Jaxson’s grin spreads wider, warm and inviting like a sunbeam. I have to look away, not wanting to get lost in that easy comfort. Unlike Vane, who scowls and plays with my attraction, pulling me close only to cruelly withdraw, Jaxson’s smiles are genuine and free. I remind myself, though, that those smiles aren’t special; he gives them to everyone. This isn’t a date. I need to focus on proving to Vyvyan and Vane that I can solve this case, and that starts with Alden Lupas. Why is he in Borealis, and how does he fit into what happened to Vyvyan?
“Can’t a guy have his secrets?” Jax muses.
“Fine, leave me guessing,” I say.
“Maybe if you are super nice to me, I’ll tell you all my secrets.”
“You forget I already know all your secrets.”
“Then that means we get to spend all night talking about you.”
“You have me until dawn,” I state, unwilling to miss my curfew.
“Right,” he says as we maintain steady eye contact. “Gods, you’re so pretty.”
I roll my eyes, ignoring how my heart skips a beat. “Come on, loverboy, I’m starving.”
Inside Blue Sparrow, Jaxson and I sit across from each other. Soft music plays in the background, a gentle melody that seems to wrap around us like a sensual embrace. I bury my face in my menu. The vampire-friendly options include ox-blood soup, lamb’s blood casserole, and ethically sourced witches’ blood warmed to ninety-eight degrees. My fangs ache.
“I know what I want,” I announce, closing my menu.
“Me too,” Jaxson replies, staring right at me.
Bats flap in my belly. “So, what do you know about Alden?”
Jax sips his water, the ice cubes clinking against the glass. “Ouch. Should I be offended that you want to discuss another guy on our date?”
I chew my bottom lip. “This isn’t a date.”
“You mean to tell me you got all dressed up for our non-date? Right.”
Jaxson’s gaze drifts down, lingering on my chest, on the swell of my breasts pushing against the fabric of this dress—a dress I wouldn’t have dreamed of wearing back in high school. He narrows his eyes. I take a steadying breath. “What?”
“The sight of you breathing goes against everything I thought I knew about vampires,” he says.
I smirk. Vampires are very misunderstood. “So long as we drink blood, our bodies resemble yours.”
Jax wets his lips. “That’s good to know.”
“Behave.”
“Only because you asked so nicely.”
“Okay, so Alden . . .” Jax’s gaze is heavy with more unspoken words.
I sigh. “What now?”
“What’s wrong with Vyvyan?” he asks.
A cold dread seeps into my bones. “What do you mean?—”
“No one has seen or heard from her since before the blackout. Is she sick?” Jax’s next question is laced with skepticism. “Do vampires even get sick?”
“Vyvyan’s been busy,” I say defensively. Too defensively.
Jaxson leans forward. All the heat of our flirtation is gone.
“Fine, she’s recovering,” I say. It’s the truth, and it better be enough to get him off my case.
