“Whatcha working on?”
“Nothing,” he mumbles and closes the lid.
Hmm… What the hell is he up to, and why won’t he tell me? I squash the urge to make him, honoring the promise that I’d never mind control him or his best friend Pat who also lives on the resort.
“Okay, suit yourself. Did you see our new arrival?”
“The blonde with the nice tits and ass? Yeah, man. I’m not dead.” He smirks at his own humor. “Like you.”
“Ha ha. You’re a regular comedian. So clever. Witty, too.” I drive back at him with retorts—as he would expect. “Don’t know how the ladies resist you. Oh wait, must be the wet dog smell from your frequent changes. Told you to shower more.”
He smiles and chucks an empty paper cup at my head. It sails past and hits the cinderblock wall behind me. “So close.”
“That’s what she said.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “Hey, are you hitting on this chick or can I go after her?”
Shock boils inside me. “Dude, she has three kids. And she’s like a decade older than you.”
Eric shrugs, a grin showing his newly repaired broken tooth. “A hot MILF? Fuckin’ A. Think she likes younger guys?”
I snort, unworried about his teasing, having a feeling it’s on purpose because he saw us kissing on the security monitors in the reading parlor. “That might be the case if you had any experience. But damn… two tours in Iraq and then stuck here after you became all furry? I don’t think you’ve got a chance impressing her.”
He mimics a blow to the chest. “Damn. That’s harsh.” His sharp, knowing eyes turn speculative. “Think you do?”
I lean against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest. “Doesn’t matter. I’ve got a job to do.”
“Right.” He nods like a bobble-head doll, full-on obnoxiousness churning below the surface. “Protecting Vivian and following every precious command out of her mouth. Who’s not here, by the way.”
I stare above his head, resisting the urge to pummel him. “You know it’s not like that, man. She hardly needs anyone to protect her.”
“Hmph. After the shit that went down in Argentina I’m not so sure you’re right.”
“Whatever. She’s fine now. You heard the tales from Drew and Paul about Rafe killing those vamps. Those two really never needed us here for extra protection.
“But you don’t get it—I made a choice. Vampires aren’t like a pack of hormone driven randy dogs,” he growls as I plunge ahead, “we’ve got a hierarchy. Rules and shit. And not following those rules will get me hunted down and unceremoniously killed. Besides,” I shrug and look away, “Vivian isn’t so bad. I’ve followed men in the Army I respected less.”
“Fine. Whatever you say. She scares the beejesus out of me. I’m glad I deal with Jon more than her. I get the feeling she thinks of me as a pet. I keep waiting for her to smile and pat me on the head.”
“Well, there is the whole dog thing to consider.”
“Bite me. Seriously, is there some rule you can’t have fun either? Go after the MILF. Live a little, you undead bastard.” He smiles again at his double entendre.
I sigh, letting the tension ease out of me. “It’s not as simple as you’re making it.”
“Really? What’s the problem? Your dick stopped working when you turned? Seems like we’ve had enough orgy-loving guests here that would dispute such a problem.” His face crashes. “Dude. Do you need Viagra? The undead parts don’t want to work right?”
I laugh, the sound bouncing off the stark walls. “Ahh, no.” I think back to the instant arousal when Lisa was plastered against me after she escorted Joanna to the glowing door. “That’s not my problem.”
“What is it then?”
I hesitate, torn on whether to say anything or not. Might as well pull the Band-Aid off as quick as I can. “I don’t drink directly from humans anymore. And I haven’t been intimate with one since I was in Manhattan working for Cy.”
“Okay, so what? You worried you won’t last? Yank it before you make an attempt. That should do the trick.”
“No, I’m not worried about coming too quick, but gee, thanks for the obvious life tip.” Remorse fills me as I recall the horror I put past lovers through. “My bite brings excruciating pain to a human. Like screaming—poison through the veins—ready to do anything to get the hell away from me type of pain. Didn’t have the problem with Joanna, so I’m guessing it’s only humans.”