Page 76 of Sharing Shadow Secrets
These types of things always make me feel nervous at first. It’s easier to do everything behind the camera. You get multiple takes and don’t have a real-life audience watching you. In real life stuff, it doesn’t come naturally to me. Taylor stands to the side, and I motion her my way. She shakes her head, and I find that too cute. I tell her to come here with my index finger, and some girl screams, “Let him bite you.”
She laughs and steps up to me, and the event photographer comes over.
“Can I touch you?” I ask, remembering her verbal consent request for the evening. She nods. “Is a nod consent?” I tease, and she squints at me, bratty. Before she can say anything else,I run my fingers down her arm, making a production out of it. Grabbing for her wrist, I turn it over and lift it to my mouth. I act like I’m going to bite her, and her blue eyes sparkle. I change course and press my lips into her skin. Then I shake my head, building the drama and scene and also wanting to touch her more. I pull her into me so her back is pressed against my chest. I tilt her head to the side and slowly go in for a pretend bite. A few people cheer when my fangs touch her neck, but all I can focus on is the pant that just came out of her.
I brush my lips against her ear, whispering, “I was not picturing you to have this body. You’re gorgeous.”
Her head turns and our eyes lock.
“Love this one!” the photographer says and shows the camera screen to both of us. The look of shock on her face is authentic.
51
Icannot believe he just said those things to me. Flustered, flushed, and needing to remind myself that I’m not really single, I step away from the photo booth. I spot Morgan and Gwen and head straight toward them, not looking back.
“Hot,” Morgan says, fanning herself with her hand. She looks so much like Avril Lavigne right now, it’s wild. The long blonde wig, thick eyeliner, white tank top, black tie, and wide leg black pants are perfect.
“Go get a photo with him then,” I say tightly because I cannot entertain his flirting. We’re all staying at Brandon’s place and will see him tomorrow. Plus, I’m about to get this signed contract.
“Only if you tell me that you have a crush on him,” Morgan says, knowing me too well and always being an instigator.
“I–”
“Don’t lie,” she cuts me off.
I raise my hands in frustration. Because of course I have a crush on him. He’s so damn fine. But I also have crushes on plenty of famous people and that isn’t cheating. “I have a crush on him,” I say quickly.
“Good girl.” Morgan pats the top of my wig. “You should get a sluttier photo with him.”
“Why?”
“Why not?” she asks in a bratty tone.
I hum, trying to come up with an excuse.
“I’ll take the trash out for the next month if you take one slutty photo with him,” Gwen says, leaning her elbow on the tall boy table.
I cannot believe they’re ganging up on me like this. Lie. I mean I can. This is how we are. This is why they’re my best friends. Gwen ever since living on the same floor in the dorms at Northwestern and Morgan the last couple of years.
I hate carrying the trash down three flights of stairs …
“Are you looking for him to draw blood?” I joke.
“I want to see the passion versus you looking like you’re about to be murdered,” Gwen says.
It will be good content for social media.
Before I talk myself out of it, I hand Morgan my phone. “Record it.”
She laughs devilishly, following behind.
“My roommate Morgan is going to record us for social,” I say to Kyle once it’s my turn again. “Can you do a scene like you did last time, but this time … more drama. Like vampire seduction.”
His grin grows, and with the fangs, it’s already seductive. He looks at Morgan, then looks back at me. “Is it cool that I touch you more this time?”
I nod, suddenly stressed about what I’m agreeing to.
He grabs for my hand, holding it gently in his. I’m sweating from how he’s making me feel and this dare. My hand is clammy, that’s for sure. He turns my hand, so my palm is up. With the fangs exposed, he leans down. Holding my gaze, he slowly drags the points of the resin material up my arm. I audibly inhale. It’s sensual. I feel like I’m actually being glamoured as his bigbrown eyes hold unrelenting eye contact. When he reaches my shoulder, he playfully bites it. I whimper because the fangs actually poked my skin.
