by TL Travis
He pulls up at seven p.m. sharp. I grab my backpack and fly down the stairs, bounding out the front door and smack into David. Of course, he is prepped to catch me mid-flight.
After we park, we make our way to class taking seats toward the back center of the lecture hall. I scan the room checking things out when I notice the large number of females fixated on David who as it just so happens, is grinning like a big dog. I fail to see the humor in this.
My glare clearly tells him, you better find a way to fix this.
He erases the smirk and all heads turn to face the professor.
Good boy, I think. Damn Vampire.
The two-hour class flies by as I steadily concentrate on the professor’s slide show presentation. Basically, he goes over the outline for this semester, touching on a few topics as well as informing us what supplies we’ll need.
Our drive home feels like a teleporting scene going from point A to point B in record breaking time. Hoping I’m not having a seizure, I eyeball the speedometer. David is going over a hundred miles per hour. My gasp draws his attention. Noticing I am staring at the dash gauge, he chuckles.
“Don’t worry, Jess. One of the perks of being a Vampire is sharpened senses. I can see where the police are. Trust me, we’re more than safe.” Then he winks.
I sit back, placing a death grip on my seatbelt, wishing I hadn’t looked. He slows to the speed limit, allowing the color to return to my face.
Exiting the freeway, he asks, “Do you want me to take you home or do you want to come home with me?”
“Your house is fine.”
“You know if you wanted to leave some things at my place like a toothbrush, or change of clothes you’re more than welcome to.” Shyly, he looks away like a little kid getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar. But it does make sense. I spend more time at his house than mine.
I smile. “Maybe an extra toothbrush wouldn’t hurt.” I return his wink.
Again, he opens the door before I can grab the handle. Without thinking, or turning on my brain/mouth filter I blurt, “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to your ability to move faster than the speed of light.”
He laughs, closing the car door behind me.
“Jess, I want you to feel at home when you’re here. Mi casa es tu casa. I try to keep your favorite foods on hand. Feel free to rummage through the kitchen whenever you’re hungry, but I must caution you, you’ll find um, err, blood bags in the fridge.”
Ew, could have done without that. But I suppose it’s something I’ll have to get used to. Besides it could be worse, I could be helping him bury the bodies…
Keeping my disgust in check, I say, “Um, can I just grab a soda for now?”
“Of course, you can and if there’s anything else you’d like for me get make sure and let me know.” He kisses my cheek before coasting off.
Opening the fridge provides the visual to his warning, two shelves of blood bags. Yuck. I grabbed a can of soda and slam the fridge door. Brrr, that gave me the willies, but I don’t realize he is standing behind me.
“Sorry, while there are many perks to being a Vampire, I must admit consuming blood isn’t one of them.”
My only response is a nod.
Things progress nicely over the next couple months. I only go home a couple hours each day, just long enough to spend some time with my dogs, do laundry and grab clean clothes. I keep working for a bit longer, until I realize it is much tougher to juggle school, work and David than I initially anticipated. With my grandfather’s gift, I don’t need to work. So, I give notice at the dry cleaners and move on.
David turns out to be a stellar study partner. He is brilliant, retaining everything we read. I struggle a little, but he find ways to put things into perspective for me.
“How do you remember everything?” I ask one night while we are studying.
“Vampire.”
“Smart-ass,” I tell him.
He winks.
Truth be told, we’re both doing well in school and our relationship is growing leaps and bounds. Over time, I allow myself to leave a few more personal items at his house which delights him to no end. I do it little by little so I don’t freak myself out.
Before we know it, the holidays are upon us. Thanksgiving is only two weeks away. I let my dad know that I won’t be going with them to my mother’s family’s gathering. Those events never bode well for me, but I feel bad that my dad still has to attend.
He says, “You’re an adult now, so it’s your choice whether you go or not.
“I choose not.”
He says, “While I’m disappointed you aren’t going to the family dinner, I really do understand. I wish I didn’t have to go either.”
I tell him, “You are more than welcome to spend Thanksgiving with David and me.”
He laughs and says, “Although the offer is tempting, the consequences I would suffer in doing so would be quite severe.”
Unfortunately, I know what he means.
The guilt of leaving Dash and Vi at home is eating me alive, so I ask David if it would be okay to bring them over once in a while.
His answer surprises me, “I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Jess.”
“Don’t you like dogs?” I ask.
“I think dogs are great, but dogs don’t like Vampires.”
That’s weird, how do dogs even know what Vampires are?
“Animal senses are keener than humans. They see us as a threat,” he answers in response to my confusion.
David sees how sad this makes me, and he can’t stand to see me like that. “Maybe if we start with small introductions at my house that might work. Then if they freak out, it won’t alarm your parents and cause an awkward inquisition.”
This thought brings up another question I meant to ask. “David, why do my mom and the girls in class act like star struck idiots around you?”
“Vampires have the ability to allure humans, compel them so to speak. Compelling is something we learn to temper in our training, but unfortunately it requires more attention around those who are feeble minded.” Before I can even ask my next question, he retorts, “No Jess, I haven’t compelled you. You’re with me of your own free will.”
Whew, that could have gone horribly wrong.
Well, since we’re on the whole Vampire subject, I continue my Q&A. “Do you age the same as a human?”
“No, those who are born Vampires don’t age past the human equivalent of twenty-one. Some of the older Vampires are ones who were once human and were turned later in their lives.”
That sucks, if we’re going make a life together I’ll be old and wrinkled while he’ll look as gorgeous as he does today. That’s not fair. Guys already have the upper hand with the aging process.
“Jess, when the time is right, we’ll discuss this further, but there isn’t any need to talk about it before your twenty-first birthday.”
I can see he regrets sharing that.
“What the hell does that mean?”
“By then, we will have been together for more than three years and we’ll know if we want to spend the rest of our lives together. Well the hope is that you’ll know if you wish to spend eternity with me.”
“What does my being twenty-one have to do with it?”
Exasperated he sighes, “It’s forbidden for a Vampire to turn a human before the age of twenty-one. In the past, it’s happened for various reasons, most of which were selfish and those who took part were reprimanded.”
“So, what you’re telling me is that you’d have to turn me into a Vampire in order for us to spend our lives together? What about having children? What if I want children?” Having children is something that has never crossed my mind, until now. But his answer brings it to the forefront in my mind.
“Vampires can only bear offspring with other pure blood Vampires. You would have had to be been born a Vampire. Even then, there’s no guarantee. My family comes from an ancient Vampiric bloodline which has consistently
produced offspring each generation. Since I’m an only child, the bloodline will end with me.”
Fixedly, I stare at him, unsure if I wished to proceed with the remainder of my questions because thus far, all the answers have sucked. Moreover, this is something I’m sure his parents will not be happy about.
“David, do your parents know about me?” I hate to ask this, but need to know.
He squirms, “Ah, um, no.”
“Why do they think you’re in Arizona?”
“I told them ASU had a great business program so I came here to check it out and subsequently enrolled. They were happy when I told them.”
“What if they show up one day and I’m here?”
“It’s not in my parents’ nature to show up unannounced. They’re very proper in that regard.”
Let’s hope so, buddy, or we’re seriously screwed. The last thing I want to do is piss off any guy’s mom, especially one who’s a freaking Vampire. A woman’s wrath is bad enough to endure without adding Vampire to it.
I sleep over at David’s Thanksgiving eve. With no work or school, it is senseless to be home and my dad promised not to leave the dogs locked in my room. They still like to tear up my mother’s shoes and even managed to partake in a ‘Coach Bag destruction event’ which cost me nearly seven hundred dollars. So, what started out being funny quickly ended as an expensive lesson.
We decide against making a full-blown turkey meal because I would be the only one eating it, and I’m not fond of turkey as it is. David offers to do all the cooking, but I don’t feel like eating that much so I opt for some popcorn and a soda. We rented a couple of DVD’s and veg out, curling up on the couch under a warm blanket. I can’t imagine a more perfect Thanksgiving, no one putting me down, or sitting me in a corner while everyone talks shit. They don’t even whisper their dislikes, they openly bash me and not being with them makes today’s arrangement idyllic.
After the movies are over, we find ourselves feeling a bit amorous. Thinking of our bodies intertwined like puzzle pieces is making me even hornier. And in no time, we are both naked.
Foreplay kicks off with intense kissing, God how I love kissing David. As things heat up, the blanket we are covered with makes its way onto the floor in front of the blazing fireplace. I stand, conducting a seductive strip tease dance for him, grinding on his lap, rolling the tip of his penis around my lower lips, teasing him, but not allowing entry.
I cup his face with my hands. “David, please make love to me.” I can see the fear mixed with excitement on his face. “You’ve climaxed many times and have yet to hurt me. It’s time to take our relationship to the next level.”
He agrees, reaching for his pants, taking a condom out of his wallet. That strikes me as odd based upon the fact he’s already told me Vampires can’t get humans pregnant.
My quizzical look gives him pause. “Jess, with our luck we’d be the first couple to rewrite Vampiric history and I don’t think either one of us is willing to take that chance.”
Better to be safe than sorry I always say.
Snatching it from his hand I say, “Allow me to do the honors.”
He rolls his eyes. I place it on the tip, forcing a sigh to escape. I think I’ll have some fun with this. Leisurely rolling it down and then up while stroking his shaft with my other hand. He whimpers.
“What was that, Mr. Cordova?” I ask.
“You have no idea what you’re doing.”
“Oh yes, yes I do.”
In a nanosecond, I am flat on my back. He coerces my legs open, teasing my slit. “Amor, are you sure you’re ready for this?”
“I’ve never been readier for anything in my life.”
He lowers himself to prep me for penetration. The skillful way his tongue slithers in and out of me drives me mad. My moans are all the sign he needs as he slowly places the tip in. I have my eyes closed, biting my bottom lip. He pauses. “Jess love, open your eyes.”
I open my eyes finding him watching me, intently.
“Are you okay, does it hurt? Do you want me to stop?”
“No.” I place my hands on his ass driving him in deeper. The desire burning within needs to feel him inside me. To my surprise, the initial stinging only furthers my arousal. I guide him in and out, rapidly back in, and slowly back out so the tip is teasing. The more he teases, the wetter I become.
I try to hold my release at bay, waiting for a sign he is ready so we can climax together. He starts moving faster so I know he is nearing. His eyes are closed, his jaw clenched. He starts moving erratically before he releases, triggering my own. Once he is done, he regains control slowing his erratic movements.
“David, I love you.”
He opens his eyes and his facial expression softens.
It is everything I’d ever dreamed my first time would be and more.
While still inside me, he places his hands on my cheeks. “I love you, Jess.”
He kisses me again before carefully pulling out and comes to lay beside me. We move on to his bedroom, collapsing into sweaty heap. Drawing a perfect end to the best Thanksgiving ever.
Chapter 10
Black Friday, the dreaded day of death for all retail associates. I awake famished, my dark prince still soundly sleeps beside me, so I quietly tiptoe my way downstairs. After pouring a bowl of Count Chocula, (somehow, he knew of my secret love affair with the infamous Count), I sit down at the breakfast bar basking in the afterglow of last night.
Shortly thereafter, David surfaces. He darts through the kitchen, heading straight to the refrigerator before promptly ripping the top off two bags of blood, draining them in a matter of seconds. I am enthralled by this gruesome show.
“Sorry Jess, I could have handled that better, but damn, girl, you drained me.” He winks.
How can I be mad after that?
“Are you sure I didn’t hurt you?” he asks.
“Not one bit. It was everything I imagined and more.” He acts as though he doesn’t believe me so I think I’ll prove it to him. “Wanna have another go so I can show you just how unscathed I am?”
“Baby, I don’t have enough blood in the fridge for another round.”
We laugh.
I go upstairs to put myself together, reluctantly saying goodbye before heading home. I have dogs to take care of, mounds of laundry to wash and figure I should probably spend some time with my dad. It might be nice and have dinner with my folks. Nothing can ruin my mood, or so I thought…
My mother doesn’t waste any time, as soon as I walk in she lays right into me, “Where have you been? Parading around like the town whore. You’re a disgrace and this behavior is unacceptable.”
Well, there goes my mood. I look to my father for backup, but he keeps his face pointed at the TV. Looks like I’m on my own yet once again.
I try to take the high road and avoid an argument by walking away, but as I turn to walk away she makes a crucial mistake of grabbing my arm and yelling, “Don’t you walk away from me. I’m not finished with you.”
That opens the floodgates to eighteen plus years of pent up anger and hostility. “First and foremost Mother, and I use that term loosely, don’t ever touch me again and do not pretend you care. You’ve never given me the time of day. You know nothing about me and I’m not a whore. You both knew exactly where I was and who I was with because I texted Dad and told him.”
She turns to my father who stays focused on the TV. Well, now I know where I stand and it’s obvious my mother has my father whipped. Pathetic.
The battle rages on.
“Don’t you dare talk to me that way, I’m your mother.”
“Mother? You call yourself a mother? You did nothing more than give birth then you handed me over to Dad. I don’t remember you ever telling me you loved me or held me when I needed you to console me and tell me everything would be all right. Don’t you dare call yourself a mother.”
She raises her hand to slap me, which I catch mid-air, further enraging her. “I want yo
u and your dogs out of this house now.”
Still no help from my dad, well thanks for nothing.
I run upstairs slamming my bedroom door before bursting into tears. Oddly at the same time, my cell starts vibrating.
It is David texting: Jess are you ok?
NO, is all I type as I drop to my knees bawling uncontrollably.
What am I going to do? Where are we gonna go? There is a knock at my door so I yell, “Go away.”
The response comes from my father, “Jess, can I come in, please?”
“Why? You didn’t help me when I needed you most, so what makes you think you can help me now?”
“Please, Jess.” He comes in anyway.
So why the fuck did he ask permission?
“Jess, I don’t know what to say,” he pleads.
“Seemed to me like you didn’t have anything to say at all.”
“It was best I stayed out of it. I was just as hurt as you were by her words.”
“Hurt, how did any of that hurt you? Everything was directed at me as usual, not at you,” I remind him.
“I’m hurt that my little girl is now a woman, and I don’t know how to deal with it.” He begins to weep.
I don’t know what to do or say or how to react. I don’t remember ever seeing my father cry. It breaks my heart to see him hurt because up until today, he’s always been there for me. I sit down beside him. “Dad, I’m almost nineteen and David and I are in love. I’m sorry if my choices hurt you, but I’m a responsible adult and I know what I’m doing.” That is a lie. I have no idea how to be in a healthy relationship, but I know I’m happiest when I’m with David.
“I don’t want you to leave, Jess,” he blurts out in between sobs.
“But the Wicked Witch of the West does.”
“Let me talk to her.”
No good will come of that and it is time to fess up. “Honestly Dad, I’m not sure I can handle being under the same roof with her any longer. I have a lot of decisions to make and they won’t include living here.”
He nods as though he understands my dilemma and kisses the top of my head. “I love you, Jess.”