“Razor noticed. “You know him,” he said, narrowing his eyes. I nodded. He arched a brow. “Hmm…know him or know-know him?” “That’s none of your business,” I snapped.”

“I have no idea what he wants. Maybe he needs to remind you to pack your skimpiest swimsuit.” He paused. “Oh, wait, no. That’s me.” He grinned as I rolled my eyes. “Why do I even try to have normal conversations with you?” I asked him. “Because you like talking to me.”

“Sebastian then turned to the redhead. I didn’t want to know her name. I already had a perfectly fitting nickname for her in my head. “This is Selena Alvaro.” “Please call me Lena,” the girl smiled, extending a manicured hand. I shook it politely. Whatever Sebastian's issue was, I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of showing that I cared. “Do you know Bast well?” she asked me. Ugh. That nickname again. “I guess not,” I replied curtly, shooting him a pointed look. “He's just one of the vampires in town.”

“I said I wasn’t going to hurt you!” he growled, pinning me even further into the soft, wet earth. “But I never said that I wouldn’t hurt you!” I snapped. He brought his face toward mine. “I’d like to see you try,” he whispered.”

“Brooke groaned. “Couple or not, isn't he like from the 1800's? Chivalry isn't dead, you know.” “I can't believe you actually know what the word chivalry means,” Sophie said, laughing. “Brooke's vocabulary is very extensive when it comes to talking about guys,” I teased, relieved that the conversation had shifted away from Sebastian.”

“For the first time since we began our sparring match, I was suddenly aware of him—all of him. Aware of the soft black curls tumbling across his forehead; aware of the firm muscles on his chest and stomach; aware of the intense heat in his silver eyes. Most of all, I was aware of the strong current coursing through my body, luring me toward him. Without further hesitation, he laced his fingers through my hair and pulled me deeper into him. His lips collided against mine, drawing me out of the darkness toward a warm, safe light. With a simple kiss, he had managed to dispel so much of my pain.”

“Trouble in paradise? Want me to talk to him for you?” he offered. “I’m sure I can convince him to come crawling back. Even literally, if you’re into that kind of kinky stuff.”