Page 11

Ava

B ubbling over with excitement, I can hardly stay still.

Nolan’s warm hand rests on my thigh as he drives us somewhere unknown.

When he told me he had a surprise for me, I wanted to know what it was so badly, so I started guessing, but to no avail.

When he knocked on my door after working on music to tell me he was taking me somewhere, I got ready to go so fast I surprised even myself.

We had to wait for the sun to go down, and I found myself impatient to explore Vegas for our first night here.

Being off of the Strip seems more intimate, with old gray brick buildings and sidewalks dressed in bright green bushes and tall iron streetlights. There are fewer people around, and I find I can take in more of the shops and their uniqueness without the loud bright lights that consume the Strip.

Since our kiss, Nolan’s affection has increased, and I love it. His touch is welcome, and it gives me butterflies as I catch more feelings for the Alpha sitting next to me in the driver’s seat of his ridiculously flashy sports car.

“It’s late at night. Is it a walk around a secluded park?” I guess. “I hope you can protect me against serial killers!”

He laughs at my nonsense, and I’m pleased that he handles my jokes well. It would suck if he had a dry sense of humor. Honestly, I don’t know what his surprise for me is, so I keep coming up with ridiculous scenarios.

“No, Ava, the surprise is not a secluded walk with a serial killer. I don’t know about my skills for murdering someone who tries to harm you, but I think I have your personal security handled with my size alone.”

I can’t help but agree. He’s tall and muscular. So was his dad. I wonder if it’s a family trait or an Alpha vampire thing. Maybe both. I like our size discrepancy—I feel safer with him around.

“Is it seeing strippers at the Pussy Cat Theatre? I’ve always wanted to see how they swing those sparkly tassels around with their ginormous boobs. I mean, that takes some skill.” I look over to catch his expression.

He gives a wolfish grin then bites his lip, holding in his laughter. “Not this time, but I’ll add it to the list for the future. For your research purposes, of course. I wouldn’t want your curiosity to get the best of you.”

I like that we’re becoming more comfortable with each other and that he can dish it back to me. The more witty our banter gets, the closer I feel to him. He seems to like my quirks.

“Well, I guess I need to think of more possibilities.”

“No, you don’t, sweetness, because we’re here.”

He parks his fancy car at the curb, and I look over to see a brightly lit shop.

The interior looks like an explosion of hot pink and white.

Glancing at the sign, I realize it’s a donut shop.

I smile so big that it hurts my face. I’m touched that he came up with this idea.

So personal and thoughtful. Since our night of nesting and kisses, we’ve been getting to know each other between his sound checks and publicity interviews.

The band has really warmed up to me too, with Rex checking out each photo before I post them.

Nolan is more than a famous rock star and vampire—he’s thoughtful and a true artist, something he hides from the rest of the world with the charming persona he projects like a mask.

He’s warm and unruffled with his band, joking around with the guys and Stella, and they function like an unbreakable family unit.

I wonder if it’s similar to or different from the atmosphere at House Stryker.

“Nolan, you know how to speak to my heart. Are you secretly a sugar pusher who’s giving me my next fix? Or maybe you’re trying to seduce me?”

“Maybe both.” He brushes my hair from my eyes. “Come on, let’s get you your next high. I’m sure your followers will love that you’re in Vegas.”

He’s right. My followers might be thrown that I’m not in California, but I know they’ll be excited.

I haven’t been to Vegas before and can’t wait to share this new place with them.

Nolan climbs out, walks around the front, and opens the door of the low-slung car.

Holding out his hand, he helps me out of the car, probably so I don’t flash my hoo ha to anyone who might be around.

He locks the car and places his hand on my lower back as he ushers me inside the shop. The door chimes with a bell overhead, and there are only a few people at this hour enjoying the sweet treats.

I would have thought Nolan’s nighttime schedule would be a hard adjustment for me, but for the past few nights, so much has been happening that I’ve been going to bed when the sun comes up. I guess adjusting to a vampire’s schedule is part of preparing to become one myself.

We walk to the glass cases, and I scope out my mainstays while perusing my other options. I shouldn’t have more than two before bed, but I can’t pass up the opportunity to try a new place. Nolan greets the man behind the counter and starts looking as well.

I snap a few pictures for my post. When I know which donuts I want, I wait patiently for Nolan to choose his own. He looks at me and stands by the register. “You ready, Ava? Made up your mind yet?”

“I have.” I walk to him, and he grabs my waist and pulls me close. “Well, tell the man what you want.”

He kisses my cheek, and I can’t help but blush.

I feel more wanted with each touch and small kiss he gives me.

Could Nolan become my Alpha? He would be a great Alpha mate.

He’s thoughtful and kind to those he considers friends, and he always looks out for me.

Makes sure all my questions are answered.

“I’ll take a devil’s food with coconut, a raspberry filled with powdered sugar, a glazed twist, and a Boston cream, please.” I look at Nolan, and he nods to the man.

“And please add a crumb cake, apple filled, apple fritter, bear claw...oh, and a cinnamon roll. The rest can be a mound of donut holes, please.”

I grin at him, “You have good taste in donuts, Mr. Szasz. You like apples, huh?”

“Yeah, I do. Glad you approve. You’re the expert, after all. I wouldn’t want to disappoint Ava, the Grand Duchess of Donuts, the famous donut influencer. I think your follower count will increase after they learn you’re on the road with Death by Dawn.” He looks down at me.

“I’m sure it will. I’ll get your thirsty fans loving donuts in no time.”

“My thirsty fans? I’m offended.” He smirks, and I can’t help the laughter that escapes me.

Our circumstances are similar. Our fans know only what we show them, and we’re both pretty isolated, Nolan as a result of his career, and me as a result of my friends leaving San Diego and my parents’ deaths.

He pulls me out of my thoughts and asks, “Do you want a drink?”

“Umm, I should stick with chamomile tea, or I’ll be too buzzy to sleep in a few hours. Will I have to give up coffee as a vampire bride? That would suck so bad! Ugh.”

“You mean when you become a vampire mate . Remember, it’s deeper than just a bride, and if your Alpha mate keeps you away from your beloved lattes, you tell me, and I’ll sort his shit out.”

Picturing anyone other than Nolan as my Alpha feels strange. I know he’s the only Alpha I’ve gotten to know, and maybe that’s a bad thing, but I feel like he’s the right Alpha for me. I can’t help how my heart feels when he looks at me.

“Add a chamomile tea and a decaf white chocolate mocha, please.”

“Damn, I forgot about decaf. It’s sacrilegious, you know.”

“Oh, is it? You’ll need to revoke my coffee drinker membership.” He winks at me, and I know I’m falling dangerously deep for this man. “Just don’t tell anyone—it’ll be our little secret.”

What if my future Alpha doesn’t like my friendship with Nolan? There is so much about vampire society that I don’t yet understand. I hope my Alpha, whoever he is, is as accepting and kind and understanding as Nolan.

Who am I kidding? The small voice inside my head screams at me that it should be Nolan. I don’t know if I’m reading too much into our growing connection. Maybe it’s my Omega instincts that Nolan keeps talking about.

I grab our drinks as Nolan pays, and he takes our pink box to the table in the corner furthest from others.

We sit, and I look around. There’s a woman across the room, and two men deep in conversation.

There’s also a round table filled with what looks to be a motorcycle club enjoying their late-night treats.

Nolan opens the box, grabs his apple fritter, and places it on a napkin. He takes a sip of his mocha and stares at me. I choose the devil’s food and take a bite, loving the rich, chocolaty goodness the instant it hits my tongue.

“Good, huh?” He smiles and takes another sip.

“Can I take a picture of you eating your donut? My followers would flip.”

“Sure.” He poses with his donut, and he looks good. Is he always this hot?

I take a few more shots but hold off on posting so the shop doesn’t get flooded with hordes of fans. I want to be present with him, not rude.

Nolan grabs my phone and pulls up my feed, looking at the last few posts. “You’re so sweet and approachable. I can tell our fans really like that about you, and it’s showing in our feed. My ex wasn’t like that.”

He hands me back my phone and looks me in the eye, glancing behind his shoulder. “So, it’s question time. Throw ‘em at me, Omega.”

He and Stella have been really considerate about answering my questions as they come up.

When I think about the most burning one, what comes up is blood and feeding.

I watched him feed from Rex yesterday, and I was surprised to learn that contributors get off from that.

I’m surprised that mates don’t get possessive of their mates feeding on others. Maybe to vampires, it’s just food?

“Tell me about feeding. I don’t want to accidentally kill anyone. Does the Alpha possessiveness not cross over to humans? I also don’t know how I’ll react to the taste of blood.”