“You are. I can tell.”
“Nope. Not at all.”
He paused the movie and turned to me.“Are you depriving yourself because of what that girl said?”
“No.”I laughed. It came out convincing, even to myself.“I don’t give a shit what she said. I’mhonestly not thirsty.”
“This isn’t funny.”He moved the remote when I tried to take it.“It’s dangerous to go days without drinking so soon. Get up. We’re going for blood.” He tried to lift me but I shimmied out of reach.
“I don’t wanna go outside.” I took the remote and restarted the movie. “Whyare your eyes so dark?”
“Because I haven’tdrank in two days, either.”
“You didn’t go before you came back yesterday?”
“No. I figured I’d wait until you got thirsty and then we’d go.I’m okay without it for a couple days, but you’renot. Not yet.”
“Are you mad at me?” I asked quietly.
“No.” He paused to assess me before asking, “You really don’t wanna go outside?” I shook my head. “Fine. Drink some of mine.”
“You’ll be okay if I do that?” I asked.
“It won’t hurt me, if that’s what you mean. But I’ll need to drink right after.” He heldup a wrist despite my hesitance.“Anddon’t think we’re doing this all the time.”
“Thank you.” I took his wrist andgingerly bit into it.
It wasn’t the same as drinking from his neck, but it was still amazing. His natural scent was enticing enough. That coupled with the taste of blood straight from his body was enough to make my heart flutter. I closed my eyes, taking in the flavor, his scent, the feel of his skin…
“That’s enough.”He touched my arm and I quickly withdrew.
“Sorry.”I licked my lips, savoring the last drops. My body felt stronger already. Even my voice was magically back to normal.
“It’s fine,” he said, standing as I sat back.“Will you be okay alone for a bit? I need to drink.”
“Yeah. I won’t do anything you or Ari wouldn’t approve of. Promise.” I smiled and held out a pinky, but he only looked at it. His eyes were nearly black. I dropped my hand. “Are you sure you’re not mad at me?”
“Positive. I’ll be quick,” he said. “Call me if you need anything. I can be back in an instant.” And then he was gone.
I stared at the door for a while, then turned to the tv, trying to ignore the emotions. Several minutes passed before footsteps approached. I perked up at the sound of keys, hoping it was Dennis, but it didn’t sound like him.
“Hey, what’s up?” Mateo asked as hewalked in.“You feeling any better?”
“A little bit.” I smiled as he shut the door, glad to have company again.
“That’s good.”His dimples showed as he smiled back. “What’re you watching?”
I patted the couch for him to join, then curled up on my side, leaving enough space for him to sit comfortably while I laid down. Only a few minutes passed before my eyes began to close. I heard Mateo chuckle before the couch shifted, followed by a soft blanket being draped across me. I murmured a thank you as sleep took over.
Liar, Liar
I groaned and sat up from a hard surface. Turns out it was the floor—I had fallen out of Mateo’s bed. Istood and looked around, trying to figure out when it was. I knewwhereI was, just not which day or what point in time.
After searching for a bit, I spotted my phone and scooped it up. Late in the day. It was very late in the day and my stuff was piled up beside Ari’s, right on the other side of the bed. I rounded the comfy contraption and flipped my suitcase open. I needed a very cute outfit to make up for the past two days. Yesterday I’d been in boring clothes, and the day before that I was a bloody crying makeup-smeared mess. It was time to get sexy again.
I grabbed makeup and went to the bathroom, catching a glimpse of the living room along the way. But I didn’t stop to say hi. I had to get ready and there was way too much to do. Not to mention my vampire senses said everyone was playing video games and that was usually boring as shit.
About an hour later, I was showered and donned in gorgeous makeup and my usual jewelry. I pulled the bathroom door open and strode out.
