“Damn it, Tanner!” I say stomping my feet.

Knox lies back in my bed, “You better wear a turtle neck for the next week.”

I turn and glare at Knox, “It’s the middle of summer in North Carolina, Knox.”

Knox rolls his eyes, “Thanks for reminding me where I am and what season it is, I’m just offering a little friendly advice is all.”

I fling myself back on the bed and cuddle up next to Knox. “Please tell me you are taking me away with you this weekend. I have to give this hickey time to lighten and I need to be far away from inquiring minds.”

He tucks a hand behind his head, “That’s why I’m here. I need your help with a few things then I’m sending you and Tanner off to a hotel for the night.”

I sit up, “What? Why? We have our own room at the house.”

Knox smiles, “Relax, I’m asking Savanna to marry me this weekend and I need some help getting the house ready and shit. I thought since you were going to help me out that I would help you.”

“You do help me all the time though. You don’t need to send us to a hotel, Knox.”

Ever since my parents divorced, Daddy refuses to let me see Tanner. I’m to have no parts of him in my life. He thinks that because Tanner’s daddy cheated on his wife with my mama, that Tanner is going to do the same thing to me. Little does he know that Tanner would never do that to me. He’s my soul mate. He’s my everything. His official edict for us to stay apart hasn’t happened yet and it’s not about to happen anytime soon.

Tanner and I have been sneaking around for two years behind our parents’ backs. Daddy kicked Mama out of the house shortly after he found out what she had done. Daddy forbids me to have any kind of relationship with Tanner, he even tried to stop me from seeing the Mitchell’s, but Audrey refused to let that happen. After some persuasion from Audrey, Daddy finally gave in as long as Tanner wasn’t staying at the house when I was down at the beach house. That wouldn’t work and Daddy knew that but never said anything else about it again. I don’t know what I would without Audrey.

Tanner’s mama kicked his daddy out of the house the day she found out and never let him back in. The cops were called when he showed up to grab his things because Emma refused to let Josh in. Tanner doesn’t talk much about what happened and that’s okay. I don’t like to talk about it much either. Close friendships were ruined and hearts were irreparably broken.

“I’m not taking no for an answer. I’ve already booked the room and as soon as your ass gets ready we’ll head down and get things going.” Knox smiles at me.

An hour later I was showered, packed and ready to go. Knox carried my suitcase downstairs while I was putting the last of my makeup on the ugly hickey that Tanner left. It wasn’t really doing any good because that shit was purple and angry looking, and it seemed to be getting darker by the minute. I went into my walk-in closet and took a scarf out that went with my outfit. I quickly tied it around my neck and laid my hair over my shoulders covering it the best that I could. Yeah, I was a walking billboard for failed hickey undercover ops. I was so f**ked.

I grabbed my purse off the bed and headed downstairs. When I got to the bottom I heard Knox and daddy talking.

“Congratulations, young man.” Daddy says.

I stand on the bottom of the stairs and eavesdrop for just a minute.

“Thank you, Sir.” Knox responds back politely.

Daddy clears his throat and I heard the chair scratch across the floor. “Son, Tanner isn’t goin’ to be there this weekend is he?”

Leave it to Daddy to worry about Tanner.

“I’m not gonna to lie to you, Sir. He’s going to be there but I did book him a hotel room so that he and Rhea are not staying under the same roof.”

“Good, good. That Savanna is a lucky girl. I sure hope my Rhea finds a catch like you some day.”

I shake my head in disgust.

Knox laughs, “Thanks, Sir. And I’m sure she will.”

I walk into the kitchen with a hand on my hip, “You ready to go, it’s getting late?”

Knox nods and a smile forms across his face. He looks at the scarf and then back to my eyes. If I could have flipped him off with my eyeballs I would have.

I walk over to Daddy and give him a kiss on the cheek. “Bye, Daddy.”

“Rhea, it’s a little hot out today to be wearing a scarf.” Daddy says tugging at it.

I grip it tight in my hand so he doesn’t pull the knot undone. “Oh Daddy, keep up with the styles will you. All the girls are wearing them.”

I hear Knox laughing softly. He’s so dead.

I grab Knox’s arm and pinch underneath it making him growl at me. Good, serves him right.

When we get outside Knox yanks his elbow back rubbing the spot I just pinched, “That’s going to bruise.”

“Suck it up, Sally.” I glare. “That’s whatcha get for laughin’ at me. I’ll let you borrow my scarf when I’m done with it.”

He smirks, “You do look ridiculous wearing that.”

I untie it and throw it at him.

He full out laughs, grabbing his stomach, “No, wait,” he throws the scarf at me. “You should put it back on.”

I drop the stupid thing and stalk off towards his BMW. He unlocks it and I slide into the passenger seat.

Knox slides in and starts the car up still laughing.

“I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.”

I scowl, “I do.”

Knox shakes his head as he pulls out of the driveway and into Tanner’s right next door. “You love me.”

Sighing, “I do.”

Tanner jogs out of the house, opens the back door, tosses his bag in then he climbs in next. He’s groaning so I turn to see what’s wrong.

“Baby, what’s wrong with you?” Tanner’s got a hat pulled low over his eyes, sunglasses on and dressed in black cargo shorts and a black tank top.

“Shh,” he puts his hands over his ears. “Stop yelling.”

I laugh, “Hangover from hell, huh?”

He moans and lays his head on his bag and that’s when I get a glance at his neck.

I snort, “What in the hell is that?”

Tanner has bite marks all over his neck and one on his jaw.

“That would be considered ‘marking your territory’ from the vampire I’m dating.”

Knox burst out laughing. I turn in my seat and pull my seat belt on. “Well, at least we know how to have a good time.”