It’s true.
I wasn’t lying when I told her that.
But hers—
Itcallsto me.
I could bite her right now. I could bite her so gently, so carefully, she wouldn’t even wake up.
Or…I could bite her hard.
Some humans would call me a vampire. Every culture and generation invents new rules for us, new lies about how to kill us.
They think we’re monsters.
And some of us are.
But our bites don’t have to kill. And I’d make it feel good.
I can see it now—this stupid fantasy I shouldn’t let myself have.
The one where she’s on her back beneath me, staring up at me with those wide eyes as I straddle her, tilting her jaw back with one hand.
I wouldn’t give it to her until she begged.
The way she’d moan as I’d draw my teeth along her neck, letting the points of my fangs sink slowly in up to the base.
The way she’d pull me down into her.
The—
She rolls over in her sleep, and now she’s facing me.
I freeze.
The last of the fantasy evaporates.
The hell am I doing?
I can’t be thinking these things.
I turn over so my back is to her. I’m exhausted, and I desperately need to sleep.
If only my body would listen.
17
Taking the Hot Guy Shopping
You
The bright light of mid-morning streams through your windows, blinding you as you shield your eyes.
What day is it?
You’ll just grab your phone—
But when you reach for it, you’re surprised to find your arm won’t move.
