Author's note: Thank you all for the reviews and adding this to your favorites and follows. You are all greatly appreciated. Feel free to keep them coming. And to the anon who pointed out that Adrian does have money, I explain that in this chapter.

Happy reading!

Chapter Three

Pies and Stuff was not very full. We took a seat in the back. Eddie sat in the corner where he could watch the entire restaurant and be able to get up if needed.

"I thought you had money again." I mumbled to Adrian as Angeline took over the conversation, telling some animated tale about her life back home with the Keepers.

"Yeah, well, I've had a bit of a setback. I had to buy art supplies and pay tuition and rent. And…other things which I can't tell you about because they are matters of national security." He smirked and picked up the menu. "I still have a little. But not much. I wouldn't have been able to get into the movie without you. I have all of four bucks cash to my name."

"Order your own pie then." I said, sitting back in my chair.

"Only if you share it with me."

"I don't eat pie."

"You don't eat anything." He said. "You need to eat something."

"I'm fine. I ate a lot of popcorn."

"Come on, Sage. Do this for me."

"I'm not hungry, Adrian."

"A cup of coffee, then? It's only a dollar. And I'll get a small slice of apple pie, nothing fancy. Let me pay you back."

"Pay me back? A dollar for a cup of coffee is paying me back? It was ten bucks to get you into that movie. And the soda was four."

"Not to mention the popcorn was also four." He said, putting down the menu. "I'm not hungry after all." He stood. "I need a cigarette."

"I thought you were cutting back." I challenged.

"Heightened emotions make me crave it more. And since I quit drinking…" He turned without another word.

I tried to focus on the conversation, but I couldn't. I waved off the waitress when she asked for my order. I got up and followed Adrian outside.

He stood in the shadows, the glowing end of his clove cigarette the only indication he was there.

"Adrian." I said softly as I walked toward him.

"I'm sorry." He said just as quietly, flicking ashes. He took another drag and made a show of blowing smoke in the opposite direction from where I stood. "I, um…I never meant to make you mad, Sydney."

I leaned against the wall beside him. "I'm not mad, Adrian." I slipped my hand into his in the shadows between us. "I just want…" I shook my head and pressed my eyes into his shoulder.

He turned his head and kissed the top of my hair. "I'll fix it. I've been planning on it. That's where most of my money is tied up."

I lifted my head to look at him in shock.

"You're always working so hard, Sydney. I want to send you away for a weekend. You can go home to see your mom and sisters or fly them closer. I know you miss them."

"Adrian, I…I don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything. Just choose how you want to do it. I'll pull my strings. And I know I can get Jill to help. She is the vampire queen's sister, after all."

I laughed and squeezed his hand. I wanted to kiss him, but in such a public place, we were risking enough just holding hands. I stepped away. "I want to talk about this some more. Are you sure?"

"You deserve it, Sydney. More than anyone. You throw your whole self into everything, even when you don't have to. It's one of the things I like most about you." He ran a finger down my arm. "Come over and we can talk about it some more."

"You just want to kiss me." I teased in a low voice.

He gave me a cocky grin. "I won't deny that. I've wanted to do it all night."

I turned away and walked back inside. Adrian was only a few steps behind me. If only our lives were different, I'd reach back and hold his hand and never let go for the rest of the night.

Adrian ordered a slice of pie as soon as he sat down. "Two forks, please. And a cup of coffee for the lady."

I looked away, trying to hide my blush. "I'm paying for it." I told him before taking a sip of the coffee.

"No, I can get this." He promised, holding out the extra fork to me. "I want you to eat at least a quarter of this. That's not too many calories." He brought a forkful to his mouth and chewed slowly.

I felt the eyes of our three companions on me. I took three bites and forced myself to stop. If I ate one more, I wouldn't be able to stop.

I dropped Adrian off and then drove the rest of us back to Amberwood. I went up to my room as everyone else did. My phone went off and I checked it. Adrian.

"Are you coming back over tonight? I know you have a curfew."

"Yeah, I do. But it's still an hour away."

"Then come over. Please?"

"On my way."

I went back downstairs and was able to leave without anyone stopping me to ask where I was going and when I was coming back. I could make it to Adrian's in just a few minutes. I didn't have much time, but I'd take what I could get.

He opened the door for me and pressed me against it the moment it was closed behind me. My breath rushed out of my lungs and right into his mouth as he pressed it to mine. I wrapped my arms around him, feeling secure in the feel of his body pressed against mine. It really did feel right. And his mouth fit over mine better than I would have ever thought. His fangs never grazed me, something for which I was most grateful.

All too soon, he stepped away with an embarrassed chuckle. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize for that." I said breathlessly, smoothing a hand down the front of his shirt.

He smiled and brushed a far more chaste kiss across my lips. He backed away. "I could have at least said hello before I attacked you."

"I'll gladly be attacked like that by you any day." I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the couch. I draped my legs over his and kissed his cheek. "So this vacation?"

"You're just using me for that now, aren't you?" He teased, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.

"No, of course not." I kissed him on the lips this time. "But it's a nice incentive."

He chuckled and gently pushed me onto my back. "I like when you use big words." He rained soft kisses over my face and neck.

I slid my hands over his back and into his hair. I like the way his mouth felt on me, but I liked even more the way it felt when our mouths were moving together. I pulled his face back up and murmured, "Kiss me, Adrian."

He did. Softly, no tongue or teeth, just lips. He pushed himself up and looked down at me. "I'm going to confess something to you."

"What?"

"It's going to freak you out. Maybe you'll leave."

"Maybe. Tell me anyway."

He sighed and sat back. "I really wish I could bite you."

My heart sped up in the fear he knew I'd have. I sat up and moved away, preparing myself to run.

"I'm sorry. It's just…When a guy is with a girl he finds attractive…well, it's all normal biology for the most part. Except for me being Moroi. I crave blood. And it's taboo for it to happen during sex, but I want it."

"Have you done it before?" I asked, my eyes darting around the room, looking for the quickest way out.

"Yeah." He stood and pulled out his cigarettes. He looked at the pack and me and then sat it on the coffee table. "With Rose. But we didn't ever actually have sex. We almost did…I drank her blood instead."

I watched him pace around the room, my fear melting away. "Adrian, it goes against everything I believe in."

"I know." He said softly. He turned back around. "You should probably get back. It's late."

I nodded and stood. I walked around to stand in front of him. I placed my hands on his face. "Are you okay?"

"Sydney, I like you. I really like you. I haven't felt this way except for her."

"I know."

"I don't want to hurt you. You are dyed in the wool alchemist. If this ever gets out, your career is over before it even completely starts."

"Maybe it would be good. I'd never have to hear my father put me down. I could have the job I want."

"Mechanic or architect?" he asked kindly.

"Both." I said with a smile.

"You'd have that 're-education' more likely. And you'd remember why you should be scared of me just by looking at me, not when I say I want to drink your blood in the heat of passion." He pushed my hands away. "You really need to go."

"Do you need blood?" I asked, my voice faltering over the last word.

"I'm fine." He assured me.

"You sure?"

"I am." He kissed me. "Sorry."

"Me too." I sighed and placed my hands on his chest, splaying my fingers. "I wish I could stay."

He put his hands on top of mine. "Yeah." He kissed me again. "You better get going before I pull you back over to the couch and kiss you until we're breathless."

I smiled. "I wish I could. Maybe I'll come over tomorrow first thing and stay all day."

"You never got to tell you about the vacation. What would you like to happen?"

"I'd like to go home, but only if I know my father isn't there. I want to spend time with my mom and sisters without him. If you have the connections, you can make that happen."

"I'll do my best." He brushed his fingers down my cheek. "I'll miss you."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Adrian's phone went off and he reached for it as I headed for the door. "It's Jill. She says that she and I have plans tomorrow."

"Yeah, I think you two need some time to work on that block thing." I kissed him once more and then left quite reluctantly.