Ok, because I lurve you gals, I am gonna post the next chapter...just to warn you, it might be a smidge more grown up than it has been so far. It's not too bad, but I just wanted to give anyone an out if they need one. I really hope no one gets offended by it, and if you do, just let me know, cause I can remove it...it's not like the story can't continue without this chapter
Chapter 18
“NISHA!!!!!” Couldn’t he get through ONE day without needing me to be by his side every waking moment? I threw the covers back and stretched. I grabbed my robe and wrapped it around me. Then I went to his hotel room through the adjoining doorway.
“Yes, master?”
“I cut myself shaving. Do you have any of those tiny Band-Aids?” He had a piece of tissue stuck to his face.
“You’re actually old enough to grow facial hair?” I teased.
“Very funny.”
“I thought so. Anyway, you don’t put Band-Aids on your face. That’s just weird.” I reached up and removed the tissue, which caused his face to bleed a little. “Uh-oh.” I closed my eyes.
“What, uh-oh?”
“I will, uh, go get that Band-Aid for you.” I said, backing out of his hotel bathroom. I bumped into several things, but I refused to open my eyes. Then, I felt two arms pull me to a halt.
“Nisha, what’s wrong?”
“Your face.” I could only imagine at the puzzled expression he was wearing.
“What’s wrong with my face?” Did he sound genuinely concerned?
“It’s bleeding.”
“Yeah, I know. That’s why I wanted the…”
“No.” I cut him off. “You’re bleeding. And…and, well…” I gulped.
“Nisha…are you…” Finally, he was putting 2 and 2 together. I nodded. I was expecting him to let me go. I was expecting him to get freaked out. I was not expecting what he did…he kissed me.
“Joe, what are you doing?” I opened my eyes and pulled back in surprise. Bad idea, opening my eyes. I saw the blood again. “Oh god, Joe.” This time, I kissed him. I wiped the blood from his skin with my finger and then licked my finger. My fangs grew in.
“Nishaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.” Did he just purr at me? Who cares? I pulled his face back to mine and kissed him again, slipping my tongue against his lips. When he opened his mouth, he moaned, tasting his own blood. I felt his fangs with my tongue.
“Oh, god, Joe.” I had to stop…this was going to get out of hand if I didn’t put an end to it. I pushed him away from me, probably a little harder than necessary. “I’m sorry. I—we…oh, man.” And with that, I booked it back to my room.
“Nisha?” He knocked on the adjoining door frame. I so didn’t trust myself around him, but I couldn’t just ignore him. “You ok?”
“Joe,” I couldn’t turn to face him. Here he was, a brand new vampire, looking to me for guidance, and what do I do? I practically jump him the first time he bleeds. This wasn’t normal…I’d been able to control my urges for centuries now. Why was I suddenly regressing…and regressing only with Joe? “I’m sorry.” Lame, I know.
“What happened?” Dam.n. He moved towards me and sat next to me on the bed.
“I—Joe, I can’t explain it. I really don’t know what happened, or why that happened. I just…I lost control. I’m REALLY sorry.”
“Why?” He said quietly. “I’m not.” I closed my eyes and sighed.
“Joe, I was sent here to help you. Not to drag you to bed the first time you bleed in front of me. You wear a purity ring, and I respect your choice. I just…” I flopped back onto the bed, completely at a loss for words.
“I like you, Nisha. With or without the blood.” He leaned over and kissed me softly on the cheek. “I feel a connection with you.”
“Joe, I’m the only other of our kind you’ve had any real contact with. I’ve been your constant companion for the last six months. Of course you’re going to feel a connection.” I finally turned and looked at him.
“Hold on.” He jumped up and ran back to his room. He returned momentarily, with his hands behind his back. He plopped on the bed next to me and showed me—he held his razor in one hand, and on the other hand he had sliced his finger open, and there was a fair amount of blood flowing from the small wound. The sight of it made me dizzy with lust.
“Joe, what are you doing?” I closed my eyes and tried to ignore the feelings he was giving me.
“Getting you to shut up. I have wanted to kiss you like that for a while now. And it’s not just because of the blood. At least, not for me.” I could hear the note of uncertainty in his voice.
“Well, bleeding in front of me is not going to let either of us know if I kiss you because I want to, or because I need to.” I opened my eyes and grabbed his hand. I stuck his bleeding finger in my mouth, running my tongue along his cut. “Dam.n, I was trying to prove a point…” I started, “with the blood…and my fangs…” I was gasping. “Joe, get out of here, right now!”
“You feel the same for me, don’t you?” Oh. My. God. He really wanted to kill me. “You’re so concerned about me that you are fighting the blood effect.”
“OUT!!!!!” He finally left, but with a smile on his face.
