Jared (The Protectors #2)(67)

“No I won’t let you go until we get this settled.” His sudden calmness was eerie. “I’m a vampire and have to feed. I’m sorry if that disgusts you, but….”

“I’m not stupid Jared and stop reminding me you’re a vampire. I know you’re a damn vampire so shut up about it.” Tessa gave him a little shove, but he didn’t budge. “What disgusts me is not that you have to feed on blood. I hate liver, but I don’t look at people who eat the stuff in disgust. What does bother me is who you were feeding from.”

“Vicky?” Jared looked surprised.

“Ah, yeah…Vicky.” Tessa spat out, wanting to punch him so bad her hand fisted. Were men, vampire or human, that damn stupid when it came to a woman’s feelings? “You know what, just forget it. I have to get back to work.”

“No, I won’t forget it.” Jared hissed. “I have to feed Tessa. Why does it matter who it’s from?”

“Why do you have to feed from someone you’ve been with?” When he still looked lost she threw her hands up in the air. “Why does it have to be with someone you screwed…f*cked…made love with, Jared? Geez, is that so hard to understand.”

“But…”

“No.” Tessa tossed her hand up to stop him, shaking her head. “I can’t do this again. I really can’t. You made no promises to me so I probably have no right to be upset, but I am upset. That tells me this has to end now.”

“You don’t understand.” Jared sighed.

Tessa’s laugh was bitter to her own ears. “Oh, but I do understand.” Tessa replied. It was him that didn’t understand. If he really did care about her maybe this little lie would help him feel what she had felt. “I have to close up the bar. Otis is following me home to make sure I get there safe.”

Jared’s eyes narrowed, his calm composure shaken. “The sheriff.” He growled. “Why in the hell did you ask him to follow you home?”

“You’re the one that said I may be in danger. What does it matter who follows me home to make sure I’m safe?” Tessa pretty much threw his words back in his face.

“Oh, it matters honey.” His tone wasn’t pleasant. “I suggest you call the sheriff and let him know you’re taken care of.”

“So, it bothers you that I would have someone I’ve had a relationship with follow me home to make sure I arrived safely?” Tessa cocked her eyebrow.

“Fuck yeah it bothers me and it won’t be happening.” His eyes and voice held no compromise.

“Then how can you stand there and think what I saw today shouldn’t have bothered me?” She rubbed her arms waiting for his answer.

“I see your point Tessa.” Jared replied.

“But?” She supplied when he didn’t continue.

“I would never do anything to hurt you.” Finally his eyes glowed with understanding.

“Yeah, heard that before.” Tessa cringed listening to herself. She hated the bitter person she had become and really needed to get a grip on it. “To be honest with you Jared I have some issues with relationships and it’s something that is going to take a while for me to get over. I’m not saying that I would freak out every time you talked to a woman or even looked at one, but what happened today is a problem for me. Obviously feeding from someone is a very personal and intimate moment for the two people involved.”

He took her face into his hands gently. “I have never been in this position before.” His lips curved into a sad smile, his eyes searching hers.

“What position?” Tessa loved the feel of his rough hands, man hands, on her skin. She pulled away suddenly, not wanting to like it….dammit.

“Of apologizing. This is new to me.” When her eyes popped open he chuckled. “Tessa I have never had anyone in my life until now. I’m going to make mistakes, probably more than I should so you’re going to have to be patient.”

“What…” Tessa was confused and it showed.

“I’m sorry.” He interrupted her and not only his voice, but his eyes told her that he really meant it. “I will not feed from Vicky. I will find someone else.”

Well, what in the hell was she to say about that? Tessa was actually at a loss of words. Otis would have done a lot of eye rolling, denying everything with his last breath, moaning about how she was taking his manhood and no way in hell would he have apologized.

“Would you say something?” Jared tilted her chin up so her eyes met his.

Tessa glanced away for a second before meeting his gaze again. “Don’t they have old, ugly hoe’s you’ve never slept with for you to feed from?”

“For you I will demand an old ugly hoe.” His laughter filled the night air.

“I’m sorry, it’s just…” Tessa started to speak, but his thumb rubbed across her lips to stop her words.

“Never apologize for something I’ve done wrong Tessa.” Jared’s eyes narrowed. “I was wrong to think it shouldn’t matter to you. I should have realized it because if I would have caught you in that position I would have killed the man.”

“Can’t you feed from me?” Tessa’s face reddened, her pulse kicking up a fast pace at the thought of those fangs sinking deep into her skin.