Page 42 of Consume Me

“You can come and live with me. It’s near campus.”

“Thanks, but I want to stay with my friends.”

“Why did you have to grow up so quickly?” he sighs, and my chest warms with fond memories. After my mother died, he tried to fill the void, embracing both a fatherly and motherly role. He was always there, even with the mission taking over, but I think it was also how he coped with my mom’s loss.

“Blame it on the circle of life, Dad. Love you. Talk to you soon,” I say and hang up.

I catch sight of Blake in my peripheral vision. He’s not even trying to hide. Leaning against an oak tree with ankles crossed, he looks mouthwatering. His shirt stretches over a muscular frame, revealing the shadows of his abs, and his jeans fit his strong thighs to perfection. The bomber jacket hugs his sculpted body just right.

“Who were you talking to?”

“None of your business.”

He has always kept his distance, but ever since the news of Felix and Caleb’s escape broke, it’s like he’s everywhere. My weak system can’t process such high doses of him all at once.

“Blake, I am not your responsibility.”

“I’m making your safety my responsibility. You haven’t answered me.”

“Maybe I was talking to my date.”

He cocks his head, his eyes boring into mine. “You found someone who’s willing to die to be with you? Because that would be the only guy I’d be okay with you dating.”

“I have needs you kind of interrupted since you crashed back into my life.”

His jaw ticks, his features pulling taut. I am getting to him. Good.

“I want names.”

“Why? They were only good for one thing…”

Insinuating I have a sex life when I don’t is a horrible thing to do, but his jealousy feeds my hunger for his attention. That sick part of me that would do anything to get it. Why do I insist? He’s never going to crack.But he did once. I ban that dangerous thought just as quickly as it popped out. I don’t even know if I am ready to take on someone like him.

He cuts the distance between us, his hand wrapping around my throat—not squeezing, just resting there. My pulse skyrockets and I am just short of hyperventilating. But the scariest part is, it’s not fear that I’m feeling. A shiver travels down my spine, leaving a trail of lust behind.

“Stop provoking me. One day, I might give in, and believe me, it won’t be the missionary, lovemaking kind of sex.”

No, it would be hard and rough. I want him unleashed. I want him to snap and give me everything he keeps contained.

“Maybe I like it…”

“Maybe you should take your pretty ass home and stop playing with a beast.”

Yet, he’s still holding me. The green in his eyes liquefies, taking on a darker tone. I want them only and permanently on me.

I don’t know how long our eyes stay locked on each other, and I don’t care either. Everything else vanishes, dissolving like puffs of smoke. It’s just us in a frail bubble that could burstany moment. He could break my heart into a thousand pieces, and I’d take it because there are moments like this, chock-full of intensity and intimacy, when I feel there’s more.

He cuts the connection first. He’s an expert at that, but I am done taking it. “I retract my apology.”

He groans low.

“You’re a coward. You feel this between us just like I do. You want me but stop yourself. I’m done waiting for you. I don’t even care anymore. You’ll be the one to regret not giving us a chance when you could have.”

I walk away, and I don’t turn back. It feels good. I hope he thinks of my words, has a sleepless night, and dreams of me with open eyes. But since he doesn’t sleep, the damn vampire sucks the life essence out of me.

I know he’s behind me; my heart picks up at his nearness. My skin breaks into goose bumps whenever he’s close, and it only gets worse when I feel his gaze traveling over my body. I hope he stares at my ass and salivates at what he will never have.

Walking into our house, I go to my room to drop off my bag and jacket. I should go through my notes from the day’s classes, but that can wait.

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