Bite Me (7 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY

     I woke the next morning expecting to have a serious hangover but the only thing I had was a dry mouth and a slight throbbing in my head. Jack, on the other hand, wasn't so fortunate. I heard him groan and I glanced over at the armchair where he was sprawled. He looked positively green. I quickly went in the kitchen to retrieve a bucket and put it beside him. Just in the nick of time, for he turned, picked up the bucket and wretched his guts out. I curled my lips in disdain.

     The phone rang and I moved to pick it up off of the coffee table. "Hello?" my voice was still foggy.

     "Hey Sweetness, just calling to find out how you're feeling."

     "Surprisingly well. I'm just really tired."

     Jack vomited again.

     "Unfortunately, Jack isn't doing so well. Looks like I'll be nursing him back to health." I groused.

     "You want me to come over?"

     "That would be nice."

     "Give me thirty minutes."

    "Okay."

    We ended the call. I put the cell on the lamp table and shook my head at Jack, his head rolling on the back of the chair.

    "I feel like death." He groaned.

    "You look it."

    He managed to focus his gaze on me. It was not a pleasant one.

     "We're going to have to try and get you on your feet."

    "Oh, let me die." He moaned and closed his eyes.

    I huffed and picked up the bucket, making a face at the stench, and took it in the bathroom to clean it out.

     Jack was sleeping when I returned to the living room. I placed the bucket beside him and then went in the kitchen to make him a pot of strong tea.

    Meantime, I was bewildered by my high tolerance to the alcohol. I should have been in the same situation as Jack. Was this another sign? Another symptom I was changing? Was I becoming a vampire? The thought gave me chills.

     It was one thing to like vampires; okay, be obsessed with them, but another to become one. The thought of drinking blood nauseated me.

     The kettle whistling broke my musing. I turned off the burner and let the tea steep. I glanced at the clock on the wall. I had about fifteen minutes to clean myself up before Aiden arrived.

Gathering my clothes, I headed for the bathroom to shower and change.

     Aiden kissed me as he walked through the door. As he closed it, he assessed me and said, "You look great for someone who burned through a bottle of Scotch last night."

     "I guess I just have a high tolerance to alcohol." I excused.

     Jack's moan drew Aiden's attention to him. He had now moved to the sofa where I covered him with a blanket. The bucket sat beside him but he seemed to have stopped retching. Aiden smiled down at him.

     "Hey, man, how are you feeling?"

     "Like death."

     Aiden softly chortled. "You planning to crash out here all day?"

     "Until I can stand on my own."

     "Have you tried?"

     "No."

     Aiden beckoned his hand, "Come on."

     "What?"

     "You're going to stand up and walk to the kitchen to have a cup of tea and something to eat and then I'm going to drive you home."

      Jack groaned as Aiden took his arm and helped him sit up and then stand. Slowly and carefully they walked to the adjoining kitchen and Aiden propped him up against the counter. He poured Jack a cup of tea and handed it to him. Jack's hands slightly trembled as he cupped the mug.

     "I usually put cream and sugar in my tea."

     "Well, you're going to take it black today. Don't want to dilute its strength. Now, drink up."

     Jack carefully sipped the hot beverage as he leaned the weight of his body against the counter.

"You know, all of it was worth it to celebrate Donnie's memory."

      Aiden patted his shoulder. "I know."

      "Any word about Weston?" I asked.

      "Nothing. No one at the club is talking."

      Neither did I think they would. As I listened to Jack sobbing and the helplessness on Aiden's face, I knew what had to be done.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

     We had a memorial service for Donnie but not having his body to bury only deepened the grief. And anger. An anger that went deep to the point of obsession. I didn't have the ability to fight Weston but I knew someone who did.

      Draco slipped into the seat across from me at the table in the vampire club. "I understand you're looking for me?"

      "I need you to find Weston and bring him to justice."

      "By justice, you mean,"

      "Kill him." I snarled with venom.

      A sly smile touched his lips. "You're becoming more like us every day."

     "Look, I don't like what you did to me. In fact, I hate it. I'm beginning to loathe vampires. But I want Weston dead. I want him to pay for what he did to my friend. And I want you to make it the most excruciating death you can inflict."

      I wanted to smack the grin off of his face. "I also want you to find Donnie's body so that we can give him a proper burial."

     "I have been looking for your friend. And, Weston hasn't been around lately."

     I glowered at him.

     "I'm not lying." He assured. "When I find him, he will be brought to justice. But it's best left up to his kind to exact vengeance. Your boyfriend and his little friends won't be able to handle him even if they were able to catch him."

      "He's not my boyfriend." I corrected.

      "Just someone you sleep with."

      "That's none of your business."

      He leaned close to me, "Everything you do is my business."

      "Just do what I ask." I snipped and stood, grabbing my coat. I slipped it on, slung the bag over my shoulders and strode across the floor, down the steps, across the mezzanine and up the stairs to the exit.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

     I missed Donnie. I missed waking up for his early visits, the banter between us. But now, I adopted Jack. He feebly smiled when I opened the door. I gestured for him to come in. He did and I closed the door.

     "Want a beer or tea?" I offered, going into the kitchen.

     "Coffee."

      "I don't have coffee. You'll have tea." I stated and filled the kettle with water. I placed it on the stove and turned on the burner.

      Jack sat down at the table. "You really should keep coffee on hand for company." He suggested.

     "My flat, my drinks." I replied, filling the mesh balls with leaves.

     Jack shrugged and then said, "I saw Donnie."

     I paused, eyebrows raised.

     "He stood at the end of my bed. He looked different."

     I felt my skin prickle. "Were you dreaming?"

     "I had to be, right? I mean, he's dead, even though we didn't find his body."

     "Sometimes, loved ones appear to us in dreams. It's there way of visiting us." I explained. "Did he say anything?"

      "No. He just stood there. It crept me out."

      "Maybe he's trying to tell you where his body is."

      "Of course. Why didn't I think of that?"
      The kettle soon whistled and I poured the water in the mug. I carefully placed it in front of him on the table and grabbed myself a beer from the fridge.

      "What about that guy Weston? Did Aiden find him?"

      "No, but I promise you, he will pay for what he did to Donnie."

      "Even if you have to do it yourself, right?"

      "Something like that." I mumbled and sipped a mouthful of beer.

      Jack heavily sighed. "Tasmania just isn't the same without him there."

      "Who's managing it now?"

       "Me."

       "Do you think you can handle it?"

        He shrugged. "I have to. Besides, I think of it as doing it for Donnie." He sipped his tea.

       "How are you holding up? I mean, he was your best friend."

       "I think I did all the grieving I'm going to do the other night with that bottle of Scotch. Of course, I will feel better once his killer is caught and we find Donnie's body to bury."

       Jack nodded. He sighed and set down his cup. He glanced at his watch. "Well, I have to get over to the club early and get things prepped." He stood his lanky six feet, two inches. "I'll talk to you later."

       I agreed with a nod and watched him egress. I finished my beer and tossed the bottle in the bin. I looked up at the clock in the kitchen. I should get to the library to do my research for the newest article I was writing. Besides, I needed to get out.

*****
 

     I stayed longer than I intended at the library. It was dusk when I left. You would think I'd learn not to walk so close to the buildings and their alleys. I was grabbed from behind and dragged behind the building. He pinned me to the wall, caressing my throat. I could feel his icy breath on my cheek. I put my hands up between us, pushing on his chest but his strength far exceeded mine. He hungrily devoured my lips. I felt the coldness of his lips and the deepness of his kiss. I found myself comparing him to Aiden's hot, moist ones. As passionate as Aiden was, Draco's kiss bore a burning intensity. I finally managed to pull away and defiantly glare in his penetrating gray eyes.

    "You're boyfriend doesn't excite you as I do." He said in a raspy breath.

    I pushed harder on his chest. "Did you take care of Weston?"

    "I did. He's nothing but ashes in the wind."

    "And, Donnie? Did you find his body?"

    "No."

    "Did you even ask Weston where it was?"

     "I was too busy following out your request."

     I pushed him again. He took a step back and I tried to walk away. He grabbed me by my wrist, pulling me back against him. His body was large and rock hard.

     "You owe me something." He turned my wrist upward and sniffed it; sniffed the blood beneath my skin. His tongue licked the veins until they were protruding and pulsing. He kissed the spot and with a low growl, he bit into my wrist.

      I flung my head back with a cry. It was more painful than the bites to my neck. As he suckled on the pumping blood, my wrist and hand went numb and I no longer felt the painful burn.

     When he was finished, he put my arm around his waist and nuzzling my neck and twirling a red curl, he said, "It won't be much longer now, my love and you will be completely mine."

     "Never!"

     "You have no choice, my love. My bite has already infected you."

     This time, I pushed him hard on the chest. He laughed and stepped back, allowing me to walk away.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

     I laid on my back, spread out on the bed while Aiden's kisses caressed my body. When he reached the nether spot, I screamed with erotic pleasure, clawing his shoulders. He lifted himself and slipped inside of me. As he moved, I wrapped my arms around his neck and began licking the blood from his shoulder. I froze! Sickened! I moaned, pushing him off of me. He remained, gasping and panting, totally bewildered, as I rushed for the bathroom, slamming the door behind me.

    Going to my knees, I hugged the toilet and retched. I heard Aiden call.

   "Baby, are you okay?"

   I couldn't answer. I was so shaken. Most of the symptoms, of my turning to a vampire, I was coping but licking Aiden's blood; being aroused by it made me sick and disgusted.

   Aiden rapped lightly on the bathroom door. "Baby? You okay?" he gently called.

   I got up, washed my face and my mouth out with mouthwash and opened the door.

   "What happened?" Aiden asked, concerned when he saw me.

   From the reflection I glimpsed in the mirror, I did not look too well. My face was paler than usual and my eyes had gray rings under them; and this was with make-up.

    "I guess I just got hit with some sort of stomach virus." I excused.

     "Some timing." He teased. He put his arm around my bare shoulders and guided me to the sofa. "Here, come lay down."

     I groaned as I climbed onto the sofa bed and buried my face in the pillow. I couldn't even look at the raw scratches on Aiden's shoulders.

    "Can I get you anything? Tea maybe?"

    "Beer." I muttered into the pillow.

    He arched his brows. "Seriously?"

   I nodded. He shrugged and went in the kitchen. I heard the refrigerator door open and the bottles rattle as he retrieved one. I felt him sit beside me on the bed and tap my arm with the cold glass. I lifted my head, turned, pulled myself up on an elbow and gulped a few mouthfuls of the amber beverage.

    Aiden felt my forehead. "You don't have a fever but you are cold and clammy."

   "I'm sorry."

   "For what?"

   "Destroying the wonderful mood. If it's any consolation, I was thoroughly enjoying the moment."

    He caressed my mussed curls, "These things happen. It isn't your fault."

   I cursed Draco! He ruined my life when he bit me—over and over again, gradually turning me into the monster he was.

    I drank off the beer and reclined against the pillows. Aiden climbed in on the other side and snuggled under the covers with me.

   "We'll just cuddle and watch TV." He stated, putting an arm around me.

   The smell of his blood was strong in my nostrils. I glanced at the drying wounds and wanted to reopen them. I wanted more of his elixir. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. I moved away, tossing the covers aside.

    "You know, I think I'll take a hot shower. It will make me feel better."

    "Okay." He turned on the television as I gathered my pajamas and headed for the bathroom.

     I felt refreshed and revitalized after my shower. I still involuntarily gagged when I thought about what I did but I wasn't going to let it get the better of me.

    Aiden, still in the bed, watching television, turned when he heard me come out of the bathroom. "Feeling better?"

    I nodded. "Much. In fact, I'm famished. Feel like a pizza?"

   His eyebrows arched. "Really?" he laughed.

   "Sausage and onions?" I asked.

   He waved a dismissive hand, "Sounds good to me."

   I picked up my cell and dialed the number to order. When I finished, I put down the cell on the lamp table and crawled into bed beside Aiden. The blood on his scratches had dried completely and now I was only intoxicated by his cologne.

    The news was on.

    "You know, I'm sorry we couldn't catch that guy Weston or find your friend's body."

    I inwardly grinned. I knew Weston was now ashes on the wind. I was, still, upset about Donnie. "You did what you could." I said.

    "We haven't given up though."

    "I know."

    He silently watched the news for a moment before saying, "You know, since that guy Weston skipped town, there haven't been any more murdered prostitutes. I'm wondering if he wasn't behind them. But then, killing Donnie; a male, just throws off the M.O." he was speculating out loud. "It just eats me up that he thinks he's getting away with it."

    "It'll all catch up to him." I stated.

    "How's Jack holding up?"

    "The whole thing has affected him badly but he's pushing on with managing the bar."

    "It's good he's keeping busy."

    I nodded and took the remote from his hand, changing the channel. I no longer wanted to talk about death or Weston, or vampires. I found a Star Trek movie and we settled into it while we waited for the pizza.