Chapter 33

To Kiss and Thirst

Oh, it was awful. Every portion that went into my mouth tasted like dry, stale bread. I couldn't taste the sweetness of the once-delicious apples and sugary goodness. I sighed and set my fork down. Alec seemed to be picking wearily through his own slice of pie.

I snuck a peek at his face. He was staring down at his plate in boredom. We hadn't talked since I had called him Sherlock, about fifteen minutes ago. Instead, I figured both of us were listening in on the other conversations brewing in the restaurant.

Lukas's by far was the most interesting. Every other moment he'd call Julie over and talk flirtatiously with her. She too obviously had fallen under the vampire charm. I shot him a look across the floor and he seemed to sense my warning glare. He smiled in response.

I swear, if he used Julie as a meal, I'd… I would… I… wouldn't know what I'd do. But still. Cool fingers grasped my chin and turned my head back toward their owner. Alec had an amused expression upon his countenance.

"We're on a date, dear, stop looking at other men."

"Clearly, you're joking." I spluttered, swatting his hand away.

"Maybe, but we should start talking about something, anything."

He was right. I looked down at my rootbeer, opting whether I should take my first sip of it or not. Also opting what the hell I should say to Alec. Perhaps Elly had been wrong? I grabbed my rootbeer and brought the straw to my mouth. Gingerly, I sipped a little bit. It didn't taste that bad. I sucked harder and got a mouthful.

Oh, why, lord? Oh why did it have to taste nasty? As I tried to swallow it and it came back out as I started coughing and choking.

"I will seriously kill you." Alec stated dryly.

I looked up at him and my eyes widened. Rootbeer had somehow made it on his t-shirt. "Uh, um, oh, let me get you some napkins." I quickly stood up and made my way toward the counter.

Waiting for a waitress to come by so I could get a towel or napkins or something, Lukas suddenly appeared beside me. "How's it going to stick-up-the-ass over there?" he asked. There was no need to keep his voice even a whisper. Alec was still sure to hear.

"Terrible. I ended up spitting soda all over him." I muttered. Lukas chuckled.

"I guess that's a bit more sophisticated then tackling him from across a table."

The day I had done that was so long ago, that I was surprised I remembered it. It made me wince. "Yeah…" I agreed softly.

"Did you need anything?" Julie asked me from on the other side of the counter bar. I looked up and smiled.

"Yes, napkins, please? And a lot of them."

She looked from Lukas to me and then turned and grabbed a stack of napkins from the napkin holder beyond the counter. Setting them in my hands, she sent a suspicious to Lukas. I resisted rolling my eyes.

"Don't worry, he's all yours." I assured, and then pivoted and walked back to Alec. Throwing the napkins at Alec, I sat roughly in my chair.

"Wipe me off." Alec ordered suddenly. I scowled at him. He held a napkin out to me. "You did it, you clean it."

I knocked the napkins out of his hand and stood up. "I've had it! Elly was totally wrong!" I hissed angrily, stomping past him and out the doors of Denny's.

"Ava!" Alec called frustratingly out. I didn't stop until I was at Lukas's car, because I realized Lukas had driven us here. Throwing my hands up exasperatedly, I turned to go back to grab Lukas's ass. However, Alec was there right when I spun on my heel. His expression was painted on his face solemnly.

"Move." I grounded out between clenched teeth.

His face hardened and his eyebrows narrowed. Without one word, he pressed me against Lukas's car and his lips landed on mine.

It knocked the wind out of me.

I could do nothing but stand there. My hands were at my sides and I was caught between the car against my rear-end and Alec pressed fully against my front. I didn't resist as Alec's tongue found its way into my mouth and touched mine. In fact, it merely sent shivers down my spine.

Alec finally pulled back, breathing a tad heavier. He looked me in the eyes and I stared right back. "I'm sorry. I have no idea how to show my affection other than like this or being a royal asshole." he murmured so quietly that I even barely heard it.

But that was probably because my blood was pounding in my ears. I felt really thirsty all of a sudden too. I swallowed the dry lump forming in my throat and ignored the burning sensation of my gums and stomach. I concentrated only on Alec.

"Why did you do that?" I whispered.

He leaned his forehead against mine. "I…want to be with you." He breathed. His breath fanned across my face and I found myself wanting to take his lips with my own.

"Elly was totally right..." I trailed off, my eyes flickering to his lips.

"Okay, lovebirds, make out on your own time. Not here in broad daylight against my car."

We looked over at Lukas who was waiting patiently at the front of the hood. He raised an eyebrow. Alec pulled away from me. "Right. Ava and I will take my car back home then."

Lukas blinked. "Now hey! I just had to pay for your food! I think I have the right to take her home!"

Alec snorted. "You guys came looking for me, now you got me. Come on, Avanni." He pulled on my hand and I threw Lukas an apologetic look as I followed after. Said vampire watched us and didn't even blink. I hope I didn't upset him too much. We climbed into Alec's' car and he started it. That moment, Lukas drove past us. I didn't get a clear look at his face, but I was sure I had pissed him off.

After all, I just finished kissing Alec.

Oh my lord. I just kissed Alec. Alec!

Realization set in and my heart began beating crazily. This was all just too weird.

"Are you thirsty?" Alec asked as he began driving.

I shook my head. "Not yet."

"We still need to hurry back to get some blood." With that said, he pressed harder on the gas and drove around some of the slower cars. Some of them honked at us, but I smiled and looked out the window, keeping my head turned away from Alec as I blushed a bit. My fingers went up to gingerly touch my lips that were still tingling from his kiss. I had kissed Alec. Why did that sound so astounding to me?

Lukas was home before us. When we walked in, he was sitting on the couch watching TV, an annoyed look on his face. As soon as I walked in, I barged past the living room and to the stairs.

"Hey! Where are you going? Blood first!" Alec yelled after me.

"No! Elly first!" I had to check on my best friend to make sure blood was still pumping through her veins…human blood.

As I zoomed across the second floor, a door opened before my eyes followed and Tiffany walked out of Brent's room. I managed to stop just a foot from her with a surprised gasp. Tiffany squealed in shock and jumped back a few feet, a hand on her head as she looked wide-eyed at me.

"A-Ava?"

I gave her a soft smile. "Hey, Tiff. I'm really, really sorry I never told you about this before…what with your love for Brent and all…I just-" I stopped immediately when something delicious. What was that…?

My eyes zeroed in on Tiffany's neck. I felt my vision cloud a bit as her jugular vein pumped erratically under her skin. She was frightened, and a primal part of me found that it liked that, a lot… I took a step forward, and Tiffany's eyes widened.

"A-Avanni… your eyes…" she whispered. Something coiled inside of me, like a snake ready to attack. My gums tingled and I began to feel very, very thirsty.