Blood's Fury (Deadly Beauties 1)

"Oh, yeah. Sorry. I just finished locking up."

I start walking off, but he jogs up beside me, surprising me a little.

"You aren't from around here."

I pause, not sure if I should continue trying to speak to him. If he's a changer, I should probably keep from turning my back on him again. If he's a night stalker, I definitely don't want to turn my back on him.

"Um, is that a question or an observation?"

"Both, I suppose."

He smiles bigger, making my heart trip over itself. Stupid deadly beauty bull shit. What is he?

“You're right. I just moved here from Colorado."

He stays at my side, keeping my pace as his hands cross behind his back.

"So are you going to the dock party? I hear it's supposed to be pretty great, and it's just up the road."

I look up, expecting to see a glisten of something in his eyes, but there's nothing there. I can't show him my mark until he reveals himself. It could kill a human to see it.

"No. I don't think so. I'm exhausted."

I start walking faster, and he keeps stride with me, his steps even and not seeming rushed like mine.

"Is Frankie your boyfriend?" he asks.

"Huh?"

"You were calling for a Frankie back there," he murmurs softly, not sounding winded like me.

"Oh. No. Frankie is my mom's friend. I thought I saw him."

Or thought he was trying to scare the shit out of me.

"Ah. Your mom lives here with you then?"

I almost stumble, but I quickly regain my composure before he has to catch me again. I almost wish my mother did live with me right now. She's made me a fucking basket case, and I'm freaking out a little.

For all I know, this is just one hot human. It's not like every sexy creature is an immortal.

"Um, no. I assumed she sent him out here to check up on me. He likes to scare me, so I thought he was lingering in the parking lot."

He bites back a grin, seeming amused by something. He keeps his hands behind his back, casually enjoying the night while I clamber down the sidewalk.

"You seem… scared. Am I scaring you?"

Hell yes.

"A little… are you following me home?" I worry, trying to provoke him into revealing himself and ending this cat-and-mouse game if he's really a blood drinker.

"Not at all," he laughs. "I'm going to the dock party. It's just around the corner up there. I thought it would seem creepier if I was walking behind you."

I let out a nervous laugh, finally relaxing a little, and he smiles his panty-dropping grin that makes the junction between my legs heat up and pulsate.

"Oh. Sorry. I'm just a little freaked out after seeing the news about the missing girls," I mutter, gauging his reaction with subtle scrutiny.

He nods, his smile fading as seriousness takes place.