Cassie smiled at him, her hand rested lightly over his. “That’s ok, I like knowing they’re there, and they probably won’t be there long. I heal…”
“Fast,” he finished for her, hating the reminder of the special, frightening abilities she did possess.
She smiled innocently at him in the mirror; she had no idea the direction his thoughts had taken. His fingers tightened slightly on her delicate neck. He shuddered, fighting the consuming urge to pull her against him and never leave this room. She turned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest as she sensed his desperate need, and the fierce battle within him. His fingers entangled in her silken hair as he cradled her lightly against him.
All of the pain and agony he had been living with for the past couple weeks was gone. She soothed every ragged piece of his soul. She was everything he had ever wanted, and more. The rumbling of her stomach brought him back to reality. She was hungry, and he needed to take care of her.
Releasing her, he pulled the turtleneck back up, gently covering the wounds. She smiled softly up at him, her eyes twinkling brightly. Her fingers slid easily into his, clenching briefly. He followed her out of the room, her nervousness pounding against him as she fidgeted with the collar of her shirt. He leaned down close to her, brushing his lips lightly against her cheek. “It will be ok.”
She shot him a frightened look but nodded swiftly. Soft voices drifted from the kitchen, the scraping of silverware on plates could be heard. Cassie glanced worriedly up at him, her hand tightened on his as he stepped through the door, pulling her gently behind him. She stood half behind him, a small tremor working through her.
Chris, Melissa, and Dani looked up as they entered. Worry flashed briefly across their faces as they glanced from her to Devon. Chris’s eyes remained locked on Devon’s for a moment, his gaze was questioning before he turned his attention back to Cassie. She managed a small smile for them, her fingers fiddled with her shirt once more.
“Hi guys,” she said softly.
“How are you feeling?” Melissa inquired anxiously.
“Much better.”
Chris rose suddenly, striding across the room to her. “It’s good to have you back.”
He enfolded her in a tight bear hug, pulling her close against him. Devon felt Cassie’s momentary jolt of surprise before she wrapped her arms around Chris. Devon took a step back, fighting the jealousy and possessive urge that surged through him. Chris was her best friend, he knew that. Hell, he was Devon’s best friend now, but he still didn’t like other men touching her, holding her.
Cassie smiled brilliantly up at Chris as he took a step back. “It’s good to be back.”
“You’re feeling better?”
“Yes. I’m sorry for the way I’ve acted,” her gaze darted to Dani and Melissa. “To all of you.”
Melissa was grinning from ear to ear as she hurried over to hug Cassie. “It’s ok, we understand. I’m just so happy you’re back.”
Tears shimmered in Cassie’s eyes as Melissa took a step away and Dani embraced her. “Are you hungry?” Chris asked anxiously. “Melissa made baked ziti, and I have to admit it’s not half bad.”
Melissa pushed him lightly. “Not half bad? You’re on your third helping.”
He grinned back at her, turning on his heel as he hurried across the kitchen, eagerly grabbing a plate. Cassie took hold of Devon’s hand again, her smile wonderfully beautiful as she made her way slowly to the island everyone had gathered around. Chris slapped an overflowing plate of food in front of her, causing her eyebrows to rise in surprise. “You’ve got a lot of catching up to do,” he explained.
Cassie laughed softly, picking up her fork she dug in. Devon watched her carefully, relieved to have her back, relived to see her eating with such gusto, relieved to see that he had not hurt her. He had wanted to give her a little of his blood, not enough to change her, but just enough to give her some strength after the blood loss she had experienced.
However, he had decided against it almost immediately. He wanted her to have his blood inside her, wanted to know what it would be like to have her feeding from him. But he could not take the risk that something might happen to her if he did give her his blood. Not when he and Luther still had no idea exactly what Cassie was.
***
“Apparently they weren’t being indifferent to me because of my grandmother’s death, but because I was no longer dating you.”
Cassie glanced up at Devon. He stood stiffly behind her in the lunch line, refusing to leave her for even a moment, even if he didn’t eat lunch. His hand tightened on her waist, his emerald eyes disdainfully scanned the cafeteria. The buzz about her, which had died down after her grandmother’s death, had now returned tenfold. The nasty whispers were flying rapidly around again. The angry glares and waves of hatred were once more pounding against her.
Cassie pressed tighter to Devon; her hand clenched his as the line moved slowly forward. Though she had tried to become accustomed to the hatred of the students, she still did not like it, nor did she understand it. She knew that the girls wanted Devon, but so much hatred because of jealousy was something that she would never understand.
He bent low to her, his mouth warm as he nuzzled her neck gently through the material of her dark green turtleneck. Cassie shuddered pressing tighter to him as her toes curled instantly. He nudged her gently forward as the line moved. She grabbed hold of a tray, grateful that Devon was with her. The whispers were not so bad when he was near. None of the girls wanted to appear catty or cruel in front of him, and after Devon had lifted Mark with one hand and slammed him into a wall, none of the boys were willing to risk having his anger and strength turned on them. His presence also helped to keep her stable and grounded, helped to ease the pain that the cruel comments caused.
Reaching the front of the line, Cassie grabbed her food, paid for it, and hurried free of the confining lunch line. Dani and Chris were already at the table, talking softly. Cassie slumped into her chair, taking a deep breath of relief. “How’s it going?” Chris asked softly.
“Just peachy,” she replied, managing a wry smile.
Chris’s eyes were troubled as he turned away, swiftly scanning the cafeteria. “Bunch of jerks,” he mumbled.
“I’m used to it by now.”
Devon’s arm tightened on the back of her chair. Melissa dropped her lunch bag on the table, sliding into her chair she dug out an apple, biting into it. “What an awful day,” she muttered.