Ziros advances on him, and he looks about ready to knock the blond guy’s lights out. You step quickly between them, not wanting this party to turn into a bloodbath.
And maybe it’s the alcohol talking, or maybe it’s the blond guy’s charming good looks making you forget about what might happen if you lose, but there’s something admittedly rather enticing about the idea of spending the night on a luxurious superyacht.
Especially alone with Ziros.
22
Drinking Contest with the Hot Guy
You
“Deal,” you say before Ziros can back out and lose your once-in-a-lifetime chance at spending the night on a luxurious superyacht.
Both he and the blond guy turn and look at you.
“So what’ll it be—” Blondie says, taking a step closer. “Are you playing against me, or is he?”
You gulp, glancing at Ziros. Hoping it’s okay when you say, “I think it’ll be best if I let you two finish your game.”
Ziros frowns.
Oops.
He seemed perfectly content to have a little drinking contest before, but something in his demeanor has definitely changed.
Is it the stakes? Does he not like the idea of Mr. Blondie the Hot Vampire getting you? Um. Maybeyoushouldn’t be okay with that, either, but to be fair…heishot.
And it’s hard to argue with that.
Besides.
It’s not like Ziros would lose, anyway. Right?
He seemed so confident just a minute ago.
“Excuse us for a sec,” Ziros says, grabbing you by the shoulder and steering you to a quiet corner of the wooden pool deck. When you’re alone, he whispers, “Listen, human. That guy isn’t just a normal jerk. He’s avampirejerk.”
You gulp. So you were right.
But somehow hearing it out loud makes it seem all the more real.
“So?” you whisper back, glancing over at the blond where he waits at the table, surrounded by other partygoers who laugh and flirt with him. He’s definitely popular.
Maybe that’s the hot vampirism doing its thing.
Does he have mind control? Isthatwhy you’re suddenly so okay with this?
You gulp. That’s a scary thought.
“So?” Ziros repeats with a scoff. “So, it’sdangerous. He could kill you. Or worse—make you his blood slave.” He exhales hard, folding his arms. “But don’t worry, human.”
There he goes calling you that in public again.
Hopefully no one else can hear.
“I won’t lose. I never lose. But you should still be careful. Guys like him are trouble.” He starts to turn away, then stops. “Just do me a favor? Don’t make bets like that when I’m not around.”
With that, he turns and walks back to the table as two more servers bring out another round of drinks.
