Bite Me I'm Yours

by Stacy McKitrick

  She’d never been in his bedroom before and she glanced around in curiosity. The double bed—a recent addition—and dresser took up most of the space, but then he only used the room to store his clothes.

  She stared at the floor. “Can he hear us down there?”

  “I don’t care.” And he didn’t. He sat on the bed beside her. “What did he do in Lima?”

  She closed her eyes and took a moment. That moment nearly killed him. “He didn’t hurt me. He just wanted to know if his touch did anything to me.”

  “And? Did it? Does it?”

  “Does it matter?” The scent of fear emanated from her.

  John grabbed her hand, getting a rush of her warmth and a faint zip up his arm. “It won’t change how I feel about you if that’s your concern. But I need to know, okay?”

  She stared at him with tears in her eyes. “I told him I didn’t feel anything.”

  “Did you lie to him?”

  One tear slipped down her cheek. “I don’t like Perry. I love you.”

  Dear God, she’d lied. He pulled her into his arms. “I know you do. I love you, too. But this sure as hell complicates things.”

  “You blame me for—”

  “No.” He held her back. “I don’t blame you for anything. You understand? It’s not your fault Perry’s acting like an ass,” he said, loud enough so the man would hear. “But Barnet’s coming over tonight and he wants to talk to you.”

  “Me? What for?”

  “I don’t know. I assume it has to do with Ray or Steven. He’s probably hoping to access your memories.” He rubbed his face. “Guess I have no choice but to tell him about you now.”

  “What are you afraid of? You think I’m going to choose one of them over you?”

  That thought had crossed his mind.

  She pushed him onto the mattress and straddled his hips. “Let me tell you something, John Pennington. Yes, I felt a spark when Perry touched me. And yes, it scared me. Then I realized, it’s just a spark. When I touch you, it’s a hundred—no a thousand—times better. Perry’s a spark. You’re a God-damned electric plant. You hear me? There’s no comparison.”

  “Yeah, but who knows how you’ll react to other vampires?”

  “John, I was attracted to you long before I even touched you. Perry repelled me at first sight. I’m yours, you idiot.”

  He laughed. Yes, he was an idiot. “Come here.”

  He pulled her down and kissed her—her mouth soft and complying—ran his tongue over her healed wound, and tasted a trace of her blood. His fangs emerged.

  She broke the kiss and stared at his mouth. “You like my blood, right?”

  Oh, God. Not again. He willed his fangs to retract and sat up, keeping her straddled over his lap. Too bad she wasn’t wearing a dress or skirt—the access he could have—then maybe he could postpone this conversation for another time. He stared at the buttons on her blouse. Maybe there were other ways to distract her. “My aversion has nothing to do with how you taste, okay?”

  He flicked open the top three buttons, eliciting a gasp from her and exposing the black bra with the little red bow. God, he loved her sexy underwear and hardened at the sight.

  “What are you afraid of then?” she asked.

  The clasp was in front for a change. He reached to unhook it, but she slapped his hand away.

  “Answer me, John.”

  He could overtake her easily, but at what cost? Her anger? Her rejection? But in essence, wasn’t he rejecting her? Her blood? “Why is it so important that I bite you?”

  She leaned her forehead against his. “Because ever since you did it, I’ve done nothing but crave for you to do it again. Not want. Crave. You created a connection between us and I felt whole for the first time in my life. But it’s fading, and I don’t like that feeling. It’s like you’re leaving me. I know it’s silly, you’re right here and what we have is great. But your bite triggered some wonderful need and instead of needing a certain vitamin or chemical, I need you to take my blood. Not Perry. Not Barnet. You. I need to know I’m yours. Do you get it?”

  Oh he got it all right. He’d been feeling the same way all day. But what she was asking, or needing… “What if I lose control?”

  “I don’t think you will. I know you don’t consider me food and don’t want to consider me as food, but would it help if you thought of me as dessert?”

  A nervous chuckle escaped. Dessert. That might work. “You’re killing me, you know that?”

  “And you kill me a little with every no. Please, John. Bite me. Show me I’m yours.” She tilted her head and moved her hair, exposing her neck. When he made no move toward her, she pulled his head down and whispered, “Dessert.”

  He inhaled her scent, triggering his fangs. He grabbed her shoulders. “We leave the clothes on, you hear?”

  Because any other distraction could prove fatal.

  “Sure, John.”

  Her heartbeat reverberated in his ears. The scent of her arousal hardened him to the point of pain. Then again, she was sitting right on top of him.

  The artery in her neck beckoned him. He bit. The sweet delicate taste swirled across his tongue and down his throat. He did this for her, not for him. If he kept repeating that mantra, maybe he would be able to stop.

  She gripped his shoulders and moaned in pleasure, as the emotion transferred to him. Their connection strengthened, sharpened. He could almost pinpoint when it reached the max, as if it were some kind of fuel gauge.

  Her orgasm shocked and overtook him—he hadn’t even been touching her anywhere erotic—and he nearly came in his pants. The imaginary gauge read full. He stopped sucking. But now he was horny as hell. Now he needed her. He licked the bite marks away and kissed her on the mouth, claiming her. She ran her fingers through his hair and sucked on his tongue. Kissing wasn’t enough. He stood with her in his arms and laid her on the bed. Without much fanfare, he slid her slacks off and groaned at those sexy black panties. No time to admire. His shoes and jeans quickly joined the pile on the floor.

  He entered her and came after only two thrusts. She cried out his name and then promptly fainted. Okay, so maybe it was the sex that knocked her out. Nearly took him away, too. He collapsed beside her, his lungs searching for oxygen.

  “Sarah?” He patted her cheek. At least she didn’t look pale. Not like last time.

  Eyes blinking, she faced him. “You okay?”

  “Not really. I don’t like seeing you knocked out like that.”

  “But it wasn’t the blood. You know that, right?”

  He touched her cheek and smiled. In a way, he hated her being right, but was relieved all the same. “Yeah, I know.”

  A smile spread across her face as she reached out for him. “I’ll make sure to eat first next time. Then maybe I can stay awake, huh?”

  He pulled her into his arms. Next time. He couldn’t believe he was actually considering it. “Vitamins, too. You start taking supplements. Especially B12. And iron.”

  “I love you, John. I feel so much better already.”

  Strangely, so did he. That emptiness he’d felt earlier had disappeared and their connection was back, stronger than ever. But why the hell did it come at the cost of biting her?

  Chapter 29

  John tossed the last controller back into the cabinet. Watching Sarah leave for work had been easier than it had been leaving her that morning. Contentment? Maybe. Maybe she was his drug. Or vitamin. Whatever, he’d gotten a healthy dose and the uneasiness had disappeared.

  Until his door opened and Perry entered.

  John straightened as the anger returned with a vengeance. “If you’re smart, you’ll stay downstairs. Or better yet. You stay here. I’ll go downstairs. Just be gone at sunset.”

  He went to the door, but Perry blocked his way.

  “Johnny, we need to talk.”

  “Talk about what? How you attacked my woman? Or how you came on to her i
n Lima? What else have you done? You’re supposed to be my friend.”

  “I am your friend, man. Listen, it’s not what you think.”

  “What am I thinking, Perry? Hmm? Tell me what I’m thinking. Because right now I’m thinking about throwing you out into the sun!”

  Perry held up his hands, palms out. “I didn’t do this to hurt you, I swear. But when I discovered I couldn’t read or control her, I wondered what mess you got into. Plus, I was curious, okay?”

  That news sat in his stomach like that chicken pot pie had. “Did you tell anyone else? Did you tell Barnet?”

  “Hell no. I didn’t expect to react to her so…intensely, so I certainly wasn’t involving another vampire. It was bad enough I had to deal with you.”

  That admission lit a fire in John. In a flash, he wrapped his hands around Perry’s throat and squeezed. “Are you behind everything that’s happened to her? Her car? The abduction? Her rape? Because if you are, so help me…”

  “Don’t be an asshole,” Perry communicated telepathically, since John made it unlikely for him to speak aloud. He stared at John, not even making a move to get free. “Whoever is doing this doesn’t have her best interests at heart. I could never hurt her, okay? Never.”

  John pushed Perry away. “You sound like you love her.”

  Perry rubbed his neck. “Love? I doubt it. You know love and me don’t go together. But desire? Oh yeah, especially after—”

  Perry stopped with widened eyes, looking guilty on so many levels.

  “Especially after what?” John grabbed his stomach as something inside twisted. “What did you do to her in Lima?” Perry lowered his head and kept quiet. “Answer me, damn it.”

  Perry spoke to the floor. “She told you. I talked to her then left.”

  Lies, all lies. John grabbed Perry’s arm, establishing skin contact. Perry struggled at first, then relaxed in surrender.

  Sarah lay sleeping on the hotel bed, the covers twisted around her legs. He approached her and took her hand, enjoying the warmth as it shot up his arm. When she stirred, he stilled until he determined he hadn’t woken her. He sniffed her wrist, inhaled the scent of jasmine and his fangs emerged. Slowly, gently, he bit down on the fleshy part of her hand, savored her blood, and became instantly aroused.

  No! He didn’t. John shoved Perry away in disgust, his heart aching from the betrayal. “You’re not welcome here anymore.”

  “Johnny, listen.”

  “No! Friends don’t do what you did.” John opened the door and started pushing Perry out, but the man moved like a stubborn octopus. “Get the fuck out of here.”

  Perry grabbed the door frame and shot out toward John. Next thing John knew, Perry had twisted him around, pinned his arms behind his back, and had him kissing the floor. He struggled to get free, but with Perry’s knee digging into his back, he couldn’t get any leverage.

  “Get off me!”

  “When I’m finished. Listen, I’m sorry. What I did was…inexcusable. I know that. But she’s not the same now, Johnny. You don’t have to worry any longer.”

  John stopped struggling. “What are you talking about?”

  “The draw. It’s diminished.”

  “The what?”

  Perry climbed off John and shut the door. “The draw. That intoxicating scent that pulled me toward her. Isn’t that how she affects you?”

  Slowly, John stood. Her scent. It was different for Perry than for him. His worst fears materialized. “Ah shit. How many more vampires do I have to worry about?”

  “No, that’s just it. Her scent, while nice, no longer gave me this insane desire to…well, you know. And then when I held her hand, that warm feeling just…fizzled. Kind of depressing if you ask me. I needed to know if she tasted any different.”

  “You had no right to kiss her!”

  “I couldn’t just come out and bite her, now could I? But she’s different, Johnny. She’s practically…normal.”

  Normal? That word did not describe the exquisite flavor he had sampled not thirty minutes ago. Nor the hard-on it gave him. “Explain.”

  “There was still a little zing, but like her touch, not very noticeable. Did nothing for my libido, that’s for sure. So whatever you two did, it changed her.”

  While he was pleased Sarah no longer affected Perry, it still didn’t change the fact his former friend had gone after his girl and basically assaulted her. No, Perry wasn’t getting away with that. Killing might not be an option, but something else was. In a flash, John shot his fist out and connected with Perry’s face with a resounding crunch. The man went flying over the counter and crashed into the cupboards. The refrigerator teetered before settling upright.

  Perry jumped up and rubbed his jaw. “Feel better now?”

  “A little.” Very little.

  * * * *

  At five-thirty, Sarah walked into Wings, still feeling radiant from that nooner. In fact, the whole afternoon had gone by in a blur, thanks to John.

  She had thought she’d have to do more convincing before he finally relented and fed from her, but maybe he’d felt a little needy after learning about Perry’s betrayal. Whatever changed his mind, thank goodness he had. The uneasiness in her chest had disappeared. Contentment took its place.

  She wouldn’t mind The Bite being a recurring event, with or without their clothes on. Minus the visit from Perry, of course. Would it be the same when she became a vampire? She could only hope.

  John greeted her at the door and pulled her into his arms. Delight, grief, and a touch of titillation overwhelmed her when his lips brushed against hers in a brief, chaste kiss. She still wasn’t used to feeling his emotions.

  Customers filled the restaurant, but no sign of Perry.

  “He’s upstairs,” he said, as if he knew who she was looking for. But then, who else?

  “Are you two still friends?”

  “No.”

  And that was the reason behind the sadness. “Oh, John. I’m sorry.” As much as she disliked Perry, he was John’s friend.

  “I told you, you have nothing to be sorry for.” He indicated to an area behind her. “Go take that booth. I’ll join you in a minute.”

  Guess they were waiting for Barnet down here. Not that she blamed him. She didn’t exactly want to see Perry, either. Maybe once the sun set, they could leave the noisy dining room and find something to pass the time. Something to lift his spirits. She could think of many somethings, especially now that he owned a bed. Wonder when he’d bought that?

  John placed a menu on the table and slid in beside her.

  “What time do you expect Barnet?”

  “I don’t know. If it gets too late, and you want to go home, don’t worry about it. But while we wait, you can have dinner. Did you even eat lunch today?”

  By the time she’d left John’s, she hadn’t had time to get anything nourishing except what she could find in the vending machine at work. But he probably wouldn’t think cheese puffs and popcorn were all that healthy or filling. Still, how could she eat in front of him when he was in such a distressing mood? “No, but—”

  “No buts, you’re eating,” he said and continued by whispering in her ear, “I can’t have you fainting on me tonight, now can I?”

  All her internal rants quieted and her heart rate picked up when he licked the outer edge of her ear and squeezed her thigh. Oh yeah, fainting would be bad. So bad. She’d like to experience the whole shebang for once.

  She ordered the chicken fingers only because she could treat it as snack food. When her meal arrived, she tore it into tiny pieces and ate it like popcorn. Snacking was easier, especially when she put the plate between them. She pretended he didn’t take any by choice, not because he couldn’t eat.

  During her nibbling, Perry slid onto the bench across from them. Oh God, now what? Her appetite spoiled, she pushed the plate away.

  John put his arm around Sarah in a protective manner. “What do yo
u want?”

  “I came down to tell you I’m leaving,” Perry said. “And to apologize.”

  His eyes sparkled in misery, sending her into a guilt trip when she had no reason to feel guilty. Still…something had changed between them. When he’d held her hand back at John’s, she would have gotten a larger whap from static electricity. And her heart had reacted, but not so much from the attraction, but from fear of the unknown. His kiss and subsequent bite had only made her furious. So what did it mean? Was she finally immune to him?

  Perry clasped his hands on the table. “I’m sorry, Sarah. For everything. Kissing you. Biting you. Lima. My behavior was inappropriate and it won’t happen again.” Massaging his jaw, he turned his attention to John. “I hope you can forgive me. Your friendship means everything and I was stupid not to realize that sooner.” With that, he left.

  She didn’t know what to make of it, but Perry’s apology seemed sincere. John sat quietly, staring at the table, either in deep thought or zoned out. Was he even breathing? She couldn’t tell.

  “You okay?” she asked.

  “I’m fine.” He pushed the plate back toward her, without making eye contact. “Now eat.”

  He didn’t sound so fine, he sounded depressed. She’d love nothing more than to make him feel better—a little fellatio would benefit them both—but when she suggested they wait upstairs, John nixed it. He didn’t want to put Barnet out since he wasn’t familiar with the place.

  Instead, John brought over two game consoles to pass the time. After feeling like a total idiot on the last two trivia questions—like it was common knowledge which counties bordered Mali, wherever the heck that was—Sarah was ready to call it a night when John excused himself and headed for the front door. An older gentleman had entered. Was he Barnet? Did vampires even have gray in their hair? They talked a bit, but never shook hands. John brought him over.

  “Sarah, this is Barnet Groves. Barnet, Sarah.”

  His age threw her first. Probably the myth playing with her, but she’d assumed all vampires were turned young. This man appeared a good ten to fifteen years older than John. No wonder John thought of him as a father figure. He looked the part. His button-down shirt and dress slacks made him appear distinguished, like an important businessman minus the suit. But his eyes were a big giveaway. While they weren’t as blue as John’s, they sparkled like every other vampire she’d encountered. Fascinating.