Page 27 of A Song in the Night

“This is painful,” Sylvia cuts in, nudging Noah out of the booth. “We’ll be back.”

I glare at her, but the vampire is hardly cowed. As the two of them abandon our booth, Noah shoots me a dark look that only confuses me further. He’s obviously not concerned about Dorian’s intentions, or he wouldn’t have left. He can’t be jealous, either, considering he rejected me yesterday.

I want to ravish your body and claim you as mine so hard and so many times that you won’t be able to walk for a week.

Oblivious to my thoughts—I send a fervent prayer to anyone who’s listening that he can’t smell my arousal—Dorian reaches into his pocket and pulls out a chain. My breath catches when the skull ring glints in the strobe lighting.

“By the blood!” I snatch the skull from him and hold the tiny object in my fist. It’s all I had left of Drew before it was taken from me. I’m grateful to have it back, but I’m not about to apologize to Dorian. I still don’t trust him.

“You’re welcome,” he says with another easygoing smile.

“Is there something else, Dorian?”

He folds his arms over his chest, but the movement is more casual than confrontational. “You really don’t like me, do you?”

“I don’t understand why you care,” I answer honestly.

“Well, considering I also came over here to ask you out, I do care.”

My eyes widen, and I swallow a surprised laugh. “You—”

“I like you. And given the opportunity to get to know me, I think you’d like me too.” I stare at him, nonplussed. That wasnotwhat I was expecting. When I still say nothing Dorian continues, “We got off on the wrong foot. I recognize that and I’m sorry.”

“That’s one way of putting it.” I glance down at my hands, which are folded on the table. “I don’t know, Dorian.”

“Would you consider giving me a chance?” he asks, finally sliding into the other side of the booth.

I look over at him. I can’t deny his attractiveness, and there’s something about him that I can’t quite put my finger on. “What did you have in mind?” I hear myself ask.

Dorian tilts his head. “I heard that the mansion is putting on a carnival as a way to lift the spirits of New Ve’s citizens, though now that I’m saying it out loud, I completely understand if you don’t want to attend an event put on by the family that—”

“Sure,” I cut in, mainly because Noah and Sylvia are returning, and I want to finish this conversation before they can overhear it.

“Great.” Dorian looks faintly surprised. He gets out of the booth as the others reach us. “It’s next weekend. I’ll meet you there?”

Noah arches a brow at him but says nothing. The vampire leans against the side of the booth as Sylvia sits back down.

“Uh, yes, that’s fine.”

“I should get your…” His voice trails off as if he’s just now noticing that Noah is glaring at him. “See you next weekend,” Dorian says.

We watch him hurry away. There’s a bachelorette party here tonight, because there are more vampires than usual, and one with platinum-blond hair wears a white sash over her tiny dress. Dorian goes toward them, and they close ranks immediately after he’s through, completely hiding the shapeshifter from view. When I refocus on the vampires across from me, Sylvia smirks. “Hot date?”

“I’ll let you know.” I grab my drink and take a healthy gulp. Noah’s eyes are still on the crowd, as if he’s trying to keep tabs on Dorian. Baiting him is definitely a bad idea, but I can’t help myself. “Something wrong?” I ask.

Slowly, his gaze returns to me. His eyes are filled with a dangerous mix of anger and desire. Irritation ignites in my chest. I shake my head, frowning at him.Make up your mind,I hope my face says.

“I need another drink,” Sylvia mutters, sliding out of the booth again.

“What’s wrong with you?” I demand the moment she’s gone.

Noah’s eyes narrow. “Nothing.”

“You can’t get pissed about—” I start. But then Noah grabs my arm, pulling me out of the booth. I reach for my bag, not wanting to leave the conch where anyone could grab it, but Noah is too fast, and we’re moving through the bar. We end up in the back room where we met. He lets go and walks toward the far side of the dark space. I catch the thundering sound of his heart beating against his ribcage. Making an impatient sound, I drag the curtains shut and turn around. “Are you seriously pissed about Dorian?”

Noah faces me. His eyes glow unnaturally bright. “Date whoever you want, Charlie. I don’t give a fuck.”

I bark out a laugh, then press my lips together. “You are such a liar. You’rejealous.”

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