by Rose Pressey
He didn’t answer. His body had already lapsed into a relaxed state with steady breathing. At least with him asleep I wouldn’t have to worry about what he was up to. No sneaking off to purchase a bloody side of beef. Or a visit to the blood bank.
Tiptoeing out of his apartment, I slipped across the hall. That uneasiness I’d felt earlier still lingered in the air; it had followed me from Jack’s. I unlocked my apartment door and stepped inside. As soon as I clicked the door shut, Jennifer called to me, “Oh, thank goodness you’re here. I have something for you.” She waved me over to the kitchen table and motioned for me to sit in the chair next to her.
“Should I be afraid?” I asked.
Chapter Eleven
How to Date a Vampire, Rule #11:
Learn to sleep during the day.
“No. Look what I got.” She shoved a book at me.
It was a red hardback with gold letters across the front and the spine. The book could have passed for any regular textbook.
“Vampires: Myths vs. Facts?” I quirked an eyebrow. “So you found a book about vampires at the library?”
“Yeah,” she said around an excited chuckle. “Isn’t that freakin’ fantastic? It’s not much, but it’s a start because let’s face it, you can’t babysit Jack forever.”
She pulled the book over and opened it to a marked spot. Obviously she’d already done a little reading. “This section talks about the living dead… or half-turned vampires.” She pointed at the page.
I leaned in closer. “It has a section for that? What does it say?”
“Well, I just started reading. It’s fascinating, by the way. There are different types of vampires according to their blood type from when they were regular humans. For instance, some can go out in the sun and some can’t.”
“Huh. I didn’t know that. That explains a lot.”
“Like I said, I just started reading and it’s a little hard to understand because of the way it’s written, but it gives each one different abilities. Things they can do or can’t do.”
So maybe you’ll find some answers about Jack and how to help him.”
“That is interesting. Thank you so much, Jen. You’re a true friend.”
She patted my hand. “That’s what friends are for. Well, I have to jump in the shower. Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked.
I nodded.
“No offense, but you look like crap. Have you slept? Have you eaten?”
“I’m fine.”
She shook her head. “You have to take care of yourself, too. I know you’re worried about Jack, but if you kill yourself, you won’t be of any help to him.”
“Yes, mother.”
“Don’t mock me. I may be human, but I’m still tough.”
“You got that right.” I winked.
After she left the room, the sound of a door closing caught my attention. I slipped over, opened the door and stuck my head out, but didn’t see anything. No noise came from Jack’s apartment, so that was a good thing. I had hesitated on leaving Jack alone in his apartment. I never knew what might happen next. Although I wasn't sure if it would get much worse than what had already went down. I needed our lives back to normal—as normal as they could be. Not to mention I couldn't babysit Jack forever as Jennifer had said. It served me right for getting him involved in the first place. But there was no sense in beating myself up over it now. What was done was done. It was time to move on and try to correct my wrong.
At that moment, I had no idea how I was going to do that, but as my father always said, “You're a creative girl, even if you don't want to admit it.” I probably tried to deny any creativeness just because my parents had enough for an entire city block and me. They took creativeness to a whole new level. I didn't want to go to that level. I was fine on my own level. As boring and bland as it may be. My mother was a massage therapist and my father owned an art shop where he sold werewolf paintings and other weird paranormal art. In other words, they were eccentric. My parents were paranormal freaks to the human world. Heck, and maybe to the paranormal world too.
Just as I'd settled down on the sofa to read more of the book, curling my legs up under me and positioning the pillow just right, I heard a voice slide through from the outside hallway. The female voice sounded familiar, although it was faint. I would have guessed it to be Lily, but this voice was too raspy to be her.
I stood from my position on the sofa and moved to the living-room window. After pulling back the silk curtain, I peered down, but only saw a couple people passing by. I slid over to the front door and leaned in close to listen for where the voice was coming from. It was closer from the door, so I figured the sound must have been drifting over from the hallway.
I opened the door and peeked out, but no one was there. After easing my door shut, I tiptoed into the hall, and the noise grew louder. The tinkle of a woman's laugh cascaded across the hall. The voice came from Jack's apartment.
A knot formed in my stomach. I rushed over to his door. Did I knock first or just bust the door down like some kind of crazed jealous girlfriend. Of course I was jealous. That was something I couldn’t deny. But forget about the crazy green-eyed monster on my shoulder. What if someone was in there killing him? Then the other thought forced its way back into my already too crowded brain. What if he had another woman there and they didn't want to be interrupted?
No, Jack wasn't like that. Plus, in the condition I left him in, I doubted he was up to entertaining guests. Something didn't seem right, but I just couldn't barge on in unless I heard Jack screaming for help, could I? If he needed my help, I’d definitely break the door then.
The door was slightly ajar. I knocked and the woman’s voice turned quiet, which meant only one thing: I hadn't been imagining that the voice had come from his apartment. Maybe it was Jack's mom coming for a visit? An aunt, or a cousin? A co-worker? I’d take any of those options. But a vampire? I swallowed hard, then raised my fist and knocked on the door again.
The door inched open and I saw legs dangling off the side of the living room chair. By the red stilettos and long legs, I knew that wasn’t Jack. Unless he was into cross-dressing and I didn’t know about it. Did I knock again and announce my presence? Walk on in since the door was already open? I cleared my throat and tapped on the door. Was Jack even in there? I didn’t see him. Maybe I’d walked in on a lunatic burglar… no, more like a lunatic vampire.
A shuffling sound, a few muffled words, then more shuffling sounded from the other side of the room until Jack finally appeared in front of the door.
“Hi, Rylie, what are you doing here?”
What was I doing there? Well, let's see… tending to a vampire baby? What did he think I was doing there? Selling Girl Scout cookies? Then I saw her.
Chapter Twelve
How to Date a Vampire, Rule #12:
Invest in a good concealer for those nasty neck bruises.
Isabella was in Jack’s apartment and she looked more radiant than ever. A tinge of jealousy hit me like a slap across the face. What was she doing there? Had she come to take Jack? She’d acted like she really wanted to be my client. Obviously, she just wanted to get to Jack. Why the charade?
I didn’t want to sound like a crazy jealous girlfriend, I'd seen the outcome of that at my dating service time after time. I wouldn’t be one of those offenders.
The door opened the rest of the way and Jack stood in front of me. His skin had lost that pale effect that had appeared after the bite. Maybe he was feeling better and this mess would resolve itself—like a twenty-four hour virus. “Jack. I thought you’d be asleep. Are you feeling better?” I looked over his shoulder and glared at Isabella. “I thought you were going to take a nap? Shouldn't you be lying down?”
He flashed his gorgeous smile at me.
“I decided I wasn’t that tired, after all.” He glanced over his shoulder at Isabella. “It was as if Isabella sensed that from me because she just showed up at the right moment. She’s an old friend of
mine from Texas.”
What! She knew Jack already? That dirty little rat. She was playing games with me. The only games I liked to play were Monopoly or Scrabble. I wasn’t about to get involved with this little pastime of hers.
I guess I hadn't sensed Jack’s inability to sleep like Isabella did because I didn't show up at the right moment. The right moment would have been before Isabella had showed up—Miss Long Legs Who Loves Faux Leather. At least she was kind to the animals, but no matter she probably wanted to drain every human she came into contact with.
“I guess as it turns out I don’t need as much sleep as I used to. Do you want to come in?” Jack gestured over his shoulder, but he didn’t step out of the way for me to enter.
He was still acting a little dazed and confused. I looked over his shoulder. Did I ever want to come in? What was she doing there?
“What are you doing here, Isabella?” I asked.
Keeping quiet was no longer an option; I couldn’t stand it any longer. I had kept my mouth shut for all of ten seconds—I'd make a terrible spy. The enemy would have me talking in a matter of minutes. I was pretty sure I could be bribed with a yummy steak sandwich. I gave myself a mental slap to snap myself out of my food-deprived induced thoughts. Now was no time to be thinking about food. There was plenty of time for that later.
Isabella was stretched across his chair as if it were a fainting couch. Her legs dangled off one end and arms stretched out above her head.
“What is she doing here, Jack?” I whispered to him.
I’d failed to mention the note to him—the time hadn’t been right yet. Isabella had better not think I’d fix her up with Jack because that was never happening. She didn’t look my way. Maybe she thought I’d not mention her little visit. She knew she’d been busted.
“She came to ask me a few questions. Isabella said she wanted to check on me because she’d heard I had a fight with some vampires. Apparently she knows who the vampires are.”
“Exactly, I came to check on my friend to see how he was feeling.” She stood, and stretched, exposing her flat stomach when her too short shirt stretched its limits.
I remained at the door like some kind of stranger. I was almost getting the door slammed in my face as if I had just handed him a religious brochure.
“I think Jack is feeling fine,” I said, shooting her venom-laced glare.
Jack still stood in front of the door, blocking my entrance into the apartment. Isabella moved over behind Jack. A huge smile spread across her face as if she was a cat who'd just caught the mouse.
“Jack’s coming with me for a little while.” She placed her hand on Jack’s shoulder as if staking her claim. “Isn’t that right, Jack?” She smirked, then gave me a wink.
Jack looked confused. His brow furrowed as he looked from Isabella back to me again. “Um, Isabella says I need to go with her to meet some people. I guess I need to go with her.” It was more of a question than a statement.
What could I say? I couldn't force him not to go with her, but I knew something wasn't right. Something smelled funny in the French Quarter and it wasn’t Lily's breath or even my creepy neighbor’s incredibly offensive body odor. No, the rancid odor had everything to do with the vampires. And I didn't think they were playing by the rules. Heck, I didn't even have a rule book. I’d have to wing it.
“I wish there was something I could say to get you not to go with her.” I looked at Isabella again. “Why don’t you tell us what you want with Jack? If y’all are friends from way back, then I guess you won’t have a problem sharing the details?” I glared at her. I had to find out from Jack how he knew her.
“That’s none of your business,” she said.
I frowned, unable to hide my disappointment. Jack pulled gently on my arm, bringing me into the apartment.
“I'll be fine, Rylie. Don't worry about me. Like I said, Isabella and I go way back. We knew each other in high school.”
“Yes, don't you worry your pretty little head about him. Okay?” She smiled.
I scowled as I stared at her. “This has to do with the vampires, Jack. Isabella’s a vampire, in case you didn’t know.”
Funny, she hadn’t told me that. Men could be so naïve. There was no way I was buying what she was selling. She smirked at me from behind Jack, exposing her fangs as an intimidation tactic. Did she forget I was paranormal too? Werewolves had been known to take down their share of vampires. The vampires thought they were so great with that blood-draining bit.
“I don’t trust her,” I whispered to Jack. I’d explain later about the note.
“Oh, everything is fine,” Jack said.
“Fine. I’ll leave, little puppy dog.” Isabella sashayed toward the door.
That was it. Vampire or not, customer or not, she was going down. “Look, you bloodsucking skank, call me a name again and I’ll shove garlic up your—” So much for customers always being right.
Jack touched my arm. “Perhaps we should let her go, Rylie. There’s no need to argue.”
Yeah, well, she had started it, but I was more adult than that, so I remained tight-lipped. She strolled past, but paused for just a second to toss a hiss my way. My teeth would make hers seem like little pieces of candy. She waltzed out of his apartment without a glance back. I knew I shouldn’t have trusted her earlier.
“Jack, are you okay? Vampires attacked us last night. I don’t think she should be in your apartment. What if the men had shown up?”
“Then I wouldn’t have let them in.”
“So the female vampires are harmless? Have you never heard of the black widow? Women can be vicious, let me tell you. You’ve never been shopping on Black Friday, I take it.”
He laughed. I hadn’t heard him do that since the fight. It was a good sound.
“Seriously, though. I don’t want to worry about you when I’m at work. I’m going to get to the bottom of this.” I paced across the foyer.
Jack walked over to the mirror and studied his teeth, gliding his tongue over the front of them. “Is it just me or do my front teeth look pointier?”
My heart pounded again and I felt a lump from in my throat larger than I’d ever felt before. Maybe I inhaled a hairball. Nope, just the words I needed to tell Jack that were stuck in there. It was now or never.
Chapter Thirteen
How to Date a Vampire, Rule #13:
Never piss off a vampire.
“Jack, I think we need to go for a walk. We need to talk, plus fresh air would do you good.”
He rubbed his hair, making his golden locks sexily disheveled.
“Sure, I guess I could use some air. Maybe we could stop for something to eat.”
“Yeah, sure, that would be nice.” Raw steak was what he probably wanted.
We made our way onto the sidewalk. Jack’s elusive scent embraced me as we moved along. Jack’s stride had changed. He now performed everything at a higher notch on the speed dial. Good for some things like vacuuming, and bad for other things like… well, let’s just say it should last more than thirty seconds.
Darkness had fallen, night settled around us, the partial moon shone in the cloudless sky, and I made a conscious effort to avoid looking at it. At least I had a couple weeks before the next full moon, but even a little peek made me a tad frisky, and I didn’t need the temptation.
Jack quickened our step by guiding me along the sidewalk. He reached out and grabbed my hand. It was as if I held a handful of ice cubes. The book Jennifer gave me had said the coolness would improve with time until it was barely noticeable. I guess I had noticed it was already improving slightly. He locked gazes with me as he caressed my hand. His eyes sparkled under the glow of the streetlight as he awaited my reply.
“Did you have an okay day? I mean, things were weird, but other than that, was it nice?”
Other than dealing with crazy vampires, and crazy Lily, absol-freakin-utely.
He looked so adorable with his naughty, lopsided grin. My heart rate increased. As w
e stood there, Jack wrapped his arms around my waist, and in one fluid motion, drew me into his hard chest.
He reached out, fingertips barely touching my skin as he traced his finger along my arm. His wickedly delicious scent was entrancing. He put his hand against the side of my face and traced with his finger. Then he tilted his head down and ever so gently pressed his lips to mine. He slid his tongue into my mouth. I pressed my body against his hard chest. Jack’s body was warm, and I was completely lost in the moment.
Jack’s mouth felt soft against mine. There was urgency to his movements as his tongue met with mine. The kiss was tender, yet powerful at the same time. The passion from his touch zinged as he traced the curves of my lips with his tongue. The feel of his skin mesmerized me and I wanted to savor every moment of his sweet kiss.
He pulled his lips away and I wanted to tell him not to stop.
“I can’t resist your lips, your face, and your body.”
My heart beat a little faster. Please don’t let him say neck.
We needed to end this chaotic vampire game soon so that Jack and I could have some quality time together.
As we made our way down the sidewalk, I said, “I want to apologize again for taking you to my parents’ house. You should have never had to witness that paranormal debacle.”
“What are you saying? I want to help you, Rylie. I could never let you go into danger alone.” He met my gaze. “But I have to say, this whole thing is quite disconcerting, to say the least. Obviously, I haven’t felt like myself since we left your parents. I have a panicky feeling. I’m not usually like this. Maybe I am just being paranoid. Or maybe I’m just coming with something. The flu.”
Oh, he was coming down with something all right. It was a bad case of vampireitis, and I didn’t have an antidote. Now he was in denial.
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, about that… here’s the thing… I don’t know how to tell you this, but… well, you know there are other paranormal beings, obviously.” Why did I feel as if I was giving the ‘birds and the bees’ talk to a tween? I didn’t want to see what horrified expression would appear on Jack’s face when he heard what I had to say.
