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Ash(50)

By:Leia Stone


Tessa smiled up at the guy with his strawberry blond curls. Damn, he was sort of a cute, sexy version of a grown-up Cabbage Patch Doll.

“Guys, this is Blake.”

I really did not like the idea of Tessa having a regular vampire feeder, especially not one that acted possessive of her.

Blake nodded to all of us, then his eyes settled on the tall enforcer at my side.

“Ryder,” he said.

Ryder nodded back. “Blake.”

It was clear Ryder had the respect of all the vampires, which was an achievement since they thought of ash as mongrel dogs.

The song changed then and Tessa squealed, ducking out from under Blake’s arm and grabbing Jayden and my hands, dragging us to the dance floor. Typical Tessa, she was a sucker for Britney Spears. It felt good to let loose, and I got lost in the music for some time. After dancing inside of a Jayden and Tessa sandwich for almost a half an hour, I broke away to get some water. I was laying off the liquor for a bit. Human alcohol was pretty much a waste now anyways.

As the crowd parted, I noticed Ryder leaning against the bar, his eyes locked on me as I approached. He lowered his glass from where he’d just taken a drink, his eyes traveling across me. I approached him slowly, taken aback by the intensity of his gaze.

“Having fun?” I queried.

His reached around and pulled me close to him, speaking in my ear. It was the only way to be heard in here. “What did you say? I can’t hear you over the music?” he shouted.

His muscular thigh was partly lodged between my legs, and to steady myself I reached out and let my hand rest on his bicep. The only thing ruining this moment was the reek of alcohol on his breath.

“Got a hold of some vamp moonshine I see,” I shouted back.

He gave me a slow but insanely sexy smile. “I’m told I need to lighten up.”

I grinned. Well, well, well … if I didn’t know any better, I’d think Ryder was more than a little drunk. My straight-laced, overly rigid, tough as shit Ryder. And I was starting to get the feeling that in his drunken state he wanted a piece of Charlie.

I knew I could lean into him now … I could kiss him. But something held me back. This wasn’t how I wanted it. Tomorrow the steel door to his emotions would close again and I knew on instinct that one night with Ryder would never be enough, and I didn’t want a taste only to lose it forever.

Before I could respond, he leaned in so close that my hair covered his face and his cheek touched mine. “I should have told you this long ago, but watching you fight in that culling was among the worst moments of my life. I was half a second from jumping in the fight and killing them all.”

My heart beat wildly in my chest at his proclamation. Who was this ash? He seemed relaxed, his words flowing more freely than usual. He pulled back then, slipping his leg out from under me, leaning farther back onto the bar. He was then casually watching people dance like he hadn’t just said the most romantic thing in the world. I sank in next to him and ordered my water.

After taking a few sips, I decided to be bold. “You wanna dance?” I gave him my bedroom eyes. This look had never failed me. I was wearing nipple pasties, for Christ’s sake. No way would he say no.

He swallowed before shaking his head. “I shouldn’t.”

Well, there’s a first time for everything. Awesome. I’m a complete loser. I noticed Kyle heading our way, and not wanting to break down like a full-on girl, I swiveled around.

“Right, see you later.” I booked it for the bathroom, trying to remember where it was.

Stupid, Charlie! He didn’t like me, he was just drunk and my boobs looked amazing in this shirt – he got distracted.

I took a wrong turn down the hallway before remembering that this led to an outside patio and smoking area. Frustrated, I turned around and ran smack into a vampire.

He caught me by the shoulders to keep me from falling. His grip was firm.

“Oh sorry,” I said as I tried to pull out of his grasp. He didn’t let go, and my eyes shot up to his face. His hair was slicked back and jet black; he had a pointy nose, and his eyes were doing the pulsing thing.

“I’ve been waiting all week to meet you. Your performance in the culling was superb,” he purred, tightening his hold on my shoulders.

“Thanks, I really need to use the bathroom.” I reached up to brush his hands off. He tightened them again, his grip an iron vice. What the actual fu–

“Ow!” I shrieked as his breathing hitched and he began to pant. Fangs slid from his upper lip. Shit. I had never fought a full-fledged vampire before. I knew they were stronger than ash, but not sure how much. I had a feeling I was about to find out.