02 How to Date a Vampire - Rylie Cruz

by Rose Pressey

  “But that’s the thing. He’s requested Jack come to see him.”

  “Well, I suggest you do that. But be careful. I know you don’t want to get involved with the vampires, we’re not all bad.”

  “Oh, no, I know that. I mean we all have our moments. I’m a werewolf, remember?”

  “Yeah, I guess I forgot there for a bit. Anyway, let me know if you need anything else. Okay?”

  “Sure thing. I appreciate all your help.”

  “Let me know how things work out. And maybe you don't want to go alone, okay?” There was a cautionary tone in her words.

  “Yeah, thanks for the warning.”

  I’d planned on not going alone long before she mentioned it. I’m not that stupid. I clicked off and let out a deep breath. As much as I didn't want to do this, I knew I had to take Jack. We’d have to go and meet with the vampire leader and find out what the heck was going on. I wanted answers. This thing should have never happened to Jack. This vampire wouldn’t get away with biting Jack as long as I had anything to do with it. I dialed Samson’s number once again, praying he’d answer.

  I massaged my temples as I listened to the phone ring on the other line. I knew I wouldn’t get any more work done for the day, not with something that huge weighing on my mind. I might as well take the rest of the day off and prepare for tonight. Just when I thought Samson wouldn’t answer, his booming voice came across the line.

  I’d fixed Samson Sanders up with a couple of dates, but after a while he had decided he wanted to continue the single life for a few more years. Then he called two weeks later and wanted to be fixed up again, then a week later he wanted to be single again. He was more confused than a guy in the feminine hygiene aisle at the local drugstore.

  I could have told him he wasn’t ready for a committed relationship when he’d showed up that first day, but he hadn’t asked me that question so I kept my trap shut. He liked to live life to the fullest. Traveling on a whim and doing all kinds of crazy stunts.

  The line picked up. “Samson Sanders. Who dares ring my number?”

  Chapter Nine

  How to Date a Vampire, Rule #9:

  Wear a turtleneck on your first date.

  “Rylie Cruz from Get a Mate.” My voice cracked despite the knowing that he wasn’t really going to rip my head off.

  “Well, if it isn’t my favorite werewolf. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  “I wish I could say this was a pleasure call, but I need a little help.”

  “I’m your man. What seems to be the problem?”

  “My boyfriend and I got into a little scuffle with some vampires. Anyway, my boyfriend was bitten.”

  “Oh… I see.”

  “Well, he’s acting weird. He still goes out in the sun, but it bothers him a lot. And I think he daydreams about blood. He wants it all the time. I never dreamt this would happen, it was just a little bite, for heaven’s sake.”

  “Uh-huh. He’s probably half-turned. I’ve seen it before.”

  He sounded so casual about it.

  “That’s what I was afraid of.” I let out a sigh. “So now the vampires are looking for him.”

  “They probably want to finish him off.” A slurping noise sounded from his end of the line. I did not want to know what that was; I chose to think he was drinking coffee.

  “I don’t like the sound of that,” I said.

  “They don’t like to leave a job undone.”

  “I can't believe it would be such a big deal to them. Why the hell would they care if they half-turned someone?”

  “Rylie, it’s no big deal. No offense. Your man will be fine.”

  “None taken, I guess.”

  “I'm just saying it doesn't matter. It's not like they killed him. I've heard of them half-turning people many times.”

  “I thought there was more to turning someone than just a single bite. Isn't it much more complicated than that?”

  “No, only in the movies do they have to almost kill someone before they are turned. But it is much easier to turn some than others. Something about their blood makes it easier. And before you ask, I don't know why exactly. I can try to find out for you, though.”

  “I really appreciate you helping me out here, Samson.”

  “No problem. I always did like you, Rylie. You’re a cute little werewolf.”

  I giggled. “Thanks.”

  “I'll call you as soon as I find out any answers for you. And be careful out there. If these guys are coming around that often, it means there is something they need from this Jack. I don't know what it could be, but it probably isn't good.”

  I think I let out an audible gulp. Too bad he hadn’t offered any new advice. Didn’t the vampires have a clue about how the whole ‘vampire thing’ worked? I’d learned more from the freakin’ internet.

  After hanging up, noise from Jack’s office caught my attention, so I hurried out into the foyer. I’d hoped the sound would have been Jack. He’d be with a client as any other normal day and this whole mess would have been nothing more than a nightmare.

  Jack had recently hired a part-time secretary, Mrs. Prestwood. She was a middle-aged woman with short brown hair. The few times I’d seen her, she’d worn the same style black slacks with a silk blouse. She hadn’t been particularly chatty. When I peeked into his office, she was busy making coffee. She looked thoroughly confused when she looked up and saw me.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked.

  She shook her head. “Mr. Chandler told me to take the rest of the day off after I called his clients and canceled the appointments for the rest of the day.”

  I was pretty sure she’d picked up on his strange behavior. How could she not? But she didn’t look too thrilled to be talking to be about this, either. With her hands on her hips and the shaking movement of her head, she looked as if she trusted me as far as she could throw me.

  The room seemed airless, as if all the life had been sucked out of it. No pun intended. The walls were a boring beige with plain white wooden blinds on the windows. Jack needed me to give this place some color—though I would discourage a blood red color on the walls. A heap of files set on the desk and Mrs. Prestwood moved in slow motion as she grabbed one from the top and shoved it in the filing cabinet. Framed diplomas and certificates dotted the wall to my right and a rendering of the French Quarter hung to my left. Leather-like chairs lined the walls with a couple of small tables in front. A couple of well-read magazines set on top.

  “Where is Mr. Chandler now?” I peered around the room, looking for more evidence of his blood craving. There were no signs of blood, thank goodness.

  “He had a client. He’s in with her now. I canceled everyone after her.” She shook her head again. “He’s acting strange. I think he might need a psychiatrist.”

  As soon as she finished her sentence, the door opened. A woman rushed out of Jack’s office.

  She frowned when she looked at me and said, “Figures. The shrink I get is crazier than me. He kept talking about my neck. I gotta get out of here.”

  Uh-oh. This was more serious than I had thought, and I’d thought it was a disaster, but it was much worse than that.

  “See what I mean?” The secretary gestured with a tilt of her head toward Jack’s office.

  When he emerged from his office, I asked. “How are you?”

  His expression had the appearance of a man who hadn’t eaten in a month.

  He rubbed his head, then ran his hand through his already rumpled hair. “I don’t know. I think I need to go to bed.”

  “Let me help you,” I said as I took him by the arm. My stomach twisted into a knot when I saw the sad look in his eyes.

  “I’ll lock up,” Mrs. Prestwood said.

  “Thank you. I’m sure he’ll be fine by tomorrow.” Fine for a vampire, maybe.

  I helped Jack up the stairs and waited as he unlocked his apartment. I’d put him to bed, then cancel my appointments for the day and spent the rest of my time finding an
swers to Jack’s new problem. I couldn’t work under the circumstances, anyway. This was priority number one. Jack couldn’t go on like this forever. There had to be a way to make it better.

  Jack fumbled with his keys, then unlocked his door and motioned for me to enter. “Ladies first.”

  When he smiled, I could have sworn I saw pointier teeth. Was it just my imagination? My parents always said I had a vivid imagination. I walked through the door, almost afraid to turn my back to him.

  A faint smell of blood lingered in the air. Where was the scent coming from? A spine danced down my spine at the mere thought of what Jack was now involved in. This was the first time Jack and I had been alone in his apartment. I wanted to forget about this craziness and slip away to his bedroom. Spend the day making love, talking, and munching on food. But that daydream was ruined when I realized that the only food Jack probably wanted was blood. We had so much to talk about, still so many things to learn about each other. So many body parts to explore. Jack was gorgeous… maybe even more so as a vampire. His eyes were a brilliant icy shade of blue, but not just any ordinary blue. They were the color of snow on a glacier. Despite the strange behavior, I think the bite had made him even better looking, if that was even possible.

  “So your eyes aren’t as sensitive to the light as earlier?” I asked.

  “It’s better. Sorry I left your sunglasses downstairs.”

  “That’s okay. I can get them later.”

  We walked into the room further. He may have looked better, but I got the strange sensation that things weren’t all that they seemed.

  “Did you eat your breakfast? You know you’ve got to eat something.” Okay, now I sounded like his mother.

  “I didn’t really feel like it once we got back. Did you eat your beignet?” His voice rose to a level that was unwarranted for the question.

  “Um, yeah. I ate some of it.” I looked around the room, still sensing something wasn’t right, as if a strange vibe or energy reverberated through the room.

  “How about you come over tonight and we’ll do something special. We’ll go out,” Jack said with an exaggerated pep to his tone.

  I raised a brow. Yes, he was definitely acting strange, not that this was anything new since the bite—strangeness run amok. I peeked into the kitchen and saw packages of raw meat ripped open haphazardly. The counter was bloody as if he’d slaughtered the animal right there on the counter. Sick. I stepped toward the kitchen with Jack on my heels.

  “I don’t know what came over me. I can’t quench the craving I have for blood. This isn’t a good sign, Rylie. Sensitive to light. Drinking blood. I’m like an animal.”

  Chapter Ten

  How to Date a Vampire, Rule #10:

  Take an iron supplement before your date.

  “Jack, take a deep breath and let it out.” He followed my directions and took in a deep breath, then let it out. “It’s not your fault. What I want to tell you is…well, last night at my parents’ house, I guess, the vampire did, kind of, sorta, bite you.”

  “So I’m a vampire now?”

  Drinking blood and being sensitive to the light was a pretty good indication, but there was no need to freak him out yet. I’d break it to him in spurts.

  “No, that’s not necessarily what it means, at all. Maybe you’re just imagining these things.” Oh how the tables had turned. Now I was accusing him of being delusional. He’d thought I was a mental patient instead of a werewolf just a short time ago. He’d even convinced Jennifer that I was bonkers. I’d had to shift right in front of his eyes to convince him. He had been ready to mix me a Prozac/Xanax martini when I turned hairy right in front of his eyes.

  Jack fell into the oversized black leather chair behind him.

  “It’ll be okay, Jack. I’ll figure this thing out.” I kneeled down beside him.

  Too bad they didn’t have one of those For Dummies books for being a vampire. “I have a few vampire contacts. I’m going to call everyone I can and see what they say.”

  “I don’t want to be a vampire. I like sunshine. I need daylight.”

  I knew Jack was afraid. He may try to play a tough guy, just like any male would, but he was human, er, used to be human. It was a normal reaction.

  “It’s okay to be upset and it’s okay to be afraid. This is something completely crazy. Something right out there in a different realm.” I rubbed his hand.

  “It’s more than that.” He let out a deep breath. “I mean, I don’t know if I believe what you say about it being a different realm. I am a psychiatrist. I deal with mental illness on a daily basis.” He shook his head. “I’ve never told anyone this…”

  “You can tell me anything, Jack.” I leaned in a little closer to him and placed my hand on his arm.

  He stared straight ahead, not meeting my gaze. “I’ve always had this fear that I’d someday be affected by something. It’s this strange sensation that I’ve never been able to shake. Maybe somewhere deep down I knew something would happen to me one day. But is this real or am I just imagining it?”

  I retained my calm, even tone. “You know I’m a werewolf.”

  “Are you? Or did I just dream all that up? God, maybe I have more issues than I ever imagined.”

  “Of course I’m a werewolf.” Unfortunately, I couldn’t deny it. I had tried when I was young to pretend I was normal, but my denials didn’t make it any less real. “Jack, you need rest. You’ll be able to think more clearly then. This has been a traumatic event.”

  He didn’t move, but continued to stare blankly at the wall. I took his hand in mine. “How long have you felt this way?”

  He paused, then looked me in the eyes. “For a while, I guess. With all my patients, I see how easily it is to let day-to-day life get the best of you. It’s hard to fight it off.”

  “We all have a tough time with it.”

  “I know, I know, but I guess I’ve always worried that one day I wouldn’t be able to fight back any problems I might have. Is this the day? The day I can’t handle it?”

  What could I say? There was no easy answer. “Oh, Jack. You are the strongest person I’ve ever met. You always see the positive in everything. I know you can handle anything that comes your way.”

  He touched his finger to my chin. “You’ve got a lot of advice, huh?” He smiled and I couldn’t help but notice his front teeth.

  “I do have a lot of advice. Mostly not good advice, but advice.” I laughed.

  Jack attempted a weak chuckle.

  “Why don’t you get some rest? I know you didn’t sleep well last night.” I stood, then sat on the arm of the chair, draping my arm around his broad shoulders.

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Would you care to join me?” He winked and my heart thumped faster.

  “I wish I could, but I need to call to see what I can find out about this whole vampire thing. I’ll go back to work, make some calls and be back soon.”

  Jack ran his hand up my arm, caressing as he went. His touch made my whole body tingle. He pulled me down until I was sitting on his lap, facing him. Jack cupped my chin in his hand and lowered his lips to mine. He traced his lips along mine. I was powerless in moving away from him. Work could wait, right? It was lunch break, after all. And his vampire status certainly wasn’t going anywhere. Jack’s mouth tasted of minty toothpaste. He ran his hands through my hair and I wrapped my arms around his neck.

  At this point, I was straddling Jack. His body felt so delicious pressed close to mine. Jack stood, lifting me up with him. I wrapped my legs around his waist. My heart thumped. This was actually happening. I’d thought of this moment since I first laid eyes on Jack. Despite the craziness all around us, my emotions were uncontrollable. I wanted Jack. And by the way his lips were moving against mine, I knew he wanted me, too.

  He carried me into his bedroom, and we fell onto the bed. The comforter was pulled back and the white sheets crumpled. It looked as if Jack had jumped out of bed in a hurry. Jack pulled the shirt over my head
and exposed my skin to the cool air. I wore a black and cream-colored lace bra that he snapped off with ease. His fingers traced along my collarbone. I let out a soft moan of approval.

  Jack’s tongue slowly moved down the length of my neck. He licked and nibbled and I couldn’t force myself to stop him. At that moment, I didn’t care if he bit me. To hell with it. How bad could it be? Would it be any worse than Johnny Reardon giving me a hickey in ninth grade? He hadn’t had the slightest clue what he was doing.

  “I haven’t had anything this tasty since… never,” Jack whispered.

  Jack’s teeth grazed my neck and I pulled away, finally coming to my senses. “I’m not your appetizer,” I choked out.

  His teeth definitely appeared longer. In a period of hours they’d become pointier, and probably sharper. I wasn’t going to volunteer to test how easily they could puncture skin though.

  I jumped up, grabbing my bra and shirt.

  “I’m so sorry, Rylie. I don’t know if I can control myself. Maybe you don’t need to be around me. I’m obviously dangerous.”

  “No, you are not dangerous. Don’t say such things. You’ll be fine.” I slipped back into my bra, then pulled on my shirt. “But maybe we shouldn’t do this until, well, you’re feeling better.” Oh, but he felt so good to me. Yet I knew the time wasn’t right.

  “You’re probably right. But I can’t help the way I feel for you.”

  Okay, that statement made me want to dive back on top of the sheets with him. It was as if his bed was a giant magnet and I was a tiny piece of metal. I. Had. To. Resist.

  “I’ll get help for you. We’ll work this out,” I said as I stepped backward toward the door.

  He nodded. “Okay. Thank you, Rylie. For everything.”

  Ugh. Yeah, thanks for having him turned into a vampire.

  “I’d do anything for you, Jack. I promise to make this right. Now get some rest and I’ll be back.”