Page 30 of Petals and Fangs

I scoot over next to Lily and grab her arm. She is still crying, and her eyes are red and puffy. I hold her close and wrap my arms around her.

“Please, Lily, stop. I can't handle this sight. I can't handle seeing you cry.”

“You don't understand, Ethan. You can't even understand.”

“I can't handle this.”

I pull her closer and put her head against my chest. My touch is so cold, and she can't stop shivering. When my eyes spot the blood on her hand, all my senses go crazy. I must taste her.

I gently brush my lips against her hand. The smell and the sight make me lose control. I start kissing her hand, her wrists, and her arms. I can't resist her blood.

“Ethan, what are you doing? Please stop.”

Chapter 7

Lily

My eyes flutter open, the soft rays of morning light filtering through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Warm, yet annoying to wake up to.

For a moment, I don’t recognize my surroundings. It is not my silky pillowcase. It is not my bed. It is not my apartment. Where am I?

“Hello?” My voice is very hoarse. I must have drunk a lot last night.

The door creaks open, and a figure slips in. In the soft light, I can barely make out his features. He is shirtless and looks groggy.

“Ethan?” I rub my eyes, trying to grasp the sight in front of me.

“Yeah? What's wrong?”

“Where am I?” I ask, scanning my surroundings.

Ethan's room is unlike his office. It is indeed full of life. Plants line the windowsill and shelves, which are covered with books and trinkets. It is cozy, unlike his entire building. A sense of peace washes over me.

“At my house. You passed out last night.”

“What happened last night?”

“Lots of things,” he smirks and looks away.

“What do you mean? I remember clubbing.”

“On a Tuesday? I didn't know you were the type who clubs during the week.”

“Do you have an issue with that?” I ask him.

He grins at me instead. It is like he is enjoying how improper our dynamic got in less than twenty-four hours.

“I don't. I still find it reckless, though.”

“Reckless?”

“In fact, you were very reckless last night, so passing out in your ex-boyfriend's bed is not that bad. Your ex-boyfriend who saved you.”

“Saved me? Saved me from what?”

“You don't remember?”

“Remember what? Please, stop teasing me!”

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