Page 40 of Loving A Vampire Is Total Chaos

My stomach rumbles and I grab my fork to dive into dinner. The plate in front of me is stacked with all kinds of delicious smelling food. A creamy pasta dish with broccoli, red pepper, and sausage fills one corner. Cubed fruit and roasted potatoes with some kind of seasoning on them fill up the rest. Along with the champagne, Zav’s also poured us both glasses of ice water somehow without me even noticing.

“Did you cook all this yourself?” I’m amazed at the burst of flavor I’m met with when I eat my first forkful of pasta. “Mm.” The moan that comes out is instant and I melt right where I sit.

Zavier stares and his throat slowly works as his eyes lock in on my lips. It’s then I realize how obscene of a sound I let out and down more champagne. I’m a mess.

“I did.” He takes pity on me and answers. “I’ve had a lot of time to refine my cooking skills.”

“Tell me about yourself,” I prompt. “I feel like I don’t know much except you work odd jobs around Chicago, live next to me, and apparently have enough family money to afford to rent out this place.” I arch a brow.

“Nothing too special to tell. I already told you I’ve been around and never really stay in one place. I’ve traveled a lot and as for this”—he gestures to the space around us— “you’re worth spoiling.” His long legs stretch out as he makes himself at home. “Lately, though, I must admit I’m finding a reason to stick around.” His eyes warm as he takes me in and heat rushes to my cheeks.

“Smooth.” His gaze bores into mine and I clear my throat, looking away to break the tension. “What’s your middle name?” I throw out a random question since he doesn’t seem keen on the other one.

“Don’t have one. What’s yours?”

Zav fires it out so quickly it takes me a second to process.

“Everyone has a middle name.”

“Hi! My name is Zavier. I’m the exception.” He grabs my hand and shakes it which I toss away with a scoff in mock outrage.

“It’s just odd.” The blanket underneath us is soft against my legs as I stretch mine out too. “Mine is Rose.”

He grins. “Beautiful, just like your first name. Did you know Celine means heavenly in French? It aligns perfectly with my theory that you’re an angel. Heavenly flower is even more appropriate if you ask me.”

Zav’s statement makes me choke on the champagne I start to sip but he simply grins like a kid with his hand in the cookie jar. He loves that he always manages to catch me off guard.

“You are quite the flirt. Does this work with all the girls?” Clearing my throat and setting the offending champagne down I rest my hands in my lap. A loose thread on my dress is suddenly very appealing. I’ve never been the jealous type, but suddenly just the thought of Zavier with other women has me feeling like I want to stake claim to him.

“Wouldn’t know. I haven’t dated in a long time. My last girlfriend was even crazier than me if you can believe it,” he says it so matter of fact it makes me tilt my head in question. A good-looking man like him must draw in quite the crowd on a daily basis. How could he not indulge?

“Rapid fire.” Zav claps his hands. “Favorite color?”

“I wasn’t asking questions fast enough for you?” I cross my arms over my chest and may or may not push my cleavage up a little more than necessary to accentuate the little bit of boobs I have.

His eyes flick down for longer than a quick glance. Zav takes his arms and does the exact same thing a moment later making me snort.

“Green.” This isn’t exactly true but the vibrance of his eyes in that moment eclipses my old favorite color of purple.

“Red.” He points at himself like it’s not clear whose favorite color he’s stating. “Least favorite food?” Finger poised back at me.

“Get that thing out of here.” I grab the offending appendage and trap it beneath my hand on the blanket. “Pickles if you must know. Good thing you didn’t pack them for dinner.” After a second passes I point my finger at him, and he smiles. “Do as I say and not as I do.” His smile widens.

“Pickles. Favorite season?”

“Fall. You?”

“Fall.”

Now I have a sneaking suspicion he’s not playing the game correctly anymore, so I test my theory. “Favorite book? Mine’sFifty Shades of Grey.”

“Same.”

“Zavier!”

“Celine.” His white teeth are showing in a full faced smirk now.

“You’re just repeating whatever my answer is.”

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