Page 58 of Blood Taken (Blood Mafia 2)
My heart flutters in my chest.
This vampire is dangerous, for more than one reason.
"So you want to play games."
I wrinkle my eyebrows together and shove him away. "No need to sound so disappointed, Mateo. You're the one who started all of this." I gesture between us. "I might be young and naïve, but I can tell when someone's trying to manipulate me."
Mateo frowns at me, then flashes out of my apartment.
"Run away, Mateo! That's all you ever do when things don't go your way." I don't care if my scream is loud enough for other vampires to hear.
Fuck him.
Pressing off the closet door, I start to walk toward the bed. Mateo is suddenly in front of me. He picks me up and throws me on the mattress.
He got lucky. I didn't expect him to come back.
His body crashes on top of mine and I hate to admit I love the way he feels against me. I dig my fingers into the fabric of his shirt, ready to toss him off of me.
"Here's the thing, baby girl, the more you pretend not to like me or pretend you don't want me, the harder I plan to make you fall." He runs his nose along the column of my throat.
I tremble beneath him. I'm too proud to ask for him to bite me.
His fangs brush against my skin and I turn my head to the side, giving him permission to take what he wants. Gooseflesh races down my arms when he presses them into my flesh in a teasing bite.
Cool air washes over where his mouth is. It takes me a moment to realize what's happened. He flashed away. He didn't bite me even though I gave him the go ahead.
I'm disappointed.
Fuck this is confusing.
* * *
After makingbreakfast and drinking coffee the next morning, I throw on some gym clothes and head down to the fourth floor in hopes of finding Alissa. I haven't seen her yet, and I can't wait to spar with her at full strength.
My senses have seemed to calm down a little, or I'm getting more used to my supe powers. My hearing is the most notable change. Instead of everything sounding like cymbals clashing next to my ears, whispered conversations are heard with ease. I'm painfully aware of footfalls I'd normally miss. Sneaking up on me will be hard, so I can't complain too much. I'm sure within a few days I'll hardly notice them.
For being late morning, there are a lot of vampires in the gym. Most keep nocturnal schedules, even though the sun won't kill them. I'm assuming those here now are older and thus less susceptible to the sun's weakening effects.
"Demetria motherfucking... what's your last name?" Alissa laughs at herself and bounds over to me. Her long platinum ponytail swings behind her and her vibrant green eyes are filled with delight.
"Barrera." I look her over. "You're looking beautiful as ever."
She places her hand on her hip. "Demetria Barrera, you've got some explaining to do."
"First of all, don't ignore my compliment, fang banger. Second of all, do I really need to explain?"
Alissa smiles. "Thanks for the compliment, Hunter, and I guess you really don't have to... but WHAT THE FUCK, WOMAN?" Her shouted question makes the vampires in the gym turn and give us curious looks.
I notice the guy from the parking garage. The one that called me mouthy and got tossed into a car by Colt for his comment. He's wearing an ugly sneer that could rival that of Severus Snape. Except he's not quite as formidable seeing as he's just a measly vampire and not a wizard from Hogwarts.
"I warned them all," I say to Alissa while winking at the asshole.
He hits the punching bag so hard the chain breaks and it thuds to the ground, sand spilling from where his fist connected with the material. Alissa glances over her shoulder and growls.
"Goddammit, Trey. Clean that shit up and put a new one up."
Trey lets out a frustrated breath and nods.
