Blood Awakening Read Online Free PDF Page B

to look at him, but his eyes remained fixed on the wall. What did that mean? Did that mean that now he did like me? That me being half vampire didn’t matter anymore? Or did he mean that I should give in to the inevitable change happening right in front of me and just kiss him or something? My mind pulsed painfully with questions.
    “I’m going to bed,” I said softly, pressing my fingers into my pounding temples. I looked at Erik again, but he didn’t look back—didn’t even acknowledge I was there—as I brushed past him and walked to the door of our room.
    “One more thing,” he said after my back was to him. I stopped but didn’t turn around, fearful that if I did, I might just give in to the overpowering feeling in the pit of my stomach.
    “What?” I heard rustling and felt him ease in behind me, his large hand once again resting on the exposed skin of my arm. He leaned down, putting his mouth next to my ear, his breath warm and inviting on my neck, the scent of his blood seizure-inducing.
    “You didn’t say no to my question.” A tiny laugh escaped his throat as his hand left my arm, slid along my side (more sweet fire trails) and opened the door. I was frozen, totally unable to move or speak, as he sidestepped around me and went inside. He was right, I didn’t say no. And I had no idea why.
    I somehow managed to steer clear of Erik the rest of the night, crawling into bed beside Kayla and instantly falling asleep. My mind was plagued with a barrage of fragmented memories—more distorted faces and voices—that kept me from getting any decent rest. So naturally I was up first the next morning, thankful for once that being half vampire meant I didn’t need much sleep. I sat up in bed, and my eyes immediately fell on Erik’s naked chest rising and falling in rhythm with his slumber. He was beautiful, no doubt about it, but I still wasn’t sure if I could trust him completely. Which was completely crazy considering all he had done—had lost—for me. When we first met, he was very standoffish—probably because he was a vampire hunter and I was a vampire—and wouldn’t share anything personal with any of us. But since his sister’s death, he had almost become like an open book, ready to chat about anything and everything. I was glad he felt comfortable enough around Kayla and me to talk, but it was a bit overwhelming to say the least. I quietly climbed out of bed and went into the bathroom. When I came out, Kayla was half awake, slowly rubbing her tired eyes.
    “Morning,” she whispered once she saw me. “How’d you sleep?”
    “Not too bad,” I lied—that bed felt like stone. “You?”
    “Great. Don’t want to get up.” She yawned and stretched and I smiled because she looked like she could be my baby sister instead of my stake-wielding best friend.
    “So what’s the plan for today?” I kept stealing glances at Erik, who was still fast asleep in his own bed, his naked chest still exposed.
    “Boston University,” she answered. “Best place to start, right?”
    “Right.”
    “I’m gonna take a shower first. Then we definitely have to get some food. I’m starving.” She climbed out of bed and sauntered into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. When I turned back to the room, Erik was leaning against the wall behind the bed, a serious case of sexy bedhead going on, his eyes locked on me.
    “Hey there, beautiful,” he said with a half-smile. He already had a deep, rather sexy voice, but given he had just woken up, his words were even more raspy than usual. I could’ve listened to him talk like that forever.
    “Stop it.” I was talking to myself more so than him. I wanted to stop fantasizing about how it would feel to lay my head on his bare chest, to fall asleep and wake up next to him every day. I ignored his inviting eyes and sat at the tiny round table beneath the wall-sized window at the front of the room.
    “Lighten up, Ava,” he threw back, his tone comical.