Page 50 of Sharing Shadow Secrets (High Five Novella #6)

“ S howtime,” Taylor says, peeking her head into the office door. “When you hear the guy say it’s time to be bitten, walk into place.”

I step next to her, staring down at Taylor.

Without her platform tennis shoes, I bet she’s a head shorter than me.

Then I hear the prompt and walk ahead. The bar is dimly lit with a photobooth against the back wall.

It seems like all of the women take out their phones and start recording and snapping photos as I stand in front of it.

These types of things always make me feel nervous at first. It’s easier to do everything behind the camera.

You get multiple takes and don’t have a real-life audience watching you.

In real life stuff, it doesn’t come naturally to me.

Taylor stands to the side, and I motion her my way.

She shakes her head, and I find that too cute.

I tell her to come here with my index finger, and some girl screams, “Let him bite you.”

She laughs and steps up to me, and the event photographer comes over.

“Can I touch you?” I ask, remembering her verbal consent request for the evening.

She nods. “Is a nod consent?” I tease, and she squints at me, bratty.

Before she can say anything else, I run my fingers down her arm, making a production out of it.

Grabbing for her wrist, I turn it over and lift it to my mouth.

I act like I’m going to bite her, and her blue eyes sparkle.

I change course and press my lips into her skin.

Then I shake my head, building the drama and scene and also wanting to touch her more.

I pull her into me so her back is pressed against my chest. I tilt her head to the side and slowly go in for a pretend bite.

A few people cheer when my fangs touch her neck, but all I can focus on is the pant that just came out of her.

I brush my lips against her ear, whispering, “I was not picturing you to have this body. You’re gorgeous.”

Her head turns and our eyes lock.

“Love this one!” the photographer says and shows the camera screen to both of us. The look of shock on her face is authentic.