He’s not a man, she reminded herself. He was barely even functioning as a human.
After drying off, she put on an even sexier dress and worked at calming herself down. Her cats tried to help, mewling mournfully around her legs as she moved towards the living room. She picked up Genevieve, but stroking her soft fur didn’t de-stress Bridget the way it usually would.
Her gaze fell to Arthur through the kitchen doorway. The king cat was steering well clear of her mood. He sat on top of the fridge, eyes almost closed. As if he could tell she wasn’t going to be calmed by anything less than brutality.
She sat down in her usual arm chair, the cat curling into her lap. Petting the animal made it purr. Her stroking became harder as she let her rage out. The cat’s ears went up, but it couldn’t move. Bridget’s nails dug into Genevieve’s skin, causing the cat to yelp. Her claws shot out, and Bridget’s anger climaxed. She took hold of the animal and twisted its goddamned stupid body. The spine snapped with a crack that relaxed her shoulders. Claws were still embedded in her leg and thigh. She yanked the dead cat upwards and threw it across the room. The bloodied spots on her bared leg were nothing. They healed quickly and she wiped up the blood, sucking it off her fingers as Genevieve’s brothers hissed at her.
“You want to play, little boys?” She narrowed her eyes. “Just try me. I dare you.”
She kicked at Lancelot as she walked past the creatures. What good were they if they couldn’t even cheer her up? She scowled at Arthur as she opened the fridge. He regarded her blankly, closing his eyes. She looked at the bags of blood inside. It was an insult that she had to drink animal blood. She smiled to herself as she made her decision and closed the fridge. She was eating out tonight.
***
Larry buttoned his shirt, chewing on his lower lip. If Chloe came around, she was going to mess up his plans again. He knew it. And this time, his plans were looking too good to be true. Amira had agreed to meet him at a pub. She’d even put a kiss on her reply.
He took a breath, realised he really hadn’t needed to, and shrugged that thought off before he could think about it too much. He cleared his throat and called Chloe.
“Come on,” he muttered, pacing the hall as he waited for her to pick up.
“Larry, hey,” Chloe said.
She sounded distracted or pissed off, he wasn’t sure which.
“Um, hey, so…”
“You asked Amira out.” She sounded mad.
“Uh,” he said, wondering how she’d found out. He cringed. “You caught me. We’re just meeting for a drink. I’ve not even had any blood, I promise.”
She sighed. “Go and drink two pints before you go out.”
“Eh, I… what?”
“You can’t go out unless you’re full. If you get hungry, you could bite someone.”
“So I’m allowed out, then?”
“On two conditions.”
He punched the air. “Awesome.”
“First one, and do it while I’m on the phone,” she said, pausing. “Go drink those two pints of blood right now.”
He obeyed her command, not even caring if he was doing it because she was ordering him around or because he actually wanted to. He’d waited a long time for a girl like Amira to give him a chance. He’d do whatever Chloe told him to do right now, which was just as well considering she wanted him to do something else, too.
He sucked down the blood, sighing in satisfaction when he finished. He wiped at his mouth and looked out of the kitchen window. Rain was pelting the glass in big blobs. The weather was shit, but he couldn’t get rid of the grin that had appeared on his face.
“And the other thing?” he asked.
“Right. Listen up, Larry, because this is important. You will not bite anyone tonight. You will go for a drink with Amira, and you will make sure she gets home safe at the end of the night.” She muttered something before she spoke again. “You can’t drink anything when you’re out. You’ll have to pretend to drink.”
He nodded while she spoke. Her commanding voice was different from her usual conversational tone. She’d commanded him not to bite anyone. She was only giving him advice now.
“Um, why am I not drinking anything?” He was going to a pub. Not drinking would be kind of hard.
“You’re a vampire now, Larry. They don’t eat or drink anything but blood.”
“Oh.” That kind of sucked.
“Yeah. So, anyway… call me if you need anything.”
He agreed and hung up. This was it. He rushed into the bathroom to finish getting ready. It was probably an idea to brush his teeth considering he’d just been drinking blood.
***
Zack stood outside Chloe’s house for a while, not quite sure what he was thinking. She hadn’t answered his question. She hadn’t told him if they’d known each other before. He wasn’t sure what he thought that meant, but it made him want to go and knock on her door.
He stood there in the rain, staring at her door for ages until he realised how creepy it would seem to her if she saw he was still out there. He walked away, deciding that returning the umbrella would at least give him another chance to speak to her.
She knew something. Whatever it was, it was important. He’d seen it in her face.
***
Chloe put down the phone and resisted the urge to open the blinds wider. Zack hadn’t left, and her heart pounded as she waited to see what he would do. Hope burned through her as she realised her answer hadn’t satisfied him.
“Thank God,” she whispered, unable to move from the window until he started to walk away.
She moved to the other window to watch him go, staying hidden by refusing to switch the lights on. He paused and looked back at the house before he picked up his pace.
Sighing, she collapsed onto her overstuffed couch. He wanted to remember who he was. She was sure of that now. A million and one ideas whipped through her head, most of them selfish. He hadn’t known who she was when she’d rushed to the hospital after his attack, and he didn’t know who she was now. She had to accept that.
What could she do to help him? She folded her arms, staring up at the ceiling. Answering his questions would be a start. She could avoid anything about her and him. She didn’t want him to look at her as if she was crazy. The way he’d looked when she’d seen him in that hospital bed. Tears had streamed down her face. He hadn’t understood, and the bemused smile after she’d kissed him had been too much to take. Apparently, he’d forgotten that encounter, too. The doctors had told her he was out of it at that point. It wasn’t until the Council reports came through that she was told he needed to be treated a certain way. It was going to be dangerous for him to remember anything. No one was to remind him of his old life. They couldn’t take him out of town. Transporting him would only risk an abduction.
She closed her eyes. Their first kiss flooded back to her. It had been a rainy day three months after they’d met. He’d been trying his hardest to ask her out, and she’d been teasing him about it. As much as she liked spending time with him, she was starting to worry that he might be kind of creepy. Her friends had been worried about her spending so much time with some weird older guy. She’d overheard them talking about it. She’d wanted to storm into the room and defend Zack, but she’d hesitated, wondering if they were right.
That was the day she’d realised she didn’t care what her friends thought. Zack was always there when she needed him. He didn’t make any moves, and he wasn’t trying to rush her into bed like a lot of older guys in the same situation would.
“Hey, what’s up?” He’d met her at their usual spot by the bench.
She’d gone out there to tell him she couldn’t see him anymore, but the second she’d seen his face, she’d known that plan wasn’t going to work. She’d ditched her bag on the bench.
“When you touch me, what is it that you see?”
“See?” He’d looked as if he didn’t get what she was asking. He’d been wearing his gloves, as usu
al. He’d only taken them off when she’d wanted to hold hands.
“Psychics see things, right?”
“Well…” he’d trailed off, gazing out towards his house.
She’d been half-afraid he’d know she’d doubted him or her feelings for him.
The overcast sky had been threatening to pour all day. It had started to drizzle, but she’d barely felt it as she’d watched his expression change.
“It’s kind of complicated,” he’d said, finally, with a cute little smile that didn’t quite let him get away with the lack of an answer.
“Like the first time I held your hand, you knew what had happened with that story and my idiot teacher.”
He’d nodded slowly.
“I get flashes,” he’d admitted. “Not all the time. You were new to me, and your emotions were running high. That’s what triggered the flash.”
She’d taken it in. “So what would happen if we kissed?”
He’d shaken his head. “I honestly don’t know.”
“Have you never kissed someone before?” She’d find that hard to believe. He might’ve been shy and odd, but he was still a good-looking guy.
“It’s different now,” he’d said. “My abilities have fully developed.”
“So you don’t know.” She hadn’t been sure what to do. If he found out she’d doubted him, would he push her away? She really didn’t think she wanted that. She’d bitten her lip until her mind decided what the hell? “My friends think you’re weird. I wasn’t sure if I thought the same.”
He’d given her a bemused smile. “Well, I do live in the woods and wear gloves to keep myself sane.”
She’d laughed. “You also haven’t tried anything with me. And I’ve been putting out some pretty heavy take-me vibes.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m not interested,” he’d told her. “I just… I don’t want to push it.”
“Push what?” She’d taken a step closer, wondering how he’d react if she threw her arms around his neck. She hadn’t been quite ready to find out.
“My luck,” he’d said, gazing at her. “I’m weird, and you’re smart and pretty enough to find a less strange guy to hang around with.”
“Maybe I don’t want a less strange guy. Maybe I want to hang around with you,” she’d said.
He’d taken a slow breath and removed his gloves. She’d seen them drop to the ground before he’d cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. The rain had started to hit harder as she’d kissed back, arms around his neck, pushing on to her toes against him. His hands hadn’t moved from her head. His thumbs had stroked her cheeks before his hands had moved through her hair. His kiss had been achingly slow and soft. She could barely think straight by the time he’d slipped his tongue into her mouth. Vaguely aware of the rumbling sky above them, she’d pressed close against him and grasped at the back of his head as the drops of water had started to pelt them and soak their clothes. She’d been gasping when he’d moved back, her lips tender and her body shivering.
“So,” she’d said. “Did you see anything?”
His dark eyes had burned into hers as he’d smiled. “I didn’t see anything, but I definitely felt something.”
“Me, too,” she’d said, moving back in a mild daze as he’d taken off his coat.
He’d wrapped it around her shoulders, warming her. She’d barely noticed him picking up his gloves.
“I should probably walk you home,” he’d said, grabbing her bag from the bench.
She’d smiled, thinking about her friends across the street seeing him walk her to her front door. “What’s the rush?”
He’d laughed. “It’s pissing down.”
“Maybe I want to watch that shirt go see-through,” she’d told him.
“I’m sure you’ll have other chances to see that,” he’d said, taking her hand.
He’d slipped the gloves into his pocket. It had made her smile. He didn’t like to take them off, but for her, he had.
Chapter Seventeen
Larry’s nerves kicked in as he got out of the car and rushed towards the doors to the pub. He’d called a taxi to avoid getting soaked on the way there. Putting on a coat would have hidden his new muscular body from sight. He’d felt pretty confident until he walked up to the glass doors of the pub.
Now, he wasn’t sure how he’d make it through the date without downing several shots at a bare minimum. Not being able to drink was going to make things awkward. Amira had told him she’d meet him inside.
He paused and checked his new and improved reflection in the glass panes of the door. His smile returned, albeit less brightly, and he pushed the door inwards, entering the bar.
The smells, sights, and sounds drowned him as he stepped into the brightly lit room. He squinted as he waited for his senses to calm. Everything was too loud, too bright. Chloe hadn’t warned him that his senses would be so easily stimulated. Maybe she didn’t know. She wasn’t actually a vampire, after all. It was a good job he’d already sort of worked it out when he’d gone to watch TV at home. He couldn’t sit as close to the screen anymore. And he didn’t like it too loud.
He stuffed his hands into his pockets. He’d almost forgotten to hit the cash-line. One look at his bank account and he knew he was going to need a new job, and soon.
“Larry?”
Amira’s honey-sweet voice was instantly recognisable.
He turned and saw her looking absolutely stunning in a cream knee-length dress. Her hair was loosely curled and hung to her shoulders. Her dark eyes widened as she looked him over.
“Antibiotics,” he blurted. “I had a throat infection. Turns out antibiotics are like Clearasil on crack.”
She pressed her lips together. “Right. So, how come it took you so long to ask me out?”
He opened his mouth and closed it again. Had he heard her right?
“I mean, we talk like, almost every day at work,” she went on. “And you ask other girls out.”
Crap, she was seriously asking. He swallowed. “I…um…”
“Relax. I’m teasing,” she said with a smile. “Go buy me a drink.”
“What kind?”
“What do I usually drink?”
He could remember what she drank from work nights out. He hadn’t hit on her at those, either, just Chloe and Cassandra, and the woman from Rico’s clothes store he could never quite remember the name of. He’d always avoided asking Amira out. A knock-back from any of the others, he could laugh off. He was a kid to them, a joke. He had no chance. But her? Some small part of him had been holding out for her, hoping for some kind of sign, and now his chance was here.
He nodded as he moved towards the bar, trying to keep himself from making an ass of himself. He ordered a white wine spritzer for her and a vodka for himself. He’d already decided vodka would be the easiest thing to pretend-drink. It was clear liquid. He could spill drops whenever her head was turned, and she’d never know.
She waved from a booth she’d scored while he was at the bar. He got in beside her, and the proximity let him smell the peach shampoo she always used as if her hair was right up against his face.
“Are you okay, Larry?”
“I’m great,” he said, realising it was true as he put the drinks down. “I didn’t ask you out before because I thought you could do better.”
She winced and he wondered when he’d stop shooting himself in the foot. Sudden good looks didn’t prevent verbal diarrhoea, apparently.
“Would you please relax?” She shook her head. “This is supposed to be a date. We should be having fun.”
She was right. He had to calm down. He picked up the vodka and drained the glass. Dutch courage. Or not. As he swallowed, he remembered he wasn’t supposed to. What would happen? Dread coursed through him. He wondered how well Amira would take it if he dashed off to call Chloe right now.
“O-Kay. So when are you coming back to work?”
He smiled wryly.
“I might be done with the security
guard gig,” he told her.
She raised an eyebrow. “You got another job?”
“I… might be joining the police.”
“Well, you would look good in the uniform,” she told him, her gaze drifting to his arm. “What have you been up to these last few days? Were you just popping antibiotics and working out all day?”
Her hand ran over his shirt sleeve, and he held back the urge to lean in and kiss her. As good as she looked and smelled, he didn’t want to do something stupid and put her off him now.
“I work out most days. Lately, I mean,” he said, wishing it didn’t sound like bullshit.
His sudden muscles and cleared up skin had seemed like good things up until now. He hadn’t thought much about how he’d explain them. The only good thing he had left was that Amira had agreed to the date without knowing how his looks had changed. She’d liked him before this had happened. Knowing that made him smile.
“You were always good enough for me, Larry,” she told him, her gaze on his when he looked up.
“I didn’t think so,” he said. “You date smart guys. I barely even passed my standard grades.”
“That was why you never asked me out before?”
He shrugged, wishing he’d gotten more vodka. Clearly, Chloe didn’t know what she was talking about when it came to vampires and booze. “I always wanted to.”
She reached out and touched his face. Her soft fingers felt so warm and good against his skin. He could smell the vanilla perfume she was wearing, and he could hear the pulsing of her blood. The vein in her wrist was so close to his mouth. The urge to bite came and went. Chloe’s order working on him, he supposed. Amira pulled his head down towards hers.
“Kiss me,” she said, stopping just short of initiating it herself.
He lowered his lips to hers, closing his eyes when they met. He let her take the lead, afraid to make the mistakes he’d made with Chloe. She pulled him closer and he deepened the kiss, the sweet taste of her mouth driving his senses wild. It was everything he’d hoped it would be. He never wanted it to end. She put on the brakes after a few minutes, breathing heavily as she gazed at him, her lips swollen.
Amnesia Bites (Shady Arcade Book 1) Page 12