Survivor

chapter 7

I started to ask Peter about it, but it was obvious he had already noticed. His posture was a little tense and his eyes were darker, sharper. We left the diner in silence. He pushed my chair so we could move faster.

The little group followed us. If Peter had been alone he could have gotten away, but I was slowing him down. One of them, a pretty blond woman, came alongside us.

“Good afternoon Pete,” she said brightly. “Care for a stroll in the park?” He gave her a dark look. “Sorry Cynthia, but I need to be going.”

There were three men with her. They were all nice looking, graceful like dancers. I was getting a bad feeling about this. “Oh come on Peetie,” one of the men said in a pretty British accent, “it’s a beautiful day.”

They managed to herd us toward the entrance to the riverside park that stretched along the rest of the block. Peter wheeled me over to a stone bench by a bank of purple petunias and bent down to lock both my brakes. He looked into my eyes for a moment. “I need you to stay here, Melody.” He was very intent. “No matter what, just stay here, okay?”

Sit and stay, huh? I frowned at him, but nodded. He stood and went over to the others. Other vampires. They moved off the paved path and made their way toward the grassy bank of the river. I could see that they were quietly arguing about something. The woman had a cajoling look on her face and the men’s expressions ranged from bored to irritated. They talked for some time, and the most irritated looking one- a short, stocky man with brown hair- gestured wildly. At last, the woman threw up her hands in frustration and Peter walked away, heading back toward me.

It all happened in an instant. The brown haired one rushed up behind Peter in a movement so fast my eyes couldn’t follow. Then next thing I knew, Peter was flying through the air. His body smacked into the side of a cement footbridge before disappearing into the water.

I gasped, too shocked to find my voice. They moved so fast, no one had noticed. A bicyclist on the other side of the river glanced out at the water, hearing the splash. He kept pedaling, probably chalking it up to fish jumping or something. The other vampires were leaving the park. I shrieked Peter’s name and unlocked my brakes, wheeling myself furiously down the walkway toward the river. No one was close enough to hear me- at least no one human. The woman, Cynthia, gave me an insulting look and continued on her way.

Peter’s body had surfaced beneath the bridge and was floating toward the bank, carried along by the current. Tears were sliding down my cheeks unchecked. Had they killed him? I reached the end of the sidewalk. It didn’t go all the way to the river’s edge and I couldn’t propel my wheelchair over the bumpy grass. I pushed up out of my chair, standing weakly, cursing my traitorous body as it failed to follow my commands to rush to the water’s edge.

I tried to take a step and fell. I hit the ground hard. Swearing, I started to crawl, dragging myself across the narrow swath of grass that might as well have been a football field. I clenched my teeth. Even if I did get there, what would I do? I couldn’t swim. He was drifting toward the bank now. Maybe I could catch him and keep him from floating away. I doubted I could get him up onto the shore.

I barely reached the edge of the water in time, cursing as I tried to hurry. I pushed myself up into an awkward sitting position half in, half out of the water. As I stretched out my hand, reaching with all my might, he flipped over and spluttered to life. I managed to snag a handful of his shirt and he grasped my arm, almost pulling me into the river. There was a steep drop off just in front of me, but he made it up onto the bank.

He sat on the riverbank glaring out at the water, furious. I had never seen him mad before. I could almost see the darkness surrounding him. It was scary. Like goose bumps that probably weren’t from the cold water scary. Vampire, I reminded myself. Beautiful, harmless-looking man that I had been thrilled to call my boyfriend a few minutes ago. Not a man at all. I was still crying, I noticed belatedly. I lifted a sodden hand to wipe my face, but stopped mid-way there. Better tears than mud and river water.

My movement seemed to startle Peter out of his black contemplation. Turning to me, he scooped me into his arms. I clung to him as he carried me back to my chair, glad he was alive. My God, the brown haired guy had just tossed him out there like a pebble. He put me in my chair and stood looking down at me, pissed.

“I told you to stay right there,” he said, pointing back up the path. His voice sounded odd. Hallow almost. Like some sort of wind instrument. I glared back at him.

“Sure, I’ll sit right here while you die.” I was still full of adrenaline. So he was fine. I hadn’t known that when I saw him bounce off a concrete wall and hit the water. And if he hadn’t been fine? What could I have done then?

“I’m already dead,” he said gruffly. Then a little more softly, “You were scared?”

Seeing my affirmative nod, he sighed. “I’m sorry. It scared me to see you so close to the water. It was only a prank. They didn’t intend any real harm.”

I stared at him. A prank. Sure. It was just a prank. I hugged my arms around myself. It was a warm day, but the water was cold and the breeze was making my damp dress into a clinging, freezing thing. Without a word, Peter grabbed my wheel chair and started walking.

*****

When we got to my apartment, I went to the bedroom and got a dry change of clothes, teeth chattering. Taz sniffed at my damp dress, snorted, and went to pester Peter. I gave the bathroom, and my big walk-in shower with the roomy bench, a wistful look. It would be nice to get warmed up right now, but Peter was standing in the living room dripping. I grabbed a big towel and took it to him. He gave me a soft look, and I knew his anger was mostly because he had been worried for me.

“You can take a shower,” he said as he toweled off his hair. It was a complete mess, and unbelievably attractive. “Don’t worry about me.”

“I’m not leaving you here to drip-dry,” I said in exasperation. “Do you want to put your clothes in the dryer or something…” I trailed off. Of course, then he would have nothing to wear but a towel. I tried not to pant.

He raised an eyebrow as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. Maybe he did. Not human, I reminded myself. “Melody,” his voice held a note of warning and I raised my chin defiantly.

Seeing it, he laughed. He bent down and kissed my forehead, surprising me. “I won’t do anything to take advantage of you. I care for you too much.”

I turned and wheeled away toward the bathroom, peeved. He thought I was too mentally incapacitated to do more than hold hands or kiss. Like a teenager. Fine. Let him drip-dry. I shut the door with a thud and went to turn on the shower. I stripped off my clothes in a hurry, but it still took forever because they were wet and clingy. Levering myself out of the chair, I transferred onto the long, wide bench in the shower. The contractor that did the renovations had gone a little overboard. My shower is easily big enough for two. I shot a sharp look toward the door and the idiot beyond it. Not that it was ever going to happen.

I relaxed in the hot water, leaning my head back and closing my eyes as I let it warm me. It had been a confusing day. I wondered just what Peter was doing that upset the other vampires so much. Apparently, he was more a nuisance than some sort of serious threat. They hadn’t killed him, after all- at least not permanently. I was roused from my musings by a tentative tap on the door.

Peter’s voice filled the room. It still sounded odd. It made my skin ripple. “You left your clothes out here,” he said hesitantly. “Can I bring them in for you?”

I sighed. “Just get in here, will you?” For Christ’s sake, we were both adults. I was not an eighteen-year-old girl anymore. And I was not suffering from some sort of mental disorder.

The door squeaked open and I leaned forward to peek around the shower curtain. He put my clothes on the vanity and turned to go. He was still wearing his wet clothes. “Will you please just put your clothes in the dryer?” I said in an exasperated tone. “You can wear a towel. I won’t look at you if it makes you feel better.”

He laughed. “I was concerned about that.” He turned around. “I need to leave soon anyway,” he said slowly.

I thought that maybe he needed to, you know, get a bite to eat. He had been acting a little odd since the whole being slammed around and half-drowned thing. His movements had this liquid quality to them, and his voice was making my fingertips tingle.

I looked down at my legs and gave a tired sigh. The warm water had relaxed me and I really didn’t feel up to the effort it took to wash up. Everything was such a battle. Sometimes I just got sick of fighting. Peter had moved closer. When he spoke, his melodious voice was just outside the curtain. “Are you okay? Is something wrong?” He sounded worried.

“I’m fine,” I snapped. Then I thought about it. “Why do you ask?” It could just be that he was concerned about how much I’d been through. I didn’t think so.

He hesitated. I could feel him out there. I wanted to beg him to come into the shower with me. I blushed at the thought. I hadn’t had sex since I was a teenager. My body was weak and covered in scars. My hormones didn’t seem to care about my lack of confidence.

“I can feel that you are… sad?” He didn’t sound sure. “Frustrated maybe? Hurt?” He was the one who sounded frustrated.

“You know what I’m feeling?” Vampire.

I saw his shadow shrug through the curtain. “It’s not one hundred percent, but sometimes, especially if it’s a strong emotion.” He sighed tiredly. “Then again, sometimes it’s like listening to a radio with the volume too soft. You know there is music, but you just can’t make out the words.

I laughed. “I hate when that happens.” I paused for a minute, thinking about what I had just been feeling to make him worry. “I was just thinking how long it takes to get washed up.” I bit my lip. It was embarrassing to admit, but it was easy to talk to him. “I was wishing I was normal.” I clenched my fist as embarrassment started to slide into anger. “I was wishing I was normal so you would think of me as a woman, not a child, or a disabled person.”

He was quiet for a minute. I thought that maybe I’d been too frank. I picked up my loofa and squirted body wash on it, resigned. I was lathering it up when the distinctive sound of a zipper made me pause. I smiled. “There are extra towels under the sink,” I said, happy over this small victory. “I have a couple of really big ones. I don’t think my robe will fit you. The dryer won’t take too long.”

He pulled the shower curtain aside and stepped in. Naked. I sucked in a surprised breath and stared. And stared. Oh my God. He was glorious- lean, and muscular and perfect. He was also not disinterested. In a big way. My face flamed and I stopped staring at the visible proof that he did indeed think of me as a woman. My mistake.

He gave me a lopsided smile and took the loofa. Kneeling, he started at my feet and worked his way up, lathering and caressing. The water beat down on him, turning his silky hair black, and streaming across his smooth skin. When he got to my hips, he gave me a look that went right to my center. “Can you stand for a while, if I help you?”

I swallowed. “Why?” My voice was a register deeper than usual. I cleared my throat and gripped the edge of the bench. This was really happening.

He raised an eyebrow at me. “So I can finish what I’ve started?” He held up the loofa, but I didn’t think that was what he was meant.

I gave him a look. “That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it.” He grinned, unrepentant. “I know.” He leaned forward, kneeling between my knees. Sliding a hand behind my neck, he pulled me down to him. His full lips met mine and I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

He pulled back and looked up at me mischievously. “I’ve been trying so hard to keep the proper distance. But don’t ever think that means I don’t want you.”

I frowned at him. The proper distance. “This is a brain injury thing again, isn’t it?” He thought he was taking advantage of me.

“No,” his voice was still odd and it was making me tingle in places other than my fingertips. “This is a respect thing.”

I thought about that for a minute. “I think I can stand up for a while,” I said gravely. He laughed, his eyes flashing to liquid silver. I tried not to stare at the sharp teeth that had flashed when he laughed. He stood, effortlessly pulling me up with him. He had vampire strength and reflexes on his side, he wouldn’t let me fall. For the first time I thought of all the things I could do with this man, instead of the all things I couldn’t do.

He turned me to face the wall, where I could hang on to the grab bars. Then he continued to lather my body with soap. He dropped the loofa, and his large, deliciously cool hands slicked over my curves. He caressed my breast with one hand, gently fondling, as the other snaked down lower. He stroked me gently and I arched back against him. I could feel him pressed against my backside, and I moaned softly, imagining him inside me. He swept my hair aside and nuzzled my neck, dropping kisses along my shoulder and neck before pausing to nip playfully at my ear. For a minute, I was sure he was going to bite me, but he didn’t. His lips on my skin were driving me crazy, and every once in a while there was a light grazing of sharp teeth that made me shiver.

When my legs grew tired, he slipped an arm around my waist, supporting me as he continued his attentions. “Oh God Peter,” I panted, completely lost.

I forgot to be embarrassed; I needed him inside me- now. He turned off the water and scooped me up, pausing to kiss me deeply. Snagging a couple of the big bath towels, he carried me to the bedroom. We toweled each other off hurriedly, and I laughed in soft surprise as he managed to make even that task a sensual experience, caressing my curves with the towel as if it were his bare hands. His gaze was intense, and the sight of his fangs was both frightening and exciting. He laid me on the bed and stretched out beside me, pulling me against his hard body as he trailed kisses from my sensitive nipples up across my chest and to my neck.

“Are you going to bite me?” I asked breathlessly. He pulled back slightly to meet my eyes with a look that went straight to my core.

“No,” he said softly. “I just want to make love to you. Nothing more.” He pulled me close again, but I pulled back. I looked at him for a moment, taking in his silver eyes and purely other appearance. “You are um… thirsty?” I asked hesitantly.

He closed his eyes and took a steadying breath. His eyes flashed open and he regarded me with a look that said more clearly than words how much he needed blood. His voice was low, with a sort of restrained need, and my skin was buzzing. “I will need to feed very soon,” he said honestly. “But I won’t take from you.”

I frowned at him. He was still stroking my hips suggestively, and he was rock hard against my thigh. “Would it feel good? If you bit me, I mean?”

He smirked. “It feels very good when you are bitten.” I bit my lip, raising my eyebrows in surprise. Oh boy. “I meant would it feel good for you?”

He pulled me close, grasping my butt in his big hands and pressing me against him. He chuckled lightly into my hair. “Amazingly so.”

I slid my hands over his muscular back, gaining confidence. “Then I want you to bite me.”

I could see the arguments forming in his head- the million reasons why he wouldn’t do that to a disabled person. Seeing my mutinous look, the denials died before he could voice them. Sighing, he captured my lips again. “Right now,” he said, pressing me back into the pillows “I would do anything just to be inside you.”

I blushed furiously and closed my eyes. His hand found my center and he began stroking me again as he suckled on an aching breast. I moaned in pleasure, and returned the favor. He shifted his weight, nudging my thighs apart with his knee and I followed his lead, wanting him desperately. He hesitated and I opened my eyes.

“Is this…” he swallowed hard, clearly struggling for control. “Have you done this before?”

I bit my lip and gave him an apologetic look. “Only once,” I said, embarrassed, “a long time ago.” I’d had sex for the first time when I was eighteen. I wouldn’t compare it to this, in any way shape or form.

He kissed me tenderly. “I’ll try to be gentle,” he said, nuzzling my neck. I arched my hips against him, urging him on and he sheathed himself slowly. I moaned as he stretched me tight. Hearing the pleasure in the sound, he began to move, pulling almost all the way out before slowly burying himself in me again. I met his thrusts with abandon, urging him to lose his caution. He hiked up my knee and slipped a hand under my hip, deepening his thrusts, and I begged him for more. I dug my fingers into his muscular back, pressing myself closer, and he growled softly in response.

He brushed aside the thick curtain of my hair, trailing kisses along my throat. “Melody,” he moaned against my skin, sending goose bumps dancing over my body. I tilted my head, bearing my throat in invitation. He pressed deep inside me as he sank his teeth into my neck.

I writhed and moaned as ribbons of pleasure pulsed from my throat to my groin. He drew at my neck and the waves of pleasure increased, finally sending me over the edge. He lifted his head and licked my throat. His lips met mine again and he rolled, pulling me on top. I leaned back, putting my weight on my knees and looked down at him. His eyes were liquid silver, and he radiated sex and power. Vampire. He ran his hands up across my hips and up to my breasts, stroking and teasing.

I tried to move, but my lower body was too weak and uncoordinated. His hands returned to my hips, guiding my movements, and I felt climax building in me again. He rolled, pinning me beneath him. His teeth found my throat once more, and I cried out in pleasure, gripping him tight as wave after wave of pleasure rolled over me. He lost some of his restraint, thrusting harder and faster, and I convulsed beneath him again. He moaned and pressed deep as he joined my release.

It took a while before I was coherent again. Peter lay on his back, cradling me, with my head on his shoulder. His big hand drew lazy circles over my hip and lower back. I tentatively traced the sleek, muscular lines of him. I couldn’t believe he was mine.

He dropped a soft kiss on the top of my head and I looked up, meeting his soft smile with a hot blush. I noticed his eyes were returning to their normal deep green, though they still shimmered a bit. I reached up to touch my neck, wondering how bad the bites looked, but I could barely feel them. He angled himself to get a look at my neck. “Our saliva helps heal the wounds more quickly,” he said softly. “In a few hours, no one will notice.”

I pressed my lips together. I still felt all dreamy and unreal. “This was…I mean, wow,” I said awkwardly.

He chuckled, the deep sound reverberating through me. “Yes,” he said, smiling.

I cleared my throat nervously. “Really?” I looked up at him, embarrassed beyond belief. “I mean,” I stammered, “I’ve only had sex once before, and that was… well not a big deal.” I had no basis for comparison. I was making this up as I went along. I suddenly realized that I was babbling, and shut up.

He frowned down at me. “Did I hurt you?”

I tried to keep a straight face, but failed. “Um…no.”

He smiled and rolled onto his side to kiss me. “Good,” he said huskily. He deepened his kiss and I melted into him. He drew my hand downward and I sucked in a surprised breath. Already? I felt my body responding to him, without his even touching me, thanks to thousands of years of evolution.