Love Bites

Getting Comfortable

Tashsa gently slipped out of bed, leaving Cal, his arm across his eyes, his breathing deep and even, slumbering. Her stomach began to growl, so she threw on one of Cal's t-shirts and went off in search of the kitchen. The house was a warren of long hallways and lots of doors, the place was huge. She hadn't been given the guided tour but the kitchen must be on the ground floor, so she made her way down resisting the temptation to look behind every door she happened across.

Rummaging in the fridge she came up with a disappointing assortment of rubbish that wouldn't even make a beggar jealous: half a dried onion, a carton of out of date eggs and a lump of cheese that seemed to be growing its own penicillin, also stuffed at the back was a bottle of severely congealed cranberry juice.

"What the hell are you doing?" a voice snapped and Tasha jumped banging her side on the swiftly closing fridge door.

"Sorry, I...err...I was..." Tasha stuttered.

"Well?" the girl demanded, her eyes were fiery and Tasha felt an immense dislike radiating from her that intimidated her greatly.

"Relax Sel, she's only looking for some breakfast," Cal's voice floated in from behind the girl and Tasha felt herself relax. 

Selena rounded on her brother, "A little warning of semi-naked women in future would be nice!" her voice dripped acid but Cal looked unfazed.

"Selena, this is my girlfriend Tasha. Tasha this is my sister Selena."

Tasha smiled at Selena but the girl did not return the pleasantry. She looked to Cal who merely shrugged and when she turned back to Selena she was gone.

Cal lent casually against the door frame, his thighs clad in rumpled jeans, his chest bare. Every muscle enhanced by the early morning sunlight which sliced a path across the room from the partly drawn curtains. Tasha felt her insides squirm at the sight of his toned flesh. Her hunger for food now replaced by a hunger for something a lot more primal.

"Don't worry about her," Cal said indicating the space where Selena had stood. "She's a bitch."

Tasha laughed and Cal enjoyed the change it had on her face. The light in her eyes, the crinkles that formed in the corners, the way those luscious lips curved upwards. "Listen babe, I need to go out for an hour or so," Cal began.

"I'll come with you." She walked over to him and placed both palms flat against his chest. He took them in his own and kissed each one. 

"No, you stay here. It's family stuff, boring."

"Oh." 

"You stay here, keep the bed warm," he winked at her and Tasha felt the familiar heat building inside.

"Okay," she nodded. Cal kissed the tip of her nose and led her back upstairs.

                                                                                            ***

Cal felt something he'd never really felt before. Guilt. He felt guilty for lying to Tasha but he was starving and needed to feed before he began to weaken, and he didn't want to put her in danger. Oh, he knew Selena kept animal blood in the house but he'd always hated the stuff. He never felt the same satisfaction he felt after drinking human blood.

Pulling on his hoodie he headed out into the early morning light. He took to the woods, pushing deeper in the hopes of coming across a hiker or some still sleeping campers. About forty minutes into his search he heard movement in the trees ahead and the aroma of cooking bacon hit him. Campers. Slowly, stealthily he inched his way forward and using the trees for cover he watched his prey.