Chapter 9
OLIVIA
After a few more drinks, a warm buzz settled in, loosening the tight knot in my chest.
“And you know what, Lark?” I said, my words starting to blur at the edges. “Who cares if he’s getting married? I didn’t even want that asshole. He’s a lying, cheating son of a bitch who was never worth the three years I spent with him.”
“Yes, girl!” She lifted her glass, and we clinked them together, finishing off our fifth round.
Two years. That’s all it took for him to decide she was worth forever. So what had been wrong with me?
I shook the thought away before it could take root and ruin my whole night. I didn’t care, not really, because it wasn’t about him and Lala getting married.
I just… I missed it.
The feeling of being wanted. Of connection. Of being seen. Of having someone stand beside you when the world got heavy.
That didn’t feel like I was asking for too much.
As if summoned by my depressing thoughts of love, Nathan appeared beside Lark, his expression tight and voice strained.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were going out tonight, babe? I would’ve taken you. Kept my eyes on you.”
Lark jumped in her seat, then turned to him with exaggerated slowness. How long does it take for you to get used to your vampire boyfriend popping up out of nowhere?
She propped her elbow on the bar and rested her chin in her hand, trying to give him a hard look, but her lips wobbled as her eyes lit up. She reached out and poked his nose, grinning when his eyes went big, like he was the most adorable thing she’d ever seen.
“Well, Mr. Meeting-with-my-maker,” she teased, words lilting, “I was out with friends from work. Then I ran into Via outside the club, and we decided to celebrate. She won! Tell her congratulations!”
Her wide, sweeping gestures nearly clipped a girl passing behind her before landing on my face and giving me a little pat. Nathan’s gaze flicked to me, sharp and accusing, like this was somehow my doing.
“Are you drunk?” he asked, softer now, but the words were edged with something that made my chest ache. He stepped closer, cupping her face so she could only pay attention to him. “I thought we agreed you wouldn’t have more than a couple if I wasn’t with you.”
I was seconds from jumping in, ready to take the blame for her, when Lark let out a light, airy giggle and began caressing his cheek like she was calming a fussy child.
“Don’t worry so much, Natey.” Her head tipped sideways, loose and unsteady. “It’s fine. We’re fine. Everyone’s fine.”
She lost her balance when she tried to turn away, but Nathan was there, catching her and spinning her back around to him. His hand extended, palm up, his eyes locking onto hers.
“Come dance with me.” The shift in his tone was immediate—low, controlled, leaving no room for argument.
Lark’s lips curved, slow and knowing, but she shook her head. His jaw tightened.
Oh shit! I’d never seen a mad Nathan. WasI going to have to beat up her vampire boyfriend? How was I going to do that? I looked around for something sharp and stabby.
“Prove it,” he said, voice darkening. He threw his head over at the small dance floor. “Prove you’re fine.”
I sighed in relief. I didn't think I could take on an angry vampire feeling this tipsy. I mean, I would… but I wouldn't win.
He tugged her forward, pulling her off the stool too quickly. She wobbled on her heels, but his arms were already there, steadying her before she could fall.
Her gaze dragged over him, taking her time, before she glanced back at me, clear-eyed and sharp despite the alcohol.
“You good, Via?” Her attention flicked between us, torn between staying with me and going with him. “I can stay,” she offered, but with the way she squeezed his hand, I knew what my best friend wanted to do.
I shook my head, lifted my glass, and tipped it toward them, giving my blessing. “Go. Have fun.” When her brows pinched, I added a wink. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll find someone to dance with.”
She rolled her eyes, knowing I meant it sarcastically. Grabbing his hand, she tugged him to the dance floor, ready to burn all that energy inside her.
While my best friend and her vampire boyfriend made up, I settled back onto my stool and finished my drink, savoring the last sip before ordering a water. I felt good, loose and light, but I wasn’t about to tip into full-blown drunk. I didn't trust the world enough to be that inebriated.
Closing my eyes, I let the warmth settle through me, that soft, floating ease loosening every tight edge. I let go of the pressure from Manshu’s threats nipping at my heels. I let go of the sharp sting of seeing John with perfect Lala.
Just for a moment, I let myself exist without all those thoughts and realities and just breathed.
“That was quite a show earlier.”
I jerked at the voice brushing my ear, finding a stunning man far too close. Brown hair, midnight-dark eyes, and a smile that lingered just a little too long. Something about him tugged at my memory. The shape of his face, maybe, but I couldn’t place it.
His smile widened just enough to reveal the sharp gleam of fangs. Vampire.
Not saying a word, I shrugged and turned away. The universal signal: not interested.
Not a second later, he slipped onto the seat beside me like he’d always meant to be there. “I was just wondering what that guy did to deserve that kind of punishment.”
He leaned in close enough that the scent of sweet musk curled into my lungs. It was warm. Inviting. Dangerous.
I almost leaned in too before I caught myself. It took all my tipsy restraint to stay still instead of shrinking away or encouraging him.
“None of your business,” I said, turning away further.
“If you don’t like talking…” His voice followed me, low and amused. “How about a dance?”
What is wrong with this guy? Can he not take a hint?
I spun back toward him. “I don’t date supes, so it's best if you move along.”
That should’ve done it. It usually did… but he didn’t leave.
Instead, his fingers brushed the red-tipped ends of my hair—the same way Manshu had earlier. I braced for the wave of disgust, for my skin to crawl and my anger to rise, but it didn’t come, which somehow made it worse.
Don’t you dare like this, Olivia! He’s dangerous. A vampire. He will drain you dry.
My eyes lifted, and I was finally able to see this male in his full beauty. My breath caught, and my thighs pressed together. I wet my lips, wholeheartedly blaming it on the alcohol, the dry air, anything but the way he was looking at me.
“Who said anything about dating?” he said with a soft laugh.
Heat crept up my neck.
He leaned in again, his voice dropping just for me. “I was only hoping for a dance with a pretty girl. That's it.”
A disbelieving huff slipped out before I could stop it. “Yeah. Right,” I bit out, the sarcasm cutting through. Crossing my arms, I added, “That and my blood on tap like your own personal keg.”
This time, he gave a full belly laugh—warm, easy, completely unbothered—and the sound made me jolt.
Now, I was paying attention. Wild brown hair framed his face, carrying a careless, just-rolled-out-of-bed look that felt out of place for a supe. Most of them curated every detail, down to the designer labels and polished edges, always trying to outshine each other for the top spot.
And this guy? He looked like he’d woken up like this and couldn’t be bothered with fixing it. Matching that vibe was his casual t-shirt, jeans, and his easy smile. Somehow, it worked for him.
His smile spread wide—not sharp, or mocking, or meant to intimidate—but easy. Genuine. Like he was actually enjoying himself.
It was… almost infectious.
Leaning against the bar, a honey-brown strand falling into his face, I could even say that he almost looked like a normal guy. Casual clothes. Relaxed posture. Harmless. Everything he was putting out was oddly nonthreatening for a vampire.
I narrowed my eyes on him. What’s his game? His angle?
“What if I promise I won’t ask, demand, or coerce even a single drop of blood from you?” he said, lifting his right hand and putting the left over his heart.
Before I could stop myself, my eyes rolled skyward. “Sure. And I won’t need water to deal with this buzz later.”
I lifted my glass and took a pointed sip, hoping he’d take the hint.
He didn’t.
“Just one dance.” With a laugh, he glanced toward the dance floor, and when he swung back to me, his lips were pursed.
“Okay, I lied,” he admitted immediately, mischief twinkling in his eyes. For a second, his smile had a boyish charm. “Give me five dances, then you can ditch me if you’re not feeling it. No harm, no foul.”
His nonthreatening smile was disarming my attitude brick by brick, but I cut my eyes to the side, trying to keep my face unimpressed.
I bit the inside of my lip, feeling my resolve start to slip. It was just five dances. It didn’t sound that terrible.
Lark and Nathan were still tangled up in their own drama, so I wasn't going to be saved by her. And honestly, moving around might help burn off the alcohol faster.
That’s all this was.
A familiar song pulsed through the speakers, one I always danced to back at the shop. Like it was muscle memory, my body started to sway.
Apparently, that was answer enough.
His cold hand wrapped around mine, tugging lightly. Not forceful, not demanding, just enough to lead, leaving me the opportunity to pull away.
I didn’t. I slid off the stool and followed.
“If you get anywhere near an artery, I’ll kick you in the nuts, this I swear. Vampire or no.” I warned.
He chuckled, guiding me through the crowd. “Sure. Sure. That's to be expected.” Then he looked back and tilted his head. “Though I’m pretty sure the woman doing the kicking earlier was blonde, no?”
Shit.
I groaned under my breath. Of course he saw that.
“S-she’s the bubbly one,” I scrambled, trying to connect it back to my threat. “If she’s willing to go that far, imagine what I’d do.”
His smile only widened.
“I like my women difficult.”