Page 41 of First Bite
“We need to find out more. I don’t want to speculate too much, but I think there’s more to it,” Cole added.
“We’ll start working on it, then,” Zac added.
“If that’s all for now, I think I’ll take a shower and freshen up,” I said, standing up and crossing the room.
“Go ahead, Ellie. Cole was just about to start dinner anyway. Go enjoy your shower, and when you’re out, dinner should be ready,” Braden said sweetly.
I nodded at the guys and left the room. I felt so much more oddly and tightly connected to them now that Zac and Logan fed on me without turning their emotions off. Now, if only I could break through Cole’s tough, stubborn exterior and get him to do the same, we’d both feel better. I wasn’t sure how long he could last without feeding, but from the looks of him, it was definitely starting to take its toll.
After I washed away what seemed like a pound of sand from my hair and body, I brushed and braided my hair, put on a sundress, and slid on some sandals. My stomach growled loudly, reminding me how hungry I was, and when I stepped out of the bathroom, I smelled the most delicious fragrance in the entire world.
Carbonara!
I practically skidded into the dining area where Cole was arranging the noodles on my plate. The smell of pancetta and garlic bread hung heavy in the air and made my mouth water.
“This smells amazing!” I smiled at him.
Cole’s lips twitched, “I figured you could use some carbs after the workout you had today.”
I pursed my lips while sitting and placing a napkin in my lap. It was a snarky thing to say, but I bit my lip so I wouldn’t snap at him. One day the asshole would figure out that I didn’t ask for this life—it asked for me. He wasn’t ready for this, and that was easy to see given how swiftly he switched back tobusiness Cole.The less I was bitchy about it, the better he and I would get along.
At least that’s how I was going to deal with it.
Braden, Logan, and Zac breezed in from the sliding door that faced the beach, laughing and playfully punching each other. All three of them had their shirts off, and instead of getting worked up at the sight of their bulging muscles, I took a bite and smiled.
I swallowed the savory bite. “Thanks, guys!” I said, silencing all the vampires who sat around the table, piling food on their plates.
“For what?” Zac asked after chomping into a piece of warm garlic bread.
I swirled the noodles on my fork and glanced at the three vamps who were riddled with unimaginably sexy abs. “Just enjoying my view while I eat this delicious pasta.”
That sounded much lamer out loud than it did in my head.
“Anything for you, Ellie doll,” Logan said with a wink before starting in.
I looked over at Braden, “Did you guys figure out if you are all going to relocate me tonight?”
“Relocate you?” Braden’s brow creased, “What are you talking about?”
“I figured you’d all be more upset about the close call with those human vampires. I just assumed that you’d be relocating me to another place while you investigated them and found out who their sire is or whatever it is you have to do.”
“Don’t worry about moving. We did that because your hometown was flagged to Enzo because of your mom. I spoke to Lucas earlier, and he says more collectors are in town, and they’re looking for my cousins and me. Someone must’ve given up our hiding spot in Canada, so to err on the side of caution, we came here. When all of those dickheads realize we aren’t in either spot, we’ll bring you back home,” Cole said, giving me all the information I wanted when we first got here.
“Bring me home?” I asked flatly. “To do what, exactly? My college life is fucked.” I eyed them, everyone putting their forks down except Logan. “Seriously, you guys. How am I supposed to go back to a normal life in that shit hole after accepting this one? My whole last semester is a waste because I’ve missed so much school. What’s the point of any of that?”
“Last semester might have been a waste,” Logan said before he took a gulp of wine, “but when we get back, you can sign up for summer classes. Get your sexy ass back in school and start hitting the books again. You’ll like thatshit holea lot more with us there to help you enjoy it.”
I sat back in my chair and folded my arms, “It’s that easy, eh?”
Zac laughed. “It’s that easy. Just don’t go running around school telling everyone that you're fucking a few sexy vampires, and you’re good to go.”
“I can’t just separate the two. Truth be told, I thought I had a direction before, but I can’t feel the drive anymore.”
“What are you talking about?” Cole looked at me, confused. “Damn it, it’s bad enough we interfered with your life like this, don’t go falling off the college wagon now.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to go back, but when I think about it now, I don’t feel like there is anything in that life I was meant to do.” I glanced at the vampires who were studying me. “There’s more to my life now. There’s real meaning. I can’t explain it, but the more I accept this, the more I’m with you…” I paused trying to find the easiest way to say my next statement.Hell, just say it.“Let’s just say I feel differently since you three have fed on my blood when it calls to you. I feel like my life is yours, yours are all mine, and there are more important things out there that await the five of us than me getting and degree and working a job.”
I shoved a massive bite of food into my mouth, feeling like I was about to get lectured for dropping out of college by parents who couldn’t fathom the idea.
