EXTRAS

NECKING…
(Jonathan's side)

SPOILER ALERT! This is a scene from NECKING told from Jonathan's tall, dark, and deadly perspective. If you haven't read the book yet… well… don't say you haven't been warned.  

^^8^^

I don't really feel temperature anymore, but I could tell it was really warm for September. I looked at Gia in her sleeveless black dress – she's one of those always-cold people and she was comfortable, so I was guessing it had to be around 80. I took her hand in mine as we walked to Harry's. Her skin was so warm, so soft. She had on some kind of fragrance that was driving me crazy. I breathed in and it stuck in my throat. I guess she was truly breathtaking tonight. I knew she normally wore these types of little black dresses to parties, but I was kind of hoping this time, she dressed for me.  

Truth be told, I was nervous about tonight. We were supposed to “talk” – which could be disastrous. In fact, I knew it would be disastrous. I mean she said she had questions for me and I was pretty sure I knew where they were leading (I wasn't born yesterday). I was also pretty sure I couldn't give her the answers she wanted. And let's not forget… this was my first real “date” in… well, ever. No pressure or anything. Shit.

At least we were going to my buddy's place, so I'd be as comfortable as I possibly could be while having this uncomfortable and inevitable conversation. (Wow, chewing this broken glass isn't so bad when you wash it down with this sassy pinot noir). But seriously, Harry's was the best spot for this. It was a public place, so we wouldn't accidentally be tempted to … don't start thinking about it Johnny boy… Anyway, the chef, Ron was my friend and I always got treated well there too, so I'd also be able to impress Gia a bit.   I know it sounds weird, but that is very important to me tonight.  

I loved her like I've never loved anyone before. In my meager years as a human – where my life was one shit-show after another – or in centuries of life after – where my afterlife was just shy of one shit-show after another, it still felt like I was missing something. In all my years, I had never met anyone who could make… should I say make my heart race? Well, she kinda did that to me. She was smart and funny, beautiful and kind and then there was that something else. That pull I felt inside my chest. For a man who didn't have a heartbeat, she really could make it pound inside me.

What were we going to do? I wanted her in a way that was more immoral than anything I had ever done before. Sure I had changed humans before, but the way I wanted her was more selfish than I cared to dwell on.

Damn that cell phone. That's what I get for falling for a publicist.

Gia took her phone from her purse. “It's Bella, I'll be quick.”

“I'll order you a martini and wait for you at the bar.” Maybe the sour smell of vermouth will give me strength NOT to lick that sweet, sweet hallow at the bottom of her throat. Watching her turn her head to answer the phone had me almost dizzy.

“No, I'm more in the mood for a bourbon.” She winked and turned away to take the call. Ok, so she didn't want to keep her distance. I raised my eyebrows. Oh, so she wanted to play hard? Well I could play hard too.

The bartender recognized me and extended his hand. “Hey, John, right?”

“You got it Jim, how are you? Is Ron around tonight?” 

“Yeah, I'll let him know you're here.“ He wiped up the spot in front of me and placed a cocktail napkin on the bar. “What can I get you?”

“Two Makers on the rocks.”

“Coming up.”

I kept looking through the window at Gia. I kept thinking about how good she looked tonight - hell, she looked good every night. What the hell was I doing? I knew had to break up with her - I mean, really, what were my choices? But I just couldn't make myself say the words. I can't seem to get enough of her. Her smell, her laugh, it all drives me crazy. It all makes me feel... alive. Almost human. 

I could see her pacing outside. Still on that damn cell phone. Still talking to my cousin. I watched her snap shut the phone, then reopen it and turn it off. What could it mean when a publicist decides to give you her undivided attention? My guess is that it means trouble. 

She came into the restaurant with a spring in her step, like she was overly pleased with herself and very purposeful. She navigated the few tables and bar stools and got to my side rather quickly (for a human that is). I think she may have actually restrained herself from hopping onto the bar stool.  Instead, in her effort to slow down, she did a sexy little slide onto the seat.

She was so warm. Warmer than me and I was still feeling the flush from my recent meal. I couldn't resist and slid my hand to her back. Her skin was soft and I could feel her life move through every capillary under my fingertips. 

I started to feel light headed - almost like I was drunk and yes, I can still remember what that feels like. It was disarming. I took a deep breath to steady myself and it hit me. It was her scent. Similar to the way she smelled when she came back from the Caribbean, but stronger. I took her hand - I had to touch her more intimately, but that was all I trusted myself to do. I was sweating? I didn't even know I could still do that.

There her hand rested in mine.  

“You smell good.” I was so distracted, it took me a moment to realize she said something.

I breathed in deep. “Well you smell like…”

She held up her free hand to stop me. “Don't tell me, sunshine?”

“What is it with you and fucking sunshine?” I gave her hand a little squeeze.

“Duh, I'm dating a friggin' vampire, what do you think? I'm trying to turn you on.”

“Well, mission accomplished.“ I kissed her forehead and inhaled deeply again. “And you do smell very good, but not like sunshine.” And then I realized the reason for it all. She had a cut on her finger and it had bled into my palm. 

She told me to taste it. There was nothing else I wanted to do. Nothing else I could do. I let her persuade me, but I would have died if she didn't let me. I brought my hand to my lips, intended to dart out my tongue so quickly, no one in the bar would notice, but I couldn't help myself and I smashed my mouth against the most intoxicating, delicious substance I've ever known. I cut my hand on my right fang in the process.

I closed my eyes and tried to slow my... what? Pulse? Impossible. What was happening to me?

By the time I regained control - and realized I was still holding a conversation with her.  

“So you approve of the vintage?”

I laughed – it was an interesting comparison. “Yes, it was an amusing little vintage. Busy, but never precocious.” I played with my glass, but wouldn't dare take a sip of my bourbon. I needed to savor this taste for as long as I could. I wanted to see her smile again – the combination of that beautiful smile with the taste on my tongue would be bliss. “Of course, there was a certain playful quality I couldn't quite put my finger on… Oh yes, I think it was sunshine.”

“Freak.” Mission accomplished.

She held her finger over the bourbon. “Gia, don't.” 

“I know you prefer your bourbon straight, but a mixed drink from time to time won't hurt you.”  And then she dripped some of that sweet nectar into my drink.

Ok. A totally bad idea, but I didn't even think about if it was right, I just did it. I wanted to savor it, but sucked it down like a starving man. And I was starving. I was feeling a hunger like I never felt human or otherwise. I think I slammed down my glass rather hard. I looked at it and was relived that I didn't break it.

She was smiling slyly. She was thoroughly enjoying herself as I squirmed like a horny teenager. She looked smug, as if she finally had the control she felt I always had. I wanted to be angry with her for making blood race through my veins. I wanted to shake her for adding the unforgettable taste of her blood to my senses. How would I ever look at her the same way again?

I slid my hand up her back – to feel her skin while I felt her life course through me. Her eyes were shining. She wanted more. I needed more. I was under her spell and I can't even say I was surprised and I was certainly not going to protest when she began to stir my fresh drink with her finger.

“Did you know I'm regular blood donor?”

“No, really?”  I loved the way she flirted.

“Absolutely. I'm B positive.”

“I always knew you were my type.”

I watched as the liquid darkened with just that small sample of her life. I wanted her life - but not in the way a human wanted it and NOT in the way a vampire wanted it. I wanted her blood to be in me… and I wanted our blood to be combined. 

I knew I should resist, but it was as if I was outside of my body watching us standing at the bar.  She was so soft and vulnerable, but so strong as she pressed the drink into my hand. 

I brought the drink to my nose and smelled it. It smelled like disaster. And I couldn't get it to my lips fast enough.  

I drained it and felt the wave overtake me. I hadn't felt it like this before, but I knew what it was.  I had to... what did I have to do?

She was asking me something. Something about leaving. I nodded and stumbled from the bar.  Through my confusion, I somehow remembered that this woman guiding me was a human and not nearly strong enough to hold me up. I struggled to maintain my footing and it was all I could do to make it to the wall outside the restaurant. I slumped to the ground and held my head in my hands, struggling for control. Why did I have to struggle again? What was happening? I was confused and hazy. Hazy? I was hazing. I couldn't be. I hadn't gone into a haze in... well a long, long time. But I could remember what it felt like and this was a thousand times more intense. This took blood lust to a new level.

There was this woman leaning towards me. She was beautiful and she smelled like sex, like fear, like the most delicious blood I've ever...She knew my name. She kept saying it. I knew her, but couldn't focus. I reached up and grabbed her arm to bring her closer. I could see her a little bit better and I could put a name to her scent. Gia?

I swallowed hard, gulping her scent in my throat and tried to use it to slake my thirst with it temporarily, for just one more second so I could...What was I supposed to do? It was Gia. Gia. I held onto her name and her arm like a life preserver, but I had to let her actual arm go. I clenched my teeth, not trusting myself to open my mouth more than necessary. “Run away Gia.”