Nectar (Nectar 1)

They stared each other down and the tension was palpable. He looked away first, making her feel intensely satisfied. She’d never lost a stare-down yet. To anyone.

“Why should I do you a favour? And you’re probably going to kill me eventually so I might as well try to escape. Nothing to lose and all…”

“I have no plans to kill you. I’ll have the tests back soon so make this one thing easy, will ya? Test me and try to get away and I’ll restrain you. You need to stay put while I figure this out. For your own safety.”

What a prick! What happened to Mr. Sweetheart who just wanted to hold me?

“Restrain me?”

“That’s right.”

“That’s really fucked up. So much for Mister ‘just let me hold you.’”

“Could be fun,” he ran a finger down her arm, “We could do things the easy way or the hard way. You seem, so far, like you usually pick the hard way.” He added emphasis to the word hard and his eyes twinkled,

“Back the fuck up,” she growled.

Tristan laughed, “Such a potty mouth! But you’re adorable. And Mister ‘just let me hold you’ would happily hold you,” he leaned forward, “I’m not usually a snuggler but with you I’ve made an exception.”

She held her palms up, “Don’t.” But her insides were turning to goo.

He looked back toward the window and got a faraway look in his eyes. She got hold of her senses and glared at him.

“It’ll be easier soon, Kyla.”

“Huh?”

He didn’t answer.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked.

“Never mind,” he let out a sigh.

Finally, after she was unable to bore a hole into his back with her eyes, she took a deep breath,

“Is he okay?” she asked.

“Who?” He spun back around to face her again.

“Joseph? Joe?”

A surprised look spread across Tristan’s face, “I didn’t end him, if that’s what you mean. How you managed to knock him out? Beyond me. Maybe the blood tests will help with that little mystery, too. It was a first. He’s lucky that he spoke fast when I got there. When I smelled fresh blood on you I thought…well, he came close to being a dead vampire, let’s just say that.”

“Uh, aren’t vampires already dead?”

He snickered, “No, being a vampire isn’t like being a zombie, an undead thing. It’s more like…” he paused, “like being an enhanced human who has more strength and speed, plus some have other talents. Some vamps are stronger than others and some have unique talents or assets. I have more speed, strength, and control than the average vampire. I have a few talents. Some new and emerging ones, in fact. The control thing is important, here. I suspect that your blood in less controlled hands would have pretty dire consequences for you. If Joe had smelled your blood…”

“Joe did get a whiff my blood. I think that’s how I knocked him out. I caught him off guard with my bleeding finger.”

Tristan’s eyes widened and then he slammed his fist down on the nightstand and looked furious. Kyla jumped, startled. He took a few deep breaths and rubbed his temples. She thought back to how insatiable his thirst had been when he was angry. Only her pleading and saying his name had brought him back from the verge of, of what? Draining her dry? Ripping her head off?

“Are you hungry?” he asked, seeming to rein in his temper.

“No,” she said softly, not looking at him.

“Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face, Kyla.”

“Pfff. Don’t bother bringing me more food. Not unless you wanna wear it.”

“Fine, get some sleep,” he shook his head and leaned over and kissed her forehead and pulled her down onto the pillows. He caressed her mouth quickly with his fingertips and then kissed her hand.

She stared, dumbstruck and took stock:

A vampire prince or king or whatever has demanded I stay in his room and in his bed where I must say his name during sex and be subjected to his affection. I’m to stay here while he figures out why my blood is so….so what? Magic? Only me.

“I’m not tired. Plus I can’t just stay here with you.”

“You can. And you will.”

“Not if I can help it. Is this your bedroom?”

“Yes. And you can’t help it. You have no choice.”

“Just leave me alone. I’ll go back to the other room while you wait for these test results. I’ll call work and book a few days off. You stay here. Stop with the physical stuff. I don’t want you touching me.”

He looked at her seriously for a beat and then shook his head and laughed, “You’re funny.”

“Funny?”

“You’d hate that as much as I would.”

“Bullshit. I want you to leave me alone. Stop touching me and I won’t try to get away until you get your blood tests back. Then when the tests come back we will figure things out and renegotiate whatever terms so that I can go. Get me my purse and phone. I’ll ask for a few sick days from work. I’ll…”