How to Discipline Your Vampire(79)

            Ehhhhh, he was talking about feelings again. That weird squishy sensation started to come back, and I had a hankering to listen to country music and bake cookies. What the hell was happening to me?

            I shrugged, shook it off, and unceremoniously left the room to shower while he made dinner.

            Tonight he was making seafood risotto.

            I hated feeling so conflicted—so satisfied and yet frightened. I liked predictability—hell, I was a math major. If I wanted ambiguity, I’d major in English.

            As I stepped out, I noticed a different towel from the one I had brought in. I picked it up and exhaled loudly. It was warm. William had warmed a towel for me while I showered.

            I want more Chilly Willy, Bizzy exclaimed, and I wondered if she ever got tired. I was exhausted—mentally, physically. I just wanted to eat my exquisite gourmet meal and go to sleep.

            William understood. “Ah, human needs. Food and sleep,” he teased. “How I miss hunger and exhaustion.” He tucked me in softly and planted a kiss on my forehead.

            “Why not my lips?” I asked, nodding off.

            “Seafood risotto breath,” he joked, kissing my mouth playfully.

            “I’ll be dreaming of that kiss,” I said.

            “I hope so. There’s more to come whenever you wake.”

            Apparently my subconscious had other plans. I woke up the next morning shivering and sobbing. William stroked my hair and didn’t ask about it, he just mentioned how he wanted me to meet his family and friends. Maybe he didn’t ask about my nightmare because he was afraid of what he’d hear.

            He should be.

            I couldn’t shake the dream, or the memory that surfaced inside it.



             “So, maybe the mall?” Katie asked. I had just gotten out of French class and was headed to lunch.

            I looked at the ridiculously popular girl in front of me questioningly. Why the hell was she asking me to go to the mall? I looked down at the 89 on my test and tried to formulate a response.

            “I’m not a huge shopper,” I explained truthfully. Just because she was popular didn’t mean I had to pander to her.

            She looked troubled. “How about a sleepover, then?”

            My eyes bulged. “I don’t even know you,” I said, and crossed my arms. This didn’t smell right. “You’ve never said a word to me before today. What do you want, answers on the math test or something?”

            She shrugged. “Relax, okay? Look, you’re with Nick and so now you’re in our circle of friends. I’d like to get to know you. Maybe come over your house or something. All he does is talk about how cool you are, and how much we’d like you if we got to know you.”

            It seemed honest enough. Nick was very social, and even though we had only been going out for a few days, I felt the need to please him. If they were on my turf, if worse came to worst, there was a limit to how much they could do to me.

            “Maybe, I guess. I don’t think we have a whole lot in common,” I answered honestly. She was an athlete and I was a klutz. Her family was wealthy and mine was middle class.

            Just then, two more girls I didn’t know joined the conversation. “Hey, Katie, hey, Cerise,” Janine said cheerfully.

            The last thing I wanted was for Nick to be mad, or to have an awkward moment, so I agreed to have the girls over to my house to watch a movie.

            “Should we bring something to drink?” Janine asked, winking at Katie.