“Sorry, princess.” He had my skirt off in a flash, then set it aside to replace with boxers. He pulled them halfway up and stopped.“So tell me, how much did that tattoo hurt?” He ran a finger over my middle name and the lipstick print beside it.
“Why’re you making this so difficult?” I could barely form words with the way my thoughts were straying.
“Because it’s funny?” His darkened eyes flickered to my lips.
We stared at each other for a few seconds before I pointedly looked at the boxers.“Are you gonna put those on me or stand there like anidiot?”
“I think I’ll stand for a while,” he said. “Tell me about yourself. I thought purple and black were your favorite colors, but I see you like red, too. And lace. Is this a new habit, or have you always worn this kind?” His fingers moved from the tattoo to the hem of my underwear.
“You know what? I changed my mind. I don’t need your help. I’m a strong independent soon to be vampire and I can do it myself. No more damseling for me. I change my own pants.”
“You wanna do it yourself?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes! Go away.”
“Alright. Good luck.” He let the boxers fall down my legs, laughing as he opened the door and walked out.
“I don’t need luck, asshole.” I briefly let go of the crutches and bent to grab the boxers. A loud thud sounded as a crutch crashed into the wall. A deranged laugh came from somewhere in the condo.“You suck!” I shouted.
Eventually I managed to get the boxers on, then irritably crutched to the living room. When I got there, Dennis was seated on the couch with an empty cushion between himself and Ari.
“Ice cream?” He smiled cutely, holding out the unopened carton. He had a spoon in the other hand all ready for me.
“You’re mean.” I took it and sat, then leaned the crutches against the table.
“You look a little better,” Sean said.
“Yeah. The drugs help.” I crammed a spoonful of ice cream into my mouth as Ari beamed.
“I’m glad.” Her voice was filled with relief.
“Me too. Want some?” I offered her a spoonful of ice cream.
“I’m lactose intolerant, remember?”
“Oh, yeah.” I giggled. “Oopsie whoopsie.”
“It’s okay, you’re drugged. We started making the brownies. They’re in the oven.”
“Aw, and you guys paused the movie for me? How sweet,” I gushed, looking around lovingly. “Can we talk about me becoming a vampire now?”
“For starters, we’ll have to go to a secluded part of town,” Dennis said.
“For sure,” Sean agreed.“I’m thinking the woods behind Craven Lake might work?”
“Those woods are so creepy.” Ari grimaced but I couldn’t be bothered. This ice cream was too good.
“They’re perfect. No one around to hear you scream.”Dennis’chilling gaze fell on me. My stomach twisted as he smiled.
“How do you make a vampire?” Ari asked.
“A vampire bites their bind. It has to be on the neck and they have to be bound. If they’re not already bound, the human will die instead of turning,” Mateo said.
“What are the details? Like what exactly is gonna happen to me tomorrow?” I was watching Dennis, waiting for him, personally, to respond.
