The Dark Ones (The Dark Ones Saga 1)

I was smart enough to fit in.

I'd studied hard enough to make it a possibility.

But everything I'd studied had been a lie — or close enough.

My own mother hadn't given me the attention I'd craved — too afraid that if by chance my number was called, the separation would destroy me.

And now… I had the most beautiful man in the world kissing me — because he couldn't help himself.

Like a chocolate addict.

I was covered in his addiction; it flowed through my veins, but it wasn't me.

Slowly, I made my way into the bathroom. Expensive soaps lined one side of the tub. I started the hot water and began peeling my clothes away.

When the tub was full, I stepped in.

I'd just closed my eyes when I heard the doors open to the bedroom.

Ethan walked around the corner of the bathroom — like it was the most normal thing in the world — and held out a glass of wine.

I was too stunned to do anything but stare at the glass in his hand; it shook slightly. "I figured this would help you relax."

With a gulp, I reached out, and took the wine glass. Our fingers grazed each other, causing a jolt of awareness to wash over my body. I imagined he felt it too, if the elongating of his fangs was any indication. Quickly, he looked away and walked out of the bathroom.

Slamming the door behind him.

An hour later, and I was in bed, too exhausted to sleep. The door to the room opened again.

I could make the outline of a body.

Then the person moved into the firelight.

"Ethan?"

His eyes started to glow in the darkness as he removed his shirt, followed by his pants, and every other article of clothing on his body.

Was he? Did he think something was going to happen?

I tensed beneath the covers.

"Relax…" His voice was both soothing and commanding. "…and try to sleep, Genesis."

With him. Naked. Next to me?

Right.

I was lucky I was still breathing. The man's body was made for sin. Muscle packed around his midsection so tightly it didn't look real. I blinked, thinking it was some sort of trick, because men really shouldn't be that good-looking.

Then again…

His eyes continued to glow.

He wasn't really a man, was he?

The bed dipped.

My erratic breathing increased. I closed my eyes and focused on calming down my own heart.