Page 82 of Fangs and Fudge

“You have a life, Cross. A really long one. Some people would give anything to have what you do, but very few of those people would be worthy of it like you are.” Leaning in, I kissed his cheek. “Don’t waste time on envying what someone else has. Embrace what you have.”

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me flush to his body. The move stole me from Vena, and she made small upset sounds.

Cross’ lips skimmed my ear and that place just below it. My breathing hitched.

“You tempt me, Everly.”

His tongue flicked my skin, and I was two seconds from making out with a guy right next to my sleeping best friend when he jerked away from me with a wide grin.

I barely felt his lips brush mine before he disappeared out of Vena’s open window.

Her bedroom door banged against the wall. Vena popped up behind me, and we both stared at the wet, glistening expanse of Shepard’s exposed torso as he bolted across the room. Water dripped from the ends of his hair, creating rivulets that ran over his shoulders, across his chiseled pecs, and bumped down every ridged ab until they hit the edge of the towel loosely wrapped around his waist.

“I forgive you for every mistake you’ve made so far, Shepard,” Vena said. “Ditch the towel, and I’ll forgive future ones, too.”

He was out the window after Cross before she finished talking.

“Damn, that was a fine sight,” she said, lying back down. “I’d give anything to see him in just his pretty necklace.”

“There was a necklace?” I asked with a smirk.

We both laughed until someone cleared their throat in the doorway.

“Vena,” MC said. “Can I speak with you for a moment?”

“Hell no.” She pulled the blankets over her head.

With a sigh, I got out of bed and motioned for MC to follow me. Once I shut the door, I faced him.

“You’re getting some friendly advice whether you want it or not,” I said.

“I want it. What will it take to win her over?”

“Not acting like an obsessed stalker. Vena doesn’t like the aggressive types. And you’ve been screaming aggression for days, MC. You need to back off and realize now is not the time. She likes Anchor.”

“Anchor’s not here, though, is he? I am.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. “And that’s why she doesn’t like you. You’re putting your own thoughts and feelings before hers. She’s worried about Anchor, and until he’s back, I doubt she’ll have a single romantic thought.”

MC frowned, and I heard a small rumble.

“Growl all you want. It’s the way things are. Can you imagine how you would feel if I decided I wanted you and started persistently pursuing you? Showing up at your house uninvited…telling you that I’m a better choice than Vena?”

“You reek of vampire. Wolves don’t date blood bitches.” He curled his lip at me.

I grinned. “I’ll be sure to let Shepard know how you really feel about me.”

Turning my back on him, I slipped inside Vena’s room and checked the time. It was just after seven. Typically, it would be way too early for me to want to wake up. However, I loved Vena, and for her, I could make a sacrifice.

“Get up. Get dressed. If we move fast, we can be out of here before Shepard gets back from his run, which means MC will need to stay behind to give him a ride.”

Vena bolted out of the bed. Her nightgown went sailing.

We were ready to go five minutes later.

“What about Miles?” I asked. “Should we leave him to get a ride with MC and Shepard?”

“Yep,” she said, flinging the door open.

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