Bite Me Read online

  “We can do that later,” he murmured against her throat.

  “But I'm starving.”

  Trent managed to get her to the side of the bed and pushed her down. “I'm starving too.”

  She looked up at him, fighting a flash of annoyance. “We didn't eat dinner last night and I only had a bite for lunch before that.”

  “You were the main course last night.”

  Seffy sighed and touched his shoulders as he crouched over her. “You haven't eaten anything either. Maybe you can hear my heart, but I can hear your stomach rumbling.”

  “We'll get something to eat...afterwards.” He leaned down and kissed her, stopping her protests. “I promise.”

  ***

  Leaving Trent to a nap two hours later, Seffy knocked on Lani's door.

  When her friend opened the door and saw her, her blue eyes flashed with curiosity. “Hi, Sef! Come in!”

  “Is this a bad time or anything?”

  “Nope. It's just me.”

  Seffy followed her into the room and looked around, feeling suddenly awkward.

  “Today's a big day. One whole week!”

  Seffy smiled. “Wow, I can't believe you're keeping track.”

  Lani shrugged and perched on the edge of her bed. “I told you, I'm doing the vicarious thing.”

  “Is Malone busy with the security again?”

  She nodded with a sigh. “They've been finding strange animal prints around the compound outside and are trying to trap whatever is causing them. I swear, there's always something creepy going on around this place.”

  “That's the truth.”

  “So, how is it? Married life?”

  Seffy sent her a crooked smile. “Well...it's not a whole lot different, what with basically being held hostage and all.”

  Lani frowned. “Oh, I thought you were going to use words like rapturous, voluptuous, and satiated and—”

  “Uh oh, have you been reading those trashy novels from the commons room?”

  She smiled. “Guilty.”

  Seffy chewed the inside of her cheek. The words that sprung to her mind were closer to confused, disconcerted, uneasy. And ravenous, if Trent's carnal appetite was any indication. At the rate they were going, she'd need a motorized scooter to get up and down the halls.

  “Sef?”

  She looked up. “Yeah?”

  “Is everything okay?”

  Seffy cleared her throat. “Actually, I came by to see if you've gotten some of my clothes in your laundry. I'm running out of things to wear.”

  Lani jumped up and went to her closet. “I didn't know clothes were a necessity on your honeymoon.”

  Seffy let out a chuckle that fell flat.

  “Well, it looks like I have a couple of unfamiliar blouses.” She returned with two blouses Seffy had never seen. “Are these yours?”

  She shook her head.

  “I don't know whose is whose anymore. A few days ago, Addison and I switched out some tops with Eva and Cynthia. They like to do that from time to time. I guess they get tired of their stuff. Maybe some of your clothes went to them.”

  “I guess,” Seffy said frowning. “But since I have to do my own laundry, it doesn't really make sense that I'm coming back with less stuff than I started with.”

  “That's such a bummer housekeeping avoids your clothes.”

  Seffy released a breath. “They don't even send food anymore and I'm not allowed near the cafeteria, either.”

  Lani's jaw dropped. “How do they expect you to eat?”

  “Well, I can't be certain they 'expect' me to, but at this point, I've been depending on Trent. Unfortunately, he hasn't been as hungry lately, so I've been going without.”

  “You poor thing!” She went to her mini fridge. “Can I make you a sandwich? It'd just be a PBJ but—”

  “That would be heavenly.” Her stomach seconded the motion. “In fact, I was wondering if you could maybe smuggle some stuff to my room from time to time. Canned anything is fine.”

  “Sure, but why don't you just ask Trent? I'm sure he'd be happy—”

  Seffy waved her hands dismissively, her face heating. “You're right, never mind.”

  Lani finished making the sandwich and handed it to her.

  Seffy tried not to moan as she bit into the fresh bread, but her eyes fluttered closed as the taste of creamy peanut butter and sweet strawberry jam hit her taste buds. When she swallowed and opened her eyes, she found Lani staring at her.

  “You know what, I'd be happy to bring some stuff by.”

  Seffy looked away to hide her growing anxiety. After an awkward moment of silence, she resumed eating, avoiding Lani's curious looks. As she finished the sandwich, her friend went back to the fridge, then returned with some milk. Seffy accepted the glass with a shaky hand, downing the milk in one long drink.

  “Whoa,” Lani said, sinking back onto her chair. “You were hungry. Oh! I know! Maybe you're pregnant.”

  Wiping her lips with the back of her hand, Seffy shook her head. “I don't think so.”

  Suddenly the door swung open and Malone strode into the room. He stopped when he saw Seffy and smirked.

  “So, there's already trouble in paradise?”

  “What?” Her heart kicked up several notches. Could he tell just by seeing her for one second?

  “Malone!” Lani scolded. “Seffy just came by because she was missing a few blouses.”

  He kicked the door shut then went to the fridge, grabbed the half gallon of milk, and began to chug it from the carton.

  Seffy pressed her hand to her mouth.

  “Don't worry, I had just opened it for you,” Lani whispered.

  While she relaxed slightly, Malone came to stand in front of her. “You and Trent having problems?”

  Lani jumped up. “I just told you—”

  “I ain't talking about looking for blouses, I'm talking about going into areas of the compound where you're not allowed, on your so-called honeymoon no less.”

  Seffy raised her brows. “I haven't been further than Lani's room.”

  “Sorry, princess, you've been spotted several times in the last week. Security's been getting reports.”

  “Malone, it wasn't me. People are just paranoid about my contamination status.”

  He sucked his teeth, lancing her with a hard look from beneath his heavy brows. “You're the only one around here with that pink tracksuit. It's a dead giveaway.”

  Seffy felt the blood drain from her face. Angelique. Oh God have I been wandering around while Trent's asleep?

  “Sef, sweetie, are you okay?”

  Lani was suddenly at her side, grabbing her hand. Seffy licked her dry lips and looked at Malone. “What was I doing?”

  “You tell me, princess.”

  She briefly closed her eyes to marshal her thoughts. “So I was seen just walking around, or what?”

  Malone and Lani exchanged glances. “I've just heard reports of sightings, not what you were actually up to.”

  “I think I better go.” Dizziness assailed her and she just wanted to get back to her room.

  “Here, take these blouses.” Lani shoved the garments into her hand.

  Gripping the gauzy fabric between her fingers, she left Lani's room and headed back to her own in a daze. When she walked through her door, she found Trent preparing to leave.

  “Where were you?” he barked.

  His tone took her by surprise. She held up the blouses. “Um, just getting some clothes from Lani.”

  His frown relaxed. “I don't like it when you just disappear that way.”

  Seffy closed the door and leaned against it. “Do I do that a lot? Disappear?”

  “Sometimes. Why do you smell like peanut butter?”

  She snorted in frustration. “I had a sandwich at Lani's.” Because you never want to stop and eat. It's either sex or sleeping and no in between. Seffy cringed at the unbidden thought. She shook her head to clear it. “So I've disappeared recently? Like this we
ek?”

  “Not that I know of.” He plowed a hand through his unkempt hair. “Come back to bed. I miss you.”

  Seffy pressed her spine against the door. “I don't want to come back to bed.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because we've barely left it in a week.”

  He grinned suddenly. “Isn't that the point of a honeymoon?”

  She skewered him with a dark look. “Honeymoons also have sightseeing and going out to eat and walking in the park holding hands.”

  Trent's smile faded. “I'm sorry, Sef, that I can't give you those things.”

  She deflated as he came up and put his arms around her.

  Seffy returned the embrace and tucked her face in the hollow of his shoulder, absorbing his nearness. He slid his hand under her hair and stroked the nape of her neck. As she relaxed against him, she willed her shadowy thoughts away.

  “Why do you think you've disappeared?” Trent asked after a few minutes.

  Seffy pulled back slightly and looked up at him. “When I was at Lani's, Malone said there have been reports of me running around the compound, in areas I'm restricted from.”

  He frowned. “Then there's a mistake. I would've known if you left.”

  “What if—?” Seffy fought against an urge to panic. “What if I'm following that Angelique girl around again? I've been able to get away from you without you knowing before.”

  He shook his head. “In the past week, I've only awoken to find you gone twice. Both today. Once you were just in your room, and once you were at Lani's.”

  “So what are people seeing that they think is me?”

  Trent shrugged. “Maybe they're nervous about your presence and seeing Seffys around every corner.”

  She offered up a humorless smile. “Yeah, maybe.”

  He released her and took her hands. “Let's talk more about it over there.”

  Seffy glanced at the bed with its tangled sheets and blankets and offered him a tired smile. “You promised me breakfast the last time.”

  “I personally guarantee lunch...afterwards.”

  “Lunch before or no deal. You need to eat something, too.”

  He sighed dramatically. “I had no idea you were this difficult.”

  Seffy tugged her hands away and grabbed his shirt off the dresser. She tossed it at him and crossed her arms over her chest. “It's called being reasonable.”

  Trent yanked the shirt over his head. “I don't think love is supposed to be reasonable.”

  “I'd be happy to discuss it over some hot soup.”

  “All right, I'm going.” He reached down and tugged his Vans onto his bare feet. “Don't leave.”

  “I'll be right here.”

  He stared at her for a long minute before giving her a hard kiss and going out the door.

  While he was gone, Seffy jumped in the shower and changed into one of the shirts Lani had given her, feeling some of her angst lessen.

  Maybe all she'd needed to do was stand her ground. Why did things have to get weird in the first place? Was this some kind of period of adjustment? Were she and Trent trying to figure out their places in the relationship?

  Or maybe she was just that damn hungry.

  After she finished blow drying her hair and putting on some makeup, she heard Trent return. When she came out of the bathroom, his expression of disappointment was ludicrous.

  “I thought I told you not to shower.”

  Well, so much for the weirdness being over. She went over and took the small pile of cans from his arms and set them on the table. “Just for the record, I will be taking one shower a day. So brace yourself.”

  He grimaced and walked over to her. “You don't smell like you. I don't like it.”

  “Well,” she said brightly, “just breathe through your mouth when you're near me.”

  He rolled his eyes.

  “On that note, you should take a shower while I fix us some soup.”

  Acting like he'd been commanded to perform some horrific task, Trent stalked to his room. Fifteen minutes later, he was back, freshly shaved, his damp hair sticking up in all directions, and in a clean white T-shirt and blue jeans. She paused to admire his heart-pounding appeal, then handed him a mug of vegetable soup.

  Leaning his hip against the desk, Trent sniffed it and made a face. “Yuck.” He took a sip and said it again.

  “I think it's yummy. Hunger can make even the blandest foods taste good.”

  As he continued to sip at his soup, Trent watched her with a calculating stare until she finished hers off. Then he slammed his mug down, sloshing soup onto the desk. “Okay, we had a deal.”

  Seffy blinked. “Are you serious?”

  “Definitely.”

  She tilted her head. “You have to finish yours first.”

  With a disgusted sigh, he grabbed his mug and drained it down.

  Suddenly a shocked look crossed his face. He turned and bolted for the bathroom.

  Alarmed, Seffy followed and found him vomiting into the toilet. “Oh my God, Trent!” She put her hand on his back as he continued to convulse. When he was done, he remained stooped, breathing heavily, sweat pouring off his face. He grabbed a cup and rinsed out his mouth.

  She touched his arm when he was done. “Okay, you get your wish, sweetheart. You're going straight to bed.”

  Chapter Eleven

  He galloped toward the ledge and launched himself from the rocky outcropping into the meadow below. The pale blue light of the moon illuminated the racing doe as she zigzagged across through the grass. He could smell the hot blood rushing through her body, the sweat pouring off in waves, but mostly, he could smell the fear.

  And it smelled so good.

  He ran faster.

  She must've known heading into the meadow was a miscalculation—but she would've realized it too late. After all, he was the one who chased her there by design. No trees, no caves, only an open area covered in bent, dried grass. An owl swooped overhead looking for the field mice he could hear rustling below. Aside from the chuffing breath of the doe and the sound of her frantic hoof beats, crickets chirped in the otherwise sleepy silence.

  He watched her begin to panic, then stumble in a snake hole. He surged forward and got his teeth into her hide. She bleated, but sent a powerful kick to his head, forcing him to let go with a yelp as he tumbled backwards in a heap.

  He jumped up, shook himself off, and resumed chase. Even through the blood pouring into his eyes, he could tell the doe was beginning to tire. She should admit defeat and allow the inevitable.

  Her death was a foregone conclusion.

  After a few more turns around the meadow, the doe slowed, panting and wild-eyed. He edged close by, struggling to catch his own breath, which plumed out in the chilly air.

  She came to a stop and faced him, her flanks twitching, her ears swiveling. He knew she was listening in vain for the arrival of the others. But she was alone and trapped, just like he'd planned.

  He took a stealthy step toward her, keeping one eye on her back legs to avoid another kick. She gazed at him, her eyes dark and shiny in the night air. Had she given up? It would make things easier. He hadn't eaten in days. Even now he could feel his ribs heaving against his sides. But soon, she would give him what she craved.

  Suddenly the doe charged him. He didn't expect the move and lost his balance as he tried to lunge at her. She jumped high, soaring over him and taking off across the field.

  Fury pumped adrenaline through his muscles as he took off after her. Just as he began to despair that she might escape after all, she stumbled hard against something on the ground and lost her footing. Though she quickly righted herself, it gave him the precious seconds needed. With an almighty jump, he catapulted himself at her and caught her throat in his jaws.

  Clamping down with all his strength, he dragged her to the ground kicking and gasping.

  He sunk his teeth in deeper and shook hard, severing tendons, muscles, and arteries. As her head flopped ba
ckward and the last bit of life sent tremors across her body, he slashed her throat open and lapped up the hot blood with savage greed.

  When he drank his fill, he tore strips of flesh away and gulped them down, gorging himself until he felt he would vomit.

  Finally sated, he threw back his head, and a raw, primal howl poured from his own throat, reverberating across the moonlit field and beyond.

  ***

  Seffy stared down at Trent in concern. He was asleep, his head cradled in her lap where she sat on the bed with her legs crossed. His muscles twitched uncontrollably and his hands grasped at her pant legs. She could see eye movement beneath his lids and he made funny little puffing noises as his respiration increased.

  Was it a dream or muscle spasms? Seffy ran her hand through his hair in an effort to comfort him. She leaned forward, brushing a kiss across his temple.

  Should she call Olga? She touched his forehead. He didn't seem to have a fever, but something was making him sick. Did it have anything to do with his odd behavior? Or maybe she had unrealistic expectations of their relationship.

  She remembered the bruises and shuddered. No, some things were simply unacceptable.

  But there was unacceptable and there was...different. In some ways, what was different plagued her more. Okay, she could admit some disappointment in their lovemaking lately.

  There, she'd acknowledged it, mentally at least. But it didn't make sense. He seemed to want her more than ever, but it was a desperate, seemingly insatiable need that eclipsed her desires in order to satisfy his own.

  Had she become spoiled? Overly accustomed to his attentiveness? Maybe this was a phase and he just needed a little extra for a while. She could yield some of her own wants...for a time.

  Seffy tipped her head back, pressing it against the wall, and closed her eyes. How selfish of me to be thinking about this when Trent is sick as a dog. Real mature.

  A light knock sounded on the door. Seffy didn't want to answer out loud in case her voice awoke Trent. Slowly the knob turned and the door opened. Lani poked her head in with an apologetic smile. When she saw Trent, her smile slipped. Seffy motioned her in, and was surprised when Malone followed close behind.