Suckers Bite Back (San Francisco Vampires #5) (Vampires of San Francisco series) by Jessica McBrayer Page A

in the trust department yet. Too much back and forth between Aidan and me. No, I have to handle this on my own. For now that means going home to her and saying good night.

17 LILITH
    Sebastian comes through the door just before I turn in for the night. I can’t help but smile at him. His hair is mussed and he is predatory. It does something to me. He sees my smile and his eyes light up. He stops to kiss my cheeks and say good evening before heading to the bar that’s located here in the library.
    “Cherie, can I get you anything?” he asks.
    “No, Bast. I was just getting ready to go to bed,” I say.
    He downs a shot of whiskey. Hmmm…
    “May I escort you to your room?” he asks politely. I know he means it respectfully.
    “Yes, that would be nice. You can tell me how your night went.”
    “Ahhh… I would rather hear about yours,” he says as he takes my hand and helps me from the chaise. “What did you do after I left?”
    He leaves the door open to my room. A subtle signal that I don’t need to feel pressured or rushed. I sit down in one of the big over-stuffed, striped chairs and he takes the one next to me. I notice him wince and favor his left side when he sits down.
    “Sebastian, I can see when you are in pain. Take off your shirt.”
    “What?” he says, eyes wide, startled.
    “You heard me buddy, off with your shirt.” He hesitates. “Now, Sebastian.”
    “Okay, cherie,” he says and tries to chuckle but grabs his side instead and grunts. I go over to him and take off his jacket and then start to unbutton his shirt.
    “You know I imagined this very differently,” he says softly as he runs his hand down my cheek.
    “I know, Bast. Let’s see the damage first,” I say.
    I gently take his shirt off and grimace at the huge bruise over his ribs on the left side. I tenderly apply pressure and hear his quick intake of air. I feel at least one broken rib.
    “You’ll need to feed. You’ve got at least one broken rib. Maybe more.”
    “Fucking Demon,” he mumbles.
    “What was that?” I ask, truly not wanting to hear what I think I hear.
    “Nothing, cherie. Just a mix up after I closed the bar. I got jumped. I came out ahead, though. You should see the other guy,” he says and gives me a toothy, fangster smile.
    I can’t stop the tingling. I love his fangs. I rapidly push that aside to focus on the problem at hand. Why would someone jump Bast? And a Demon at that. My face falls.
    “No cherie, don’t worry about it. I can handle it. I’m a big boy and can take care of myself. He got one lucky punch. One. I got all the rest. I promise you. Besides, once I feed I will be better by tomorrow.”
    Why was he being so easy-going about this? It wasn’t like him. Bast has a temper or could have one if he or a loved one is attacked or hurt. Why isn’t he taking this seriously? There has to be some reason behind it.
    “I know you’ll be better tomorrow and that you probably pulverized the other guy but you’re being so calm about it. He must have been supernatural to have hit you even once.”
    “I was distracted. It was a lucky shot, ma petite. That’s all.” His eyes were begging me not to ask more questions.
    I placed a small kiss on the bruise and when I looked up at him his eyes had closed. Peace descended on him and it made me happy I could give him that. While his eyes were closed I kissed the corner of his mouth too. He groaned and pulled me close to him nuzzling his face in my hair and smelling deeply.
    “You smell so good Lily, it awakens something in me. Your shampoo and soap smell great but it’s your blood and you, your essence. God, I’ve missed your scent.”
    I make a motion to move away but Sebastian tightens his hold.
    “Just a minute more, please?” he asks.
    “All right.” I gently snuggle into him. He sighs and relaxes against me.
    After a minute or two he lets me go. His jaw is tight and his smile is gone. He has pulled on his carefully controlled mask to hide his