Page 15 of Dark Awakening

I revealed the events of the evening with Max and admitted that I had not taken her home. She curses a string of profanities through the phone.

I suggest we chow down at Gram’s joint. Maybe the classic greasy food and change of scenery will jolt some memories.

“See you there in half an hour,” Emily says with a yawn.

I agree and hang up. We’ve been out many times, but never so trashed that I couldn’t function on two feet.

After hanging up, I rush to shower and get dressed, pulling on my go-to pair of jeans and a comfy sweater. As I step outside, the afternoon air plays with me like it wants to let me in on its secrets. A strange feeling lingers from last night, something more than your average weekend shenanigans.

As I plop across from Emily at our favorite greasy diner, I quickly scan the menu for something yummy and potentially caloric. Emily rocks her sweats and tank combo with her hair in its usual state of a wild mess, definitely not going anywhere except atop her head like a big ol’ pile of banana cream pudding.

I quip, “Gonna go all out here with eggs, bacon, biscuits n’ gravy, a stack of pancakes high enough to feed an army, plus a large cup of joe for me.”

Emily raises an eyebrow skeptically while settling for a wimpy egg-white omelet.

She looks me up and down, then pushes her sunglasses down her nose with a smirk. “Damn, girl. Wanna trade places? You can keep your metabolism while I get the food coma!”

We grin, well aware of our vastly different eating habits. The server also seems bemused by my gluttony, but I brush it off.

With steaming mugs in hand, we dive into dissecting last night's chaos.

"What do you remember?" I press Emily.

She scrunches her forehead. "It's foggy. I recall all of us at the table, then nothing. I felt like death warmed over this morning."

Emily explodes when I share what happened with Max. "That asshole. We should go to the cops!"

I explained how the mystery guy intervened and brought me home using my ID after I passed out.

She curses loudly, drawing the attention of nearby patrons. "If this isn't creeper status nine-thousand…"

"Yeah, super weird," I reply awkwardly to Emily, shuffling my feet.

I ask if she recalls Max's friends at all. Flashes of last night come back, making me wonder if they were all in on this twisted plan.

Emily is riveted as I describe my rescuer's sheer size and strength, easily thrashing Max. "He was like something out of a horror movie!"

Her eyes boggle when I admit he came inside my apartment after.

"You let some bloodsucker into your place? Girl, are you nuts?" Her blunt reaction makes me question my bizarre behavior. Why did I let a stranger cross that line? But my judgment was compromised…

My cheeks flush as hazy memories from last night flood my mind against my will—the shadowy stranger's tall frame loomed over me, his breath hot on my skin. His lips had trailed along my neck, kissing gently up to my jaw. My skin feels on fire, remembering the sparks his touch ignited deep within me.

I sip my coffee, unable to meet Emily's gaze. I never imagined a mere stranger's presence, not to mention a vampire—could affect me so profoundly. Yet even now, my body responds involuntarily to his phantom caresses.

The feelings he invoked linger traitorously. I can almost smell his earthy, mysterious scent enveloping me. Feel the heat of his body inches from mine.

No, I cannot tell Emily about this. She'd think I'm crazy, obsessed with a fantasy.

There's no need to mention how his hand curled at the nape of my neck, holding me in place as his lips scorched my skin. Or to describe the yearning his touch roused within me, my treacherous body longing to melt into his.

I force an awkward laugh, willing the flush to leave my cheeks. "Yeah, last night was a total blur," I lie.

In truth, the fevered memories are seared into my mind. But these dangerous thoughts are mine to bear alone, at least...for now.

The server plops down our food. I dig into my pancake tower, mumbling between bites.

"And how the hell did you make it home? I mean…I'm glad you did, but nothing makes sense."

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