STORY EXCERPT

Zach looked around his apartment, a chill overtaking him. He’d insisted on coming home, on leaving Eleazar’s, because he’d felt like a prisoner there, but now that he stood in his living room, he knew he couldn’t stay.

He’d spent too many hours with Chainsaw here. This was where Chainsaw had abused him. This was where he’d fled for his life, only for Chainsaw to catch and drug him.

But Zach wasn’t going to think about the drugs that bastard had gotten him addicted to. He was clean now. An entire month he’d spent at Eleazar’s estate, going crazy. He had no idea what Chainsaw had even given him, yet Zach had gone through withdrawal.

He quickly showered and dressed then grabbed his keys, wallet, and phone before heading out the door. Tonight Zach would party and forget his worries. Forget what happened to him.

After slipping into his sedan, he headed to Club Lure, the hottest club in the city. He waited in line for half an hour before he finally was able to get inside.

The music was pumping. The place was crowded. His world felt right again. He’d been a fool to date someone from a biker gang. His best friend had warned him about dating Chainsaw, but Zach hadn’t listened to Andrew.

Now Zach was free, and he didn’t plan on dating anyone else any time soon. He just wanted to let his hair down and have some fun, indulge in a drink or two and dance his ass off while trying to forget Shayde.

The guy who had stuck by his side while Zach got clean. The hottest guy Zach had ever met.

Once he ordered his drink, Zach turned toward the crowd. As he sipped his drink, he swayed to the music, feeling its vibration deep within his bones. Zach closed his eyes, letting the beat take him over as he lost himself in the moment. For once, he didn’t have to think about the horrors he had faced in the past. It was all behind him now, and he wanted nothing more than to revel in the present.

“Hey there,” a stranger next to him said, his voice low and husky. “You look like you could use a dance partner.”

Zach grinned, feeling a shiver run through him at the sound of the man’s voice. “I could definitely use one of those.”

The stranger took his hand and led him out onto the dance floor. Zach lost himself in the music, moving his body to the beat. As he swayed his hips, he felt the stranger’s hands sliding down his sides, pulling him in closer.

That was when Zach spotted him.

Shayde.

He stood on the other side of the room, watching Zach closely with those mysterious blue eyes of his, eyes that had drawn Zach in so many times in the past. A feeling of nervousness washed over Zach as he realized Shayde was there. He had no idea why the vampire had come to the club, but Zach knew he didn’t want to face him. Not after everything that had happened. It was too soon for him to be face-to-face with the man who had witnessed his lowest moments, the man who had helped him get clean.

Zach broke away from the stranger’s embrace and made his way back to the bar. He’d taken a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart, when he felt a presence right behind him.

“Hello, Zach,” Shayde’s voice was low and smooth, causing Zach’s toes to curl in his shoes.

Zach turned around to face the vampire, his gaze darting around the room as he hoped to find a way out.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Shayde continued, his sensual lips curving into a small smile.

“I-I just wanted to forget everything,” Zach stammered, keeping his eyes glued to the floor.

Shayde stepped closer to him, his breath tickling the back of Zach’s neck. “I don’t think this place is conducive to your recovery, do you?” he whispered in Zach’s ear.

Zach’s body shuddered at the sound of Shayde’s voice, his words sending shockwaves through him. He’d been attracted to Shayde since the moment he’d first met him, and seeing him now in the club with all those memories was almost too much for him.

“Stay away from me, Shayde,” Zach hissed, finally finding the courage to look the vampire in his gorgeous blue eyes. “When I said I wanted to forget everything, that meant my stay at your home, too.”

Shayde’s eyes darkened. “Is that how you feel?” he asked, his voice low and even. “After all we’ve been through, you still want to forget me?”

Zach shook his head, his heart pounding. “It’s not like that,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. “I just need some space, okay? I need to figure out what I want.”

Shayde reached out and placed a hand on Zach’s shoulder, his touch gentle yet firm. “I understand that,” he said, his voice softening. “But you can’t keep running from your past forever. You need to face it, confront it.”

Zach felt a wave of fear wash over him, knowing that Shayde was right. He couldn’t keep avoiding the truth, couldn’t keep pretending that everything was okay. Hell, he couldn’t even stand to be in his apartment right now. When recovering, Zach had avoided talking about Chainsaw, avoided talking about what had happened to him.

He’d compartmentalized everything, telling himself that he would shelve everything for now and deal with it later. When was later? A week from now? A year? Never?

As Zach struggled with his inner demons, Shayde’s hand moved to the back of Zach’s neck, his fingers squeezing the tight muscles affectionately. Zach’s breath hitched as he felt Shayde’s warm breath on his ear, a shiver running down his spine.

“You don’t have to face it alone,” Shayde said, his voice just above a whisper “I’m still here. I still care.”

Zach’s heart thumped painfully in his chest at Shayde’s words, his body betraying him as he felt his arousal grow. He pushed back from Shayde, his eyes locking onto the vampire’s light ones.

“I appreciate your concern, Shayde,” Zach said, pulling away from the vampire’s touch. “But I need to do this on my own.”

Shayde’s eyes flashed with frustration, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he nodded curtly and turned on his heel, leaving Zach alone at the bar. As Zach watched Shayde disappear into the crowd, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was making a huge mistake.

ADULT EXCERPT

Zach cracked his eyes open to immense heat at his back. He turned over and found Shayde lying there, watching him. For a moment, Zach couldn’t recall how he’d got into bed with Shayde. But then he remembered the events that led up to his current situation and shuddered. The memory of being chased by Raiden’s men was too close for comfort. But the warmth of Shayde’s body against his helped ease his frayed nerves.

“Hey,” Shayde whispered, running his fingers over Zach’s cheek. “How are you feeling?”

Zach took a deep breath and shrugged. “Better now, but still a little shaken up.”

“That’s not what I’m asking,” Shayde said.

Zach knew that Shayde was referring to his addiction and not the events of last night with Raiden. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

“That’s not how this works,” Shayde said, his fingers moving from Zach’s cheek to run through his hair.

Zach loved that feeling, of Shayde soothing him.           

But he didn’t want to talk about it. He didn’t want to admit that he was struggling with his addiction again, that he was weak and couldn’t resist the pull of the drugs.

“It’s okay,” Shayde said softly, as if reading his thoughts. “I told you last night that we’ll get through this together. I know you’re struggling, Zach. I can feel it.” Shayde cupped Zach’s cheek. “I want to help you. Let me help you.”

Zach sighed, knowing that Shayde was right. He couldn’t keep running from his addiction forever.

“I don’t know what to do,” Zach admitted, feeling the weight of everything crushing down on him. “I can’t keep living like this, but I don’t know what to do.”

“You don’t have to do it alone,” Shayde said, his voice soft and reassuring. “I’ll be here with you every step of the way.”

“Why?” Zach asked. “We barely know each other. Why are you going out of your way to help me?”

Instead of answering him, Shayde kissed him. It was so unexpected that Zach gasped. Then he leaned into the kiss, letting Shayde take possession of his mouth. Zach could feel the passion behind the kiss, could feel the way Shayde’s body pressed against his. It was like nothing he had ever experienced before, and he found himself responding eagerly.

Shayde pulled back, gasping for breath. “God, I want you,” he whispered. “I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you.”

Zach was shocked but thrilled. Was Shayde saying what he thought he was saying? Did Shayde really want him in that way?

“Is this okay?” Shayde asked, his gaze searching Zach’s face for any sign of discomfort or hesitation.

“You’re just trying to distract me.”

A slow grin graced Shayde’s handsome face. “Is it working?”

“Yes.” The truth was he wanted Shayde just as much. He had been drawn to the vampire from the moment they’d met, even if he didn’t fully understand his feelings toward the guy.

“At any time you want me to stop, tell me.” Shayde kissed along Zach’s jaw then down his throat.

Zach groaned at how good it felt to have Shayde’s lips on his skin. But Shayde didn’t stop there. He pressed his lips to Zach’s chest, circling his tongue around each nipple.

Zach hissed and arched his back, running his fingers through Shayde’s hair. The vampire really did have a perfect head of hair, and Zach loved playing in it, loved feeling the silky strands run through his fingers.

Shayde worked his way lower, licking and sucking and driving Zach crazy. By the time he reached Zach’s cock, Zach was moaning, desperate for Shayde to take him over the edge.

But Shayde held back, teasing and tantalizing, until Zach was ready to beg for mercy. Then, finally, when Zach was just about to lose it, Shayde took him into his mouth and brought him to the brink of bliss.

Only to pull back.

“God…please.” Zach spread his legs farther apart, needing release so badly that he was willing to beg. “Stop torturing me.”

Shayde softly chuckled at Zach’s skin. “This isn’t torture, love.” He kissed Zach’s inner thigh. “This is drawing out the anticipation. It’s giving me time to appreciate you.”

“Appreciate me faster,” Zach whimpered.

“No,” he said, his voice low and deep. “I’m taking my time with you.” 

Zach’s breath hitched when Shayde kissed and licked his other inner thigh, switching between the two until he mouthed Zach’s balls. Zach was so damn close, but he needed more to get him over the edge.

He curled his hands into the sheets, panting as he waited to see what Shayde would do next. Zach was ready to take matters into his own hands when he felt a sharp sting in his thigh. Shayde had sunk his fangs in, drinking from Zach’s femoral vein.