I turn to look at Wesley, meeting his dark blue gaze. Even from where I sit, I can’t deny he’s…
Perfect. Like something from the depths of hell, from my bloodheat fantasies.
His pale skin only accentuates those ocean eyes andobsidian hair. He sits in the shadows and they wrap around him like the arms of darkness can’t resist him any more than I can.
“He’s… very pretty,” I say, licking my lips. “Angelic, almost. Some wild amalgamation of feminine and masculine that somehow work better than they should. But?—”
“Sounds dreamy.” Chloe sighs.
“But that’s where the appeal stops, I’m afraid,” I say, breaking Wesley’s gaze.
“Because he’s quite an asshole. His demeanor is…”
Chloe groans. “Oh Gods, so he’s pretty and he’s a dick? Sign me the fuck up.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Unfortunately, Chloe, I do not believe it works like that. Unless Wyatt shows up at R.I.S.E. Academy—which is highly unlikely—I do not think you stand a chance.”
Chloe dismisses me with a wave. “Maybe you could just ask your boyfriend for me,” she scoffs. I raise my eyebrows.
“What on earth are you talking about?”
Chloe sucks down the remainder of her drink. “You know, the Castor who keeps staring at you like he’s fucking starving.”
My cheeks heat. “Wesley is not my boyfriend. I barely know the man. I met him this morning, remember? And if memory serves me correctly, he ranawayfrom me.”
Chloe smirks at me and winks. “Doesn’t look like he’s running now, chicky-boo, maybe you should go over and talk to him.”
I stir my straw absentmindedly, considering her words.
“Buy him a drink. Then take a bite out of that pretty little neck and settle thathunger.” She licks her lips, and I stiffen.
“I beg your pardon… are you suggesting I…” I look back and forth between us, noting the restaurant is starting to get more crowded. Which makes me more nervous.
“Are you suggesting Ifeedon another vampire?” And not just any vampire—my rejected’s brother!
Chloe leans closer to me, so close I can smell the vodka on her breath. My gaze dips to her mouth, to her glistening fangs before I find her gaze.
“That’s exactly what I’m suggesting,” she says as she licks her fangs. “Take it you’ve never fed on a vampire’s blood before.”
I tense. I’d heard of other vampires doing as much, but I’ve never been one to think too much about the relations of other vampires. What others did was none of my business. I had bigger things to focus on.
Not to mention, my father was insistent I bear my bloodheats alone, and after the human kiss debacle, I was served my blood for my feedings in a crystal pitcher on a silver tray and locked in my room with my heat aides.
The idea of sinking my fangs into anyone is enough to stir my hunger, but the thought of sinking my fangs intoWesley…
Well, the fresh bloom of moisture between my thighs is telling enough of how I feel about the idea.
“Of course not,” I snap.
Chloe sighs, the sound much darker than it should be. “Then you’re in for a fucking treat, girlypop.”
Before I can protest and tell her I can not just waltz up to Wesley and ask tofeedon him, she whispers, “He’s coming over here. Act cool.”
Act cool? Act cool? How the hell am I supposed to do that when I feel as if I may spontaneously combust from the temperature in this bloody restaurant and this conversation?
I feel him before I see him. That rippling energy that exists between us, some invisible thing that somehow holds its own weight, despite its absence of presence.
“Hey, Wes,” Chloe says sweetly.
