The ancient sliding doors whirred to life as they stepped on the black welcome mat. A neon sign on the back wall advertised “COLD BEER” and “FRESH MEATS."
The store's color scheme screamed nineteen-seventy-three like an off-tune brass band. Jerrod reached into his pocket and pulled out his sunglasses. “I think I need these.” He slipped them on. “Has the owner never heard that the color palette in any given setting can affect the moods of customers? This is making me want to back out and never, ever return."
"Come on. You'll get used to it. There's nowhere else to buy toilet paper and canned prunes.” Vesper tugged on Jerrod arm and pulled him over to shopping carts. “Choose your weapon, darling."
Jerrod looked over the thick wire basket-style carts. “I always pick one with that funky wheel-thing going on. You choose."
Vesper laughed. “It's not like we're picking out a china pattern! For goodness sake.” She pulled a cart out from its nest and took off toward the fresh fruits and vegetables.
"Are we co-mingling our food stuffs, or should I get my own cart?” Jerrod asked, fondling the cucumbers.
"I suspect we may end up taking our meals together, especially since I believe our deal for you helping me finish up the bed-and-breakfast aspects of the mansion will include hot meals, however, since there is no obligation or binding contract to do so on either part, I say we use one cart, but keep our purchases separate. Basically, Mr. Castaneda—keep your cucumbers away from my melons."
Jerrod looked longingly at Vesper's cleavage. “Damn—that was next.” He dropped a second cucumber into a paper sack.
Vesper pushed the cart through the aisles, dropping in an item here or there. Jerrod picked up the few things he needed, marveling at how sexy the woman was pushing a shopping cart. Of course, she'd look good with a bag over her head in pitch-black darkness. “Hey! Go down here. I want some canned peaches,” Jerrod said as Vesper bypassed the canned goods aisle.
"Just saving the best for last,” Vesper purred.
"You were serious? About the green beans?"
Vesper smiled seductively. “About canned green beans turning me on? Oh, quite. We'll come back here after we hit the dairy aisle."
Jerrod pushed the cart toward the bank of fresh meats. The butcher nodded and smiled slightly as he looked up from his cleaver and slab of beef. “Need help, son?"
"No, thank you. You have everything I need out front here,” Jerrod replied politely. He tossed a couple two-packs of center-cut steaks into the cart. “Vesper?” he asked.
"Yes?” she placed a small package of ground turkey next to the steaks.
"Do you have a grill? A BBQ?"
She nodded. “Charcoal. Round. Ten bucks at the Goodwill. Will that work?"
"I'm in the mood for a beach barbecue. Care to join me?” Jerrod asked.
Vesper cuddled up along side Jerrod and slid her hands inside his windbreaker. “Are you asking me out, Mr. Castaneda?"
"Yeah, well—my dog likes you. And being around you is making me crave red meat."
Vesper tossed her head back and laughed. Jerrod swallowed hard. Her bare throat looked good enough to eat. Damned if he didn't feel horny again. “If you were serious, I'd like to get to those canned goods right now, if you don't mind,” he whispered.
Vesper pulled Jerrod tight, crushing her breasts against him. “Good. I'm craving meat, too. Kiss me,” she replied with a “come hither” tone that made his member stand up and take notice in less than a heartbeat.
Jerrod didn't recall how he felt about public displays of affection in his life before Vesper Highgate-Adaire. He didn't recall so many things. This open-mouth, full-on body-clutching soul kiss in the fresh meats section of the Marshes Coomb grocery market, therefore, felt like a “first.” As exciting as a first time and with twice as much anticipation and need as any other kiss he'd shared with this delightful daughter of a Mooncusser. She made him hard with desire.
Vesper broke the kiss and sauntered quickly away from Jerrod, pushing the cart before her. He watched her round butt sway seductively from side to side as she leaned her weight against the cart's push bar.
"Oh, to be that red plastic protective coating surrounding the metal of the handle,” Jerrod teased.
"You want me to rest my bosom against you, too?” Vesper asked.
Jerrod nodded. “Yes, please."
She turned the cart into the canned goods aisle and began scanning the shelves. “French-cut green beans make me hot. They have a store brand here with a cute little green bean wearing a beret ... ah, here it is.” Vesper picked the can off the shelf and displayed it to Jerrod as if she were a hostess on a TV game show. “Look at his sweet little hat,” she gushed. “Isn't he just the cutest little green bean?"
"French-cut green beans. Now there's an aphrodisiac for the books,” Jerrod replied.
Vesper dropped the can into the cart. “Damn. I don't know what it is about this aisle, maybe it's dead center of a magnetic vortex or something, but, Jerrod, I'm ready.” She lifted the hem of her skirt a bit. “You need to nail me now and nail me good, or I'm going to go into the bathroom with one of your cukes and..."
"Ah, Vesper—this is a public market,” Jerrod said nervously. He glanced behind him. They were alone in the aisle.
She leaned farther over the back of the cart. “Just do it, Jerrod. Please!"
Casting aside shame and the fear of being caught, Jerrod unzipped his fly and tore aside Vesper's panties in one quick motion. A second later, he rammed his thick penis into her, lifting her onto the handle-end of the cart. The cart's front end lurched upward and crashed into the pickled beets as Jerrod made fast work of the rather risqué and illegal act of sex upside a shopping cart next to the canned green beans.
Vesper stood on her tip-toes, trying desperately to meet Jerrod's thrusts.
He slid easily in and out of her, his shaft riding the edge of her buttock while its head teased with promises of deep dives that never quite got there. Jerrod lifted Vesper's hips, holding her aloft—and he found his way home. One, two, three good thrusts as deeply as she could take him, and that was all it took. She squelched her climactic cries while Jerrod grunted through his teeth as his own orgasm poured into her.
Vesper could barely breathe. Her ribcage throbbed from its precarious perch atop the push-bar on the shopping cart. Her fingers intertwined into the wire mesh of the basket, gripping desperately. She broke a nail as a final surge of pleasure cascaded through her.
Vesper startled as she recognized the sweet chill of nourishment envelop her. I'm feeding. I'm taking energy from him. Oh, my God. This is incredible! I'm feeding! From Jerrod! From a Paladin! She relaxed and let the curse take its course with Jerrod's sexual prowess and orgasmic energies.
Damned spectacular. The ebb and flow of Jerrod into her was damned spectacular.
Like an ice-water bath.
Like the first sip of hot coffee in the morning.
Like the first bite of Ben and Jerry's Brownie Batter ice cream.
Like the moment before a first kiss.
Feeding was just as delicious.
Jerrod pummeled Vesper against the cart, holding the metal basket steady with one foot chocked against a wheel. He felt a great pulling sensation overwhelm him.
He was in a black hole. A wind tunnel. His hair, his flesh, his dick. Every part of him. And in that torrent of flesh, came memories. Arriving on the pleasure streams circling around him, Jerrod embraced his past, his future—and breathed in the present as it enveloped him.
He expended his last iota of sexual release into her, then shuddered before withdrawing. “You all right?” he asked, tugging up Vesper's panties. “I think I destroyed your underwear. I'm sorry."
Vesper replied breathlessly, her words short and fast. “Oh, my God, Jerrod. That was incredible. I've never had it so good."
Jerrod looked around sheepishly. They had been unnoticed. Thank God. “I'm exhausted,” he sighed. “I had an epiphany while doing you, to
o."
"I fed, Jerrod. When we came, your spirit captured mine, and I pulled you in. You nourished me. I can't believe how good it felt. Like nothing I've ever had before,” Vesper replied.
Jerrod chuckled. “I felt that. You pulled my soul into yours and unlocked this stream of thought ... Christ. Maybe you have a magic vagina. Like the heroines in some of those romance novels in the library at rehab. I am just another hero saved by mystic pussy.” He stumbled backward. “I'm dizzy."
"The dizziness will pass.” Vesper straightened her skirt, allowing the soft folds of fabric to encase her still-throbbing mound and weak legs. “You read romance novels?"
"I did. I read everything the rehab had. Those novels were perfect wanking material. It was that or the lingerie pages of the Sears catalog,” Jerrod replied.
"Well, wonders never cease. I had no idea you were so..."
Jerrod finished her sentence. “...Well read. Is there a coffee bar in this place?"
"There's one on the way to the post office."
Jerrod lifted a case of green beans into the cart. “Good. Mr. Green Bean and I need a cup. Gotta keep our strength up."
Chapter Fourteen
"I feel so lightheaded,” Jerrod said, packing the last bag into the back seat of the Woodie. “Did I get my debit card back?"
"That's part of the curse. I leave a little of myself behind,” Vesper replied.
"Should I be concerned?"
"A single human can't sustain a Shadow Lover forever. A human can be sucked dry, eventually. Even Paladins. That's why we don't feed from your kind."
"I'm not a magical being?” Jerrod asked. “I feel magical. Like I'm flying."
"Paladins aren't magical. They're quite human,” Vesper replied.
"But I feel magical when I'm with you. When I'm in you."
Vesper smiled. “That's sweet, but I think I want you alive, darlin'. I've waited a long time for a Paladin to return to the beach. So, I'm going to have to tame the energy exchange between us when we do the deed."
"Glad to be of service, ma'am. Oh, hey ... there's the newsstand. Let's go find your ad,” Jerrod said. He shut the back door and took Vesper by the hand, leading her toward the newsstand.
He busied himself in the business section while Vesper thumbed through “Great Hotels."
Jerrod turned to the vendor. “Nice set-up for a seaside village. Lots of tourists ask for these big city rags?"
"Every so often. I like to keep a little of everything on hand,” the merchant replied.
"Found it!” Vesper exclaimed. “Look here.” She pointed and offered the magazine to Jerrod.
"Vespers By the Sea ... sounds like a prayer...” Jerrod began. He then ad-libbed the ad, “...but is really a great place for sex on the beach. In your bar glass or in the surf."
Vesper slapped Jerrod's shoulder playfully. “That's not what the ad says."
"Honeymooners are our specialty,” Jerrod continued. “Yes, they will be, won't they? Oh, and let's not forget, the singles’ nights! Watch for upcoming Single Mixer Nights. Vesper, honey, your ad is lovely, but you don't intend to cater to the family holiday crowd at all, do you?"
"Not a chance,” Vesper replied. She turned to the clerk. “How long has this issue been out?"
"Came off the truck this morning,” he replied.
Vesper smiled. “Excellent."
Jerrod cocked his head, squinting at the headline of a tabloid magazine over the vendor's right shoulder.
"Can I get that down for you?” the merchant asked.
"Yes, thanks,” Jerrod replied. He began reading the front page of the magazine. “Female companion claims broken heart killed her devil lover!” Jerrod paused, shaking his head. “Jesus. Where do they get this stuff? The unnamed woman says that her lover literally dried up and withered away rather than allow her to join his unholy family. Corner said the death looked like a suicide. The man literally allowed himself to die of thirst. What a crock!"
Vesper pulled her lower lip in and bit it gently to keep a flood of tears from bursting forth. “Could I see that, please?"
Jerrod handed the tabloid over. Vesper read the article intently. “I'll take this,” she said offering the clerk a five-dollar bill. “Keep the change."
"Thanks, miss,” the clerk replied.
Jerrod looked on with disbelief as Vesper turned ashen, and the paper trembled in her hands. “Hey, it's made up. This is a sensationalist-type newspaper. What's wrong?"
"You ever see the movie Men in Black?"
"Why?” Jerrod asked.
"Tommy Lee Jones calls the tabloids his ‘hot sheets'—and with good reason. Sometimes what other reporters won't print, these rags will, and do.” Vesper turned away from the clerk to shield her voice from perked ears. “We show up in them sometimes."
Jerrod smirked. “We?"
"Shadow Lovers, yes.” Vesper stood silently for a moment, reading the article with a furrowed brow. “The demon ... he wasn't kin. I'm sure of it."
Jerrod put his hand protectively on Vesper's shoulder. “That's a blessing."
Vesper nodded. “When one of us dies, the death affects us all."
"Shadow Lover folklore?” Jerrod asked. “I won't let you thirst and wilt, Vesper. I like you plump and perky. I am, after all, here to protect you. Your Paladin, right?"
Vesper grasped Jerrod's hand. “Thank you, Jerrod. Thank you, Paladin.” She kissed him softly on the neck, then whispered, “When darkness falls and the fire burns, the ship is boarded and wrecked, then it is to Godly men we look, the clan they'll protect."
"I guess that means I have my orders?” Jerrod replied softly. “Feed as you must and live, Vesper. But do not bite the spoon of man or leave any trace behind."
"That's really strange, Jerrod—you seem to know bits and pieces of the rhymes taught to Mooncusser children,” Vesper said.
"My memory is here, Vesper. Right here.” He touched his lips to hers.
The newsstand clerk cleared his throat. “Get a room, folks."
"Come on, Jerrod. Let's head over to the post office. I'm sure my mailbox is overflowing,” Vesper urged.
She felt so light, so happy. She wanted to walk hand in hand with Jerrod and not worry about a damned thing. She turned, Jerrod's fingertips touching hers, and ran head-on into a passerby. “Oh, dear. I'm sorry—I wasn't looking...” she paused. His pungent body odor caught her attention first. It wasn't sweat-socks sickening, nor was it the aroma of the unwashed. It was the essence of her kind. Something only another Shadow Lover would notice. She looked up and choked out a single word. “Jin?"
The muscular Asian delivery boy smiled. “How have you been?” He leaned down, his great height and girth making Vesper feel trapped like a piece of driftwood against crashing waves. “I'm quite well. Very well, indeed."
His carnality struck her upside the head. She felt the blow sure as if it had been his closed fist striking her. His animal passions marched before him like a shield and completely encased him. She knew then, that she had, indeed, bitten the spoon of man and left way too deep an impression. I've created a monster. I took the boy's innocence and left him a hollow shell of man. God, damn me! What have I done? “I'm fine, Jin.” She took a step back.
Jin took a step forward. “Crave Chinese food lately?"
"No. I haven't,” Vesper lied.
"Ah, you're not being truthful. I saw your name on the receipts. You ordered a few days ago. Maria delivered.” Jin leaned forward, his lips almost to Vesper's ear. “She enjoyed her visit. Kind of primed her for what I could offer her."
"Use caution, Jin,” Vesper replied, her eyes and tone of voice saying far more than her words. She looked over to Jerrod.
Jin smirked and whispered, “Caution? I'm more of an in-your-face kind of monster, Vesper.” He then stepped beyond Vesper and held out his hand to Jerrod. “Hi. I'm Jin."
Jerrod shook the boy's hand. Jin's tight grip unnerved Jerrod. There was something just plain wrong about this kid.
>
"We've really got to run,” Vesper said. She felt so uncomfortable trapped in Jin's airspace that she thought she might vomit if she didn't get away.
Jin released Jerrod's hand.
Jerrod shook off the sting of the boy's grip. “Nice to meet you,” he said politely.
Jin leaned forward as if to kiss Vesper good-bye. He put his lips to her ear, burning her with his terrible cold heat. “I took her blood and felt stronger for it. Whatever you are, I'm one now, too.” He smiled like the Grinch and nodded arrogantly to Jerrod as he strolled past.
"Let's finish up here and get home,” Vesper begged. “I hate being in town."
* * * *
Jerrod took Vesper's arm and marched her off toward the post office. “Who's Odd Job there? The boy has no neck. And why did his handshake feel like a snake bite?"
"Frankenstein's monster,” Vesper replied.
"And you're Frankenstein?” Jerrod asked.
"Being in town for too long makes my skin crawl,” Vesper said.
"That's not an answer, Ves."
She sighed. “He was last month's meal. I should have known something was up when he drove off. The marsh gasses were dancing like will-o'-the-wisps. Never a good sign."
"Excuse me?"
"It's another rhyme. One of those things mother taught me.” Vesper took a breath, then quietly recited the lesson. “When swamp fairies dance, ill luck is about. Feed not that night. It's safer without."
"And you had supper with Jin when the swamp gasses spontaneously combusted?"
"Yep. I did,” Vesper replied. “I really should have listened to my mother!"
"If you're Frankenstein, and he's your monster—I suppose if we overstay our welcome the townies will come after us with those pitchforks you're so afraid of, right?"
Vesper nodded. “They might."
"Maybe if you didn't eat all the residents like pickings off a buffet table..."
"That's not nice, Jerrod. I am who I am. And so are you."
"A Paladin. Right."
Vesper caught an icy chill in Jerrod's voice. “Are you angry with me?"
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