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

true emotions. I know it is for his protection as well as to show me he is all right without me. I know he doesn’t want to startle me. I almost go back to him but I can’t yet. At least I can admit there might be a future there and I know he wants one. That has played heavily on my mind. I was so afraid that I had pushed him away one too many times.
    “I had better leave you to your journal and to prepare for bed,” Bast says.
    “You know me well,” I say as I take his hand. “Thank you for letting me care for you for once. Please go feed right away. I’ll go to sleep troubled knowing you are in pain.”
    “I’ll leave now. That way you can know that I will be mending by the time you fall asleep, ma petite. Rest easy,” he says and then he leans down and kisses each of my eyelids. He’s disappears in a blur, leaving me a bit shaken. So many emotions floating around in me.
    I go to my closet and choose a silk gown. Grabbing my journal from the bedside table I climb into the bed and burrow down. The words start to pour out like they have every night since I was turned. It’s my connection to my humanity. It keeps me grounded. Now it is also my homework for Sophie. It’s going to be hard to let her read this because this is the one place I am completely honest with myself.
    Dawn is drawing near and I need to put my journal and pen away so I don’t wreck my sheets, again with spilled ink. Just before I go to sleep my phone buzzes. It’s a text from Mark.
    Good night, Lily. See you tonight, beautiful. – Mark
    Right after Mark I get a text from Sebastian.
    Ma petite, I wanted to let you rest easy and let you know that I fed and already feel much stronger. The rib feels bruised not broken now. Thank you for taking care of me tonight. It meant more than you know. I’ll be there when you wake.–Sebastian
    Sebastian’s text makes me feel better and I smile thinking about him just before I fall asleep.
    When I wake he knocks on my door. I can smell his amazing scent from the other side.
    “Come in, Bast,” I say.
    He walks in carrying a vase full of lovely wild flowers. They are delicate in whites and lavenders. They smell incredible. I believe there are sweet peas among the beauties.
    “Lily, these are for you. I tried to find something that reminded me of what you smell like, but I couldn’t even come close. I thought you would enjoy their scent all the same.”
    “That was so thoughtful, thank you, Bast. Please put them on the table under the stained glass windows,” I say. I sit up fully and clasp my hands in front of me. Sebastian puts the flowers where I suggested and then takes the chair next to my bed.
    “What are your plans for the day, ma cherie?”
    “I have an appointment with Sophie in about two hours, and then I have a dinner appointment tonight.”
    “With Mark?”
    “Yes. I know you don’t like him, but he is trying to be just my friend. And I really need that now. Especially since Aidan has decided to be so distant,” I say. I recognize the hollow feeling it leaves in me to say this out loud.
    “I’m trying not to interfere, but please be cautious of Mark. Please. I feel it would be my fault if I didn’t warn you and something happened,” he says as he looks down at his fisted hands. I lean over and place my small hand over his large ones. I hear his intake of breath at the skin on skin contact. He looks up at me with a dark heat.
    “Sebastian, I know you feel responsible for me still. It’s one of the things I struggle with. It’s time I took care of myself. I need to. I have to grow up, Sebastian, and that means making my own mistakes if I am going to make them,” I say with a tight smile.
    “It goes against every protective instinct in me, Lily. I’m trying very hard. But I respect your wishes. Promise me something though, promise me you will call me if ever you get into something you can’t get out of and need help.”
    “I promise, Bast,” I say. I secretly cross my