that.” When we came out of the elevator Jake pulled me straight to the door but when I saw the painting again, I started to walk that way. He pulled me back fast and said, “we’ll discuss it at home, come on.” I guess I was going too slowly for him because once we hit the underground tunnel he pulled me on his back and we were gone. I put my head down on his shoulder feeling his muscles move under me. I couldn’t help but take in his scent. He smelled so good, like homemade vanilla ice cream and a light trace of honey suckle. I inhaled him in as much as possible until it flowed through my body and burnt in my mind. I closed my eyes and relaxed, I must have fell asleep because when I opened my eyes I was in bed and Jake was about to slip out the door. “Jake.” I said in a sleepy voice. “Izzy you need some sleep we have plenty of time to talk.“ He was like an over protective father watching out for his child. “That’s fine but I’m hungry remember.” I was so embarrassed to ask but my tummy was rumbling something fierce and the itching in my throat was getting worse. “I’ll be right back,” He said as he slipped out the door and as soon as he was gone he was back with one of those black bottles. Vamp speed, I got to get use to that. He opened it up and handed it to me. It still made me a little squeamish to think about, but I was hungry and I needed to learn to get use to this, right? As the luke warm liquid ran down my throat, the sweet tang calmed my stomach. It tasted so good I was beginning to chug it down. “Slow down Izzy. I can get you more.” I didn’t realize I had finished it until I could see through the bottom of the bottle. I felt my body reenergize and I needed more. I guess Jake could tell because he went and got another one without me asking. I took it and drank. This time I could feel heat running through my body. It felt like a warm blanket running through my veins. I looked at Jake; he had been watching me I felt myself flushing. I moved in one quick turn. I leaned over and grabbed him. I started kissing him pulling him to me. I heard him groan a little and he was on top of me. I’ve never wanted someone as much as I wanted Jake right now. His hands affecting every part of my body, like bringing it to life. Our bodies moved together like they were made for each other. All of a sudden he leaned back, “maybe we should wait.” His voice was not controlled like it usually is. I grabbed his hair and pulled him to me harder. He groaned some more and then rolled off of me. “What now?” I said very annoyed. “I think we need to talk before we get too involved.” He looked worried but I could only think one thing….his naked body on mine. “Oh all right.” I knew the moment was gone. I propped up on one elbow and looked at him, ready. “Izzy I want you to understand I never wanted any of this to happen to you.” Well if we were going to do this then I was going to ask everything. “Is that why you left me?” He looked like a deer caught in headlights. “Well I tried to leave you but I could not stay away. You were starting to know too much and I was worried this would happen. I knew you were half vamp but you never knew about us or yourself.” He stopped and looked down before he began again. “So I decided I would just leave you alone.” "Have we…you know?" I wanted to say had sex and he knew what I meant because his eyes got big. “No! I mean I wanted to but I couldn’t I became too attached. I would never do that then leave you." I knew he was trying to say the right words which I think I understood what he meant. "I want to be with you, but not just like that, I can’t explain it. I’ve never felt this way about
William K. Klingaman, Nicholas P. Klingaman
John McEnroe;James Kaplan