I woke up on the lap of this fine white man. The only flaw I could see in the seconds I checked him out was that he looked just like Haven--or a lot like him. This guy was older, more rugged and with eyes that looked like danger, unlike my whack ex-boyfriend. With thoughts of Haven, I remembered what happened to me and the fear came on me again. I tried sitting up but found I didn't have the strength. The Haven look-alike pushed me back into the crook of his arm with a stern look.
"Stay still. You need a little more."
I blinked up at him with what I'm sure was a blank look. "A little more what?" My voice sounded raspy to my ears. My throat was dry like I had swallowed blood. Fear tightened my stomach, and I wondered if Haven had torn a hole in my esophagus and made me swallow blood. I should be dead, at least in the hospital. "I need a little more of what?" I said again.
He held up his wrist like that would explain it. It didn't. But then he pushed his arm gently against my lips, and before I knew what was happening, I felt something splitting my gums and growing. Teeth? Fangs? Oh no, please no!
There was no time to protest because of its own accord my mouth latched on to his wrist. I heard myself whimper with pleasure, just like I had done millions of times in the midst of some serious love-making. This time, though, I was sucking down thick, gooey blood. And damn if it didn't have the most delicious flavor I ever tasted.
I dragged heavily on his blood, savoring it and swirling it in my mouth. I drew back long enough to lick his skin which was cool to the touch. It was a sensual move, one that since I hadn't gotten my sexual fix earlier, had me pumping the air with my hips. I needed to come like nobody's business, and sucking blood was making me hotter. I hated that this stranger saw how I was acting, but I couldn't help myself.
Finally, he pulled back, muttering, "That's enough."
I frowned, "Stingy."
He flicked a humorless eyebrow up at me and then put me off his lap. He didn't even look at me again before he stood up, straightened his clothes and spoke to someone else in the room. "She'll be fine now. Have a good night."
I sprang up a little wobbly and then sank back down on the chair. I looked around to see Chelle. She threw herself across the space and took me in her arms. "Oh baby, I was worried. Are you okay? What the fuck happened? How could this fucking happen?"
I laughed. "Slow down, girl. I can't answer a thing with you going on at me. First, who was that guy? And what did he do to me?"
Chelle looked guilty. "I'm sorry, Ree. I should have ignored him and called an ambulance, but he was right, you lost so much blood, there was no way you were going to hold out until they got here. You know how long it takes the ambulance and the police to get to this neighborhood."
I nodded. "So what did he suggest instead?" I thought I knew, but I was too scared to say it myself. That crap was for TV, not Ree's life.
Chelle hesitated.
"Tell me, Chelle. Just get it over with," I insisted. This night had gone to hell; I might as well know.
"He said he could save your life if he forced you to drink his blood." Chelle let out a small growl, reminding me of what she herself was. "He said he sort of owed you since it was his brother who hurt you."
"His brother!" I screamed and came up off the chair in a rage. Pacing back and forth in her small living room, I glanced around for my purse, momentarily forgetting that I left it in Haven's car. "I need a cigarette!" I declared.
A thought occurred to me and I stopped, staring at my friend. "Oh no, Chelle. I'm in trouble."
Her eyes widened. "I know, baby, but we'll figure it all out. We'll--"
I shook my head, "No, girl. Chelle, I killed Haven. He's dead in his car. My stuff is still in there. I'm going to be charged with murder."
)
