Her room is quiet when I walk past, not that it really means anything. But my body relaxes a little when I scent her and know she’s safe in her room. I don’t let myself think about why. I head into my room to take a shower and then crash for the night. I’ll give her tonight to cool off, and hopefully, tomorrow, we can have a civilized conversation about her returning to the vampires. Maybe in the light of day and after a good night’s sleep, she’ll relax about the whole thing and realize what a terrible idea it is. Of course, that would involve changing her mind on something. And I’m pretty sure the vamp can’t do that. I groan as I climb into the shower. That means tonight’s conversation is far from over, and she’s probably just getting warmed up. I swear she could make any grown man lose their mind. But then I think of how Cody approached me last week and asked if I needed a break from the vamp. He told me we could switch for a little bit. He could watch Sherese while I stayed with Brandon, Ava’s brother, a supercharged human. A low sound escapes me because the idea of it angers me now just as much as it did then. I close my eyes and let the hot water run over me, even as I lie to myself that the vampire doesn’t mean anything to me.
Chapter Three
Sherese
It takes me a long time to go back to my room. Several times, I almost left. One time, I even walked outside. I don’t even know why exactly, except that I can’t get Hunter’s words out of my mind about having an actual plan. That’s theonlyreason I’m still here instead of back in the middle of nowhere, West Virginia. It takes me hours to fall asleep, so I hear when Hunter gets back for the night from his run. I hear the shower turn on and roll over for the hundredth time and try to sleep. I check the phone next to my bed to see what time it is, the phone I finally caved and started using.
“Knock, knock.”
I open my eyes, shocked that I actually slept. I take in the small human standing in my door. “Is there a reason you’re in my room at this ungodly time in the morning?” I manage to get out as I push my hair out of my face.
Ava strolls inside, not bothering to shut the door behind her. “First of all, it’s like eleven. It’s not late, and that comes from somebody who loves her sleep. Second, you crashed my night last night; it’s only fair that I ruin your morning.”
I scowl at her. “Mission accomplished. Now get out.” She doesn’t. Instead, she walks over to the dresser and pulls out the first drawer and the next. She pulls out another one. “Is there something you’re looking for, or are you just being nosy?”
“Where are all your clothes?” she asks, opening the last drawer. “All you have are some of Hunter’s shirts and pants.” I don’t even bother answering her. I settle against my pillows,feeling warm and comfortable and not really in the mood to get up. She turns to me with an expectant look on her face. “Well?”
“I’m not really sure why we’re having this conversation. You know all I wear is Hunter black.” I’ve made a joke about it many times; I’m not sure why it’s a problem now.
She shoves the last drawer in and turns to me. “I just thought you did it to annoy him.”
I concede. “Well, there is that.”
She scowls at me. “I didn’t realize it’s because you don’t have any clothes. How do you not have any clothes?”
I stare at her, because she’s lost it. “You mean go shopping? When I’m a vampire, stuck in a wolf pack? Or is it when I shop online with my nonexistent credit card and bank account?”
Ava does not look amused. “Okay. I get it.” She stands to her feet. “All right. Let’s go.”
“Let’s go?”
“Yes. Let’s go. Get up and do something to yourself so we can go.”
I push my covers off and stand. “Are you feeling okay?”
She gives me a sharp look. “Yes. Why?”
I study her for a moment. “Why so defensive this morning?”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “I’m not defensive. You are. Now, get a shower, so we can go. I’ve got Bryce’s car, so we’re good to go. And I’ve been practicing, now that I have my license.”
“When did you have time to do all that?”
She waves a dismissive hand. “Somewhere in between our trips to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Bryce Canyon, and all the other places we went.” She narrows her eyes at me.
“You know, all those trips we invited you on, but you declined.”
“Uh, yeah, it was basically your honeymoon. Pretty sure you didn’t need a third wheel for that, and believe me, I didn’t wantto be there for it. Bryce can barely keep his hands off you here; I can’t imagine what he’d be like on a trip like that.”
Ava’s eyes light up, and a wicked smile takes over. I’m regretting saying anything. “Oh, Bryce is a very hands-on man. It was andiswonderful.”
I give her a hard look. “I think I just threw up in my mouth.”
“Everybody always says that, but is that even a thing? I mean, who throws up inside their own mouth? That’s physically impossible.”
I shake my head. “You’re nuts.”
“Oh, definitely. Anyway, get your backside in the shower and get ready so we can leave.”
