Forever Young

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Robbie absolutely hated the fact that he always said the wrong thing. He replayed conversations in his head, realizing he should have said something he didn’t say, or he shouldn’t have said something he did. Why would Colt care that he had cut his finger and scratched his forehead? What made him ever think it’d be okay to start gushing about how cool Colt’s Mustang was? And he wanted to kick himself for suggesting they go on their first date to a “big open field.” How lame.

Besides, it wasn’t even a date. Colt had never said it was a date. He said he wanted to “hang out” together. For what purpose, Robbie had no idea. Colt was obviously out of his league. He was at least a year older, he’d lived other places, probably had traveled. He appeared to have money. Robbie, on the other hand, had never been outside his hometown.

“You got quiet all of a sudden.” Colt glanced over at him. “So how’d you hurt yourself?”

Robbie smiled, feeling shy and looked down at his lap “Um, oh, it was nothing.” He couldn’t possibly tell Colt he’d passed out at the sight of his own blood. “I dropped a glass, and when I was cleaning it up, sliced my finger. Then I tripped in the hallway.”

“One of those days, huh?” Colt laughed. “I can be a klutz myself.”

Robbie could smell Colt’s leather jacket, mingled with whatever cologne he was wearing. The scent made him feel warm, right in the center of his chest. Was that even possible, that a certain smell could evoke feeling? There was just something about the guy that drew Robbie to him. Perhaps it was partially his look, masculine and sexy, but more so his attitude. Colt seemed worldly and confident. And Robbie got the sense he was a bit of a rebel.

“So this is gonna sound really cliché, but what do ya do for fun?”

Robbie laughed nervously. He hated questions like that. Colt seemed so experienced and worldly, and Robbie felt a tad embarrassed when he considered his life experience in comparison to this guy who’d lived in a big city. “Uh, I don’t know. What do you like to do?”

“Ah,” Colt chuckled as he turned to Robbie and winked. “I see what you’re doing.

Turning the question on me. Okay then, let’s see. You already know I’m into cars, especially the classics. I like to work on this baby. And you know I’m new here. I haven’t had time to do much of anything yet. To be honest, you’re the first friend I’ve made.”

The deep resonance of Colt’s voice soothed Robbie’s nerves. He finally mustered the courage to look over at his friend and completely drank in the sight of him. The skinny jeans he was wearing fit him like a glove, and with his jacket unzipped, Colt’s midsection was exposed, revealing a form-fitting tee that accentuated a ripped set of abs you could bounce a quarter off of. Robbie squirmed a bit in his seat as the tightness in his own jeans contributed to his discomfort.

Colt shot him a glance. “I know the seatbelts kinda suck.”

“Yeah.” Robbie’s cheeks felt warm. “You’ve gotta turn left up here.”

They’d turned off the main thoroughfare onto a less traveled country road. It was paved but had no street lights, and after about a mile, there were no longer driveways along either shoulder. Soon they were surrounded by nothing but woods, and Robbie informed Colt they’d soon approach a turn off. “It’s kinda hard to see. A two-track.”

“Right there?” Colt slowed the vehicle.

“Yeah. Be careful, though. I’m not sure how good the road’s going to be.”

As they turned onto the dirt path, Colt allowed the car to slow to the point of barely moving. “Wow, this is like out in the boondocks.” He laughed.

“If you don’t want—”

“It’s cool. Trust me, I’ve had this car everywhere. She can handle a dirt road a couple miles out of town.”

“This will only go so far,” Robbie explained. “Then we’ll have to pull off and walk the rest of the way. This is where a lot of kids go to party. Like I said, it’s a big open field.”

Colt chuckled. “And how is it you know about this place? You holdin’ out on me? I should’ve known you were a party animal.”

Robbie laughed. “I wish. No, people talk about it, so one time I came up here with this other kid I know. When you see the view, you’ll understand. It’s really cool.”

The trail led them up a steep incline, and Colt continued slowly, carefully avoiding potholes. A couple times he had to veer off the track somewhat but seemed skillful at maneuvering through the darkness. Although it was a clear night with a full moon, their trail was shrouded by dense trees. It was sort of spooky, and had Robbie not realized they were only a couple miles away from civilization, he might have been freaked out.

“Just a little bit farther,” he promised, “then you’ll come to a clearing. You can pull off there, and we can walk the rest of the way up.”

When Colt turned off the engine, everything seemed so quiet. Robbie thought he could hear his own heartbeat, but perhaps that was simply because his pulse was so rapid. Here he was at last alone with this boy he’d fantasized about the past twenty-four hours, and he hadn’t a clue of what to do. He didn’t have long to worry, though, for Colt reached out to him before he even had a chance to grasp the door handle. The caress of his fingers against Robbie’s bare arm sent a shiver down his spine. He bit his lower lip as he shyly turned to meet Colt’s gaze.

“You’re trembling.” Colt’s voice was barely a whisper.

“Uh, eh…” Robbie stammered. “It’s, uh, not too far of a walk, really. Maybe a quarter mile.”

“Don’t be nervous. I swear I won’t hurt you.”

There was nothing Colt could have said that Robbie wouldn’t have believed in that moment. Yes, he was trembling, as Colt had pointed out, but not because he feared Colt would harm him. He’d never kissed a boy, and he really wanted to. He wanted to very badly.

“I’m sorry,” Robbie managed to utter. Then he giggled nervously. It was an embarrassingly inappropriate and ill-timed expression. He felt as if he’d lost control of his emotions. Colt would probably be turned off and want to drive him back now.

But for some reason his laughter made Colt smile. “You’re very cute,” he whispered. “I hope you won’t be offended if I tell you that you remind me of someone.”

“Oh really?” Robbie felt Colt’s fingers against his arm, gently stroking back and forth, and the soft touch made it feel as if the hairs on his skin were standing at attention.

“His name was James, and he had your eyes. He was also a musician, and he was about your stature.”

“My stature?” Colt was beginning to sound different, using words Robbie wouldn’t expect to hear from the mouth of a kid his age. Robbie giggled again, thinking it was an act. Either Colt was trying to sound more mature or he was just being silly.

“Sorry. I mean, he looked a lot like you. He was about as tall as you.”

Robbie stopped smiling and grew serious as he gazed at Colt. The car was dark, but Robbie could clearly see Colt’s eyes, and they seemed to sparkle. A calmness washed over him as Colt moved closer, his face mere inches from Robbie’s. Soon Colt’s lips were so close they brushed against his, and at that point Colt reached up and placed his palms along the sides of Robbie’s cheeks, framing his face gently as their lips connected.

Wow. He had no point of reference, no experience with which to compare the kiss, but as he tasted Colt for the first time, he realized exactly what all the fuss about kissing really meant. It was so much more than two sets of lips touching each other. Robbie felt as if his entire body was connected to the other boy. His heart beat for Colt as those soft lips pressed against his own. His pulse quickened and a surge of s****l arousal started in Robbie’s groin and quickly spread throughout his body.

He wrapped his arms around the bigger boy’s shoulders, pressing his chest against Colt’s. All his fear about knowing how to kiss was instantly forgotten. Instinct took over. He moved his lips, opening his mouth slightly while squirming, urgently pressing himself as close as possible. He felt tongue and tasted the sweetness of Colt’s breath, and all the while his body was screaming for more. The swell in his jeans was a throbbing so intense it was painful, while at the same time the most magnificent feeling he’d ever experienced.

Bordering on sensory overload, Robbie closed his eyes. The smell of Colt, so clean and masculine, mixed with the richness of his leather, both excited and calmed him.

This combination of contradictory feelings provided a rush unlike anything he’d known, more intense even than his pubescent orgasms. He could hear every movement and listened to Colt’s heavy breathing as their mouths probed each other—tasting, feeling! The feel of that hard body against his, the power of Colt’s arms and chest, the strength of his grip as his hands groped and pulled, caused Robbie to moan.

As Colt at last pulled away from him, Robbie’s moan became a sigh. He sat there, allowing his arms to fall limply alongside his torso. A peacefulness engulfed him as he opened his eyes to see Colt staring at him, studying his face, and Robbie did the same.

He took in the contour of Colt’s cheekbones, the smoothness of his unblemished skin.

He gazed into the dark, hypnotizing eyes, surrounded by thick, enticing lashes. Even his nose and lips were perfect. He was so beautiful, Robbie didn’t think even an angel would have been more stunning.

Then without warning it all stopped. Colt quickly looked away, staring out the opposite window. He rocked forward in his seat just slightly, then leaned back, relaxing against the headrest as he closed his eyes. “Oh God,” he whispered. “God help me.”

“Uh, are you all right?” Robbie’s heartbeat again quickened as a wave of panic beset him. He’d done something wrong. He’d disappointed Colt, the first boy he’d ever kissed. “I’m, um, sorry if…”

Colt raised a hand, palm out, as if signaling Robbie to keep his distance. “No, it’s not that. Trust me, you have nothing to be sorry for.”

“Wh-what then?”

“I can hardly control myself,” he said, then finally opened his eyes and turned to look upon Robbie’s face. “You’re so…so…sexy and gorgeous and just…just beautiful.”

Already flushed, Robbie felt his cheeks grow hotter. “But it’s you, you’re the one who’s beautiful. You’re like…like an angel or something. You’re so…everything.”

The deep, rich laughter that erupted from Colt was at first a bit jarring. It sounded almost sinister, then quieted just slightly and became soothing. Robbie had no will to pull himself away, to avert his gaze. He could do nothing but continue to stare into those dark brown eyes.

“You’re the one who’s an angel, Robbie, and perhaps it’s the fact you cannot see your own innocence that makes you all the more endearing. Little one, be careful. Be careful of the demons, the devils who seek to devour you.”

Robbie had no idea where any of that had come from. Though the warning was creepy and a little bizarre, he wasn’t afraid. “Have you been watching a lot of weird movies lately?” He laughed. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer?”

“How’d you know?”

“Lucky guess.” They laughed together.

“I’m sorry, Robbie. It’s just I started to get a little excited. Thought I was gonna lose it.”

Robbie now understood. He knew exactly what Colt meant. He too had nearly embarrassed himself, gone over the edge, so to speak. It would’ve been mortifying to do such a thing from simply kissing.

“I thought I was the one who was getting overheated.”

“Well, you’re definitely steaming hot.” Colt reached over and took hold of Robbie’s hand, squeezing it. “Let’s go.”

Colt berated himself as he got out of the car and pushed the door shut. What had he been thinking? Bringing this boy out into the woods was a mistake. It was too big a temptation, being alone together. Simply kissing him had been nearly more than he could bear. He’d hardly been able to contain himself. As his s****l arousal had increased, so too had his hunger. A couple seconds longer, and he’d have dove into that neck, so sensual and inviting.

Already he could hear Robbie’s heartbeat. He could smell his blood, and as their bodies had pressed against each other, he felt the boy’s beating heart. The taste of his kiss was so pure, so delicious, that Colt wanted…needed to devour him.

But he had to control himself.

Robbie reached out and Colt took his hand. “It’s such a warm night, and the sky is so clear.” Robbie looked up toward the stars.

“Romantic.” Colt observed.

“Yeah, but more than that.” Robbie seemed to be relaxing a bit, growing more confident. “Come on,” he said, pulling Colt behind him. “I’ve got to show you.”

Colt allowed himself to be pulled along as Robbie made his way up an incline, leading them through a thicket of tall grass. As they crested the top of the hill, the land leveled off to a plateau from which the entirety of Boyne City was visible. The view was spectacular.

“It’s even more beautiful during the day,” Robbie explained with an outstretched arm. “You can see all of Lake Charlevoix.”

It was true, and with Colt’s night vision he knew precisely what Robbie was describing. This was a magnificent vantage point. The lights from the town below were small dots, and looking out into the wider expanse of the clear, night sky, the stars were even tinier illuminations.

“You can see the constellations from here.” Robbie pointed out. “See it right there, the Big Dipper.”

Colt let go of Robbie’s hand and stepped behind him, wrapping both arms around his torso and pulling Robbie against his chest. His body was so warm, and the steady beating of Robbie’s heart echoed in Colt’s head. He rubbed his cheek against Robbie’s and smelled his soft, luxurious hair.

“Mm,” Colt moaned. Desire surged through him. Hunger.

As Robbie tilted his head to the side, his neck was exposed, a temptation so inviting that it was all Colt could do to resist.

Suddenly Robbie reached up to grab hold of Colt’s wrists. He pulled them away from his body and spun around. He stared up at Colt, smiling. “You’re getting excited,”

he said, then giggled. “I could feel you…um…pressing against my back.”

“Sorry.” It was true. Colt couldn’t conceal his s****l desire. He was aroused, more than ever before.

Robbie continued to stare at him, looking directly into his eyes, and as he did so, the smile began to fade from Robbie’s face. “Your eyes,” he said. Colt’s rich mahogany eyes were likely now obsidian.

Colt knew they grew darker the more aroused he became, and it obviously was frightening the boy.

“It’s just the darkness,” Colt explained. “My eyes are sensitive anyway, and in the dim light, my pupils get larger.”

“Oh.” Robbie forced a smile then hugged himself. He turned away and again looked out over the landscape. He was visibly trembling.

Taking a deep breath, Colt placed his hands on each of Robbie’s shoulders. “I don’t want to pressure you,” he whispered, “but it’s true. You really do turn me on.”

“I have to tell you something,” Robbie replied, still looking away. “I’m…uh, I’ve never done anything before. I mean, I’m…”

“You’re a virgin.”

“Yeah.”

“It’s okay,” Colt assured him. “We don’t have to. We just met. Why don’t we take things slow?”

Robbie sighed, and then once again spun around to face him. “Because I’m tired of waiting! You have no idea what it’s like. It’s like, well, um, like I have these feelings, these desires and fantasies.”

Colt couldn’t help but smile. “It’s normal. You’re supposed to think about s*x all the time. That’s what guys your age do.”

“Guys my age? Don’t you mean guys our age? Do you have these feelings too?”

Colt nodded. “All the time, and I’m feeling that way right now, in fact. You said so yourself.”

Robbie lunged forward and grabbed hold of him, placing his hands on either side of Colt’s face and delivered a passionate kiss. Though unexpected, it wasn’t unwelcome, and Colt responded with an equal measure of intensity. He carded one of his hands through Robbie’s golden hair while pulling him close with his free arm.

“I want you,” Robbie whispered, as he came up for air. “I want you so bad.” With his right hand he reached down between Colt’s legs and found his arousal, rubbing it with his palm.

Colt moaned as the fire raged within him. “Robbie!” That’s when he looked into the boy’s face and noticed the cut on his forehead. As he inhaled, he smelled the fresh blood, and the lust within him surged to a level beyond his control. He grabbed Robbie by the shoulders as the passion overwhelmed him and quickly lurched forward, sinking his descending fangs into the side of Robbie’s neck, deep into his external jugular.

Robbie, unaware of what had even happened, moaned pleasurably. The numbing quality of Colt’s anesthetic saliva effectively masked the pain as his fangs sank deeply into Robbie’s carotid. As Robbie’s heart beat excitedly, Colt gulped a draught of thick, rich blood. Its warmth gushed into his hungry mouth as he slurped, savoring the irony sweetness.

As he fed, he felt Robbie surrender to him, wrapping his small, defenseless arms around Colt’s stronger body. Robbie trusted him, undoubtedly still blissfully unaware of the evil that had ensnared him. And Colt couldn’t stop himself. To even think of releasing Robbie at this point was beyond comprehension. Colt needed him. He needed every drop of that precious, delicious virgin blood.

And then something hit him like a locomotive at full speed. The force of the blast was startling and terrifying, and he felt his body flail as he sailed across the field. When he crashed at last into a tall oak, he heard the wood c***k on impact, waving his arms frantically as he tried to gain purchase with his feet. Still dazed and confused, he heard the whooshing sound. There were two of them.

“Richard!” he yelled, glaring menacingly at his vampire mentor. Beside him stood Brendan, defensively postured for battle. Instinctively, Colt crouched, ready to pounce, and growled menacingly.

Richard raised his arms, palms facing outward, as he spoke. “Colton, you’ve lost control.”

“He’s mine!” Colt screamed. They were obviously there to steal the boy from him.

They were now the enemy, and he was ready to defend his territory, his prey.

“Colt, get ahold of yourself! You’ve lost control. You’ve nearly killed him. You’ve nearly killed the boy!”

As Richard’s words began to sink in, it suddenly dawned on Colt what had happened. His anger and defensiveness quickly faded, and his hunger diminished only to be replaced by a far more intense emotion. Panic. He glanced over to see Robbie’s limp body crumpled on the ground. Had he killed him?

“What have I done?” he whispered.

“You’re a f*****g animal!” Brendan snarled at him. “You’ve attacked the child. You said he was eighteen, but look at him. He looks like a kid.” The larger vampire then rushed him, and though Colt could have easily leapt out of the way, he allowed the assault. He deserved it. He deserved far worse. The c***k of Brendan’s fist against his jaw sent Colt sailing backward, this time into another large tree. The thunderous impact echoed through the woods as the tree split and immediately collapsed. Colt’s body ricocheted, bouncing on the ground, and finally rolled to a stop.

“Stop this instant!” Richard commanded. “Brendan, take him home. Get him the f**k out of here.”

“No!” Colt cried, bolting to his feet. He leapt into the air in the general direction of Robbie. He had to get back to him. He had to somehow make it all right. As quick as he was, Brendan was faster. Colt was intercepted in mid-air, feeling the fierce grip of Brendan’s strong arms around his waist, and they crashed to the ground together. “Let go of me, motherfucker! Let go!”

“Get him out of here,” Richard repeated. “There are houses not far from here.

They’ll have heard the trees falling. Someone will come.”

“Robbie!” Colt cried out as Brendan pinned both his arms to the ground. “You bastard, get the f**k off of me!”

Richard dashed over to them, kneeling on the ground beside Colt as Brendan continued to pin him. “Listen to me,” Richard said sternly. “Colt, you have to go. You have to get out of here. I’ll take care of the boy.”

“I didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean to hurt him, I swear.”

“Just go. If you care at all about him, do this. I can’t help him if—”

“I’ll go,” Colt conceded, “but I have to know he’s still alive.”

“No!” Brendan shook his head. “We’ve got to get the car. We’ve gotta go now.”

“I’ll bring him back home with me,” Richard promised. “Trust me, Colt. Trust me.”

Reluctantly Colt nodded, and Brendan released his vise-like grip. “But hurry, Richard. Please don’t let him die.”

“I’ll do everything I can.”