The Wicked Ones: Destiny of a Vampire

Confusion

"Watch where you're going!" Keira exclaimed, glaring at the red wine soaking into her crop top and Zaidh's ruined white shirt.

"You bumped into me," he snapped, his tone icy. "That wine costs more than your entire wardrobe."

With an exasperated sigh, he set the glasses down and peeled off his shirt, revealing a torso inked with intricate tattoos-Egyptian gods, celestial maps, and ancient symbols that seemed to pulse with life under the dim light.

Keira's gaze faltered, her eyes betraying her curiosity as they traced the patterns. Realizing she'd lingered too long, she quickly looked away.

"Enjoying the view?" Zaidh teased, his smirk unapologetic.

"Not even slightly," Keira shot back, rolling her eyes as she pushed past him toward the bathroom.

Inside, she turned on the sink and scrubbed furiously at her stained shirt, muttering under her breath. When she glanced up at the mirror, she froze.

Zaidh's reflection stood behind her, silent and unflinching.

"Zaidh!" she yelped, spinning around and clutching her damp shirt to her chest. "I'm almost naked, and you're just standing there?"

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, utterly unbothered.

"You stared at me first. Consider us even."

Keira's cheeks burned as she stormed forward, shoving him back out into the hallway. "Out!" she demanded, slamming the door in his face.

Later, she found him sprawled shirtless on the living room sofa, flipping through TV channels. Keira crossed her arms, shaking her head slightly. She couldn't believe how relaxed Zaidh acted, as if the house belonged to him.

"Move. That's my spot," she said, her tone firm.

Zaidh didn't even glance up.

"Plenty of room," he replied, crossing his legs.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Keira grabbed his arm to pull him over. In one swift motion, he caught her wrist and tugged her down, pinning her beside him.

The sudden contact sent a jolt through her, her fangs aching in response. She clenched her fists, fighting the temptation.

"What are you doing?" she hissed, her voice sharp but unsteady when Zaidh pulled her closer in his grip and wrapped his hand around her shoulders.

"Relaxing. I suggest you should do the same." He smirked.

"I can't relax when I'm near you." Keira pushed him to the side. "The bond is affecting you as well."

"It's not affecting me," Zaidh insisted. "The bond has never affected me."

But he lied to himself again. He felt it-too strongly to ignore. Since Vegas, he had been drawn to Keira, and now everything was spiraling out of control. For the first time, he felt so affected by the bond, making him feel concerned about what would happen if he allowed himself to fall for her.

Those days without her had drained him, leaving him hollow and yearning for Keira's presence. He had come here driven by a craving for her blood, but as they stood so close, he felt a deeper, more dangerous temptation stir within him.

His instincts took over as his teeth grazed her neck. The sharp sting of his bite dissolved into a soothing warmth, the taste of her blood igniting something within him.

She couldn't stop herself from sinking her fangs into his shoulder, making Zaidh sigh in pleasure.

When they finally pulled away, their eyes met-confusion and longing mirrored in both gazes. Zaidh brushed her jaw with his thumb, his lips hovering over hers before capturing them in a tentative kiss.