After a moment, his finger looped into a pair of lace panties that hung out of one of the top drawers. He arched a brow, lifting them up for me to see.
“Don’t even think about it.” I gave him a pointed look. “I’ve already lost enough clothing because of you.”
“Party pooper.”
The pout on his lips made my heart stutter in my chest, the most movement it had made in days. I felt as if I’d been in hibernation, heart slow, blood sluggish, barely able to feel much of… anything, really.
Until Tate.
That seemed to be the way things were with him. It was hard to stay stuck in my feelings when he smiled at me like that. Like his world didn’t revolve around the sun, it revolved around me. It was as intoxicating as it was overwhelming.
I shifted my gaze toward the window, swallowing thickly. “You shouldn’t skip class.”
Tate’s presence moved toward me, his footsteps almost as quiet as a vampire’s. Warm hands curled over my shoulders, his breath brushing against my ear.
“I thought you’d be happy to see me.” His hands smoothed down my arms, his back pressing against mine as his head ducked down to kiss the side of my neck.
My head leaned to the side of its own accord, a small sound of pleasure escaping me. “I didn’t say that.” I reached back, letting my fingers tangle in his black braids. “I just don’t want you to fall behind on my account.”
Tate snorted, pressing his lips to my cheek. “I’m bound to a vampire. If I fail, I can just try again. Forever, if I wanted to.”
I let out a laugh. “That sounds like torture.”
“What?”
I turned in my seat to lock eyes with him where he squatted next to me. “Going to school forever, doing the same thing over and over again with nothing changing.” I stroked my finger along his lip ring. “You know that’s the definition of insanity.”
“Not quite.” Tate’s tongue darted out and licked my finger, causing me to pull it back and scowl. “But if you were there, I’m sure I could handle it.”
“Well, I’m not.” My heart sank, and I withdrew my arms from him, sinking back into the window seat once more.
“Hey, hey,” Tate said softly, cupping my chin and turning my attention back to him. “I was trying to cheer you up, not make you sad. What can I do to make it up to you?”
I shrugged.
For a moment, he said nothing and then, without warning, scooped me up into his arms.
“Tate!” I squealed and clasped my hands around his neck. “What are you doing?”
“Getting you out of this house.” Tate strode across my room and out into the hallway. “I’m going to show you there’s more to life than school and hunting.”
My heart sped up with each step, worried that one of my dads would come out and see us and get all protective over me. Nothing I said to Tate seemed to dissuade him from his plan, and I had to admit I was only half-heartedly trying to convince him otherwise.
When we reached the front door, he finally put me down. His eyes were soft but determined as he peered down at him. “So what’s it going to be, princess? You going to stay locked up in your tower or come out with me?”
I contemplated going back to my room and moping as I’d done the last few days. Honestly, the thought of it made me depressed. I’d let myself become so focused on the mission and huntingthat, when it was all taken away, I didn’t know what to do with myself.
Tate offered me another path I hadn’t considered. Even if it was more of a temporary relief to my current situation, it was still better than sitting up in my room with my parents hovering close by.
Sighing with mock reluctance, I pulled the front door open. “Very well, I suppose I could use the fresh air.”
“That’s the spirit.” Tate wrapped his arm around my waist and ushered me out the front door.
My head turned at the sound of a giggle to see my mom and Darren watching us from the shadows of the staircase.
I sighed and leaned further into Tate . I was never going to hear the end of it now.
Chapter two
