Tall, Dark & Lonely (Pyte/Sentinel #1)(47)

“I still don’t understand that. Why me? What’s so different about me?”

He looked away from her. “I don’t know. I’ve never heard of this happening to anyone else before.”

“So everyone’s blood tastes the same?”

“No, everyone’s is different.”

“How so?”

“Baby, can we do this at another time?”

“Are you okay?”

“No.” He shook his head. “I can’t think of anything but you right now. I need to leave the room before I do something stupid.”

“Oh, can you just answer that question?” She noticed for the first time that his body was trembling.

She heard his quick intake of breath. “Some people taste bad, really bad. It could be because of disease, age, there are a number of things that could go wrong in the human body and they all show up in the blood.”

“Makes sense,” she agreed.

“Let’s say a person indulges in sweets then their blood will be sweet. The same could be said about alcohol or drugs I would taste that. Others…well, think of all the things that you do during the day, what you eat, what you drink, the air you breathe, the people who surround you. All of that influences your blood. It makes each person’s blood unique.”

“Okay, so all we have to figure out what’s making my blood unique then I’ll stay away from it.” She felt relieved. This should be simple enough. She would change her diet and cleanse her system. It might take a little while but she could do it.

Ephraim stood up. “Madison, it’s not that simple. There is nothing that you’re eating or doing that is causing this.”

“How do you know? I might somehow be doing the correct assortment of things that makes me irresistible.”

Ephraim kept his back to her. She didn’t need to see how aroused he still was. It was beyond painful. “Madison, it’s nothing you’re doing. I can guarantee that by the fact that you are still alive. If it was solely based on your blood you would have been killed long ago. Just going out at night put you in danger if that was the case.”

“Maybe I’ve never come across a vampire before.”

“Madison, do you remember two months ago when I was at the bar and some of your friends dragged you in there?”

“Yes.” She wasn’t likely to forget that night. Every woman there seemed to have eyes for him. And every drunk seemed to have loose hands for her.

“There were five vampires in there that night. If your blood had held one tenth the power it holds for me I would never have been able to keep them away from you. They would have ripped me and everyone that got in their way apart.”

“Wait, you protected me?”

“Yes, of course.”

“If my blood doesn’t hold the same value to them as it does to you then why were they after me?”

He sighed. “You’re a virgin, Madison. Your blood is pure. It’s a treat. Plus you are a very beautiful woman. They’d be fools not to want you.”

“So, I’m still a-“

“Yes, I didn’t take you.” He moved towards the door. “I’m sorry about this, baby. Goodnight.”

******

He was near tears. Twenty minutes after leaving her room and he still couldn’t find relief. No matter how much he thought about her, the way she felt, the way she tasted and moved on his mouth, relief wouldn’t come. For the last ten minutes he’d been stuck on the verge of release.

“So this is hell.” He dropped his hand away and took a deep breath. He needed to think about something else, something to distract him. Fishing. There was nothing sexual about fishing. Hooks, worms, dirt, rocking boat…..rocking…motion…Madison. God damn it!

Madison’s bathroom door opened. He waited to hear the click of his door come. He listened as she turned on the shower. He looked at the clock to see that it was two in the morning. She never took showers this late.

A sinking feeling tore at his gut. He hurt her. Somehow he hurt her and she needed hot water to soothe any aches and pains that he caused. Shit. Thinking back he may have been a little forceful with his hands and mouth. He knew he hadn't cut her with his fangs, he definitely would have noticed that.

He heard movement against his door. “What the…” Why was she stuffing a towel beneath his door? He sat up on the bed and threw his legs over the side, watching the door intently. She was up to something.

She was breathing hard and muttering something even he couldn’t hear. He walked over to the door and listened closely. Water was splashing off her skin, okay she was in the shower, nothing nefarious about that. She started mumbling louder.

“Just do it…don’t be such a wimp….okay, no I can do this I can….okay…..” He waited with anticipation. What was she doing that required a pep talk? He found himself holding his breath. After a long moment she sighed and muttered, “I’m such a chicken.” He wanted to smile, but he was becoming a little concerned.

“Madison?”

She squeaked. Yeah, she was definitely up to something and she didn’t want him to know about it.

“Be out in a minute.” Her voice was strained.

“Are you okay?”

“Oh, I’m fine. Er, could I bother you for something?” She sounded more cheerful.