Sexting With A Vampire
Chapter 17

Stella

It feels like the chair has been covered in pins and needles.

I'm nervous.

Evan is sitting in front of me, all dark and gorgeous. His entire frame makes the chair seem small in comparison, and his blue eyes are intensely set on mine.

It's nothing short of frightening having him scrutinize me without saying anything. He is tall and imposing, and those rolled-up sleeves give me enough arm p**n to let me know he is a big man. I mean...

I know that from when we had s*x. But it was honestly hard to focus on anything other than Evan's lips, c**k, and the taste of his talented mouth.

Now we are supposedly on a date, and through my observations, I know Evan is a dangerous vampire. He killed alpha Logan first and asked questions later. It means he is reckless, yet part of my brain replaces that risky quality sexy. What is wrong with me?

"Have you found anything you want to order yet?"

I haven't even picked up the goddamn menu. I've spent the last five minutes staring at Evan, and the slow smile spreading across his features tells me he knows. "Umm..."

Evan seems to bite back a laugh when I pick up the menu. It makes my heart slam faster against my rib cage.

How do I calm down?

Evan usually looks so sharp and dangerous, intimidating. Tonight he is more approachable, which is odd. I like yet, but it's rather hard to relax when so many butterflies are in my stomach. "I'm going to go with the bloody pasta."

I almost choke and look up from the selections on the menu to stare at the smirking vampire. "Did you just say bloody?"

"Did I say bloody? I meant pasta."

I stare at him, eventually blinking to avert my gaze. I'm not sure if I heard that "bloody" line correctly, but I have this nagging feeling I did. Meaning Evan is messing with me.

"What about you?"

"I haven't decided yet."

"Do you need help deciding?"

"I'm fine."

Evan nods, and I worry that I might have sounded rude when I spoke to him. Guilt gnaws at me.

"Umm..."

Evan smiles. "Yes?"

His eyes make me more nervous. I've never felt this awkward on a date, not that I've ever even had a date before. And that is the problem. This situation is entirely new to me. "I'm sorry if I don't talk much. This whole dating thing is new to me, and I apologize that it's awkward..."

"Why do you think it's awkward?" Evan's question is measured, his tone careful.

"Uh..." My throat feels parched. "It's hard to just drop that I've been a servant to Ashley's family forever. My nickname has been mutt my entire life, and now... I'm on a date with... You." Evan winces. "The vampire prince himself..."

"Yes."

"I can understand how awkward you must feel, but I promise I've put our roles aside tonight."

I lift an eyebrow, laughing. "Really?"

"Yup," Evan deadpans before the corner of his lip curls up. "You're just a girl, and I'm just a guy."

I relax a little, actually smiling in my seat. Evan isn't that bad. In an alternative universe, maybe we could become friends? Or lovers? Even though I probably shouldn't fantasize about that. Werewolves and vampires get along like snow and salt, and the two certainly don't mix.

"Alright, I will try not to associate you with bats, darkness, bloodthirst, and insane magical power."

Evan's lips curl slightly. He appears massively amused. "Is that what you think of when you look at me?"

Glancing at him again, my stomach flutters, ripples of lust floating around in my stomach-Evan is a walking daydream. I would be lying if I said I didn't think about s*x when I looked at him. "Umm..." My blush is excruciating, and my face has turned hotter than the pits of hell. "Among other things?"

"I see," his smile is charming. "Besides dreaming about me, do you have any other hobbies?"

I snort, suddenly not caring about my manners. "Arrogant much?"

He shrugs. "No. I took your hand and saw your desires the first time we met; I'm merely stating facts."

My heart somersaults, and I'm building up a nervous sweat. I had entirely forgotten about that embarrassing moment. s**t. I suck air into my lungs in the hope of calming down. Evan asked another question-I should use it to steer the conversation away from this topic!

"I like to read!" I blurt out.

Silence falls, and I freeze into a block of ice.

Oh no.

Did I just randomly scream that?!

Nervously, I peer up at Evan. He appears a bit stunned but keeps his composure under control. There is a slight twitch to his lips, yet he doesn't laugh at me.

"What do you like to read?"

Think, think!

"Romance books..."

"Ah, that will complicate things."

I lift an eyebrow. "Huh?"

Evan leans his cheek against his palm. "Because I have to live up to all the expectations you might have. All those fictional men are perfect, and Lord knows I'm not."

I smile, and that's when the waiter decides to take our order. Evan gets his pasta, and since I've never been taken to a fancy restaurant, I order the same thing.

As the servant to Ashley, I'm lucky to be fed. I eat leftovers most of the time, and it's not unusual to replace mold. In fact, Ashley replaces it amusing to laugh and watch me eat awful food.

"I don't think I have very high expectations," I'm awkwardly running my sweaty palms over my legs. Drying them on the fabric of the emerald stress that I'm wearing.

Evan's demeanor changes. Those darkly curious eyes go soft and gentle, and so does his tone. "Because you've been abused and thrown into walls and cages?"

I nod at him. This isn't a conversation that is easy to have with anyone, but I really don't have any friends, and Evan... I'm not sure why, but my gut tells me I can trust him.

So I listen to my inner voice. Which probably is a stupid thing to do, considering Evan should be my enemy.

If Raphael ends up being my mate, Even will probably wish me dead. Because the alpha will become stronger if I mate with him.

"I'm so sorry..." Evan sighs heavily. "I usually don't care about other people, and I won't pretend to be a good person. But I care about you, and I'm sad that your upbringing was awful."

I blink up at him. "Why do you care about me?"

He arches an eyebrow as if the answer should be obvious. I stare at him, willing him to answer me.

It makes Evan breathe a laugh. "Did you forget about that part when you offered me your blood and saved my life? Trust me, if my own vampire clan saw me close to death, they would end my misery. But you," his eyes roam over my face, making me feel things I shouldn't, like shudders and forbidden desires. "You saved me."

My heart is beating way too fast. "I did..."

Evan carefully studies me, seeming to read my face. "Would it make you feel less awkward and suspicious of me if I told you something personal about myself?"

I glance up at him. The answer to his question would be yes, but I'm too much of a coward to say that.

Yet Evan seems to understand this since he is smiling.

He is a very observant person, something I'm beginning to like. Most of the time, I'm shy and awkward, even though Evan seems able to bring out the worst in me.

When the vampire teases me? Gosh, I get so mad, but at the same time, there is happiness mixed up in my irritation. Because Evan sees me and wants to get to know me.

Now I'm just praying he won't be disappointed in me if I don't live up to his expectations.

"I'm aware that your mother was killed by Ashley's parents," Evan says lowly, and I can't take offense. Not when his eyes show so much compassion. "And I think one of our main differences is that while you wish your mother was still alive, I wish my father was dead."

I stare at him in shock. "You don't like your father?"

Evan shakes his head without smiling. "No, why would I like someone who has abused me through my entire childhood and forced me to... Feed on people, even though... Even though I didn't want to."

Everything inside me stills as I study Evan. I think I'm now beginning to understand him a little. The tone he used, his facial expression, and the fact that he is telling me this...

Evan is opening up to me, and I can't help but feel like there is something he is indicating without directly saying it to my face. A hidden implication behind his spoken words.

My heart cracks a little when it finally dawns on me. "You hate what you are, don't you?"

His blue eyes meet mine. "Yes."