Page 59 of Heartbeat Girl
LIAM
It was hard to resist the urge to follow Jayne into her bedroom, but I refrained. She needed space. The boundaries she put up gave her the control she needed. After learning everything she had in the last twenty-four hours, I’d do anything, so she’d stay. I had to respect Jayne’s privacy even if I paced the bus all night while she slept. She was closer than ever, and my yearning for her intensified.
She knew my secrets. I could speak my mind and tell her my deepest secrets…all the ways I craved her so feverishly. In the future, I’d keep her up all night and listen to the sound of her voice, her laughter, and my name whispered in a raspy moan.
Her fear was duller. Her jealousy, like a sharp taste of spoiled milk in the air, wouldn’t be denied. I loved the way Jayne watched me. Her heightened pulse. The dilated pupils. Beneath her jealousy, her arousal simmered below the surface—her syrupy sweetness begging to be noticed. Her scent was engraved inside me, so she’d never be able to hide her arousal from me again. It would seep through the clothes she wore.
I would make her mine during the tour, then I’d keep her forever, or until Marilyn put a stake in my heart. Even then, Jayne would own me because once someone got beneath your skin like she did mine, it waseverlasting.
+++
“Good morning,” I said to Jayne as she opened the door. She blinked, head jerking slightly since I was right in front of her.
My chest warmed at the sight of Jayne. It was rare to see her unkempt. Always with the serious bun and the professional attire. It was a treat to see her wake every morning rumpled, eyes groggy and filled with sleep. She looked lost and a little dreary in the mornings as she stumbled out of her room, rubbing her face, and swaying to the bathroom, still half asleep. I imagined she had that glassy gaze when being pleasured, too.
Her heart didn’t jump or beat irregularly. Sleep stole some of her worries. After she was awake for a while, she’d question why I stood by her door. And I’d gauge her reaction when I told her I heard her the second she stood up and stretched.
“Good…morning,” she mumbled, and yawned. When I made no move to step out of her path, her eyes opened more. “Can I help you?”
“Actually, you can,” I told her with an amiable smile.
I didn’t know if it was the smile or my words, but her forehead crinkled as she looked me over.
“It’s too early for anymore vampire bullshit,” she said.
Steve laughed behind me.
“I’m putting you all on a feeding schedule and preferably a diet,” she said.
Pete and Steve cackled, but my smile vanished.
A schedule?
So she was going to act indifferent about me feeding from someone after I sensed how she felt that night?
I’d never been sick as a vampire, but the idea of drinking from someone else again made me queasy. But I would get through it, and Jayne would watch. I didn’t like it, but I needed her to see I wasn’t doing anything sexual withanyonebecause I waited for themaybe-one-dayof having her. She couldn’t realize how long I’d waited, but all that mattered was she understood I craved her affection. I was willing to follow her around like a little lost vamp.
“I need a meal without these two tonight,” I blurted. When she stiffened, I added, “And you’ll be there.”
“What?” Panic rang in her voice. “There’s no need. I believe you guys. Besides, I plan to escort the lady—I guessladies—back to their friends once you’re finished, so I know they’re okay.”
Jayne said ‘ladies’ distastefully, and I reveled in it. She reacted in the same way I would if she were one of us and had to feed.
“Ohhh,I haven’t had a dinner date since I’ve become a vampire,” Pete said. “Can I schedule my meal for two today?”
Jayne rolled her eyes.
“Can you watch me too?” Steve asked. “For my safety. I’m tired of women grabbing me by the ball sack—”
“How old are you guys?” Jayne interrupted.
“Turned in ‘87,” Pete raised his hand. “When I was twenty.”
“’85 with Liam. We were both in the hospital together,” Steve said. “I was twenty-two.”
“You?” Jayne looked at me.
“Twenty-four.”