"She's alive." Alex held up his hand for a high five. "No? Not funny? Too soon?"
"Horrible joke," Mason said next to him. "I made eggs. She's going to need food. Make her eat everything on the plate and—"
He was still talking when Ethan slammed the door in his face and brought a giant plate of food over to me.
"Forgive them." Ethan scowled. "There aren't typically secrets between us, and they're just concerned for you."
I pointed at the eggs, ten slices of bacon, and toast. "Clearly, they don't want me to starve."
"Wolves." Ethan looked heavenward. "He should be more concerned with his own diet, the ass."
"It does smell good." I moved up the bed so I could lean against the headboard. "Do you eat?"
Ethan's lips curved into a predatory smile. "I ate several times last night. Care for me to refresh your memory?"
My cheeks burned.
"So tempting." He reached for a piece of bacon and held it to his lips, taking a small bite that had my entire body clenching to keep from reaching out and attacking him. "And yes, I can eat. I typically do eat but haven't been because when we drink, we don't need normal food."
"But before me…" I grabbed a piece of toast. "You were eating normal food."
"I like you better." He winked. "But yes, I was."
"Good to know I'm better than bacon."
"Your taste…" His eyes brightened. "…is unlike anything I've ever had."
"Hmm…" I licked my lips.
"Stop it," he hissed and looked away. "Damn, I can't watch you eat. I'm going to shower while you eat your entire plate as per Mason's orders, and then I'll contemplate letting you leave this room so you can go to the bookstore."
"Ah!" I almost knocked over the food. "My job! Am I late? Will I get fired?"
Ethan burst out laughing. "It's eight in the morning. He's expecting you when I drop you off. No sooner, no later. You won't get fired. He wouldn't dream of it, and you really are adorable."
"And hot." I sighed.
"That too."
"No, I mean hot, as in, it's scorching in here."
Ethan winced. "You may be that way for a few days."
"Hot?"
He nodded.
"Why?"
"Too much vampire blood makes you overheat a bit." He shrugged. "It won't turn you— You're very much human, like I've said before, but sometimes the vampire blood causes a type of burn to take over in your bloodstream, not painful, just not exactly pleasant if it's a hundred degrees outside."
"Good thing it's Seattle." I bit into the toast.
"Yes, well, I imagine at this point, raindrops would simply turn to vapor if they landed on your skin."
I smiled.
"Shower." He nodded. "I'm going to turn around now and walk away."