Fade Out (The Morganville Vampires #7)(33)

She pulls her hand free, and my chest tightens. “I’m sorry.” She moves in closer to me as she says this, her head turned to the side. So that she’s not looking directly at me. That pains me more than anything her father could’ve slung at me. “That was uncalled for. He’s just…I don’t know.”

“A father?” I offer, but we both know that’s a simplified excuse for what just went down.

Even so, she accepts the pretext gratefully with a small smile and a glance into my eyes. “Thanks. But I think I should just leave. It will only get uglier from here if—”

“If you’re seen with me longer than what’s considered appropriate?” My brows inch together. I am trying to keep my cool, because I get where she’s coming from, but it’s still a blow to my ego. “Do you have a dance card I should fill out, too?”

“Ryder. Don’t.” The warning startles the sarcasm right out of me. “I’m not my parents.”

“Glad to hear,” I say, and immediately regret it. Dammit, but I’m hot tempered sometimes.

Rolling her eyes, she releases a little, clipped laugh. “Right. So this was fun. I think we were safer when we were at war.”

A heavy breath releases from my nose. My lips press firmly together. I could get ahold of this situation right now and stop where this is going. It’s all up to me. I’m just unsure if I want to. My gaze drifts over her dress, her small frame, so tiny and fragile looking. Underneath, I know what hides. That fire she turned up at the beach, that blaze she fueled at the game.

It’s enough to put me on frustrate right here. But I decide against demeaning myself. Groveling, even. Especially in front of her…or for her. I’ve done enough of that for one lifetime.

I take her hand and bring it between us, then place a kiss to the back of it. I catch the tremble in her arm, and my gaze snaps to her face. Slowly, I pull myself up to my full height, and say, “Thank you for the dance, Arian.” Then I turn and head toward Coach and the guys.

As I walk away, the urge to glance back and measure her reaction roils in my gut.





15





Arian





The town car—which is my parents’ modest term for limousine—pulls to a stop at the front of my dorm. I requested that my father drop me off a few blocks back, but as always, he insisted. Worried about me walking a whole parking lot’s length in the dark.

Which could be looked at as simply a father’s concern—if I didn’t know better. He wants me seen. Wants the other students to know I’m not like them; I’m above them.

“If it bothers you so badly, then you shouldn’t have sent me to this school,” I say, searching through my clutch, avoiding his stare. I dig out my room key and grip it tightly before reaching for the handle.

“Markus will get the door, Arian.” He snaps his fingers and our driver hustles out. Then my father is looking at me. I can feel his glare raking over me like ice cubes tumbling down a ladder. “We’ve already discussed why here,” he adds. “But I expect while you are in attendance, you do not find yourself in another less than desirable position.” He sighs, as if it’s all too challenging to deal with me.

I almost laugh. Me, the defiant daughter. “Understood,” I say simply, and turn to accept Markus’s hand after he opens the door.

“Wait.” This from Becca.

My eyes close. I stand still, my back to her, as I wait to hear her take.

“Ari, please. You know how much your father and I adore you,” she says. An ache hitches in my throat. Adore, not love. Noted. “We so want you to make friends. And that plump girl you room with is so nice. We’re not trying to isolate you, we just want you to be conscious of your acquaintances.” She pauses for a purposeful beat before clarifying her point. “This is the time of your life in which the company you keep is of utmost importance.”

In other words, my mingling with the town’s football god/playboy is unacceptable. Again, duly noted. I’d love to turn around right now and tell them I had no intention of seeing Ryder seriously, but their forbiddance is making it all the more appealing. Only I know how childish that would come off, and it’s not at all true.

I want to be with Ryder all because of his own doing.

Ugh, but I just wish to God they’d stop critiquing my every move, word, acquaintance. With a sigh of resignation, I say, “Thanks, Becca. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Before the door shuts, my father speaks up. “I’ve been given word that we’re to attend the Reilly’s dinner party next month. Please coordinate your schedule with Becca’s so that you’ll have a proper dress by then. Lucas has been asking about seeing you. You should make this happen even before the dinner.”

I swallow past the aching lump threatening to choke me. “You said…” I stutter out. Try again. “You said after graduation. You’ve already given him your consent, haven’t you?”

My father’s thick brows pull together, a haggard expression crossing his face. “Ari, listen. I’m very concerned, love. These guys you become involved with—”

“One guy,” I clarify.

“Yes, well it’s worrisome. I think it’d be best for you if you were settled with the right man sooner rather than later.” His eyes touch mine, finality in their depths. “For the sake of your health and wellbeing, it’s time to accept an offer and move forward with your life. And Lucas is a prime choice, sweetheart.”