Page 59
Syrus had an inkling what was wrong, but now wasn’t the time for that particular conversation. He let his thumb slide along Luke’s wrist as Luke finally pulled the car into the road, off in the direction of the vampire’s bakery.
“I’m honored to evoke such worry,” Syrus told him.
“Don’t flirt. I’m not in the mood.”
Lies. Luke was always in the mood, susceptible as he was to Syrus’s teasing. All it would take was one sideways look, another sly remark, and perhaps a ghosted nuzzle along his jaw, and Luke would be flushing his pretty pink, darting glances every which way as he pretended to be irritated and not utterly compelled.
Perhaps he would once again lower his seat back and…
Stop, Syrus commanded himself. He was getting offtrack, a rarity once he’d set himself on a task. Clearly Luke wasn’t the only one unsettled by certain loose ends.
They arrived at the bakery with no more discussion, although Syrus was under no delusions that Luke was at all pleased with his plans. They were met by a small group of customers leaving the shop, paper bags and steaming cups in hand. Syrus held the door for them and then Luke, following behind his human. The baker was at his counter with the vampire Riley at his side, a surly look on the vampire’s boyish face as Syrus approached.
“Again?”
“Riley…,” Seth chastised softly. “What did we say about being nice to the regulars?”
Riley turned to him with an aggrieved air. “Human regulars.”
“All regulars.”
They remained in a standoff for a long moment, until Riley leaned closer, looming over his mate as he breathed deeply at the crook of his neck, then sighed, dark eyes falling closed. “Fine.”
Seth redirected his focus to Syrus and Luke with a cheery smile, as if nothing untoward had transpired. “What can we get for you?”
“A ride,” Syrus told him simply.
Seth’s smile faltered, but it was Riley who responded, with some speed, “The scientist.”
Syrus nodded, pleased not to have to explain any further. The vampire may have been surly, but at least he wasn’t dense.
“I’ll take you,” Riley offered, his tone neither friendly nor particularly antagonistic.
“You have your license?” Luke asked with obvious surprise.
“I do. I don’t use it much, but I understand the mechanics.” Riley cut a derisive glance toward Syrus. “I’m guessing he doesn’t.”
“They can take my car,” Seth said. “If Riley wrecks it, I’ll get his moms to buy me a fancier one.”
Riley scoffed, although his smile was soft as he looked at his mate. “They’d do it anyway.” His expression turned thoughtful. “In fact…”
Seth jabbed a finger at Riley’s chest. “Don’t you dare. I like my little Corolla. You’re not actually allowed to wreck it.”
Riley grabbed the offending finger and used it to tug Seth’s whole hand flat to his chest instead. “Save me an orange roll?”
“I can make you more at home.”
“But I want one of these,” Riley argued in a coy, pouting tone that seemed antithetical to his usual nature. “I helped make them.”
Seth attempted to remain severe, but the twitching of his lips gave him away. “Your definition of ‘helping’ is suspect.”
Syrus couldn’t look away. It was a surprisingly fascinating display—he hadn’t thought the dour young vampire capable of such skilled flirtation. Clearly he’d been underestimating him.
His attention was pulled by a tug on his sleeve. Luke, with a worried frown once again on his handsome face. “You two… You’re not going to…eat anyone, right?”
Syrus considered the question carefully. He didn’t know what he would do if the marine scientist turned out to be one of those who’d cut and torn flesh from him. Would he really be able to stop himself if that were the case?
“It’s not my intention…,” he hedged.
