Page 54 of Vampires and Violas

I run my fingers through the short hair at the nape of his neck. “What if Igenuinelywant it?”

He groans, tipping his head back, away from temptation. “First rule of living life outside the friend-zone paddock—no biting.”

I grin despite myself. “Who said I’m letting you out?”

“Oh, you have to let me out, Piper, otherwise I just might die.”

“We wouldn’t want that.”

“We really wouldn’t.”

My phone buzzes with a text.

“Don’t answer that,” he commands lazily, his tone easy and relaxed. “We’re in the middle of something.”

“It’s almost midnight,” I say. “It might be important.”

Olivia: I’m home, and I’m not a vampire.

Piper: Good to know. I’m also home, and I’m not a second-stage vampire, but only because of my amazing willpower.

She sends a string of excited emojis, making me laugh.

Olivia: Tell me everything.

Piper: Tomorrow. It’s late.

Olivia: You’re wicked.

“Well?” Noah asks as I set the phone aside.

“It was just Olivia. She’s home, and Cassian didn’t bite her.”

“Good.” He wraps his arms around my back. “Now, where were we?”

Not trusting myself, I push away from the counter, ducking out of his arms. “It’s late. We were going to bed.”

Noah grabs my hand as I try to walk away, pulling me back. “You’re not going to cut our party short, are you?”

I grin. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist bringing that up.”

“Be my girlfriend.” He smiles, irresistible. “I love the jacket, but you’re all I really want for my birthday.”

My defenses wobble. I can feel them cracking, their foundations getting shaky.

Noah must sense it, too. Taking pity on me, he adds, “Come on, Pip.”

“Ew, no.” I laugh, pulling away and heading for the stairs. “Try again tomorrow. That was horrible.”

Before I get very far, he says, “Did you remember to take your blood before we left for my parents’ place?”

I stop, sighing dramatically, and march back into the kitchen. “No.”

“What would you do without me?” He leans against the counter, arms crossed, the picture of smug hotness.

“I have no idea.”

And the problem is I mean that. Now that Noah’s back in my life, the idea of losing him again is unbearable.

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