"Whiskey, neat and-" he aimed a pointed look at her.

"Gin and tonic, thanks." He repeated the order to the bartender, turning away long enough for her to study the way his black sweater lovingly hugged his broad shoulders and muscular arms. He turned back to face her, pushing his long-ish dark hair away from his face. A stubborn wisp fell right back to his forehead. She moved closer before even deciding to, leaning in to push it back with the rest of his surprisingly soft hair. "How's your night been so far?"

"Getting a lot better." The bartender returned with their drinks. He made quick work of paying, holding her glass out to her. Sarah's fingers brushed his as she moved to take it. At the last moment he pulled back, looming over her by over a head. "I do need to warn you that this drink comes with conditions."

She tilted her head up at him, the entire situation, him included, feeling both intriguing yet dangerous. "Does it, now?" He nodded, leaning in closer. In the past, she'd always found herself shying away from this type of situation. She grasped the glass, fingers covering his. "And what might those be?"

His expression mirrored the challenging look in hers. "My name is Kaden. Yours?"

She smiled. "Hi, Kaden." His name felt good on her tongue. She reached a hand out to shake his. "I'm Sarah."

He grasped her outstretched hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "A pleasure to meet you."

The pleasure is mine, trust me, she thought, breath hitching. "Likewise." She attempted to take the glass once more, but he didn't budge. "Was there something else?"

"Dance with me."

She feigned distress, getting to her feet. "If I didn't know any better I'd say you had other intentions, holding this drink over my head like this." She finally realised how close we were as he chuckled, his breath fanning her cheek.

"Sinister ones," he agreed. He finally let her take the glass.

"But I guess I don't have a choice, since you've paid." She gripped his hand.

"I have, and the glass can't drink itself."

She sighed theatrically, playing along. "That it can't." She couldn't seem to keep the act up for long, a smile making its way to her lips despite herself, as she moved to the dance floor. He downed his entire glass before following behind her.

She took a gulp of the drink in her hand, needing all the confidence she could muster when it hit her that she had a man who looked like the physical embodiment of sex by the hand. She expected to be much more panicked at the prospect, but was thankful for the calm.

They found a slightly more sparse portion of the dance floor at the far side of the room. He used the hold he currently had on her hand to spin her around, releasing his hold so both his hands could grasp her hips tightly. The pressure was definitely not unwelcomed as she felt her entire body react, warmth flooding her system. She didn't have a moment to gather her thoughts before he began to move.

If she had been flustered before, her brain was then rendered completely useless as he pulled her flush against him. Even so, her body seemed to understand as he led her through the music. As they continued their dance, her movements began to feel instinctual, emboldened with each step as he began to respond.

He studied her as no one ever had, appearing in awe as his lips parted, large chest moving imperceptibly faster as his breath quickened. She could have sworn she heard him growl as she began to take control. Grasping his shoulder, she let the sultry, heavy beat of the song ripple through her system.

She downed the rest of her drink, leaving the glass on a nearby ledge as her arms encircled his neck, moving on him. Sarah's rapt gaze was locked on the almost perfect way their hips moved as they twined with one another. I could get lost in you. She'd never felt anything as strong as this attraction to him, the sensation near overwhelming as her system contemplated between moving closer or running away.

She only noticed how exerted she was when her dress began to cling even tighter to her body, sweat misting her entire body as they grinded to the beat of the current song. Her hands gripped his upper arms as her focus was drawn to the way he was currently moving against her. Holy hell.

Sarah's fingers moved to trail over the curve of his shoulder up to the side of his neck, as she whipped her hips against his in rhythm. His hold bit into her hips, the delicious, borderline painful grip spurring her on.

He groaned, moving them backwards until she felt the wall press into her back, effectively stilling her. "You play a dangerous game, love."

She hadn't noticed how she'd been gasping for breath until then, her chest pressing into his with each draw. She licked her lips, studying his face in a daze. In that moment, it felt like she'd jumped over the edge of a cliff. Exhilirating yet terrifying at the same time, she could imagine that she was a guest in her own body, just a witness to the world around her, unable to control what would happen next. "You're not too bad at it, yourself."

"Too lovely." One of his hands moved to brush against her cheek.

She didn't recognise herself as she said, "prove it."

Sarah could have sworn she saw his eyes flash a different colour for a millisecond before he began to lean in, though that barely mattered as the image of his lips on her robbed her of all attention. She felt her heart speed up in her chest, breathing becoming shallow.

She could already feel the warmth of his lips when he seemed to catch himself, moving to press a kiss to her cheek instead. Resting his forehead against hers, his eyes searching her gaze. "You're drunk."

Peering up at him, she couldn't help but leaned against the wall stunned, slowly drawn out of the lust-induced stupor. "What?"

"I shouldn't."

She laughed feeling not an ounce of humor, struggling to understand this man. We'd been two layers of fabric away from penetration, but he won't even give me a peck?" So, what would you call this?" She asked, motioning to their compromising position.

He sighed, sending the blood rushing right back to her cheeks as he absentmindedly played with a strap of her dress. "Me losing control." He closed his eyes, taking deep breaths. "I don't want to move."

Her fingers itched to stroke his cheek, and so they did. "So don't... I'm not opposed." Her shrug gave the impression of nonchalance, though she felt everything but.

He leaned back, studying her with a look that was almost tender. "So lovely." Without another word, he took a step back, steadying her by the shoulders. "I'll let you get back to your night."

"Wait!" What the hell am I doing?! She shot forwards to catch his hand as he moved to leave, but he seemed to effortlessly wade through the crowd. Sarah realised with a start that she'd never felt so solitary, as she did as she stood there watching him disappear around a corner.

Giving herself a mental shake, she began to think more clearly, her earlier buzz fading into the background. You've known him all of an hour, calm down bitch. She made a beeline for the bar, searching for any sign of the group. Nope.

She motioned the bartender over. He flashed a polite smile as he approached. "What can I get you?"

"Hi, have you by any chance, seen a blonde young woman in a sequin dress?" She asked, hoping for the best.

His brows furrowed. "There've been a lot of those tonight, I'd need you to be a bit more specific."

Sarah sighed, rubbing her temple. "Umm...showing a lot of leg?" Blank stare. "Kinda grabby and loud."

That seemed to spark something. "Oh! She wouldn't have been with a big guy, would she?"

She nodded, remembering the man Lisa had been dancing with before. "That sounds like the one."

"I think they went out for a smoke." He motioned around the corner. "Exit sign, can't miss it."

She noticed her bag on a shelf behind him, deciding it would probably be best to get her phone in case Michael had called. "Could I get my bag too?" She directed him to the one, unlocking her phone to prove it was really hers. "Thanks again!" She said over her shoulder, slinging her bag across her body as she moved in the direction he had indicated.

The door was fairly easy to spot. As she reached for the handle, her attention was drawn to something in her peripheral.  Kaden was partially hidden in a shadowy corner, swaying with another woman in his arms.

Their dancing was definitely a lot tamer than what they'd been doing earlier, but the sight still struck her wrong. He doesn't belong to me, he can do whatever he wants. As she began to turn away, he looked up from his partner, eyes widening as their gazes met. She flashed him a watery smile before pushing open the door behind her, walking out into the crisp night air.

She peered into the alley that was the 'smoking area'. A couple were huddled to the right of the door, finishing off the final few puffs of their cigarettes, stomping them into the ground before walking around her and back into the club.

Just as she'd decided that Lisa wasn't here, a mans' soft groan drew her attention to a couple making out in the far corner. The guy resembled the man she'd seen earlier as much as one could with just his back in sight, though his towering frame had the disadvantage of completely hiding the woman he was with.

Sarah jogged over as best she could, stumbling a little in her heels as she navigated the loose gravel. Now within earshot, she cupped her hands around her mouth. "Hey! Sorry to bother you guys, but Lisa, is that you?!" The man straightened slightly, seeming to whisper something to his date.

She easily recognized Lisa's voice as she said, "yeah Sarah, but do you mind? Kind of in the middle of something here."

The man peered over his shoulder then, a deep chill settling over Sarah's bones as she caught a glimpse of his gaze. I must be tripping, his eyes are not- She began to move backwards, the weighty sensation of dread blanketing her system.

I don't know what, but something is not right with this dude. "I see that Lis, but Michael wants to head back, her royal highness isn't feeling too good." She did her best impression of light-hearted, even as her instincts screamed for her to run. She chuckled, willing her legs towards them. "About five shots over just right, if you ask me."

"Ok, I get the picture. Could just have a couple minutes, please? I don't need handling."

Pick up what I'm putting out, you idiot! "Yes you do once you're two thirds into the night." Sarah addressed Lisa's makeout buddy, meeting his icy hazel gaze with a cheery look she hoped didn't look as forced as it was. Great, now I'm imagining shit. "I'm so sorry if she's been or done anything embarrassing. Why don't you pass me your number and I'll have her give you a ring post hangover?"

An impassive look was his only response, seeming to take her in. This dude is large as hell. Need to get us out of here. As she got closer, she finally noticed Lisa's expression, or lack thereof. She stood perfectly straight, staring ahead.

In a flash she winced, grasping her temple tightly. Blinking a few times, her gaze flitted from the man before her to Sarah. "What's going on?" That was all she said before promptly crumpling to the ground.

Sarah's concern for her best friend overrode any concern she had for herself as she rushed forward, catching her head before it could hit the gravel. "Lisa! Lise, can you hear me?"

She heard the man crouch down beside her. "She's been drinking a fair bit, the alcohol's probably hit her system full force. Go call for help, I'll wait with her." Sarah didn't buy the 'concern' in his tone for a moment.

As if, creep. Her expression turned icy, moving as far away from him as she could without hurting Lisa on the coarse ground. "No, I'll stay with her."

His expression softened. "Out here? It's freezing. At least let me move her into one of the booths inside while you call whoever you need to?"

Weirdo has a point. Every instinct of her being told Sarah that this man was dangerous, but as she stared down at her best friend's paling face, she couldn't disagree that she need to get inside, and there was no way she could move her alone, especially in her current footware. It would take too long to go get Michael. Plus she'd be alone here with him.

Deciding she wouldn't let her friend die of hypothermia this night, she finally nodded, allowing him to lift Lisa's limp body into his arms. Sarah trailed behind him as he began to walk back towards the club, refusing to have her back to him for even a second.

Just about halfway to the door, Sarah's gaze shot downwards, her fingers feeling as though they were freezing. Her eyes shot wide as a gasp escaped her lips, finding her hands covered in crimson. What the-

She felt movement a moment later, instinctively rearing back. Eyes shooting upwards, she found the blonde man looming over her. I didn't even hear him walk over. The source of the crimson staining her fingertips was now glaringly obvious as she noticed red smudges over a pair of small wounds at the base of Lisa's neck.

She turned a glare onto the stranger, disregarding their obvious difference in strength as she shoved at his shoulder. What the fuck?! "What the hell did you do to her?!"

Her mind rebelled at the term forcing its way to the fore. "Calm yourself." I'm imagining it. She thought to herself as she stared at his red eyes, glowing in the darkness. Her eyes darted to the street in hopes that anybody would pass by. Of course not.

Glimpsing the door behind him, she began to incircle him slowly. I can't leave her, but we need help! Having mirrored every step she took around him, his face was now basked in the glow from the light from the door behind her. Not. Imagining. It. He tensed just as Sarah heard movement behind her. Someone's coming!

"What's going on, out here?" She breathed a sigh of relief as she recognised the deep baritone, though the dread returned as she realised the danger they were now in as Kaden began to approach them. She spun around, hand held straight out in front of her. "Don't!" His movements didn't falter, not a step. "He's some type of-"

"Lukas." His voice had an almost reprimanding, tone. "You're distressing her. If you would." He muttered, gesturing to the other man's face. She peered over to see his more vampiric features melt away, eyes fading back to normal as the tips of his fangs disappeared behind his lip.

Her stomach dropped as she turned back to Kaden, jaw going slack as realization hit. "You're like him." She evaded his attempt to grasp her hand, moving away from him as the world began to spin.

His expression beseeching, he slowly inched towards her, hand outstretched. "Sarah."

She shook her head. "Stay the fuck away from me!" She snapped, clamping her free hand over her mouth, feeling bile at the back of her throat. Breathe, breathe. Her heel caught on a patch of exposed soil. She barely felt her knees scrape against the sharp gravel, drawing blood.

I'm going to die. The thought knocked the air from her lungs. Unnaturally fast, Kaden was crouching in front of her, studing the wounds. "Just a couple minor scrapes."

His fingers grazed the skin of her thigh, interrupting her mini meltdown long enough to meet his gaze. "Will it hurt?" Her voice sounded so distant to herself.

His brows furrowed as his hand moved to clasp her nape. "What are you talking about, Sarah?"

"I'm not ready to die." She could have imagined that he'd flinched.

Kaden shook his head, gathering her up into his arms as he stood. "You don't have to be, lovely one." He rested his forehead against her once again. She didn't resist, mind elsewhere. "No one will harm you tonight." What?

She leaned back, studying him. "But Lisa-"

"She really just passed out." Lukas interrupted, bringing her over. Upon closer inspection, the wounds from his bite had already closed, her breaths steady as though in a deep sleep.

Sarah calmed somewhat, coherent thought partially returning. She turned to Kaden. "So what about me?"

His expression was unreadable as he said, "that's a little more complicated." He sighed. "You know of us now, we can't just leave you here." Her eyes widened as her panic began to rise once more.

"What the hell does that mean?!" She shoved at his chest, squirming in his hold. She sucked in a deep breath. "Hel-!" All she felt was a gentle tug at the edge of her conciousness, before she was sucked into a dreamless slumber.

_____

Hello eveyone! Finally decided to take this story off pause :)

Regular updates every Saturday from here on out. So sorry for making y'all wait so long! Don't forget to leave me your thoughts, and thank you from every inch of my heart for your support!

-Roxy