Void(56)

I shrugged. “I think it’s nice to see this side of you. Whatever caused it, I like it.”

Gritt’s fake scowl dropped, and his green eyes ran over my face. We stood still in the silence for a second, just studying each other with half smiles on our faces. It wasn’t just him. Despite the fact that I was about to be forced to train with vampires, I’d woken up beside Gritt this morning and had the advantage of seeing his sleepy face, his bed head, and his relaxed, gorgeous body sprawled out over the blankets. He’d looked so good and so peaceful that I hadn’t been able to stop myself from reaching over and brushing a lock of his wild blond hair off his face and letting my fingers graze lightly over his scruff.

Just for a moment, while he was still asleep, I thought about pressing my lips to his. I’d wanted to so badly. But before I could muster the courage, his hot, huge hand had reached out and clamped over my waist. He’d tugged me into his body, our warmth pressing against each other. I’d gone rigid at the contact, wondering if he was about to wake up and shove me away, but he hadn’t. We’d stayed like that for another ten minutes until I’d finally slipped out of bed. Maybe it was a bit pathetic, but I’d basked in the contact. I’d even snuggled in closer to his side. Maybe that was what had put us in such good moods. A girl could hope.

Gritt shrugged, shoving his hands into the pockets of his uniform slacks. I couldn’t help but notice the bulge at the front of his pants that he was sporting this morning. “Need to chop some wood later?” I quipped.

He winced. “Don’t say chop when you’re talking about my dick.”

I laughed, but Gritt just shook his head at me and adjusted the front of his pants. “Anyway, Render should be in this class to watch you. I’ll just stay till he gets here, then I have my own class to get to.”

I tried hard not to let the disappointment cross over my face at hearing that he was leaving.

“This class is probably gonna suck.”

I laughed again. “Is that a vampire joke? And for the record, all of my classes so far have sucked,” I pointed out.

“Yeah, but it seems like the vamps hate you even more. I think it’s because you’re like a mirror.”

My eyes squinted in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“You’re both takers,” he replied with a casual shrug like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I blew out a breath. “Right,” I replied.

Maybe sensing my nervousness, Gritt suddenly reached down and laced his fingers through mine. I gasped at the contact, my eyes shooting up to look at him. He smirked down at me, noticing the blush of heat on my cheeks, and then turned and yanked open the door and strolled inside the gymnasium, tugging me behind him like a reluctant pet. I had every intention of keeping my gaze down, but I couldn’t help but observe the room full of strong vamps staring at us with gaping mouths and angry eyes.

Gritt stopped short and turned to me, cursing under his breath. “Oh, shit! I gotta go check up on my bobcat shifter.” He looked around but obviously didn’t see the vampire he was looking for. “Render should be here soon. I’ll come back to make sure he showed up,” he said quietly before leaning down and pressing his lips against my temple.

I stood there, shocked and frozen, gaping at him as he turned to leave. Partly because he just kissed me—in front of everyone—but also because...

“You can’t just leave me here!” I hissed at his retreating back.

But he’d already slipped out of the room, and the door closed with a heavy thud that echoed throughout the huge gym. I felt that shit in my godsdamned bones. “Fucking shifter,” I mumbled under my breath. I was seriously debating ditching this class until Gritt came back, but a voice stopped me before I could even try to make my escape.

“Void, you’re late.” I turned to face the teacher and the few dozen vampires sitting on the maroon bleachers. “The lesson was just getting started.” He was dressed like a typical gym instructor. He had windbreaker pants tied tightly around his waist, and an oversized gold athletic jacket with the school’s crest over his chest. I immediately didn’t trust him, mostly because I didn’t like gym teachers on principle. Anyone that forced me to run automatically made my shit list. But there was something about the sinister gleam in his gray eyes that had me wanting to run for the door.

“I’m Coach Willis. We were just going over vampire attack methods. Have a seat.”

I quickly crossed the gym and found a spot on the front row. I had to be careful when I chose seats. If I picked one of the top rows in the back, I’d risk someone tripping me on my way up. Plus, I’d have to endure everyone twisting in their seats to stare at me. I preferred to be off to one side, but I didn’t want everyone to think I was weak, so front and center was the best bet.

Of course, Blaire was sitting on that row, but I didn’t notice until I’d already sat down. Dammit.

Her legs were crossed to show off the short length of her uniform skirt. She’d have to be careful standing up, because one wrong move, and we’d all be seeing her vag. Although, maybe the entire student population had already seen it. Blaire kind of had that easy seductress vibe going on.

I’d barely gotten settled in my seat when the coach walked up to me. “Void. Can you tell me what happens to a victim when bitten by a vampire?”