“Ready, vampire?” I give a single nod. Ashen leans down, folding his free hand across the back of my neck and pressing his lips to mine in a searing kiss. He pulls away and looks into my eyes. I expect he'll say something like be careful, or stay behind me. “Have fun. Don't hiss too loud,” he says. He gives me a wicked smile as he turns away. And fuck me if I don't realize that very instant that I've fallen head over heels in love.

