Page 25 of Dear Mr. Vampire

I couldn’t believe I slept with my neighbor. There was no way I could go back to The Castle, ever. That nightclub was off-limits. It wasn’t that big of a deal. My club days were coming to an end. I wasn’t just like all of his other one-nightstands. I lived in the same building as the man. I probably should’ve thought this through before I let him get all up in my juicy fruit.

I didn’t feel dirty or slutty, but I felt stupid with a dash ofneedy. I needed that dick, and I had it all up inside me. Oh lord, I hated being weak. Now I was going to have to listen to a four-hour gospel playlist to cleanse myself of my reckless behavior. I needed some melodies from heaven to rain down on me.

Soon as I tell Morgan, she’s going to chastise me for being so loosey goosey. I was supposed to be lying low in this new city. Not riding my mysterious neighbor’s gi-norn-mess dick like I was in a rodeo. Because yes, that was also something that happened in the middle of the night.

Zand had a revolving door of women, and I just made myself one of his many conquests. It happened and I couldn’t take it back. Truth be told, I didn’t want to. That was some of the best sex I’d ever had. It was sensual and sweet. He hit all the spots without beating me to a pulp. He caressed every inch of me without leaving bruises. Now I knew what being caught up in the rapture really meant.

I didn’t shower when I got home because I wanted to smell him on my body. I wanted to savor his intoxicating flavor. I wanted to feel something other than loneliness, despair, and fear. Zand did that for me. He gave me a night of repose.

The dick was superb, but we exchanged fluids. I wanted to freak out about it later rather than sooner. I could panic tomorrow. I was going to have to get my ass out of the house and buy a morning-after pill. To make matters worse, I was going to have to get tested for STDs. Was the phenomenal sex even worth all the drama? Time would tell. I was going to have to check back with myself once I knew I was free of diseases and embryos.

All the drama because the condom broke. That’s never happened to me before. Why in the world was he forcing his large penis into a normal size condom? One size does not fit all. He knew what tools he was working with. He said he was clean. But just because he said he’s clean, don’t make it true. I’m not going to take his word for it.

The next few days were stressful for me. Waiting for my blood work to come back from the lab was nerve wrecking. I had to get a gynecologist recommendation from a coworker because I didn’t have one in this town. I didn’t actually need one when I first arrived in Chicago. I wasn’t planning on sleeping with anyone. And then Zand happened. I wished I was prepared, but I wasn’t. I wished I had got to know him better before I spread my legs, but I didn’t. I was drawn in by Zand’s cool and sexy nature.

After five days of worrying, I could breathe a sigh of relief. I was sure the Plan B pill worked just because I’d never heard of it failing. My pap smear and my labs came back STD free. I celebrated the win with a pint of Talenti Sorbetto in Roman Raspberry flavor. I didn’t care about the calories. I needed something to make me feel sated since sex was off the table. I swore off all men for the time being. Good old unprotected sex was just so stressful.

I hated thinking about Zand, the man of many names— Mr. Vampire, Alexander, Zander and Mr. Valentine. Thinking about if he was thinking about me was driving me bat-shit crazy. I’m sure he wasn’t giving me a single fleeting thought. His apartment was a revolving door of various women. I had to come to terms with the fact that I was just one of many.

I slept with that man and I didn’t even have his cell phone number. I didn’t even know what I was doing sleeping with someone who lived in my apartment building. This definitely wasn’t part of the plans I had when I moved to this city. I was already messing up. I was supposed to be focused on my career. I wanted to pay off my credit cards, raise my credit score and save up money to buy a house. I wanted to live my life in Chicago without getting into anything physical with a man. My judgment was not the greatest in the man's department.

I stayed in my apartment, not sure what to do to avoid seeing Zand. I went to work, but I made sure I didn’t run into Mr.Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am. I was hiding out, and it seemed to be working.

After a long day at the job, I needed a friend and although Morgan was four hundred and ten miles away; she was a constant source of support for me. I called her up, and she answered on the second ring.

“What you doing?” I asked.

“I’m doing Brandy.”

In unison we sang, “Sitting up in my room. Back here thinking about you.” We giggled. We were a hot mess when we got together.

“You still hiding from that man?”

“Every-damn-day.” I sang.

“You’re real immature.”

“I’m embarrassed.”

“Was he laughing when he was blowing your back out?”

“No.” I frowned into the cell phone.

“Well, you don’t have a damn thing to be embarrassed about. Did he leave you any more notes?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged, although she couldn’t see me sprawled out in my bed.

“Girl, stop being silly. Go check the damn flowerpot.”

“I’m afraid to look.”

“Why? I thought he was gone to that club every night.”

“I think so. I don’t know. I’m trying to stay out his way.”

“Go. Check and see if his car is out there.”

“His car never moves.” I knew I told her he likes to walk around the crime-ridden streets.

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