Nikolas walked into the dark living room, watching Skye's sleeping form. He knelt down and scooped her up, laying her on the couch. She jolted awake, sitting up sharply so that her head slammed into Nik's face. He grunted and let go of her, pressing his arm to his nose.

"Oh! Shit!" She scrambled up, standing on the couch and holding Nik's arm, pulling at his wrist.

He growled and the sound came out like a gurgle. Blood leaked out from behind his arm. Skye bit her lip and winced. Nik pulled away, "I'm fine!"

He was obviously not fine, and Skye grabbed him again, pulling his hand away from his face. "Nik, let me see it."

"Aggggggggggggggggggghhhhh!"

"Nik, come on. I promise I won't touch it," He eventually lowered his arm and Skye watched the blood dribble heavily down his face, gulping. She put one hand on his shoulder for balance, then reached another tentative hand out, making him growl once more. She ignored him and very gently touched his nose. His lips tightened, but he didn't say anything, so she felt along his nose with a firmer hand. He yanked himself away and she lost her balance, falling forward.

Nikolas shot back toward her, catching her and holding her against him. Skye looked at his face and reached her hands up to softly wipe the blood away. He just watched her, not flinching. There was a small gash on his cheek, blood spilling out of that as well. "Nik, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay."

He was watching her quietly, his gaze piercing. There was a plop, plop and blood fell onto Skye's cheek. She went to wipe it away, but before she could, Nik licked it off. That made her pause, touching her moistened cheek. Her eyes widened slightly, but Nikolas just pinned Skye's gaze with his heated one.

Then he crushed her against him, kissing her hard. She responded, burying her hands in his coarse dark hair, kissing back with tongue and teeth. She tasted Nik's blood, hot and metallic, then her own as he tugged at her lip with his teeth, nicking her.

Skye felt her legs tugged out from under her as Nik pushed her down into the couch, easing her back into the cushions. She felt his body pressing against hers, hot and hard.

"Skye," He breathed her name against her neck.

Then reality crashed down on her like a sledgehammer. She didn't know this boy. She wasn't his girlfriend. She wasn't about to fuck a complete stranger. And she probably just broke his nose. Alarm bells went off in her head. Skye pushed at Nik's shoulders, but his grip tightened and he pulled her closer, nuzzling her jawline. She panicked.

"Nikolas! Nikolas, get off." She dug her nails into his shoulders, but he didn't let go. He did, however, pull back and look at her.

He was flushed, panting. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know you."

"So?" Her eyes narrowed. "You know I don't mean it like that."

"Actually, no, I don't know that. I don't know anything about you."

"Can you try to?"

The question was so odd, so not something a guy would say to a girl he just met and wanted to fuck. It almost caught Skye off guard. Almost. But she was never vulnerable. She refused to be.

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"Don't play a fucking game. Tell me why."

Nikolas glared at her, and she glared right back. His lips tightened angrily, and his eyes looked hurt behind the icy exterior. Skye's expression softened. Her hands rubbed along his broad shoulders, soothing him. He relaxed a bit, the tight rigidness he held himself in melting away as Skye scooted closer, wrapped her arms around his neck. Nik smiled and cupped her hips in his hands, meeting her as she leaned forward, kissing her softly. Skye felt the touch, and knew he wasn't used to being gentle with anything.

"We can try to get to know eachother."

His grin broadened, flashing white teeth. "Good."

He hoisted her up and she yelped. "You're going to drop me, I'm too heavy."

"Have you looked at me? I'm not gonna drop a little thing like you."

"I'm not little." Skye sniffed.

"Uh hu," Nik answered absentmindedly, carrying her up the stairs. She expected to be brought into Nik's bedroom, dragged into his cave and held captive. She was surprised when the door he kicked open revealed Aubrey's sleeping form. The mattress dipped under Skye's weight as she was unceremoniously dropped next to Aubrey, who only grumbled in his sleep.

Across the room was another bed, that one holding Kris. Nik dropped on top of his brother, rolled to the other side of the bed on his back, and draped arms and legs over his sibling. Kris didn't seem to mind and shifted toward Nik. They lay with their heads next to eachother and closed their eyes.

Skye was used to sharing a bed with Aubrey. They were like brother and sister. So, when he growled and put an arm around her, yanking her down next to him, she only smiled and cuddled closer. Soon they were both asleep.

A few hours later, Skye woke up and slipped out of the bed. She tip toed to the door, but Nik's voice cut through the dark. "Where are you going?"

"Nowhere."

"What's wrong?"

"I can't sleep."

"Nightmares?"

"No." With that she slipped out of the room and walked towards the stairs. She didn't hear the door open behind her and yelped when Nik plowed into her, tackling her to the floor. The momentum tumbled them down the stairs. They screamed and grunted with each impact until they lay in a panting heap at the bottom of the stairs.

"You're a retard." Skye said, then they both laughed.

Nik got up and left her, calling over his shoulder. "Kitchen. Now."

Rubbing her tailbone, Skye limped after him. He didn't seem to hurt at all. The bastard.

"Aren't you tired?"

"Not anymore. Hmm. Vanilla or chocolate?"

"For what?"

"Awesome. Do you know how to cook?"

"A bit," Skye admitted, walking voer to the freezer and rummaging around for ice. "Why?"

"I'm hungry," Nik pouted, looking at her hopefully.

Skye sighed and rolled her eyes, "What do you want to eat?"