Bite Me (5 page)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

     I groaned as I woke. The sun was streaming through the window and it was making my eyes throb and burn. I pulled closed the curtains and then dragged myself to answer the knock on the door.

     "Must you knock so early?" I groused at Donnie.

     He glanced at his watch. "Early? It's twelve o'clock."

     "Exactly." I snipped and walked away.

     He closed the door behind him and followed me into the kitchen. He glanced around the darkened flat. "Why are the curtains closed?"

     I filled the kettle with water. "The sun was bothering my eyes." I placed the pot on the burner and turned it on. I turned to Donnie, now seated at the table. "And don't start on me about seeing an eye doctor. My eyes are fine. I'm just feeling sensitive to the light. I never was a morning person."

     "But it's afternoon."

     I cast him a wry glare and he held up his hands in truce.

     "So how are things going with you and Aiden?"

     I nodded. "Fine. He was here the other night. What about you and Jack?"

     His blue eyes twinkled, his brows wagged. "Great."

    I held up my hand. "I don't need the gory details."

    Donnie laughed. I shook my head and reached in the fridge for the cream. My gaze fell on the bottles of beer and I longed to have one now.

     "So no break in the case of the murdered prostitutes?" Donnie asked.

     I set the creamer on the table, along with the bowl of sugar and shook my head.

     "Nothing yet and it's frustrating him. There's no evidence or clues."

     "Does he have any suspicions?"

     "He has a few but I can't discuss them." I sipped my tea. It tasted funky. It has been for a while now. I gave into my urge for the beer and went to the fridge. I popped open the cap and took a few gulps. Oh, that felt good! "So, listen, there's a vampire club downtown that I've been wanting to go to. Wanna come?"

     "Sounds intriguing. Maybe we'll get bitten by one."

     Donnie laughed but I couldn't.

     "I'm off tomorrow night."

     "That will be fine."

     "Is there any special attire we have to wear?"

     I shook my head. "Just dress Goth. You don't want to stand out."

    He glanced at his watch. "I've got to get going. Jack will be waiting for me. I told him I wouldn't be long."

    "You left him alone at the flat?"

    "He's a big boy."

     "Will he come with us tomorrow night?"

     "No, he's not into that scene. It'll just be us gals."

    I shook my head. "Go. I'll talk to you later."

    He laughed and strode out the door.

    I finished my beer and gathering my clothes, I headed for the bathroom to shower.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

     I wondered how many of them were real vampires? The place was swarming with them; both male and female. It was a two story building. On the mezzanine was the dance floor, a stage with a live band and under the balconies were tables and chairs filled with people. In the back was a bar the length of the wall. Upstairs were more table and chairs and another large bar. Donnie and I took a seat upstairs by the rail, watching the packed scene below. I ordered Scotch and he got a vodka and cranberry juice.

    "Try not and look so excited." I warned. "I don't want it known we're newbies."

    Donnie nodded and sipped his drink.

    "Good evening." A sultry voice spoke.

    A young man, dressed in purple and black, stood by the table; his gaze was hypnotically locked on me. He extended a hand. "Would you care to dance?" he offered.

    I glanced at Donnie, giving me glances of encouragement.

    "I don't dance."

     "Good enough."

    "But she'll make an exception this time." Donnie stated.

     I cast him a sharp glare and then pressed a smile I didn't feel to the young man. I sighed, "I guess so."

     The young man held my hand and pressed it to his lips.

    "I'm Blaze."

    "Lucy."

    "Ah, fire and light. A perfect combo. Come, let's join the masses downstairs on the dance floor."

     Holding my hand, Blaze led me through the crowd on the second floor, down the wide staircase, to the mezzanine. We slipped into the dancers and moved to the music. It was deep, sensual, throbbing. His arms wrapped around my waist, my back to him as we swayed to the song.

     A wall of heat overwhelmed me. Sweat soaked my blouse. My hair was damp. My breathing grew heavy as I closed my eyes and leaned my head on his chest. His cologne was intoxicating me. I suddenly had the urge to tear off his clothes and take him on the floor. Of course, I didn't but I think my partner sensed it. His breathing was heavy in my ear. Soft lips kissed my neck and then he stopped.

     He turned me about. I looked up at him under heavy lids and glazed eyes. He snarled at me and walked away, leaving me being pushed in rhythm with the crowd. I managed to wedge my way through and up the stairs.

    I plopped in my chair, panting and drank my Scotch. Donnie scrutinized me.

    "Are you all right?"

    "Just hot from dancing."

    "I thought, I saw him stop and leave you."

     "He did, the jerk."

     My cell rang and I yanked it from my cargo pants' pocket. "Hello?"

     "Hey Baby, where you at?"

     "A vampire club with Donnie."

     He laughed on the other end. "Seriously, girl, don't you get enough of that?"

     "It's good research."

     "Can I expect you to come home and bite me?" he teased.

     "We'll see."

     "Well, you be careful."

     "Don't worry, I have Donnie to protect me." I wryly replied, glancing at Donnie who peered at me.

     I said my good bye and hung up, replacing the phone in my pocket.

    "You're getting a lot of stares." Donnie leaned over to say.

    "Men always stare at me. It's my red hair." I dismissed and drank more. I gestured for the barmaid to bring me another.

     "I don't think that's it. I don't know, it's weird."

     "This place is weird. Relax and enjoy it."

     "Excuse me." A dark hair man, mid-thirties, approached Donnie. "Would you like to dance?"

     "I'd love to." He eagerly replied and stood. "I'm Donnie, by the way."

     "Weston."

     I watched the two sift through the crowd and down the stairs. From where I sat, I could see them blend in with the dancers. Donnie was obviously enjoying himself.

     "You couldn't resist, could you?"

     I lifted my eyes on Draco now standing by my table, a sly grin on his lips.

     "I came here for research."

     "You came in hopes of finding me."

     He sat in the chair Donnie just occupied. "I guess you're wondering how many of these vampires are real. Well, most of them. And, none of them will approach you because they know you belong to me."

     I thought of Blaze walking away from me after he kissed my neck. I involuntarily put my hand on the marks and flashed angry green eyes at Draco.

    Draco smiled. "Yes, they can smell my scent on you. You bear my mark. You belong to me." His countenance changed to one of disgust. "And tell that lover boy of yours to keep his nose out of my business or he'll end up a victim."

     I watched him get up and walk away. He seemed to disappear among the others on the floor.

     It was some time before Donnie returned to the table, panting and exhilarated, holding Weston's hand. He plopped in the chair and Weston grabbed a chair and straddled it at our table.

     "Having a good time?" I dryly asked, toying with the red stirrer in my drink.

     "Wonderful." Donnie practically sang, looking with lustful eyes at Weston. So much for Jack, I thought.

      "Your friend Donnie here, is a splendid dancer." Weston complimented.

       "I'm sorry. Weston, this is my friend Lucy. Lucy, Weston."

       We bobbed our heads, acknowledging one another.

       I finished my fourth Scotch and pushed the glass aside. "Well, it's getting late."

      Donnie looked disappointed. "Oh, but Weston was going to show me the dungeon."

      "And who knows what I'll show him after." Weston salaciously commented.

      Donnie laughed and I rolled my eyes. I really wanted to get home. Seeing Draco put a damper on my evening. "Fine, I'll go home myself."

      "You don't mind?" Donnie asked.

      "Go, have fun. I'll see you tomorrow."

       I slipped into my coat, slung the bag over my shoulder and pushed my way through the crowded floor and stairs. Burly men with fangs, dressed in suits, stood at the entry/exit doors. I bobbed my head at one of them and he returned the gesture. I stepped outside, into the cold and inhaled the chilled air.

     I didn't go far, that I was grabbed and taken around the side of the building. It was Draco. I recognized his cologne. He turned me around, facing him. He caressed my hair, my cheek and my throat with the back of his fingers. I wanted to run, to fight, but his eyes and his touch held me in place. He pushed my hair aside and then I saw the fangs and felt them as they pierced my skin. I gasped, clutching the lapel of his jacket. I threw back my head. The stars swirled above me as he suckled the blood from my vein. Each time seemed longer. Each time I was left weaker. And, he did leave me; just like he did every other time.

     I leaned against the wall, my hands plastered against the cold bricks, panting, and my head hanging. My heart pounded loudly in my chest. I could hear the blood swooshing in my ears. I was afraid to move for fear of passing out. I waited. Waited for the dizziness to ebb, my legs to stop shaking. The cold air helped me revive some. Eventually I recouped my senses and started to walk. Briskly! All the way to the tube.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

     I opened the door on Aiden, looking so sharp in a red shirt, tight jeans, leather jacket and sneakers. We smiled at each other. I stepped back and he entered, closing the door behind him.

He followed me to the kitchen where I retrieved two bottles of beer from the fridge. I screwed off the caps and handed him a bottle.

     He drank a few mouthfuls before asking, "So how did your night at the vampire club go?"

     I bobbed my head. "Interesting."

     "I hope too many guys weren't interested."

     "Just one and he was a jerk." I half lied and drank more beer.

     We went in the living room and plopped on the sofa. I turned on the television just as a news reporter said that another prostitute was killed. Aiden swore. His cell beeped and he glanced at the text. He downed the remainder of the beer, leaned over and kissed me.

     "I've got to go."

     "Go."

     He cupped my cheek. "You're so understanding."

     We kissed again and Aiden stood. I watched him head for the door. As he opened it, I heard him speak to Donnie who was about to knock. Aiden passed Donnie in the doorway as they crossed in and out. Donnie closed the door. He walked in like the cat that ate the proverbial canary. I noticed the red, swollen bite marks on his neck.

    "So, what happened last night?" I opened, going to the fridge for another beer.

    His eyes were wide and excited. "You wouldn't believe what goes on in that dungeon!"

    "I have my ideas and please, spare me the gruesome details."

    Donnie filled the kettle with water and placed it on the stove. He flipped on the burner and turned to me. "The vampire; a.k.a. Weston, chains up his victim; me, and…"

    I held up my hand and he stopped with a nervous laugh. He prepared the mesh tea ball and put it in the red mug.

    "And, what did Jack say about all the ligature marks on your body and those bite marks?" I challenged.

    He knit his golden eye brows. "I haven't seen Jack yet."

    "What do you plan to tell him?"

     He put his hand to his neck, "That I cut myself shaving."

     "And the marks from the chains?"

     "Okay," he impatiently huffed. "We'll avoid intimacy for a few days. I'll say it's my time of the month."

     I lowered the bottle from my lips, tossing him a caustic glare.

    "Oh, I'll think of something. He never has to know what's happened." He turned off the burner and poured the scalding water into the mug. He placed it on the table and sat down. "Lucy, it was the most erotic moment of my life! I never had such great sex!"

     "And, I suppose you'll be going back to the club?"

     "Probably next week. My next night off. Because of Jack, I can't frequent it too often."

     "Do you think it fair to Jack that you're cheating on him?"

      "You're right. I may have to break off with him."

       "You'd give up a potentially great relationship for a few scattered nights of sex?"

      "You mean to tell me, you wouldn't?"

       "First of all, Aiden and I aren't exclusive. He isn't my boyfriend and he
is
my nights of great sex."

       "You're saying that because you've never been with a vampire."

      "Aren't you afraid of turning into one?" I taunted.

      "No, I would love it."

      I rolled my eyes and watched him sip at the tea, a simpering grin on his lips.

     "Maybe he's the one killing those prostitutes?"

      Donnie studied me. "Weston's a lover, not a killer."

      "Vampires are killers, Donnie. They need human blood to survive."

     Donnie finished his tea and stood, "Well, I've got to run a few errands before I go to work, though, I don't know if I'll be able to concentrate." He waggled his brows.

     "Let me know if you start having a desire to drink blood." I called after him as he trekked for the door.

      He paused, glancing back at me; at my poker straight face and then shook his head and egressed.