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“And?” He couldn’t keep the hope from bleeding into his tone.

“And nothing. The kiss felt nice. But that’s it. It wasn’t right. It wasn’t like…”

Lukas tensed when her gaze fell to his mouth.

He crossed the room in a few steps and reached out, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her close. She relaxed into his hold. They fit together perfectly. The smell of her shampoo filled his nose, and he closed his eyes, resting his forehead against hers.

“Blaire…” he whispered her name, his breath fanning over her face.

She shivered, and his heart insisted that no way could he let her go.

Lukas tightened his hold around her waist with one arm and trailed his fingertips up her arm with the other, watching goose bumps rise on her pale skin. He took a stuttered breath as his fangs descended in response to her rapid heartbeat, knowing she responded to him too, that she preferred his kiss. He hadn’t lost her completely. The urge to taste her railed strongly inside him, the beast inside wanting free. He’d never wanted to bite anyone before.

He willed himself to calm down before Blaire spotted his fangs.

When she looked up into his eyes, she gasped, and he closed his eyes, knowing what she saw.

“I won’t hurt you…”

“Then why?”

“I don’t know. It’s not conscious. I just feel this need.” He pulled away from her and crossed the room to put distance between them. “I won’t act on it. You don’t have to be afraid.”

“I’m not,” Blaire whispered softly.

Lukas took a breath to steady himself and grabbed his leather jacket off the back of the desk chair.

He needed to get out of this room filled with her scent.

20

CALEB

Lukas decided not to confront Aiden about things yet. He wasn’t in the mood for any more conflict after everything that happened with Blaire. With Riley raking him over the coals, he was glad to get off campus, and Blaire’s excitement about seeing her friend again eased his heart. They walked into town together. Riley chattering away between Blaire and Aiden, while Mera and Kai walked behind them holding hands. Lukas trailed them as he tried to sort his thoughts.

Riley rubbed her flat stomach. “I’m staaaarving. I’m going to throw down on some cheese fries and a milkshake.”

Lukas wondered where she put all the food she consumed.

“Oh yeah,” Riley said as they entered the diner. “There’s this new store that opened up in the Valley Center Plaza this week I wanna check out. I want you to go with me.”

“Sure, I—” Blaire started.

“Blaire!” A small red-headed girl ran and collided with Blaire, taking her into a tight hug and looking up at her. “Why haven’t you called me? I’ve been so worried!” Her voice broke at the end.

“Whoa, dude…” Riley laughed in surprise.

Blaire smiled down at her friend and shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’ve just been so busy. I don’t have a phone still, and I haven’t had the opportunity to call from the office. Things have been kind of chaotic.”

Lukas could feel the guilt bubble inside her as she made excuses. He couldn’t blame her for not reaching out. What would she tell the girl? She couldn’t exactly tell her what they were. It wouldn’t be easy to explain how chaotic her life had become; he had a hard time explaining it to himself, and he was part of it.

“Charlotte, this is Riley, Mera, Kai, Aiden, and…” Blaire glanced at Lukas, their eyes meeting before she bit her lower lip. Lukas’s eyes tracked the movement. She released her lip and snapped her gaze back to Charlotte. “Lukas,” she said quickly.

“Hi! I looove your earrings.” Riley reached out and flicked the bat earrings dangling from Charlotte’s ears.

Charlotte smiled. “Thanks.” She tucked a red curl that had fallen from her pinned-up hair behind her ear. “I can show you to your table, but I assume it’ll be the usual one?”

“Usual one?” Blaire asked.