Star, Starland Vamp Series, Book 1 by Theresa Oliver Page A

sense. But you don’t want to cross her. She could be just as ruthless as I. “That’s her way of playing.”
    Zac nodded, his azure eyes boring into mine, causing my heart to stop. “So, where in Florida do you come from?” Zac asked, making small talk, but he appeared to be really interested.
    “West Palm Beach,” I replied, thinking of the warm sunshine and nice beaches.
    “Oh! Where the rich people live!” Zac teased as the corner of his lips curled into his dazzling half smile.
    “ West Palm Beach,” I corrected. “Not Palm Beach. That’s where all the rich people live.” But I didn’t tell him that I had more money than almost all of the rich in Palm Beach. In fact, I knew many of them well.
    Zac laughed, dazzling me again with his smile, as he placed his hand in the small of my back, guiding me protectively as we walked. Many students we passed in the hall pocked each other and pointed. We would be the talk of the school for the rest of the day, at least, if not for the week.
    So much for keeping a low profile.
    “What does your father do?” Zac asked, as we neared the cafeteria.
    “My father’s in law enforcement,” I answered, thinking of Rick, which was an understatement.
    Zac nodded. “Noble. So he’s a police officer?”
    “Something like that,” I hedged, then added, changing the subject. “Hey, we’re here!”
    Standing in the cafeteria line, I reached for a tray, but Zac stopped me. “Here, allow me,” he said, taking the tray. “Take anything you want,” he added. 
    But what I really wanted was to take him and get out of here to some place private. He wouldn’t want to know what I really wanted for lunch. “Thanks,” I said. Don’t mind if I do, I thought to myself, smiling, thinking of his luscious neck, then pushed those thoughts aside. A vamp could share blood with a human, which is a very sensual experience, so I’m told. But if I bit him, he would become one of us. Again, I pushed the thought aside, smiling, not wanting to wish that on anyone.
    “What’s so funny?” Zac said, his azure eyes dancing. I sighed, melting under his gaze, then turned my attention back to the food. Cafeteria food, that is.
    “Nothing,” I said, smiling and almost laughed, then thought of something. “Hey, do they have any Mountain Dew?”
    Zac laughed, then replied. “In the soda machines in the back. We’ll get some in a minute. You like Mountain Dew, huh?”
    “You have no idea,” I said, widening my eyes. “It’s a weakness.”
    Zac laughed, pulling a clear plastic salad container onto the tray for himself. I did the same. Then he slid the tray to the register and pulled out his wallet.
    “That’s okay. I’ll get mine,” I said, stopping him.
    “I insist,” Zac said, dazzling me with a smile. Then he said in an aside, “Actually, I’m getting off easy. This isn’t the Ritz, you know.” He gestured around us in the cafeteria.
    I couldn’t help but laugh.
    “Speaking of which,” Zac added, a bit nervous. “Let me take you out to a real dinner. And maybe a movie, too? Say, Friday night?”
    I thought about it for a minute, smiling. I needed to stay close to him for protection anyway, I told myself. But deep down, my heart fluttered, eager for the date. What could it hurt? “Sure,” I said, smiling. “I’d love to.”
    He smiled widely. “Great!” he said stopping at a cafeteria table filled with about eight students, mixed with both guys and girls. Zac went around the table introducing me to his friends. A few of the girls smirked a smile, while others were genuine, while many of the guys seemed cordial. But there was one girl, Sandra, who greeted me with a broad smile. Zac went through everyone’s names quickly, but I knew I’d be able to keep them straight. Vamps have perfect recall, after all.
    “Welcome!” Sandra said with a broad smile.
    I nodded, returning the smile. “It’s nice to meet you,” I said, then turned my attention to Zac sitting beside