“But I haven’t even eaten yet,” I say as I meet the gaze of a man just a few feet away, licking his lips.
I lean into Wesley without a second thought and his hand finds my elbow, his palm warm and moist against my skin, and that powerful rush overcomes me, and Istart to pant. Arousal, anxiety, confusion, my mind and my body are a mess.
“I uh… we can grab something from the cafe on the way back to your dorm,” Wesley says carefully.
“My dorm?” I ask as I move closer to him until I’m pressed against his side, trying to hide from the feral gazes. His one arm wraps around me, holding me against him and something switches inside me. His scent surrounds me and his solid body against mine makes my insides ache, makes my fangs ache.
“Yeah, I think we need to get you back home. Where you’re safe.”
I nod, understanding dawning on me as I wrap my arm around his waist. Without thinking, I squeeze him. I like how his body feels in my arms. I like it a lot.
“Have fun, you two.” Chloe grins as she heads into the crowd.
“Bone appetite, Ivy,” she says with a wink, before Wesley rushes us both forward. One vampire steps forth and Wesleygrowls.It’s a deep, rumbling sound that comes from somewhere deeper than his stomach. Perhaps his soul.
“Don’t even think about it,” he snarls, baring his fangs to the man. The other vampire is shorter, stouter, but he’s still quite attractive, with his brown hair and grey eyes. He nods at me.
“How bout’ you let the little princess decide for herself,” he sneers.
Wesley tightens his grip on me and advances, snapping at the man in a motion that is absolutely vicious.
My insides heat and I realize my panties are practically soaked at this point, and that notion causes a flush of heat to my cheeks. Oh, my Gods…
“How about you get out of my fucking way, Bret,” Wesley grunts. “Or I will move you, myself.”
The other vampire laughs, but that laughter is short-lived as Wesley takes his free hand and wraps it around the vampire’s neck. I don’t miss the way his eyes widen or his surprise. He certainly wasn’t expecting this, which tells me Wesley is not usually like this. I’m disturbed but also strangely placated by this realization; the little voice in my head that appears during my bloodheat practically reeling with excitement that this vampire is beingpossessive.Of me.
Wesley lets go as he shoves him to the side, leavingBretto rub his own neck and a crowd of vampire men to ascend.
“Fuck off, Wes! She’s fair game!” Bret snarls and Wesley lets out a deep sigh.
He turns just before we make it to the door and I’m well aware the entire crowd is watching us—watching our interaction. I clench Wesley’s T-shirt in my fist and bury myself against his side, needing to burrow into his warmth, his hold. I never want him to let me go.
“You’re scaring the shit out of her, asshole!” he roars. “Back off.”
His hand rubs the small of my back through my dress, and I realize I’m burning up.
“It’s okay,” he whispers, causing me to look up athim. I find those bright blue eyes, blazing with equal heat and something else I can’t quite describe.
“I got you. I won’t let them hurt you.”
When he says those words, I believe him, even though I know I shouldn’t.
I nod as he looks back up at the crowd.
“And if anyone even fuckingthinksabout trying to come after us, know I will fucking tear your throat out.”
There are audible gasps and whispered curses. I can hear Chloe’s “holy shit” echo in the room.
But I don’t have time to process what’s happening, because a moment later, Wesley pulls me through the exit, into the cold night.
Ten
Ivy
The minute we get outside, the cool air rushes against my skin; calming my heat. Wesley guides us, my heart still racing, his arm still wrapped tightly around me and I try to catch my breath as he moves us quickly, hurriedly, as if there is truly a fire. I turn behind me, but there is no one. No one is following us, though I keep expecting the door to open, it never does.
“What…what was that in there?” I ask, trying to make sense of everything. I feel like I’m being strung on a wire and I’m about to break.
