Wishful Sinful [REVISED]

Part 15: Once Bitten...

Author's Note: I finished the story late last night. Probably going to post the ending tonight, all the way through. Enjoy your bonus Friday night posts! 

"Everything okay?" August asked as he opened up the door to the bus. A faint wisp of cigarette smoke odor drifted out the open door.

"It got a little weird. Mind if we wait with you?"

"Sure, Lenore. You okay, Jared?"

Jared nodded without making eye contact.

"C'mon, we can go sit in back." Lenore took his hand and led him to the back row of seats. "Like I said, if he breaks your heart..." They sat down, side by side, hip to hip, and Lenore curled an arm around his shoulders, protectively.

"Yeah, yeah, you'll eviscerate him. But that isn't what I want. He's going to leave me."

"You don't know that, yet. Maybe you two are just having an off night? You got really weird and distant and almost alien after you turned. And you seemed to prefer me and Haven. Maybe he's just hurt."

"Maybe. But the way he talked about taking us back to Los Angeles...like he can't wait to be rid of me. And then maybe staying in California for 'awhile.' What does that even mean? Am I just another escapade to him? And I'm a freaking vampire now. I have no idea how to live this way. I thought he'd be by my side the whole way, helping me figure shit out."

"Well...Haven said she'd try to talk some sense into him. Pussy is power. You just wait and see."

"Do I let him have his space? Do I try and spice things up again between us and hope he comes around?"

"Hm, tough call, but I don't think he's putting off spicy vibes at the moment. See what happens when he takes you hunting. That may give you a better feel for what's going on, once you're away from us babes and it's just you and him and the guys."

"Hunting. I don't even want to go hunting," Jared spat, gazing down at his feet.

"Dude, you gotta eat. We all gotta eat."

"This is a nightmare. Maybe he should've just let me die," he whispered.

"Don't even think that for a second, Jared."

"Dorian has...like...groupies...or something...in the Vegas area. Maybe they'd be willing to offer up a feed? I can't imagine they're all completely in the dark about his being a vampire. He must've tasted at least some of them."

"Yeah, but do you really want his leftovers?"

"But hunting? Stalking? Sneaking up on innocent people? That's not me. I'm not that guy."

Lenore sighed. "I know. I'd offer you another nibble, but maybe we should keep me for emergency use only, for a bit. I only have so much blood, after all."

Jared propped his elbows on his knees and hid his face in his hands. "God, I can't believe I bit you."

She laughed. "It's okay. Not like it didn't hurt, but the dream..." she trailed off.

He looked at her, noting the pink in her cheeks. "The dream? I made you dream?"

"Yeah, you did. And it was beautiful. From your heart, to mine."

"Did we..."

"I plead the Fifth."

"Oh God, we did. Is there anyone I haven't hit on lately?"