Fangs But No Fangs

CHAPTER 21

Christian eased Jolee off his chest where she'd sprawled after her last orgasm. She had fallen asleep almost immediately, but he'd held her for a while. Even though her body against his was silken torture, he hadn't moved. He liked feeling her heart beat against his silent chest, and her even breaths on his skin. But he had to get up and draw her curtains and make sure the sunlight wouldn't sneak around the edges in a couple hours. He might have lost his ability to bite, but he didn't believe he was that changed. He was still a vampire.

He pulled the flimsy rolled blinds over the windows. They would not keep out enough light, but fortunately she had curtains, too. The combination would be safe. Not to mention the back of her trailer was shaded by trees.

To be absolutely safe, he should go back to his trailer, but he wanted to stay with her. In her tiny bedroom, amongst her strawberry and cartoon character bedding. He grinned at the whimsical comforter as he covered her; somehow it suited her. Then he walked out into her trailer, feeling the need to look around, see personal things about her. What she liked.

He entered her bathroom first, looking in her medicine cabinet, finding her toothbrush and a nearly empty tube of toothpaste, whitening with baking soda. He picked up a bottle of nail polish, the color she had on her toes. The bottle looked ancient, the lacquer gumming up the top. He put it back. He also found some cosmetics, a hairbrush and deodorant, which he opened and sniffed. A flowery scent that he recognized, although it was usually lost under her natural spicy scent.

Her shower only contained a bar of soap and a nearly empty bottle of shampoo. No bottles of lotions and scented soaps. No perfume. No other toiletries. Not that she needed them, but he did know enough about women to know they liked to occasionally pamper themselves. Mortal women and vampiresses weren't different on that count.

He moved on to the kitchen to look in her cupboards. Aside from a box of something called "Tastee O's," several boxes of macaroni and cheese, a few cans of soup, and some teabags, her shelves were as empty as his. He turned to the refrigerator to discover she had just as little in there. No wonder she was so thin. She made him feel like a glutton—and he lived on a liquid diet. He fully intended to buy her some things, which he knew would be a fight because Jolee was determined to make her own way in life. But she was going to have to accept his help. He wanted to take care of her.

And she needed some furniture, he decided. Making a mental list of what she needed, he headed back to her room. She still lay in the same position in which he'd left her. He watched her for a moment, fascinated by the peacefulness of her features and the curl of her hair on the pillow. Then he glanced around, taking in the room. He noticed nothing personal. Just an old radio on the dresser and a lamp and alarm clock on the box that served as her nightstand.

Materially, he'd once had everything that he could have possibly wanted. A life of luxury— and it had never been as perfect as this barren little room. All he needed was Jolee, but he wanted to give her everything.

Jolee woke, her limbs still feeling boneless and languid. She rolled over, feeling for Christian in the dim light. He was sprawled on his back in much the same pose she'd seen him in when she'd peeked in his bedroom. One arm rested above his head, the other on his bare chest. One corner of the Strawberry Shortcake comforter covered his hips, the little cartoon girl grinning widely.

Jolee smiled at the sight. Slowly she stroked her hand down his muscled belly and under the cover. His penis was soft against his thigh, but still large even in its unaroused state. Everything about this man was extraordinary.

She continued to touch him, and although he remained soundly asleep, his penis began to enlarge under her exploring fingertips. She shivered, a ripple of desire shimmying down her spine. She couldn't wait to feel him inside her. She'd thought she'd die last night when she realized they had no contraceptives. But because Christian was truly remarkable, he just accepted her misgivings and satisfied them without penetrating her. And it had been wonderful.

She hoped it had been for him, too. Although she intended to make up for it tonight. Maybe even now. She lifted the cover to admire his full, heavy erection. The shaft extended up to his belly button and the width couldn't be circled by her long fingers. She'd never seem a man so… enormous. And absolutely beautiful.

She ran a fingertip up his sensitive underside, but still he didn't rouse. She should just let the poor man rest. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to the bulbous top, loving the velvety squishiness of it under her lips, a direct contradiction to the steely shaft below.

He stirred, his hand slipping into her hair.

"Jolee?" His voice was almost slurred with his exhaustion.

"Sorry to wake you. I couldn't resist touching."

"Mmm… like it," he mumbled, and she wasn't sure if it was his response to her touch, or a question.

She smiled fondly. How could someone so strong and powerful be so cute?

"I need to sleep," he slurred with regret.

"I know." She kissed his lips. "Sleep in."

"Take my car to work," he said, somehow making the mumbled words sound like an order.

"Okay," she said, even though she didn't intend to. Then she decided maybe she would to go to the drugstore to get condoms. She glanced over her shoulder at the alarm clock.

"Oh crap," she said, scrambling off the bed. It was already after four P.M. She'd slept the whole day away. She didn't have time to get condoms, and she was going to have to take Christian's car to make it to the bar on time.

She opened her drawers to grab underwear, jeans, and a T-shirt. She cast one last admiring glance toward Christian, then rushed to the bathroom for a quick shower.

"What's got you smiling like the cat that caught the canary?" Jed said as he watched her fix a tray of drinks.

"What do you mean?" she asked, even though she knew exactly what he meant. She'd been grinning like a fool since she got here. But she just felt so… happy. Absolutely, positively happy. She caught herself as she nearly laughed out loud with the joy of it all.

Jed raised a bushy eyebrow at her, his blue eyes knowing. "I think I have a fairly good idea who's got you all giddy. Where is pretty boy?"

In her bed! But she didn't say that, instead just grinning even wider. "He'll be here."

She left Jed to deliver the beers. For a Monday night, the bar was relatively busy. As usual, a group played pool and several of the tables were occupied. It wouldn't be a great night, but she couldn't bring herself to worry. She was simply too happy. She could worry later after the novelty of being with Christian wore off. Yeah, like that was ever going to happen. The bar was doomed. She giggled.

She finished serving the drinks, returning to another table where customers had already left. She tucked a nice tip into her apron, then began to load the dirty glasses onto her empty tray. As she worked, she heard the front door open and close. A few seconds later, she sensed someone standing behind her.

She spun, grinning broadly, assuming the person was Christian. Instead it was Vance.

He looked better than he had the other night, but he still wasn't the picture of health. His skin was pale, and the purplish circles under his eyes made his features look more drawn and skeletal. But his gaze didn't appear quite so wild.

How had she ever believed Christian was an addict?

"Hi, sis." He always used «sis» when he was feeling contrite. At least she wouldn't have to worry about another attack. She dropped a quick look down to his hands, which hung limply at his sides. No, he didn't seem to have a weapon tonight.

"Listen," he said. "I'm real sorry about the other night."

She nodded, but then returned to clearing the table. While she was glad to see he wasn't in the throes of withdrawal, she didn't really want to hear his hollow apology. She'd heard them one too many times to believe he meant them.

"I was in a bad way."

She nodded again, lifting the tray and bringing it to the bar. She set it down, then turned to face him.

"Vance, I don't have any money."

Her brother looked around. "You look like you're doing okay."

She sighed. "I wouldn't give you any money even if I had it. You need to get help."

His dark eyes narrowed. Vance had once been a handsome kid. Now he was dirty and thin. Despite herself, her heart did go out to him. Even after all the times he'd been awful to her. She just wished he'd get his act together. She wished any one of her siblings would. She cared about them, but also it would somehow validate that she could change, too.

"I ran into Mark," Vance said. "He said he stopped by for a visit."

Jolee snorted at that. "Is that what he told you?" A visit sounded altogether too congenial for what it had really been like.

"Mark said you got a new boyfriend. Said the guy looked loaded."

Mark could tell that in the tiny amount of time between when he saw Christian, and Christian knocked him unconscious? She didn't say anything.

"You gotta help me out," Vance insisted. He stepped closer. "Give me a couple hundred and I leave you alone for good."

She didn't have a couple hundred. Not that she'd give it to him if she did.

"No," she insisted.

"Your new man can spare it."

So that was his plan. "No."

Over Vance's shoulder, Jolee saw Christian enter the bar. He spotted her right away, and from the protective look on his face he recognized Vance immediately. He strode in their direction.

Vance saw him. "Your boyfriend is that guy from the other night?" He didn't seem too pleased by the realization, and Jolee realized he'd probably hoped that her boyfriend would be someone easier to bully.

She didn't think anyone could bully Christian. And he'd protect her. Her chest swelled. Or rather her heart.

"Is everything okay?" Christian said, coming to stand next to her. Vance stepped back.

"Yes," she told him. "Vance was just leaving."

Vance hesitated, then strolled toward the door. But not before he shot both of them a look of pure hatred. The rage she saw there startled her. Sadness filled her, because she really knew that she'd never have a real brother in Vance. He was too consumed by his problems.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Christian asked, studying her.

She nodded, glancing at the door as Vance stepped outside.

"I just need to realize that I'll never have a real family." She sighed. But then she slipped her arms around his waist. "But I'm so glad I have you."

Christian closed his eyes, guilt rushing through him, her words painful.

He squeezed her tight in return. "Damned right."

She grinned up at him, and pride filled him at the happiness he saw glittering in her eyes.

"Did you get condoms?" she asked.

He grinned. "You had my car."

"Oh, yeah," she remembered, then winced. "I only ground the gears twice."

"You can destroy the clutch for all I care. But I'm going to be the one who drives to get the condoms tonight."

"Why?"

"Because I can drive faster."

She laughed and kissed him lingeringly. If one of the customers hadn't waved for another drink, Christian would have continued to kiss her. Instead, he pulled away and turned her in the direction of the thirsty patron.

"Get to work."

She frowned at him over her shoulder. "Hey, who's the boss here?"

"You are," he said obediently.

She swayed away, her step light and flirty.

He groaned. Oh, she so was the boss.

He headed to the bar, only to catch Jed's knowing look.

"Okay, you were right," he admitted to the old man on the way by.

Jed chuckled merrily, then brought his ever-present cigarette to his mouth.