“Uh… yeah,” Boaz said sheepishly. “I should probably… get out of your hair. Enjoy your food.”
“I will. Thank you,” the old man said, already turning his attention to the plate.
Boaz gave a small nod and slipped out of the house, pulling the door closed quietly behind him.
Instead of heading back toward his cabin, his feet carried him to the lake.
He stepped onto the soft sand at the water’s edge and toed off his shoes, while he pulled his shirt over his head and shucked off his pants, leaving only his boxers.
A quiet sigh slipped from his lips as wadded into the water.
The water lapped gently against his skin, soothing the tension that had been coiled tight in his body all night. He floated to his back, letting the lake carry him slowly around.
When he was on the other side of the lake, he felt that familiar sense of being watched again.
Boaz turned upright, his body going tense as he lifted his head, scanning the shoreline.
And there, standing beneath the moonlight was Alexander. His eyes glowed red as they locked on him.
Fuck,Boaz cursed under his breath. He wasn’t ready to face the vampire. Not yet.
Not caring how it might look, he flipped onto his stomach and swam away. Behind him something hit the water with a loud splash. And suddenly he was being pulled under.
Boaz sucked in air just as cold water closed over his head. He twisted, kicking out blindly until his foot connected with something solid. The grip loosened, and he surged upward, breaking the surface with a gasp.
Only to be shoved under again.
Water rushed into his ears, muffling everything except the unmistakable sound of laughter.
Boaz fought his way back up, shoving wet hair out of his face, chest heaving as he scanned the water.
A few paces away, Alexander floated effortlessly, barely disturbed by the chaos he’d just caused. His dark hair clung to his head and shoulders, dripping, his skin slick and gleaming under the moonlight.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Boaz coughed as he glared at him. “Are you trying to kill me?”
Alexander didn’t answer. His gaze drifted lazily over the lake as if Boaz hadn’t just nearly drowned.
“The water is amazing,” he said running his right hand over his chest. Despite himself, Boaz’s eyes followed the hand, saliva pooling in his mouth.
He tore his gaze away.
“If you wanted to feed, you could’ve just said so,” Boaz bit out. “You didn’t have to try and kill me.”
He turned and swam for the shore, determined to get away from the vampire. Before he could pick up his clothes, a hand closed around his ankle and yanked him down. Boaz’s back hit the soft sand. A second later, Alexander was on him, pinning him there.
The vampire hovered over him, caging him in, his hands braced on either side as the water shifted around them.
Boaz jolting as he looked up into Alexander’s eyes.
Look away,Boaz told himself, but his body refused to listen. His gaze stayed locked on Alexander’s face, on the droplets of water clinging to his skin, on the way his lips were parted just so.
As if caught in a dream, Boaz felt his body move. He pushed up onto his elbows and pressed his lips to Alexander’s. Time slowed and the world around them disappeared. All that remained was the feel of the vampire skin against his and the firm press of his lips.
The vampire went completely still above him.
And just like that reality came crashing back.
Fuck.