Page 32 of Love Bites

He chuckled. “Probably not.”

My stomach rumbled again, and he stood up. Those gorgeous blue eyes met mine, and the look in them was genuine. “I’m sorry about your parents.”

“It was a long time ago.”

“Time doesn’t erase pain.”

“Maybe not.” He squeezed my knee. The one he’d licked, repeatedly. “I’ll grab you some of my clothes to wear.”

With that, he strode into the closet, his erection raging through his jeans.

“You have glitter in your hair,” I called out behind him. “And on your hands.

“I’d like to have it on my cock, too,” he called back, and I laughed.

“Better get rubbing, then.”

His snort made me warm.

He was an asshole… but maybe we could figure out a way to be friends, during the moments I didn’t hate him.

eight

BLAIR

My sisters were chattingup a storm with a small group of vampires who sat around them when we made it down to the dining room.

At least, some of them were.

Okay, fine,Clementinewas.

Zora looked annoyed.

Izzy was sleeping, with her head on the table and her plate cleared in front of her.

Avery was nodding, but she looked severely uncomfortable in the conversation. Knowing her, she just didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by shutting it down.

None of us were used to talking with people outside our family in any sort of capacity unless it involved a nightclub. Even then, it was only to keep us alive.

Learning how to live in the Manor, surrounded by vampires, was going to take some serious adjustment.

The vampires served their meals restaurant-style, but there were only two food options, to simplify things. Everyone who lived in the Manor had a job, and the dining room made up a fair number of those. Damian had explained that to me on our way down from our room.

We put in orders on our phones after we arrived, then headed over to my sisters.

Two of the vampires sitting at their table excused themselves when they saw me and Damian coming. They were doing it to make space for us, but considering the absolute misery in Avery’s eyes, it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if they just wanted to get out of the conversation.

“Hey,” she murmured, when we sat down.

“Nice outfit,” Zora said with a snort. “Looks like you had a run-in with some chlorine, too.”

“I am the epitome of fashion,” I said, rolling up the sleeves of my six-sizes-too-big long-sleeved shirt yet again. The pants were only staying on my waist because Damian had tied a knot in the waistband itself. “And the glitter was worth it. You need to see the pool here. It’s insane.”

“How long until the chlorine’s gone?” Zora checked.

I shrugged, looking at Damian. He shrugged too.

She made a face. “I’ll try to suffer without it for a few days. Your magic will purify it out eventually.”

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