“I am. But I’ve never drunk from a human and let them live.”
She stiffened, and I dropped her instantly. I took a step back and shook my head at her.
“Thanks, but no thanks. I’m not that easy.” I hurried into my own apartment, went straight to the fridge, pulled out a cold bottle of blood, sat down at my brand-new kitchen table, and chugged it. The temptation to drain the girl of everything she had was hard to contain. I knew she’d taste so much better than this shit, but I couldn’t ruin this new life I was starting.
Not so soon.
My hands were shaking as I tried to calm myself. I closed my eyes and leaned back. How long had it been since I’d had a live victim? Too long.
My phone went off then, and my hand flew to my pocket.
Scout: Hey, Loser. Are you ever coming back to work?
Seeing her name on my screen seemed to help me steady my breathing.
Me: Why are you so interested in what I’m doing, Nerd.
Scout: I’m not. If you’re not coming back, I’m taking your office. Decor and everything.
My body relaxed, finally. I got up and grabbed another bottle, opting to take my drink to my bedroom. I wasn’t tired, but the bed I had picked out with Arsenio earlier this week was huge and fluffy. I pulled off everything but my boxers and climbed under the covers.
Me: Am I not entitled to vacation time?
I grabbed my TV remote and started looking for a movie to watch. I ended up putting on my all-time favorite black and white movie, the nineteen-sixty-eight classic, The Fly.
Scout: You’ve been here a month. But I guess knowing the boss gets you perks.
Me: You two were fucking for two years. Don’t talk to me about perks from the boss.
Scout: Touché
Scout: It’s boring here. What are you doing, Loser?
I took a picture of my TV and sent it to her.
Scout: The Fly. I love Vincent Price. House of Wax is good too.
I leaned over and grabbed my drink from my nightstand. Just half an hour ago, I was ready to rip an innocent woman’s throat out. But now, lying in bed alone watching movies and texting a girl I kind of liked, I was way more content.
Me: Do you feed on live humans?
I wasn’t sure if it was rude to ask, but I was genuinely curious. Would that be a deal-breaker for one of us?
Scout: Would it bother you if I did?
I frowned. Why couldn’t she just answer?
Me: I don’t know.
I answered honestly. On the one hand, I didn’t like the thought of her using her perfect little mouth on anything other than my cock. On the other hand, it was hard to turn down a warm body. It wouldn’t be fair to ask her not to drink from a live vein, but I still could.
Scout: I don’t do familiars. Not my thing.
Relief washed through me. She wasn’t committed to someone, but she didn’t fully clarify. I decided not to push her. I wasn’t ready to give up the option to drink someone dry either.
Me: I moved into an apartment.
Scout: Ooh, where?
