100% That Witch - Celia Kyle Page 0,35

em dead, tiger

Cant wait 2 see u 2nite

Congrats on ur grade butful

A smile almost tickled her lips at that last one. It had taken her a full hour after he’d sent it to figure what “butful” meant to the surprisingly tech-savvy vamp. B...U...T...ful. Beautiful. Before she even knew it had happened, Tiffany was actually smiling.

That, of course, reminded her of Nero’s smile. So warm, with the keen gaze of a vampire who was tempered by his soul’s gentleness. When she spoke, he really listened, actually trying to understand her. Absorb her. No one had ever paid attention to her like that.

Most of all, she couldn’t help remembering his comment from the other day, that she was perfect just the way she was. The conviction and sincerity in his voice when he’d said it made it hard for her to dismiss. One thing was certain. She’d needed to hear it. Being accepted by someone so completely gave her confidence, even now in her heartbreak. Suddenly, it seemed a pity to cancel on him.

After the longest school day of her life, Tiffany left campus feeling almost hopeful. She hadn’t really talked to anyone about the Rhys situation yet, and as she parked in front of Nero’s cabin and headed for his front door, she felt in control of herself in spite of everything that had happened. Not a single tear would be shed.

Then Nero opened the door. He wore a bright, welcoming smile that pierced her heart, absolutely shattering the hard shell she had constructed around her hurt feelings. The sight of his warm eyes and open expression undid her from the inside out, and all of her strength collapsed in a single chaotic moment.

“Tiffany, what’s wrong?”

His voice was full of such genuine concern, it broke her just as much as his open arms and imploring eyes. Before she knew what she was doing, she threw herself against his massive chest and broke into great heaving sobs.

Why didn’t Rhys ever look at me like that?

As she clutched at Nero’s rough chambray shirt, he lifted her in his big, strong arms and carried her to his couch. She groaned an objection when he laid her down and released her, desperate for him to hold her again. As she struggled to get her breath back, she gripped his shoulders and pressed her cheek to his warm, strong chest, letting his shirt soak up the wetness. He smelled so nice. No harsh, artificial scent on him, no cologne. Just a clean, soapy smell mixed with fresh herbs and a hint of... soil. He smelled completely natural, in tune with the forest he lived in. Her gasps settled as she took deep breaths of his comforting, foresty musk.

Even though she hadn’t answered his question, he made no attempt to coax her to speak. He simply held her and let her cry while he stroked her gently between the shoulder blades—no pressure, no judgment, just compassion.

After a few more inhales of his calming scent, Tiffany pulled back and looked up him, wiping away her tears—and no doubt smearing her makeup in the process—with one hand, leaving the other on his chest. She needed the physical contact of someone who cared.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to do this.”

“Do what?” he asked with a sweet smile. “You’re upset. It’s perfectly okay. You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to.”

Tears threatened her eyes again as her heart throbbed in response to his words. He really was an absolute sweetheart. Damn, Nathan was one lucky vamp. Still, she felt the need to explain. Or vent. Whatever.

“I-I had a bad date. Or got dumped. I don’t know. To get dumped, there needs to be a relationship in the first place. Right? There really wasn’t one, as I’ve finally come to realize.”

Her gaze fell back to her lap, but she kept her fingers curled loosely around the sleeve of Nero’s shirt, and she didn’t move from the circle of his arms.

He cupped her cheek, getting her to look up at him.

“Tiffany. This is not your fault.”

“You’re joking. Right? He didn’t want me. Surely, that has to be my fault? It’s a rejection of everything I am.”

The words caused a fresh wave of tears, but at least this time she didn’t start sobbing. A few gorgeous purple dragonflies flitted about her head in a sudden wave of delicate light. Nero smiled, holding up his hand for one of them to land on him.

“Tiffany, you’re incredibly beautiful. You’re smart, talented