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One look at the vampire has me jabbing my fork in his direction. “No sucky sucky.”
He pouts, hand on his chest. “You wound me. What makes you think I wanted a little sucky sucky?” His fangs flash as he says the words.
“You want one.”
“Maybe,” he says coyly. “You didn’t ask how my day was.”
“Must I?”
“It was filled with longing, but now that you’re here, I’m finally at ease.”
“Is this seriously how you talk to women?”
“No, but you’re not exactly making it easy to flirt with you, so I’m trying every angle.”
I stab my cake again. “I don’t want you to flirt with me.”
“Not even a little bit?”
“Nope.”
He frowns, and hums, studying my face. “You’re tough to crack.”
“Why, because I’m not falling down to suck your dick?”
His irises flare, and I swear to Vaeloria his cheeks turn red. “No, because you treat everyone like the enemy. We’re dating, Raina, you can relax.”
“We’re fake dating,” I correct. “And have I mentioned I don’t like being told what to do?”
“You don’t say,” he deadpans.
My lips twitch. I scowl and force them into a straight line. I will not find him funny. Setting aside my mostly eaten cake, I look around. Melody is standing near the Vanguard spire with her hands clenched at her sides. “She’s seen us. Are we done now?”
He doesn’t even spare her a glance. “Almost, sweet ruin. Kiss me.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” he counters. “Kiss me and you can leave.”
“Is that necessary?”
“Yes.” His smile drops for a moment, and I peek behind the curtain of his carefree façade to find a vampire desperate to prove he doesn’t want to be with Melody. “Please.”
Goddess-dammit. I can’t say no when he looks at me like that. “Fine, but no tongue or fang.” I place my hands on the picnic blanket and lean down, mouth inches from his. “And don’t think this means I want to fuck you.”
“Never,” he breathes against my lips before clamping them to mine. His hand threads into my hair, anchoring me to him. His shadows smooth down my spine, and I shudder. Though his tongue teases the seam of my mouth, he doesn’t try to force his way in. His lips are soft and plush, but strong and in control at the same time. He lightly tugs on my hair before pulling back just enough to look me in the eye. “I’ve never been so thirsty, sweet ruin.”
“No—”
“Sucky sucky. I know,” he says with a heavy sigh. “You torture me.”
“You deserve more.” I shrug, extracting myself from his hold. “Thanks for the cake.” I half expect him to stop me and demand more of our date, but he doesn’t, which is probably for the best since my heart is pounding.
It’s just from the kiss.
I chance a glance back at the vampire to find him watching me. His smirk turns devious when our gazes collide. His irises are almost pure crimson as he winks at me.
Cheeky bastard.
