Love Bites: A Vampire's Sex Store

Chapter One: It's Raining

 There is nothing I love more than the culture and energy that comes with New Orleans in the 1920s. There's something magical about the city. Jazz on every corner, good food served by good people in every building, and a never-ending supply of creativity wherever you go. Nothing can compare to the feeling I have walking down the streets at night, with rain puddles pooling around my feet as I skip from one building to the next in search of a place to stay for the night.

Born on the bayou of Assumption Parish, Louisiana, I have always felt destined for greater things. The small swamp life that fed my poor family for generations never felt quite like home to me, even as a young child. What really captured me was the idea of the city. The city is where people, no matter how young or old, rich or poor, classy or trashy, could feel like a member of the family. I was told tales as a young lad of things that happened to people in the city. My great uncle assured me that one day I would experience it for myself, and he wasn't wrong.

Barely twenty-one years old with three dollars in my pocket, I braced myself and left home one stormy night. I knew my family would never understand my dreams of finding myself in New Orleans, so I decided on saving them the heart ache of a long winded good bye. As I started my hitch-hiking I immediately felt more alive. Every step I took closer, my spirit began to swing and dance from within me. My heartbeat was loud enough to match the drums of a street musician by the time I finally made it to the edge of town. My first night in I stumbled into the first hotel I came across, and with a smile on my face I ran a hand through my dripping wet black hair and introduced myself to the lady behind the counter.

Maybe it was the city, maybe it wasn't, but the first time I laid my eyes on her I was struck by her seemingly endless beauty. With long wavy brown hair, a figure that rivaled the hour glass behind the counter, and a smile that managed to shine brighter than all the nights outside could ever hope to.

"I'm looking for a place to rest my head for the night. I'm new in town and hoping you can help me out," I smiled at her and stuck out a hand. "My name's Thomas. And yours, ma'am?"

She giggled as she pushed my hand away. Her touch was cold and sent a shiver down my spine. Placing her elbows on the table, she rested her chin on her hands, fully displaying her ample chest directly towards me.

"Sugar, you put that hand away. Didn't your mama ever teach you how to greet a lady?" She smiled again.

"I-I'm sorry, ma'am. As I said, I'm not from around here."

She leaned across the counter, slowly brushing my damp hair off of my forehead as she smiled at me again.

"Well, the rate for one night is $5. If you can pay, I have a room."

"Gosh, I don't exactly have that much money on me. Perhaps I can do some work around here in exchange for a place to sleep tonight? It doesn't have to be nothin' fancy."

She stood up, seemingly thinking for a moment on what to do. I assumed she was contemplating whether or not to tell me to get lost, but what happened took me entirely by surprise.

"I have one thing you can do tonight to earn your room," she said as she walked around the counter to stand by me.

"Yes, ma'am. I'll do anything. It's awfully late."

Grabbing my hand she winked at me and led me upstairs. Her hand was ice cold and firm, but felt right in my own. After making our way to the top floor of her hotel, she dropped my hand and reached in her purse and rummaged around until she found a very old looking key. Opening the door, she led me inside a room with a large bed covered in black velvet. As I looked for a place to put my one small bag, she slowly moved towards the window that reacher from the floor to the top of the vaulted ceiling. Throwing open the curtain, New Orleans entered the room in both sight and sound. I sighed, looking past her silhouette into the town. I didn't know how I was going to make it here, and I might have been over my head, but this moment made it all worthwhile.