Dancing with the Devil (Nikki & Michael 1)

He walked over to the bed and gently brushed the dark strands of hair away from her eyes. Her face was still pale, despite the strong beat of her heart. But her thoughts were finally stirring. She would awaken soon. He had to be gone before then.

He met Jake's gaze. “Take care of her for me, will you?"

Jake raised an eyebrow. “After all she's been through for you, you're not sticking around until she wakes?"

"I can't.” He smiled, revealing lengthened canines. Jake took a hasty step back. “When she fed me, she destroyed the hold I had on my vampire urges. I can't stay here, can't stay near her, until I get control back."

"Good idea.” Jake swallowed, then ran a hand through his hair. “But there's a lot of unfinished business between you and Nikki. I don't think fate will let you go so easily. He hesitated. “And I know for certain Nikki won't. She'll keep looking for you, no matter how long it takes."

"She can look all she likes. She will never find me."

"Want to bet on that? You've seen how tenacious she can be." Michael smiled grimly. Tenacious or not, she wouldn't find him unless he wanted to be found. After three hundred years of existence, hiding was one thing he'd become very adept at. And yet part of him hoped Jake was right.

Jake frowned. “What do you want me to tell her when she wakes?"

"Tell her—” Michael hesitated. Tell her I love her. Tell I'll come back for her if I can . “Tell her to take care."

Jake raised an eyebrow. “That's all?"

"Yeah.” It wasn't fair to offer anything more, to offer hope when there might not be any. He bent and brushed a kiss across her cheek. Breathed, for the last time, her scent. Then, without glancing back, he turned and walked for the door. Leaving his heart behind.