Hey guys! I'm going to take a break for a few days to write ahead a little bit! Won't be updating for a few days, sorry! 

Sorry for any grammar and editing mistakes!

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Enjoy!

-&-

Chapter 18

       "Larkin! Hey, Larkin!"

       The groan that escaped my lips when that familiar voice reached my ears was so loud a passing male student stopped to glance at me. He raised a suggestive eyebrow. I shot him a nasty look. The guy scurried off. I would have ignored that voice and made a bee line for the nearest academic building, regardless of which one it was, if he didn't sound so damn close already.

       "Hey, Luke." I greeted reluctantly and turned around to face the blond creep-a-zoid heading my way. Maybe I was a little too harsh with the guy. He hasn't done anything bad, and he was always very nice and charming. But that gut-wrenching twist in my stomach every time he got near didn't seem to agree.

       Dark sunglasses were covering his deep brown eyes and that usual charming smile was resting perfectly on his lips. "Hey, I was hoping to catch up with you again at the party, but I didn't see you." Despite jogging from wherever the hell he had spotted me he wasn't out of breath. It had to be eighty degrees, and he was wearing a dark black jacket, without an ounce of sweat on him. Some people really were born gifted.

       "Yeah, I wasn't feeling good and decided to go home early." He didn't need to know the details of that night, no one did.

       It was Wednesday afternoon, two days after that lunch fiasco with Dri and nearly a whole week since the 'party'. I didn't want to remember it. Ever. I spent more than enough time convincing myself that what happened didn't. Vampires did not exist, not matter what that crack Shorzin said.

       "Oh damn, that sucks I'm sorry." Luke's smile actually did fall, like he really cared about my health or whatever. I couldn't stop my eyes from narrowing suspiciously at him. Freak. "I'm glad I ran into you now though!" The momentary lapse forgot his face lit up as he gestured towards the park besides us. "I wanted to introduce you to my friends and try to convince you to hang out more."

       No. Thank. You.

       "Thanks for the thought, but I actually have a class I need to get to."

       Which was a lie. It was twelve-ten in the afternoon, and I was done with all of my classes for the day. Not that he needed to know that. I did want to get home in time to make lunch for Dri and I though. Something I had gotten far too excited for every week—even with what happened Monday. That blue eyed idiot knew better than to make those comments now. And I knew how badly I actually wanted them to happen. We were walking on very thin ice, and I wasn't sure it would hold much longer.

       "Awe, come on. It will only take a minute, then I'll let you go." His smile was still charming, his voice soft and sweet as he pointed towards a crowded sitting area in the middle of the campus's park. "My friends are right over there. Let me introduce you, then you can run off." That smile fell into a small smirk that didn't bother hiding the humor in his voice when he said 'run off'. Like he knew how badly I wanted to.

       Ugh, I really didn't want to. But I also didn't want to be a massive bitch either, not when he's only been nice. A quick 'hey, I'm Larkin. Yeah, I know it's a weird name' wouldn't kill me. "Yeah, alright." I nodded, and the bright smile that took over his lips was almost attractive. Hell, it was very attractive, but that didn't kill the nausea in my stomach.

       "Awesome! They're really chill, you'll love them."

       Yeah, well, I wasn't so sure about that, but I kept my disgruntled thoughts to myself. Luke led the short distance between where he found me to the sitting area his friends were at. Despite the short walk he somehow managed to squeeze in a full-blown conversation, asking about my classes and how I was fitting in. I kept my answers shot and polite, but all I really wanted to do was go home and see Dri.

       "Hey guys!" Luke called to the back of his friend's head as we approached the wooden lawn chairs they were sprawled out against. The area was seated perfectly under this large tree that provided a perfect amount of shade. "This is Larkin, the girl I keep telling you about."

       He actually tells people about me?

       When the hell did we become friends?

       That thought didn't last long as four heads turned our way. My heart fell to my stomach, then sky dived straight for the ground. No... You have got to be fucking kidding me! I couldn't speak, my breath was ice in my chest, and it didn't help that they looked just as surprised as I was. Even Adam's eyes widened.

       It was them. The four that cornered me, the four in the ice cream shop. Luke's friends. I knew there was something fucked with that guy!

       I took an immediate, shaky step back, my eyes as wide as saucers as they flickered between the four boys nervously. "Larkin, you alright? What's wrong?" I ripped away from Luke's outstretched hand, concern falling over his once charming face.

       "Stay the fuck away from me!" I snapped and that concerned expression became more confused.

       "I don't know what's going on—"

       I turned towards his friends, raised a shaky hand and jabbed it in their bewildered direction. Their eyes weren't red then, just various shades of brown, blue, and green. But red eyes or no, they still tried to corner me, and have 'fun'. I hadn't imagined that. None of them said a word, though what little color their faces had drained away when they looked at me. They actually looked scared. I guess those fucks were still afraid of my shadow. Pussies.

       "Stay the fuck away from me." I didn't bother waiting for a reply as I turned on my heel and took off running in the opposite direction. Luke called after me, but I didn't stop. I refused to. I didn't know what sick game they were playing, or trying to drag me into, but I refused to be a part of it.

       I tried to shove down the fear swamping through my stomach. I hated being afraid. I hated feeling like someone held power over me that I couldn't overcome. When Adriel was there he usually chased that feeling away, but I knew he couldn't all the time. I kept running, with no idea where I was headed, not even sure if they were following me or not.

       I didn't stop until I turned a corner at the end of the brick building and ended up running smack into a dead-end alcove. It was just a little weird opening in the back of the building. A stone bench sat pressed back against the far wall, leaves and vines completely littering every ounce of brick. There were small purple flowers growing out of the vines on the walls and covering the stony floor. I glared at the dead-end in aggravation, my hand reaching up to run viciously through my dark curls. I had no idea if they tried to follow me, but I definitely didn't want to be stuck if they had.

       "Larkin!" Dread filled my chest when Luke's voice reached my ears. The universe really hated the thought of giving me a freaking break.

       I spun around to face him with my bag's straps clutched tightly in my hands. "Get away from me." I snapped as my eyes landed on his. He had been running after me, but just like before he wasn't out of breath or sweating—which I definitely was. I hadn't exercised since high school, but I knew I was a hell of a runner. The guy should at least be fucking winded!

       Luke stopped at the entrance of the alcove. His sunglasses were pushed to the top of his blond head so I could see the complete confusion in his brown eyes. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I don't know what happened back there—"

       "Your friends happened!" I snapped and took another step back into the vine covered area. It probably wasn't a good idea cornering myself, but he wasn't making a move to enter.

       "I don't know what you mean." He shook his head, that charming smile nowhere in sight.

       "I mean," I sneered as those brown eyes flickered up to the vines surrounding the alcove. "That your fucking freak-a-zoid friends cornered me after that party and tried to—tried to..." Hell! I didn't even know what they were trying to do! I shook my head and turned hard eyes back on the bewildered blond. "They're no good, need-to-be-locked-up, perverts!"

       He blinked those brown eyes, and his mouth hung slightly open before it snapped shut. "They tried to what?" But there was more aggression in his tone than a question. I didn't answer him, but I didn't think he really wanted me to. "All four of them?" He plowed on, those warm eyes now blazing in fury. I nodded and he placed his hands on his waist with a large, disgruntled sigh. "They're so fucking dead." He hissed under his breath. I didn't bother commenting. I just wanted him to move the fuck out of the way so I could hightail it home.

       Another tense angry moment passed before Luke let out a heavy breath and scrubbed his hand down his face. "Look, I'm sorry about them. That never should have happened." He went to take a step into the alcove, his foot just steeping on the vines of the floor before he winced and took a step back.

       "What the fuck was that?" I didn't care about being nice anymore. After today I planned on never talking to this fuck or his friends again.

       Those brown eyes glanced almost anxiously over to the flowers streaming the walls before back to me. "I'm just allergic to the plants in here."

       "Whatever, just leave me alone."

       That smile was nowhere in sight, and the blatant look of anger, unease, worry, and just altogether stress flashing in his eyes made me nervous. "I'll leave you alone, but I really am sorry, Larkin. I'll make sure this doesn't happen again."

       "Just keep them the fuck away from me."

       "I will, I promise." Luke tried to give me a small smile, that charm from before barely tilting his lips, but I made sure not to drop my bitch-face. He let out a small sigh and shook his blond head. "This really isn't how anything was supposed to happen." No shit Sherlock. "I'm sorry. I'll see you around."

       Not likely, but I didn't say anything as he turned and walked away, being careful to avoid stepping into the alcove.

       What a fucking shit show.

       I pulled my cellphone out of my backpack's cup-holder and groaned when I saw the time. It was twelve fifty. I didn't have time to make Dri and I the lunch I wanted to. Looks like its mac n' cheese and sandwiches again. I was just about to leave the alcove and make a beeline for my car, wherever the hell I parked it, when my eyes landed on those purple flowers.

       Eh, what the hell. Better safe than sorry.

       I picked a handful—or two—off the nearest vine and shoved them in the front pocket of my backpack. Maybe if Luke was allergic to them than those over fucks would be too.

-&-

       Don't do it. Don't do it. Be strong, Larkin. Don't do it. But then he was standing there, looking all big and strong and secure and I really, really wanted to.

       Those dark blue eyes locked on mine and Adriel smiled. "Hey, Lark."

       I did it. Or, at least a part of it. I raced over to him, not carrying one bit that he had his toolbox and belt in both hands and threw my arms around his toned waist. I was still shook-up over the little run-in with Luke's friends, and despite his promise that he would keep them away from me, I didn't trust any of them one bit. I squeezed the ever loving shit out of Dri.

       He laughed, oblivious to the knot I kept forcing down my throat. Just hearing his voice made everything better, but that didn't mean I was going to let the poor guy go anytime soon. "I missed you too." Adriel chuckled and dropped the box and belt to the ground to wrap those strong arms around me. He got the picture when I didn't let go after a while.

       "Hey, you alright?" His warm hands ran soothingly over my back, his cheek pressed against the top of my hair. I shook my head, even though I spent the pass twenty minutes convincing myself that telling him what happened wouldn't be a good idea. I pressed further into him. "What happened, Angel?" He gripped lightly on my shoulders and tried to ease me away from his strong chest. I frowned but let him pull me off him.

       I bit my lip and gazed over to the living room. I didn't trust myself when those blue eyes were staring down at me. He could play me like a fiddle if he wanted to, and I could never hide anything from him. It really didn't help when he reached up to pull my bottom lip away from my teeth, and the rough pad gently traced over the pink skin. My eyes snapped to his, and my heart pounded a thousand miles a minute in my chest. God, that fuck really knew how to drive me insane.

       "I'll you have to do is tell me what happened, and I'll take care of it." His thumb left my lip as I let out a sigh and pulled away. I closed my eyes like that could block out all the naughty images suddenly racing through my mind. At least I wasn't scared anymore.

       "You can't take care of everything, Dri." I wouldn't want him to, not when there was a risk he could get hurt. There were four of them, five now including Luke. Adriel was just one guy. One insanely hot, fuck-worth, panty dropping, mouth-watering guy. But still just one. I mean, I guess I could call the police, but I didn't know all of their names. I couldn't even describe them, despite seeing their faces today.

       "The hell I can't." His strong hand wrapped around my wrist and pulled me back to face him. "I take care of what's mine, Larkin. I always have and I always will." That dark gaze was hot and smoldering as it glared down at me. His strong jaw clenched together and the muscles in his arms even strained in that way I loved so much. Mine. There was something funny that always happened to my insides whenever he referred to me as 'his'. I knew he didn't mean it in the way I wanted it to, but that didn't keep me from imagining.

       "Just tell me what happened, please. I don't like seeing you upset." That dark look slowly faded as he spoke, and the hand that wasn't wrapped around my wrist reached up to brush my tangled curls away from my face. I resisted the urge to close my eyes and fall into him—resisted the need to press my lips against his and see if he still tasted as good as I remembered.

       "I..." I closed my eyes and let out a shaky breath. Was I really going to tell him this? It would just worry him even more. "I saw those guys today."

       Guess I was.

       "Guys?"

       My eyes flickered open to glance at his. "Yeah, Dri. Those guys from Thursday." It took a moment for realization to dawn on him, but when it did—oh boy he wasn't happy. The grip around my wrist tightened.

       "Where were they?"

       "The park on campus, they're friends with his guy I met the first week we were here." I don't think I told him about that actually.

       "Who are they?"

       I shrugged. Even though I didn't honestly know I wasn't so sure I wanted to tell him. Adriel looked like he was about to go all Taken on their ass and that worried me. "No idea, but they're those freaks I told you about with the contacts! One of their names is Adam and another is Pete." I didn't catch the other two, but they were probably just as basic as the first.

       "And you know this 'friend' of theirs?"

       I shrugged again. "Well, not really. We've met a few times but that's about it."

       "I don't want you hanging around him." He grumbled as the grip on my wrist eased some.

       I rolled my eyes. "Trust me, I won't be. I don't even like the guy. I was just being polite."

       "Well, don't."

       I pulled away as he stood simpering in the foyer. "Don't be crabby, I made you two boxes of mac n' cheese." That stern look in his gaze faded some as I turned for the dining room. He followed closely behind me.

       "I'm just worried about you." Adriel sighed and plopped that large, beautiful, toned body down in front of the plate I had set up on the table.

        "Yeah, well, you're the one that wanted me to go to college anyway—"

       "Don't start that." One sharp narrowed look from those blue eyes had me snapping my mouth shut grumpily. Fucking jerk. Bossing me around like he's the... well, the boss! He's not! But I still do every fucking thing he says.

       "Just eat your stupid noodles." I grumbled and spun the handle of the pot I had put in the middle of the table on an oven-mitt towards him. That sly smirk pulled at his lips, but he kept his mouth shut as he reached for the wooden spoon.

       "Where's your plate?" He asked with a raised eyebrow as I sat back in my seat beside him, noodle-less.

       "I ate before you got here." I didn't actually, but I knew if I told him I wasn't hungry he would force feed me. I couldn't eat right then, not after that little adventure at school. My stomach wouldn't settle down and I kept glancing around the windows nervously, looking for any sign that those freaks followed me home.

       "You're lying."

       My gaze snapped over at his accusing tone and I crossed my arms grumpily over my chest. "Am not."

       "I know when you're lying, Larkin. You suck at it."

       "No, I'm amazing at it. You suck." He rolled those blue eyes but did the great service of keeping his big fat mouth shut. A mouth that looked a little too good for my sanity. Fucking jerk.

       We sat quietly after that as he ate. I played with the edge of the dark wooden table as Adriel stuffed his fat, gorgeous face with cheesy noodles. I made him a few sandwiches too which were sitting on the kitchen counter, but he could get those himself.

       My gaze flickered over to him as he ate. He had one strong arm resting against the table beside his plate, the sleeves of his flannel were rolled up to his elbows and I could see the oh-so-yummy muscles straining in his forearm. I had a problem, a serious one. Even his freaking forearms were turning me on. He shifted and I could just barely make out the black V-neck he wore beneath the flannel, one that hugged his chest a little too nicely. I let out an internal sigh. That man was too damn sexy for his own good.

       Why did I agree to that one-time thing again? Because I fuck everything up. But that didn't mean I had to stop looking at him or thinking about him doing naughty things to my body.

       "Larkin."

       "Hmm?" I hummed and tore my eyes away from the biceps straining beneath the fabric of his flannel. A dark eyebrow was raised at me, and those stupidly delicious lips were curled up at the corner.

       "That was the third time I called your name."

       "Oh..." Don't you dare blush. I would not get flustered. I refused to. I don't even care if he caught me mind-fucking him. But it wasn't like I could really control the heat staining the back of my neck. "Sorry, my mind's somewhere else."

       "Oh, I'm sure."

       I narrowed my gaze dangerously at him, which he just ignored as he pushed his empty plate away. Ass hole. "You know all you have to do is say so, Lark." He sighed a moment later, those blue eyes trained towards the kitchen as he reached up to run his hand through that dark hair. He was letting it get long, or as long as I've ever seen it. It didn't touch the collar of his shirt or his ears or anything, but it was a nice change from his usual crop cut style.

       "Say what?"

       That gaze flickered to mine, and the hot, entrapping look there made my heart flutter. "That you want to sleep with me."

       I gulped as that heat flaming the back of my neck grew. I really hate how he had the ability to do that to me. I tore my eyes from his and forced my gaze down to my clenched hands. "We can't." No matter how ridiculously bad I wanted to.

       Adriel's hand was suddenly prying mine apart so his strong fingers could slip between mine. I watched as he raised my hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss against its back. "I know." He murmured softly against my skin, even though those blue eyes were sending electricity straight to every part of my being. "Just know I'll be there when you change your mind." His mouth pulled up into that smirk, his lips brushing softly against my hand before pulling away.

       I rolled my eyes and grumbled something about him being an idiot, even though that was only to cover up the heat coursing through me. I knew I couldn't 'change my mind', not if I wanted us to stay as we were. Though I had a sick feeling that resolve wasn't going to last long.

       Not when he kept looking at me like that. 

-&-

Hope you enjoyed!

Also, I just wanted to make a quick PSA announcement for readers that read other's comments. It is 100% OKAY to find more than one person attractive. It's actually quite healthy and very human to recognize that multiple people are good looking. There is a difference between noting when someone is attractive, and constantly thinking about jumping their bones. 

Larkin does this when talking about Luke. She notices that his psychical features make him very attractive, but there is something about him that freaks her out. Besides, she  obviously is pretty darn tied up over her sexual attraction towards Adriel to really care about jumping anyone else. 

My point is this, do NOT shame people for finding multiple persons good looking. There is a difference between noticing and acting on it. As adults, who are the only people who should be reading this story, I hope you all understand this.

P.s. Don't slut shame. As long as their not going after YOUR significant other or hurting you in some way, let them live their lives.

PSA over :D