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“I won’t,” he said firmly, his gaze narrowing on her before his voice lowered to a whisper. “But that doesn’t mean you can say the same.”

Lukas gave her one last once-over with his eyes and turned sharply to walk away from her.

Oh no, he was not going to act like an ass in the cafeteria, trying to run her off, and then come out here to save the day, only to leave after implying she would hurt him. The idea she could hurt him struck her as ludicrous. She wasn’t the one with fangs and a penchant for blood.

“Just what the hell is your problem?” Her composure and confidence returned in her frustration. She pushed off the statue and stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at him.

Lukas stopped mid-stride, his entire body going tense, then he slowly turned around, face pinched in distress.

Lukas stalked toward her, his eyes narrowed and focused solely on her, like a predator cornering his prey. A shiver passed through her, accompanied by the sudden urge to run. In an effort not to provoke him, she backed up slowly as he took slow, deliberate steps toward her until her back met the statue again, and he stood about a foot in front of her.

“I… what are you—”

Blaire closed her eyes and fell silent as he took a step forward, leaning down with his lips close to her ear.

Lukas spoke low, his voice more gravelly than before. He sounded pained, as if holding himself back; it was enough to dissolve her fear, replacing it with cold, spider-like fingers of uncertainty racing up and down her spine. “You… are my problem.”

He growled low in his throat as he dragged his nose from the base of her neck up to her ear again. Goose bumps sprouted over her arms, and she shivered.

“Everything about you is my problem.” He shuddered a breath, as though maintaining his composure. “You have no idea.”

“I don’t understand…” she whispered. “Why? I can’t hurt you… I’m human.”

Lukas dropped his forehead to Blaire’s shoulder and sighed.

“You don’t have to have fangs to hurt someone.” He spoke barely above a whisper, but the waver in his words betrayed powerful emotions.

Blaire hesitated, not sure what else to do, so she spoke the truth. “I’m not going to hurt you…”

She wouldn’t. She wasn’t the type of person to intentionally hurt others. She’d seen enough pain in the last couple of years to last a lifetime. Being the source of hurt for someone else wasn’t in her nature. Regardless, she didn’t want to hurt him. Despite his rough edges, something more shone inside when she looked close enough.

Lukas lifted his head and stared into Blaire’s eyes, searching. When he found whatever he was looking for, he stepped into her, pressing his body flush against hers. Every place his body connected to hers burned. She could barely breathe as her heart jackhammered in her chest. The scent of apples and spices filled her nose, causing her to melt further into her delirium. He lowered his head to her ear again, his breath stirring the hair at her neck.

Despite her nervousness, desire flooded her system. A desire so strong it stole her words.

“Stay,” he whispered. “Don’t leave.”

Blaire’s heart stopped. She bit down on her lower lip softly as he lingered close to her, breathing in her scent.

Lukas suddenly stiffened, as if coming to his senses. He lifted his head.

Pale green eyes swimming with emotion met hers before he turned away and left in the direction of their dorm building without another word.

Blaire released the breath she had been holding, her trembling legs finally giving way as she crumpled to the ground.

9

SECRETS REVEALED

“Blaire!”

Blaire opened her eyes to find Riley running across the courtyard toward her with a concerned expression on her face. She had no idea how long she sat trapped in her mind going over what happened with Lukas, but the sun had moved across the courtyard and clouds were rolling in.

“Oh gods, are you alright? Where’s Lukas?” Riley dropped in front of Blaire and set down her messenger bag.

Blaire released a defeated sigh, her energy depleted. “He’s gone.” She hung her head and closed her eyes, focusing on the sounds of the nesting birds in a nearby magnolia tree.

After sitting in silence, Riley opened her messenger bag and pulled out a black handkerchief with lace edges, then reached out hesitantly.