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I meet Noah’s eyes, silently asking permission.

Are we doing this?

He leans forward, pressing his lips to mine, his kiss sweetly scorching. I melt into him, my blood humming, emotions high.

But when my fingers move to the buttons of his bright white shirt, he places his hand over mine, stopping me.

“I don’t want to get blood on it,” I whisper, the tip of my finger toying with a button.

Hanging his head back, breath ragged, Noah closes his eyes like he’s trying to dredge up enough willpower to put an end to this. Finally, he manages to say, “We can’t make decisions while we’re hungry.”

He’s right. I know he’s right. But my fangs hurt, I’m edgy from being stuck inside for the last few weeks, and this hunger feels like too big a beast to cage.

When our eyes meet, I wrap my hand around the back of his neck, playing with the short strands of hair with my fingers.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he says.

“There are so many things I can’t do and can’t have. You are the only bright spot in my life right now, the only thing making this bearable.” I search his eyes. “I’m tired of being careful.”

Noah swallows. “I don’t think we’ll stop if we cross that line. And I made you a promise—I want to keep it.”

We study each other, desperate, so close to a beautiful ledge. But this promise means a lot to Noah, and somewhere under this gnawing hunger, it means a lot to me.

After a few seconds, I slide off his lap, pressing my bare feet into the rough hotel carpet before I put several safe steps between us.

It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

Noah stands, adjusting the collar of his shirt. He looks like he’s going to say something when there’s a knock.

“I’ll check it.” He crosses the space and opens the door.

“Room service,” Cassian says when he steps inside, dangling the prescription bag between his index finger and thumb, oblivious to what he almost interrupted.

Has it already been thirty minutes? Time flies when you’re making out with your vampire boyfriend.

Cassian opens the bag, revealing a brand-new bottle of blood. It’s never looked so welcome.

I hurry into the bathroom and take two plastic-wrapped disposable cups from the counter.

Cassian comes in behind me and snatches the ice bucket. “The vending machines are by the elevator. For the time being, I’ll fill this up. We’ll figure out a more permanent arrangement after you’ve had your morning dose.”

As Cassian leaves the room, I break the seal on the bottle and pour scarlet liquid into the cups. Wordlessly, Noah accepts one. Together, we down the blood, both of us cringing at the taste. Then we rinse our mouths with water and wash out the cups so we don’t freak out the maid later.

I’d like to say the hunger subsides, but it doesn’t. At least not fully. My fangs still pulse at my gumline, and Noah looks as tasty as ever.

“I’m going to the front desk now,” he says, his voice tight.

“Okay.”

He passes Cassian on his way out. The vampire prince gives Noah a questioning look and then places the prescription bottle in the ice.

When the door closes, he says, “Your boyfriend looks broody today. Trouble in paradise?”

“Hardly,” I mutter, sitting at the table with a sigh.

“I brought you a gift.” Cassian sits across from me and sets another prescription bottle on the table, this one full of capsules.

I look at it warily. “Why are you giving me random drugs?”

His eyes light with humor. “It’s not random. It’s the daylight medication.”

My gaze flies to his. “They didn’t approve me for the study.”

“I pulled a few strings with the research group and chatted with your doctor while we were working out the prescription. He said it was fine. They’re going to send your official prescription next week, but you can have one of my bottles until then. I order a few months’ worth at a time.”

“You can’t share medicine,” I say. “What if the dose is different?”

He rolls his eyes like he’s already several steps ahead of me. “You think I didn’t check?”

I take the bottle, wrapping my hands around it. “I can actually have them?”

“They’re all yours. Take one a day, preferably with food. It takes about twenty-four hours for it to start working and forty-eight to reach full strength. You can go in the sun as soon as tomorrow as long as you wear a high SPF sunscreen and don’t stay out too long.”

“Not to sound dramatic, but this might be the best gift anyone has ever given me.” I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotions this morning or what, but my eyes get misty. “Thank you.”

Cassian frowns. “Are you okay?”

Nodding, I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. Deciding I need to change the subject away from my vampire mood swings, I ask, “Any idea where Alfred might be?”

Cassian’s expression immediately sours. “I called Jameson this morning. He said Alfred is staying at a hotel in Miami Beach, though he doesn’t know which one.”

“Who’s Jameson again?”

“Alfred’s father.”

“Oh, right. I wonder how Alfred will feel about his dad helping you.”

“I doubt he’ll be too happy.” Cassian sits back in his chair, getting comfortable. “Jameson didn’t particularly care. Apparently, Alfred has a yacht as well, so he might be there instead of at the hotel.”

Vampires and oceans don’t seem like they’d go well together, but what do I know? I’ve only been a vampire for a few weeks.

“If he’s on his yacht, how will you find him?”

“That’s where it gets complicated. He could be near Miami and the Keys or off touring the world.”

“Okay…but how will you find him if he’s here?”

“We’re going to have someone call him from the local NIHA office. If he answers, they’ll track the signal, and Noah and I will head to that location.”

“And then what?”

He smiles to himself. “That depends on if he cooperates.”

“Great,” I say. “Well, you guys have fun with that.”

“What are you going to do with your day?”

“I’ll probably go parasailing,” I say flippantly. “Maybe join a dolphin excursion. After that, I’ll lie on the beach and see if I can get a tan.”

He gives me a knowing smile. “Perhaps wait until you’ve been on the daylight medication for a few days before you attempt any of that.”

The door opens, and Noah walks in.

“Were you able to get another room?” I ask him.

“No, but I figured I’d crash with Cassian.” He looks at my conservator. “Do you have a couch I can sleep on?”

“I do, but my suite didn’t come with a whirlpool tub, so you’ll have to temper your expectations.”

Noah rolls his eyes and then gathers his shaving supplies and shampoo from the shower. When he’s collected his things, he nods toward the iced blood. “I talked to the front desk about the fridge, and they said this room is supposed to have one. Someone is supposed to bring one by this afternoon.”

“They’re bringing an entire fridge?”

“They’re not that big. I’m sure they’ll move it on a handcart. Just be sure to watch the ice until they get here. You might need to refill it.”

I nod, realizing they’re about to abandon me.

Cassian joins him by the door. “Have fun, bunny.”

“Thanks,” I say listlessly.

Before he leaves, Noah crosses the space and gives me a quick kiss. “I’ll be back by dark. We’ll get some dinner and go to the beach.”

“Good luck finding your vampire.”

I feel a little despondent when they leave, and the room suddenly feels too quiet. I walk to the balcony window, gazing at the ocean.

A brightly colored lifeguard tower looks out over the water, and the beach is crowded. People walk along the wet sand and play in the surf.

Others lie on the hotel’s beach chairs. Some prefer the shade of the umbrellas, and others enjoy the sun. I wonder if I dare sprint across the patio to claim a shady spot.

But no, I’d burn before I ever reached my destination.

I can’t sit on the balcony, either, because it’s in full sun right now. But I crack the door so I can hear the music from the patio and pool area below and then turn my attention to the prescription bottle on the table.

By tomorrow, I might be able to go outside for a short time if I slather on enough sunscreen. And the day after that, maybe I can walk along the beach.

My mood lifts a little—just the thought of sunshine giving me a boost.

I fill my glass with water from the sink, take a pill, and wander to the bed, deciding I’ll watch Miami tourist videos on my tablet.

I’m lying on the hotel bed with my tablet propped on my stomach when my phone rings. It’s a few minutes after five, and Noah just sent a text that they’re headed this way.

I look at the screen, half expecting Noah to tell me he has to go back to the local NIHA office, but it’s Olivia. Answering the call, I set my tablet aside and sit up.

“How’s Florida?” she asks.

“It’s gorgeous from the window.”

“Have you been stuck inside all day?”

“So far, but it looks like some clouds are moving in. If they get thick enough, I might be able to leave the room before dark.”

“Let’s hope.”

“Have you decided to join me?” I ask.

“I thought about it—I even looked into flights. But then my car started making a funny noise, and Max said he’d work on it this week in exchange for dinners.”

“Tell me the truth—did you throw a wrench in the fan belt?”

“I don’t even know what a fan belt is.”

“I don’t actually know either, but it sounded plausible.”

“No, I didn’t sabotage the car on purpose.”

“If the two of you don’t—” There’s a knock at the door, cutting me off. “Hey, just a minute. I think that’s the hotel people with my mini fridge.”

“You can order a mini fridge?”

“I guess.”

I pull open the door and freeze.

Ethan, my ex-stalker, smiles at me from the hall. “Hello, Piper.”