Page 5 of Hungry for the Vampire

"Yes," Roman said, "I have seen that."

I saw the smallest smile move the corner of his mouth, and though it was gone as quick as it had come, it made me happy. It was hard to explain. I felt responsible for the shape of his night somehow—if the wolf thing hadn't happened, maybe he wouldn't be stressed out, maybe he'd be having a better time here.

It was nice to see a smile on him, even just for a second.

"Let's go upstairs," Roman said. "I think it will be better."

"Uh, sure." I watched him turn, his broad form carving out a space for us to walk through. It was a hell of a lot easier moving through this party when I was in his wake. Going up the steps, I wondered what it was he did for fun. He wasn't dancing, he wasn't flirting with anyone. I'd seen him chat with a couple people, but that was about it.

Up on the second floor, a mezzanine landing about half the size of the main floor, it was less crowded. There were a couple games of pong going on, groups of people hanging out and able to talk where the music was quieter. I followed Roman over to where a massive sectional couch was taking up most of a corner, and when he sat down, I sat next to him.

"You've been going for a while," Roman said. "I thought it would be a good time to rest."

I might have protested if sitting down on the leather couch hadn't felt so instantly relieving. I just nodded, letting my head relax into the back of the cushion.

"I still can't get over how you handled those wolves." I was looking mostly at the ceiling, but I could see Roman from the corner of my eye. "I wish I had seen it."

"It was nothing special. They were cowardly, attacking you three to one."

I turned my head toward him. I'd never heard someone describe a wolf as cowardly. But I could tell that he meant it, and sitting next to him, it was still apparent how much bigger than me he was. I could hardly blame the wolves for practically running away at the sight of him.

"It was special to me," I said. "Christ, Roman, I'll never forget that for the rest of my life."

He opened his mouth, then closed it before clearing his throat. "Well. Jared. I'm glad I was there for you."

"You and me both." I grinned, showing my teeth, wondering if he might do the same. I got that little hint of a smile from him once more, and that was good enough.

Pressing up against him here on the couch, he felt a little cold. With the cape and the shirt and everything, I didn't know how he was keeping it chill in here—the place was packed and I was definitely sweating all through my cheap pirate costume. It would be going straight to the trash once tonight was over. But Roman had no sweat around his collar, nothing on his forehead. He hadn't been dancing, of course.

That meant he really had brought me up here just so I could rest. It sure didn't look like he needed to take a break himself.

I chewed the inside of my lip and wondered why this was making me feel...funny. Making me feel warm, and not just because it was hot in here. Just sitting here with Roman, it was nice. I felt a strange urge to grab his hand, or to put my hand on his thigh. Or...

What? What was I thinking?

Chapter 4

I stood up from the couch, trying to look casual as I wandered over to the railing to look down at the main floor. My face was hot, burning with surprise and shame over what had just run through my head.

Because I wasn't gay. But I had definitely just thought about holding Roman's hand. And...and a little bit more.

"Mmf." An involuntary noise in my throat as I leaned over the railing. This was stupid. I just wanted to thank him for saving me, that was all. It wasn't like...it wasn't some romantic thing. Couldn't be. I'd never thought about another guy like that. And Roman probably hadn't, either.

Probably.

Lights were coming on. A glance at my phone told me it had gotten late quickly, that somehow it was almost three in the morning. I straightened up, and I almost yelped when I turned and saw Roman behind me.

"Is it over?" he asked me, peering past me to look downstairs.

"Yeah. Uh, I think so. People are leaving." I glanced toward the door, where the partygoers were spilling out.

"We should leave, then. Stay close to me."

He wanted to leave together? I wasn't going to argue. I went downstairs with him, bumped elbows with a few people I knew and said goodnight to them, and a couple minutes later Roman and I were standing toward the tree line where we'd first walked through.

"Did you drive here?" I asked.

"No," Roman said.