Crave - Teresa Mummert Page 0,44

weight against the bricks, trying to gain control.

“That is kind, but I can handle myself,” Elijah replied, as his knees buckled under his weight. The woman leaned in and kissed him quickly. He pulled back suddenly with a look of disgust. “A true gentleman does not need to pay for companionship.”

“You think of me as a harlot?” The woman asked in disgust.

“No, Ma’am. I did not mean to insinuate…” He backtracked, letting his voice trail off. The young lady removed her mask and smiled, waiting for Elijah’s reaction.

“Viviana?” he asked in astonishment.

“How do you do, Sir?” She asked continuing her fake French accent. She dipped down to curtsy, giggling as she rose. She slowly reached for his mask and pulled it from his face. He had been dreaming of this moment for weeks. She leaned in, giving him a quick peck on the lips and slipped her mask back on before running off into the crowd playfully.

“Viviana,” Elijah called off into the distance frantically.

***

Chapter eighteen

Jump

We pulled into an old gas station just off of the main highway in Georgia.

“Need anything?” Elijah asked as he exited the car. I stepped out of the passenger seat and stretched, sliding on my flip flops.

“I think I’ll go in and grab some snacks. You want anything?” I asked, realizing how absurd my question was as soon as it left my mouth. Elijah smiled, and I felt a blush wash over my cheeks. “I’ll be right back.”

I walked into the Quick Grab and paced the snack food aisles trying to decide what I was in the mood for. The door chimed as I assumed Elijah had entered to pay. I grabbed a pack of fruit snacks and a bag of chips and turned around to show Elijah what I had gotten. “I think I just want…” I began, but the words choked in my throat as I was face to face with a rugged man in his early thirties.

“I know what I want,” the man said in a wickedly sinister voice. He stepped closer until we were breathing each other’s air and my stomach revolted at the pungent smell of his breath. He licked his lips and eyed me up and down.

“You need help with something?” Elijah called to the man from behind him. The man’s trance broke.

“No, sir. Found what I needed right here,” he said defiantly. Elijah grabbed the man’s arm and spun him around to face him. He began to speak but took one look at Elijah’s fangs and decided it was best for him to remain silent.

“Let’s go, Eva,” Elijah ordered without ever looking away from the man. I stepped around the guy and we made our way to the register to pay.

I finally left out a sigh of relief as I unloaded my items onto the counter along with Elijah’s, who paid for them. “Come on,” he said in a sweet tone as he wrapped his arm around me and we made our way back to the car. We sat for a moment in silence.

“Your fangs,” I mentioned quietly, his fangs showing in the dim lighting from the store parking lot. He bowed his head for a moment and started the car.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve fed.” He murmured and we turned back to the desolate highway. I mindlessly ate my snacks as Elijah turned up the radio. He reached behind the driver’s seat and pulled out a large bottle of alcohol, opening it, and drinking from it as if it was water.

“Is that safe?” I asked in a panicked voice. “I can drive,” I began protesting, but Elijah quickly cut me off.

“It will help me with the cravings until I’m able to feed on blood. I’ve also been driving for longer than you have been alive. You have nothing to worry about,” He said with a playful grin as he choked back another swig. “I should say… my driving is the least of your worries.”

I grabbed the bottle from him and took a large gulp myself, causing me to cough and sputter. He eyed me curiously.

“We might as well make it a party then.” Smiling, I handed the bottle back to him. I assumed he had known this route by memory. “So, tell me more about Mardi Gras,” I said, trying to strike up more conversation. He shook his head no as he poured the liquor into his mouth.

“Maybe later,” He replied, his eyes showing a hint of pain and I could feel it, goosebumps rising across my flesh.