Love at First Bite (Book 1 Just a Little Taste Series) (8 page)

***

She woke, wrapped in satin sheets and strong arms. Reality came to her quickly and she realized she was no longer a virgin. It felt good, she realized. Hell of a lot better than trying to orgasm on her own. She felt like a woman. She felt sexy and sure of herself. She wanted to play more. She stretched a little, arching her back. He ran a lazy hand down her ribs. “Are you awake, Sasha?”

“Mmhmm,” she murmured.

“We need to talk.” A cold slap of reality jolted her out of the warm cocoon of sex. She rolled over and looked in his eyes.

“We do?” She eyed him warily.

He grimaced and swallowed nervously. “You didn't do anything wrong, at all. Please don't get that idea in your head. I lost control, and, for that, I'm sorry.” He caught her hand in his, intertwining their fingers.

“Jeremy,” she sighed. “If anyone lost control, it was both of us. I am not sorry for it. I've been waiting for twenty five years to lose my virginity, and I'll be damned if you feel sorry for taking it.”

He smiled. “Baby, I'm so far from being sorry for that, it's ridiculous. I'm honored I was your first. It is something else.”

“Oh, God,” she squawked. “Please tell me you don't have some kind of mutated crotch germs or something.” She looked at him in a panic then squeaked, “Please tell me you didn't turn gay. Please.”

He laughed so hard, the bed shook and he had to roll on his back to catch his breath. “Cupcake, I didn't give you any special sprinkles, I promise, and I'm definitely NOT gay. I did something a lot worse than that.”

“You used a condom.”

He rubbed his hand over his face in frustration. It was better to just get it out in the open. “I bit you when I orgasmed.”

She sat up and looked at him. “You did? I thought you just nipped my neck a little. I didn't feel anything.” Her hands came to her neck and upon her fingers inspection, she found two small raised bumps. “Doesn't seem major. I mean, I feel a couple bumps, but I doubt I will even bruise.”

He smiled at her softly. “Sasha. I took your blood, during sex. I've never done that with a woman. Ever.” The sincerity of his statement shocked her.

“Is that a big deal? I mean, I'm not necessarily mad or anything. I kind of figured it was a possibility.” She shrugged one satiny shoulder.

“I don't know,” he admitted. “I didn't stay with the vampire clan long enough to know if I can do any harm to you or what this means. You are by no means tied to me. I don't have any kind of sire bond over you.”

“I see,” she said quietly. “Could I turn into a vampire? I mean, you nicked my tongue before, and I was fine.”

“I don't believe so. I don't think my venom would be strong enough, but a nick of your tongue is entirely different than biting you and taking your blood.”

She shivered, but not with fear. “Why did that sound incredibly sexual?”

He smiled. “Because it is very intimate. I promise I will try not to do it again though.”

She looked at him with indignation. “Why not?”

“Why would you want me to?” He countered.

“Well, I mean, it felt good, you nipping my neck as I came. I didn't mind it. It kind of makes me feel good that I'm the only one that can make you feel that way.”

He smiled. “Sasha, you are one of a kind, there is no doubt about that. I think we should let this discussion drop until we know more about the situation, okay?” She nodded and lay down on her pillow. He curled up behind her and they slept. He woke as the sun was rising. He just watched her sleep, her breath coming slow and easy, her beautiful skin glistening in the sun, her hair catching shades of cocoa and caramel as the sun intertwined through the strands. He was aching in his erection.

She awoke to gentle stroking on her breasts and kisses on her shoulder. “Mmmm,” she murmured. She gasped as his fingers slipped between her legs and fondled her clit. Suddenly, he lifted her leg and slipped into her wet core from behind. She moaned as he made love to her, his hands seemingly all over her body at once. She threw her head back and moaned out her orgasm. He grabbed her hips and drove deep into her, his lips resting on her shoulder. She felt his cock throbbing deep inside her, then a slight pin prick as his mouth closed over her shoulder and bit. She screamed as she came around him, her legs quivering at the force of her orgasm. He joined her in his release, his fangs receding. He rested his forehead against her back.

“Shit, I'm sorry.” He left her and went to the bathroom, slamming the door. She reached her arm over and felt her shoulder. Only two small bumps. The ones on her neck were gone. He was killing her post orgasm buzz. She got up from the bed, furious as hell.

She threw the bathroom door open, seeing him sitting on the edge of the tub, his head in his hands. “Look, damn it. You are totally ruining sex for me.” He looked up, bewildered.

“Ruining sex for you? Shouldn't you be concerned that I'm biting you?” He looked at her like she was crazy.

“Are you draining me dry? Do I look like I'm dying? No. You are simply biting me. But you are REALLY ruining my buzz. You are making me feel like something is wrong with me. You are making me feel like you are on your man period and are disgusted with your lack of control. Hell, isn't sex supposed to be a lack of control? If I was pissed off about it, I think I would let you know.” She pulled the door closed and stomped furiously to the other bathroom, slamming the door behind her in her fury.

She drew a bath and added bubbles. She washed herself furiously then rinsed and went to her closet. She got dressed quickly in a black tunic and jeans, shoving her feet into comfortable flats. She French braided her hair and went to the kitchen to get breakfast. He was sitting at the table. He jumped up quickly and poured her a cup of coffee.

“No thanks.” She held up her hand. “I'm going out.”

“Out?” He replied curiously.

“Yeah. I really don't want to be around you right now.” She grabbed her clutch from the night before, with her wallet inside, and went to the door. He was there before she was; he moved like lightning.

“Look, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.” He touched her face.

“Yeah, I'm sorry too,” she said sarcastically.

“I'm serious, Sasha. I'm sorry. I am trying to figure this all out. You don't understand, this is confusing for me. I've been with quite a few women and I've never once bitten one. Ever!”

She sighed. “I get that. But damn, way to make me feel like something is wrong with ME.” She pushed him with her shoulder, enough to open the door. She fled down the hall to the elevator. He just looked out the door at her, his face a mask of emotions. He'd give her space. She wouldn't be alone though. He called Trevor.

She knew someone was on her tail. He was about as inconspicuous as a hooker at church. He was wearing all black, down to his shades, and always stayed about twenty paces behind her. Finally, she turned around and crossed her arms over her chest. He casually loitered at the corner. She blew a breath out in frustration. She went into Starbucks and got a coffee, sitting at a table with her back to the door. She wanted to childishly flip off the guy following her. She knew he was one of Jeremy's men; he had to be.

Just a few minutes passed as she sipped the cooling brew. Suddenly, Jeremy was standing beside her. “May I join you?”

She shot him a go to hell look. “Sure, why not?”

“You're mad.”

“No!” She gasped sarcastically. “Whatever gave you that idea?”

He smiled. It pissed her off. “I'm sorry. For all of this. Everything is so complicated.”

He stopped in mid thought, looking at the door in panic. She looked over her shoulder and saw that this girl, who put most model types to shame, had walked in. She had an incredible body, encased in some expensive bandage dress, long satiny straight honey brown hair with precise blonde highlights, makeup to the nines, heels that were sky high and a smile that oozed sex. That smile was directed straight at her Jeremy.
Wait
, she thought.
When did he become MY Jeremy?
She bristled for many reasons, but nearly came undone when this girl came to their table and draped herself all over Jeremy's lap, nearly pressing his face into her breasts.

The girl turned to her, accessing the situation. She obviously saw no competition and turned back to Jeremy, before cooing, “Jeremy! I'm so glad to run into you! So funny, I just got into NYC last night. I heard you were in town and hoped to see you. It's a shame we separated on such bad terms before. I hope you can forgive me.” Her red lips pursed in a pout and she wrapped her arms around his neck, twirling a lock of his shaggy hair between her fingers.

He looked decidedly uncomfortable. He attempted to extract her arms from his neck, but was unsuccessful. “JJ, how did you know I was here?”

She smiled in a predatory way, flashing her perfect white teeth. “You know me, I hear everything, Darling.”

He sighed. “JJ, I would like you to meet Sasha. Sasha, this is JJ.”

JJ extended a perfectly manicured hand. “Hi, Selena, I'm his girlfriend.”

“It's Sasha,” he corrected. “And you are my ex.”

“Oh, please, Baby.” She rolled her eyes and withdrew the hand Sasha didn't take casually. “We both know I'm not your ex. Unless that means lots of sex, then yes please.” She wiggled her ass in his lap and giggled. It did nothing for him.

Sasha ground her teeth together, then picked up her coffee calmly. Before she could stop herself, she popped the lid off and poured the creamy concoction all down the front of JJ's slut dress. JJ squawked like a chicken and looked down at the ruined dress. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”

Sasha smiled and turned to leave. “Nothing, anymore. Goodbye, Jeremy.” She flung the door open to the store and hailed a cab. He stood, dumping the coffee soaked JJ off his lap and raced out the door. She saw him coming toward the cab. “Leave. Now.” The cab driver looked at her curiously in the rear view mirror, but did as she asked.

“Where to, miss?”

She laughed as the tears ran down her face. “Any damn where but here.”

***

JJ stomped out of the Starbucks after Jeremy. “What the hell was wrong with your friend? If I didn't know any better, I'd think you'd tapped that.” She daubed at the top of her dress, then shrugged and shifted the dress so her breasts were at a better advantage. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and glared at him.

“Really, JJ? You are so damn crass. Following me here from Chicago? How desperate can you be?” He shoved his hand through his hair.

She pouted, her red lips glistening in the sunlight. “Baby, you used to like me showing up to surprise you. I tried to get in the apartment last night, but they wouldn't let me upstairs. You made me feel horrible.” She grabbed his arm, pressing her tits up against his arm and looking up at him.

“If I remember correctly, you left me. Therefore, that made us over.” He shook her off his arm. She took a quick step back, tottering on her ridiculously high heels.

“Baby, I was just upset. It wasn't her you were fucking on the side, was it?” She put her hand on her hip and jutted her breasts out.

He laughed. “Really? Do you know how ridiculous you look right now? We are over, JJ, and whatever is, or was, or may ever be going on between me and Sasha is just that, between us. I suggest you take your ass back to Chicago and leave me alone.” He raised his hand to hail a cab.

“Baby,” she purred, sliding up to him and rubbing her body on him. “Baby, don't be mad. If you want to fuck that ugly fat girl, then do it. I will allow you some rein, I know you are curious, but you know how good we are together.” She casually palmed his dick through his pants, right on the street. She pressed a kiss to his jaw and murmured, “Do I need to remind you?”

Fury over took him and he pushed her back. “Are you really that desperate, JJ? To fondle me in the street and act like a slut?”

Her face hardened and her lips pulled back to reveal her lovely teeth, in a wicked smile. “You've made a hell of a mistake, Jeremy Parks. I could have given you the world. I don't need you. I have ten guys at the ready, all I need to do is snap my fingers.”

“I bet you've done more than snap your fingers for all of them.” A cab stopped for him. “And your threats? You can shove them up your ass.”

She sneered. “Watch your back. And your little slut's back too.”

He climbed in the cab. He watched her ass as it twitched down the street, garnering male attention, even in her coffee stained state. He sighed. “To the airport, please.”

***

Chapter Six

Sasha looked out the window, tears running down her face. “Miss, I need to know where you want me to take you.”

“To the airport, please.” She sobbed out. Once there, she checked her debit card at the ATM. She booked a flight to Chicago, nearly wiping her account out. With a sigh, she sat down in the waiting area and realized her illusion of a fairy tale was over. She wiped a tear and wondered if she would ever feel this way again.

A ticket agent came up to her. “Miss Jones? We have been able to secure you an earlier flight. If you will come with me?” Sasha stood and walked with her woodenly.

She was walking down a corridor connected to a flight and in a seat on a small plane in just a few minutes. The stewardess on board smiled at her. “We will be taking off in a few minutes.”

Panic hit. “Where are the other passengers?”

The stewardess smiled sweetly. “They will be along presently.” She found headphones beside the seat, stuck them in the port and over her ears. She put her head against the seat and closed her eyes. What seemed like a few minutes later, she opened her eyes and realized they were in the air, and she was seemingly the only passenger. She snatched the headphones off.

“Stewardess?” She unbuckled herself and stood. No stewardess. But, there sat Jeremy in the back of the small plane, his face looking tortured. “Oh hell no. I did not just fall for this shit.”

He grimaced. “I'm sorry. I had to explain.”

“So you abduct me? Seriously?” She was so mad, he could feel her fury, even a few seats back.

“You aren't abducted. You are free to go.” He held his hands out wide.

She growled softly in anger. “What, go pop the door and jump out?”

He shrugged. “Probably not the wisest decision.”

“No? Neither was screwing me like you didn't have a girlfriend!” Her chest heaved.

“I don't have a girlfriend. I didn't then. We broke up.”

She laughed angrily. “Didn't look broken up to me. JJ the slut looked quite comfortable in your lap.”

“Pre coffee pouring or post coffee pouring?” He smirked, trying to lighten the mood.

If looks could kill, he'd be dead. She tapped her fingers on the top of a seat. “I'm not laughing.”

“No? I thought it was funny.” He stood and took a step toward her.

“Don't touch me.”

“So, we are back to that? I am not allowed to touch you? That's not what you were moaning last night.” He took another step forward.

“Don't throw my stupidity in my face.” She stood her ground.

“It wasn't stupid, damn it. You and I both wanted to make love.” He grabbed her arm gently. “I very vividly remember you moaning out that you wanted me.” He slid his hand up her arm slowly.

She took a deep breath. “Maybe I did. That was before JJ.”

“JJ is past tense. Gone. Out of my life. I only have room for one woman in my life right now.”

“Oh yeah? Right now? What about later?” She closed the gap between them.

“Only one woman then, too.” He snaked his arm around her waist.

“Who would that be?” She bit her lip and looked at him with nearly pitch black eyes.

“Someone I can't get off my mind. Whose smell and taste have permeated my senses. Whose eyes are darker than the night sky. Whose hair is softer than silk, and whose skin is like mocha. Whose body drives me wild. Who is a good person. Who cares for those she loves, even when she doesn't have to. The woman who is driving me mad in more ways than one.” His mouth rested on her neck, breathing these beautiful words into her skin.

She shivered as goose bumps popped up on her skin. He took a step back. “In the mean time, I think you should get comfortable. We are headed to Paris. Going to be a very long flight.” He touched her chin.

Her mouth fell open. “Paris? You are taking me to Paris?” She wasn't sure if she was impressed or pissed.

“Paris.” He took a seat and pushed the headrest back. “After all this, I think I need a nap.”  She looked at him incredulously, but sat and put her headphones back on.

The plane ride seemed to take forever. She'd never been known for patience, it was not necessarily something she did well. A headache was starting. She closed her eyes and woke to a soft kiss on her mouth. “Wake up, Cupcake. We will be there within the hour, the pilot says.” He handed her a cup of coffee. “It's the best I can do on the plane. I'll get you good coffee once we land.”

“And food.” She growled.

He laughed. “And food.” She sipped her coffee, grimacing at the horrible taste. The sunlight pouring in her window made her head hurt. A lot more than before. Like she was hung over, and she knew that was impossible.

“My head hurts.” She grumbled, pulling the shade down on the window. He looked at her curiously. She put her head back on the seat and closed her eyes. The plane taxied down the runway and he gently shook her shoulder to wake her. She sighed, but opened her eyes. “I guess we are here?”

“Yeah, we are here. Are you okay, Sasha?” He touched her shoulder gently.

She snapped, “I'm fine.” She stood and he opened the door of the plane. The stairs folded out and he stepped out into the sunshine, smiling at her. He held his hand out for her to take. She took one step out of the plane and screamed in pain. Her eyes felt like they were on fire.

“Sasha!” Jeremy caught her before she fell down the stairs. “What's wrong?”

She covered her eyes with both hands. It felt like she had been maced violently, then had ghost peppers smeared in her eyes. “My eyes hurt,” she sobbed out on a breath. “They feel like they are burning out.” Jeremy's eyes widened in panic. He knew that feeling all too well. “What is wrong with them, Jeremy?! They hurt!” Tears were streaming out of her eyes and through her fingers. Her skin was unbearably hot. He suddenly picked her up and took off at a dead run.

He was screaming for Jacques, screaming for the car. She felt like she was watching herself bounce in his arms as he ran. She felt like she was melting. Her skin was cracking in agony. She couldn't sob anymore. She slept.

***

“No, no damn it, Sasha, you can't leave me yet. Hold on, Cupcake.” He laid her in the back seat of the car, covering her with a blanket and climbing in quickly. He closed the door and bellowed to the driver, “Get me to Claudio. NOW!” He opened his phone and, with shaking hands, dialed. Trevor picked up immediately. “Trevor, something is wrong.”

“What do you mean something is wrong?” He could almost hear Trevor's pulse through the miles.

“Trevor, I bit her, twice, during sex. Now, she has passed out, is barely breathing, and saying her eyes are burning. She's so pale. Trevor, what the hell is wrong?” He rubbed his eyes and tried to take a few breaths.

“Shit, Jeremy. Shit,” he said on a sigh.

“What does that mean Trevor? What is wrong? What happened to her? She was fine. We got on the plane. She was fine. She slept. She woke up like this. Trevor, I think I'm in love with her.” He was bordering on hysteria. He kept touching her wrist, feeling for the faint pulse.

“Shit, Jeremy. You just hit the nail on the head.” Trevor said sadly.

“What do you mean? If you don't stop this bullshit, I swear I will fire you.” His breath was ragged.

“You love her. You bit her. You turned her.”

Jeremy's heart stopped for a few seconds. “God damn it.” He hung his head. “I didn't.. I shouldn't.. Shit. So, I am right in taking her to Claudio?”

“Yes, Jeremy.” He could picture Trevor pinching the bridge of his nose. “You have to take her to Claudio. Maybe there is still time to suck the venom out. I don't know. Depends on a lot of things. I should have warned you. I didn't think you'd get this deep this fast. I'm so sorry.”

“What happens if he can't get the venom out?” His heart skittered in his chest.

“I don't know, Man, I have never read anything like this.” Jeremy hung up on Trevor, tears running down his face. He had messed up so badly.
What if she dies? Will she hate me if she's a vampire? Or will she be a wolf? Or will she be like me?

About an hour outside of Paris, the car stopped. Jeremy swallowed his pride and hate. He gently wrapped Sasha in the blanket, shielding her skin from the sun. He opened the car door and got out, gently picking her up in his arms. The massive gate slowly opened, revealing the Gothic architecture inside. He stepped into the compound and the gates closed behind him. The front door opened and Claudio stood framed in the door, black gauzy robes suffocating his gaunt frame. He stood at attention, proud nose in the air.

“I need help, Claudio...” He bowed his head.

“I don't know if I can help her, it may be too late.”  In that instant a clap of thunder rolled overhead and the skies opened, as if they wanted to show their displeasure. Jeremy looked up to the sky and began praying like he'd never prayed before.