all over her. With two fingers, I gently pry open her mouth to explore her fangs. They are almost seamless against her gums, however, closer inspection shows just a hint of acrylic at the gum line. Chuckling to myself, I slide a finger down the fang and test the tip for sharpness. It looks like it could pierce, however, it’s too dull to do anything. Fake fangs, and being in a cemetery close to Halloween. Interesting.
Pulling back, I sit on the very edge of the couch, counting down the minutes until she’ll be awake. Sure, I could compel her to wake up earlier, but then that would be less time for me to collect my thoughts and re-erect the barriers that she unknowingly tore down. All with those eyes of hers. Alessandra’s eyes.
A soft moan pulls me away from my musing. She’s awake now. No turning back.
Chapter 3
Bright lights pierce my skull, but where did they come from? All my friends like the dark, and they know me well enough to keep the room as dark as possible until I’ve had my first cup of coffee. Groaning, I throw my arm over my eyes, trying to block out the infernal light enough to think. Which couch am I on today? What happened last night? I can definitely party, but I don’t usually black out. That’s Jesse’s job.
“Good evening.”
That voice! In a flash, the memories come back, and I bolt up with a start. There he is, sitting calmly as you please, like he didn’t just take me from the cemetery without my permission. Wait! The cemetery! John’s face swims into view, sending nausea roiling through me. The world spins for just a moment and I lie back down to stop it. The lights are no longer specks of brightness, instead, they’re prisms from a chandelier way above me. Turning my neck slowly, I take in the rest of my surroundings. The burgundy couch I’m on feels like soft velvet under my fingertips. Thick, plush carpet, the color of champagne, stretches out as far as I can see. It’s broken up here and there with glass tables and chairs and such. Way fancier than anywhere I’ve even contemplated staying.
Am I even still in Arizona? My vision is suddenly blocked by a large shadow. My kidnapper. Looking up, I really take a moment to drink him in. He’s not typically the type of guy I go for. I usually go for skinnier, leaner men, but honestly, the way his biceps bulge against his sweater makes my stomach flip. There’s a part of me that so desperately wants to reach out and see if his shirt is as soft as it looks. Is it cashmere? Not that it matters. I’m pinned here by his stare, unable to move.
“Thank you for rescuing me.”
My voice sounds soft and thick to my ears. Pathetic. Guy’s a hottie, and I’m already going gaga? Snap out of it, Dee. There’s no way this million dollar snack is ever going to give you the time of day. With slow movements, I ease myself up, trying to make as little contact with McHotterson as possible.
“So, now you’re thanking me? What happened to me kidnapping you?”
He eases backwards, and I find that I can breathe a lot easier now. Bringing my knees up to my chest, I shrug and look around the room.
“Why would someone rich like you kidnap someone like me? There’s no way I’m worth a ransom enough to be worth it to you.”
He throws his head back and laughs and, the deep rumbles barrel into me, sending sparks and tingles to an area I really don’t need to be thinking about.
“I guess I can’t really fault your logic with that one. Though trust me,” his eyes turn smoldering, “you are definitely worth being kidnapped.”
My heart flutters in my chest. Is that a compliment? It’s a weird one, but the way he’s looking at me leaves little doubt that he means his words. He clears his throat, and I realize that I’m staring at him. My eyes skirt away from his lest I’m drawn back into them.
“So, is someone waiting for you? Anyone who’d be missing you?”
A bitter, sour taste fills my mouth. I’m pretty sure Jessica said I could crash on her couch tonight. But she’s also been known to flake on me. “Let me just make sure someone’s up.” Patting my chest, I feel around for where I normally keep my phone. I panic for a moment,