to tell you, Em.”
    Spinning around, I hold a hand to my now-heaving chest and stare wide eyed at Bastien, sitting on his manly armchair.
    How the hell? “How did you get here so quick?”
    Instead of answering me, he stands and steps closer to me. “It’s not like it makes me a different person or anything. I can’t help being this way. Believe me, I’ve tried. I tried to tell you before the wedding,” he sighs, “but you looked so damn beautiful and I didn’t want to ruin our day with my bullshit, so I thought I’d wait till we got home. But then we got home and every time I tried to do it, I bit my tongue because,” his voice turns quiet, “because I didn’t want to lose you.”
    He really believes this.
    What am I supposed to do here?
    I do the only thing I can think of. I play along.
    I take a step closer to him, holding my hand out. “It’s okay, honey. You won’t lose me. I love you.”
    Placing his hand in mine, he pulls me closer to him, wrapping me in a bear hug. He sighs in relief. “Oh shit. I was so fucking scared when you walked in on me feeding. I thought you’d run screaming but I knew deep inside that if I just got to talk to you, you’d understand.” He pauses a moment. “We were meant to be, Em. You’re my soul mate.”
    My mind singsongs, “ Psycho .”
    I rub his back. “Of course I get it. And we are meant to be. Come Monday, we’re going to talk to someone about this. We’ll make sure the vampires never bother you again.”
    His body stills. He pulls away from me. “You think I’m crazy.”
    I shake my head emphatically. “No, I don’t. I think you’re a good man. My good man. A good man who sees vampires.”
    He rubs the back of his neck in restlessness. “I’m not fucking crazy, Em!”
    I shush him. “I know, honey. I know. But we’re still going to see the good Docto-”
    That’s when Bastien jumps.
    He jumps high enough to touch the ceiling. In fact, he does touch the ceiling.
    And he doesn’t come down.
    Glaring down at me, he calls out to me. “There? Believe me now? I’m not crazy, Em.”
    Staring up at him, mouth gaping, I pull out a chair from the dining table and sit. I can’t think right now. I don’t believe what I’m seeing.
    Maybe Bastien is right.
    He’s not crazy.
    I am.
    My gaze falls to the floor. I stare down at my pumps.
    A hand on my shoulder lifts me from my many thoughts. “Em? Honey? Talk to me.”
    I swallow hard, blinking up at him. “I need help, Bas. I’m going crazy.”
    He chuckles humorlessly then talks to himself. “Tell her, they said. She’ll understand, they said.”
    I’m suddenly parched. “I need water.”
    Bastien disappears from my side. In less than a blink of an eye, he’s by my side, holding a full glass of water.
    Jumping back, the chair topples behind me. “How- how are you doing