Love Bites (Vampire Kisses 7)

Becky gave me a skeptical stare. Yes, what are you going to do with all these things?

I handed Annie all the money I had in my wallet. Saving them for a rainy day, I guess.

It might not rain for a while, Annie said. I hope you are able to enjoy them before then.

I will.

Becky gave me a quizzical look as she helped carry the bags and load them into her truck.

Need help taking them into your room? she asked when we arrived at my house.

Thats okay, I said. I really should do my homework, after all.

Thats all I needed to say to let Becky know something was up.

Theres something youre not telling me, she said.

You know I tell you everythingor at least everything I can share that I dont mind Matt knowing, I said, giving her a friendly dig.

Fair enough, she said. But Ill find out from you one way or another.

With that, Becky drove off. As I set down my goods on the driveway and unlocked my front door, I still felt a twinge of guilt. Becky had just helped me decorate a party I wasnt even inviting her to attend.

Dusk settled over Dullsville as I anxiously awaited Alexanders arrival at the cemetery.

We were going to share a private moment together before discussing our final plans for the party.

It was unusually late. I realized we might have planned to meet at the Mansion. I had finally decided to head back to the entrance when I got a text. Again, it was from an unavailable number.

Im watching you

I was sick of Trevor bothering me, and his game was about to end. I pressed the redial button, prepared to chew him out.

I heard a ringing coming from behind me but saw no one. I rose and followed the ringing until I made my way up toward the Sterling monument.

Out from the darkness emerged Alexander, a cell phone ringing in his hand.

My heart stopped. It couldnt be. Alexander had a cell phoneand had been texting me?

It goes against everything you believe in.

He smiled a broad smile.

It was youall along? I asked, still shocked.

He continued to beam.

But you sent me messages during the day, I said, when you were sleeping in your coffin.

Youre not the only one who gets insomnia.

The image of Alexander lying in his coffin, thinking of me and texting, melted me.

But what made you do this?

Ive always wanted to sit next to you in class. Buy your lunch.

Watch you study. You should have all the things a normal girl gets from her boyfriend. And by going out with me

Im not normal, though, no matter who I go out with, I said with a laugh. At least these Dullsvillians dont think so.

He put his arm around me. You arent normal to me, either. You are extraordinary.

I wrapped my arms around him.

You should have all the good things coming to you, he continued. All the gifts. I dont want you to ever doubt how much I care for you.

I took his free hand in mine. But this isnt your thing. Technology. Modern conveniences.

Its not about whats my thing, he said with a smile. Its about yours.

I hugged Alexander with all my might.

But I dont want you to change.

Its not about changingits about growing, together, he said, like the wise soul that he was. I wanted to let you knowthat I am with you. Always. Forever. We dont have to be separated by the sun, school, or even the night. Now Im just a click away.

I was deeply moved by Alexanders present to me and rewarded my vampire boyfriend with mortal kisses.

Chapter 15 Party at the Mansion

I spent the following day alone, toiling around in the Mansions backyard while Alexander and Sebastian slept in their respective tombs. No one would be able to help me set up for the party. Thats what I got for wanting to date a vampire.

I hung the skeleton lights from the wrought-iron fence and put place mats on a coffin-lid table. I lined the crumbling walkway with votives and floor-length candelabras. The fake tombstones poked out from the dead grass. Sebastian had hooked up his sound system in the gazebo, and I decorated it with plastic bats and blinking skulls.

By the time Alexander and Sebastian awoke, I was beat. The pair was wide-eyed and freshly groomed when they found me crashed out on a sofa in the parlor room.

Alexander gently petted my hair and awakened me from my catnap.

The best sight in the world was Alexander. Even blurry, he was smoldering. His deep, dark hair melted over his ears, and his smile was heavenly.

Youve really outdone yourself, he said. The backyard looks great!

What time is it? I perked up in a hurry.

They should be here soon, he said.

Im not even dressed! I exclaimed. And I feel like I just got out of gym class.

I leaped up from the sofa and dashed to the upstairs bathroom.

I only had twenty minutes to clean up. I washed, dried, primped, powdered. It was something I was used to, as I normally overslept and had to get ready for school in record time.

Also, I was extra speedy because I was anxious for our party to begin, eager to see Onyx and Scarlet, and for Sebastian to fall in love with one of them so my relationship with Becky would return to normal.

When I finished my fifteen-minute makeover, I descended the outside backstairs as if I were a contestant in a beauty pageant. Only, instead of stilettos, hose, and a white ball gown, I was in rubber lace-up boots, fishnets, and a black slip dress. I spun around in my outfit.

Boyyou look hot! Alexander said. He was setting up the fire pit.

Make that double hot! Sebastian concurred.

Sebastian was tinkering with the sound system, making sure his favorite hits were loaded onto his iPod. The three of us talked for a while, but our monsterfest wasnt going as planned. There was no sign of Onyx and Scarlet.

Alexander stoked the fire. Sebastian fixed some of the skeleton lights, and I adjusted my suffocating boots.

Its been nightfall for over an hour, I finally commented, glancing at my watch. Where are they?

Maybe they got lost, Alexander said. Did you give them directions?

Several times.

Then I bet something else came up, Sebastian lamented.

I know these girls, I said defiantly. If they said theyd be here

Its okay, Raven, Sebastian said. Its really the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. But we dont have to wait all night. Besides, this is as good a time as any to tell you that Ill be leaving tomorrow.

What? I asked.

Even Alexander was surprised by his comment. We were having a blast.

I knowbut Ive worn out my welcome here.

No, you havent, I told him. Id gotten used to Sebastians presence, and I knew it was good for Alexander to have the company.

Why dont we go inside, he suggested. We can have a little band session to take it off my mind. I think youre on your way to being a lead singer.

We cant give up on our party yet, I tried.