Page 37 of Loved to Death

Several seconds passed, and when he glanced up again, Polly’s furrowed brow made him wonder why she was confused. When she noticed he was looking at her, she cleared her throat, straightened her skirt, and said, “See that you don’t mention it again, or there will be retribution.”

“Yes, Miss Polly. I understand, and I’m sorry I upset you.” He bowed once more. “I’m grateful for everything you’ve taught me over the past two weeks, and I meant no disrespect.”

“Very well, you’re forgiven.” She pulled him upright and into a light hug before gesturing to the horse. “Let’s get going. I want to reach Eureka before the night is up.”

Soon, they were heading north on the horse in silence, but Shen’s mind was busy devising ways to find answers to his questions.

Chapter Fourteen

1882, Portland, Oregon

When the sun dipped under the horizon, Thomas climbed up the ladder to the deck of the ship, nodded to Mr. Johansen in passing, and walked down the gangplank to the dock. Most of the crew would be at Big Dog Tavern enjoying their shore leave, and Thomas planned to join in the merriment after feeding. He walked briskly across town for quite some time until he noticed more farmland than buildings. The warm summer night made it easy to find a farm with cows still in the pasture. He pulled up a couple of carrots from the farm’s little garden and then hopped the fence to walk toward the cows. One of the three came to him while the others ignored him. He gave her one carrot and petted her for a moment before letting his fangs descend. He quickly bit through the thick skin on her neck and stepped back. She bellowed once and ran a few feet away, but when the shock and initial pain subsided, she settled. Thomas walked up to her again, speaking gently, and gave her the other carrot before putting his mouth over the oozing wound. She stood still while he forced himself to drink until he was full. He licked the wound closed and patted her before walking away. He stopped at the farm’s water trough to clean up and then headed back to the road.

During his walk back to town, he couldn’t help but sense that Shen was currently feeling hunger and guilt. If Shen and Polly kept to their usual pattern, they’d feed before morning. Thomas knew they were far to the east, but it was hard to say exactly how far. At least another state away. Maybe two. Sighing, Thomas looked at his feet as he walked. The gnawing guilt of not rescuing Shen was always worse when Shen was hungry. Thomas found it difficult to believe that two years had passed since he’d abandoned his lover with his tormentor. He’d meant to rescue Shen a long time ago, but once he’d realized Polly didn’t continually hurt Shen the way she used to hurt him, he’d been able to rationalize his lack of action. Refusing to think about his cowardice any longer, he broke into a jog to get back to town where distractions awaited him.

Half an hour later, he was back at the docks, and purposely walked up to three women who were loitering outside a busy pub.

“Looking for company, handsome?” the youngest of the three asked.

Thomas fished out his coin purse and took out a silver dollar. He held it in his palm for them to see before making eye contact with the oldest of the bunch. “I have very specific desires. Will you let me bite you?”

“Bite me?” the woman asked, eyes narrowing.

Thomas nodded and gently touched her wrist. “Just one bite, right here, when I’m inside you.”

“Go get George,” the youngest one urgently whispered.

“Hush, Ethel,” the older one said. “The men who ask up front for unusual things aren’t the men you need to worry about.” Focusing back on Thomas she said, “Will you break the skin?”

“Yes. But I’ve no ailments, so it will heal quickly.” He pulled out another silver dollar and put it in his palm.

She licked her lips and then nodded her head toward the alley beside the pub. “Over there? Or do you want a room?”

“Whichever makes you feel more comfortable,” Thomas said, handing the coins over to her.

She put the money in a fold of her dress and took his hand. She pulled him halfway down the dark alley, pushed him up against the wall, and pressed her body against his. Her hands immediately started undoing his trousers and then they were on his cock. She gasped and her hands came out of his pants. “You’re deathly cold.”

“It’s a condition. My whole body is colder than most.” He put the back of his hand on the side of her face and she shivered. “If you’ve changed your mind, I’ll have my money back.”

She searched his eyes for a few moments before putting her hands back in his pants.

It had been over a month since Thomas had experienced a woman’s touch, and it only took a few seconds of encouragement for him to be ready. She hiked her dress up, and said, “You’re a bit tall for this to work.”

He put his hands on her hips and easily lifted her up enough that she could guide him inside with her hand.

Groaning in pleasure, Thomas turned them around so that her back was against the wall helping to support her. Then he adjusted his grip, holding her in place with one arm while clasping her forearm and bringing her wrist up to his mouth with his free hand. “Close your eyes, keep them closed, and try not to scream when I break the skin.”

She nodded and did as he asked.

He closed his eyes as well to hide his eyes turning black just in case she opened hers, and let his sharp teeth come down before quickly biting into her wrist. He barely noticed her muffled whimper as his bloodlust took over. The rush of blood in his mouth went straight to his throbbing cock. He pumped into her in time with the small swallows of blood that trickled from her wrist and within seconds, he found his release. The cup or two of her blood satiated him in ways that gallons of animal blood could not, as long as he’d filled up on the animal blood first and had small amounts of human blood every couple of days.

He let his teeth recede, opened his eyes, and licked her wound until the bleeding stopped.

She kept her eyes shut tight and her head turned far away from him. Thomas noted that her breathing and heart rate were quite high.

“Thank you,” he said gently before sliding his softening cock out of her and setting her down on her feet. “I’ve brought a bandage.”

She opened her eyes. “There’s no need for—”

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