Page 62 of Bite

By the time we arrive at Cabo Cantina, the sun is dipping below the skyline, streaking the city in gold and purple. There’s already a decent crowd packed in, the low thump of bass vibrating through the floorboards and the air thick with the scent of lime and the tang of stale beer.

We claim our usual high-top booth near the back after buying our own margaritas for a change, neon lights glinting off the rims of our glasses as Bex raises hers in a toast.

“To yournew vampire sugar daddy, andyoubeing my new sugar mama.”

I chuckle reluctantly, clinking my glass against hers. “You’re never gonna let that go, are you?”

“Not a chance,” she grins, eyeing me over the rim as she takes a sip. “Nowtalk, I’ve been patient all day.”

I take a bigger gulp than I should, the tequila hitting fast on my empty stomach. “This whole thing isn’t what I thought it’d be,” I murmur as I set my glass down.

Bex tips her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes. “What do you mean? There’s gotta be perks to living in Dracula’s mansion.”

I snort a laugh. “Oh, there are perks. My bedroom is ten times the size of my apartment, the bathtub’s big enough to swim laps in. And the food… Bex, I didn’t even know food could taste like that. He’s got a whole team of chefs, plus a full staff to run the house. I swear even the air there smells rich.”

“You sound like you’re describing heaven,” she sighs dreamily, swirling her straw around in her margarita. “Or a very fancy cult.”

“Maybe both,” I chuckle.

“So then what’s the problem?”

“James.”

She narrows her eyes, inclining her chin. “What about him? Isn’t he rich and hot and brooding in a sexy, bitey way?”

“Yeah. All of that,” I admit, heat creeping up my neck. “But he’s also… intense. When I’m with him, it’s like I forget who I am.”

Bex leans forward, concern replacing the teasing. “Forget how? Like, danger-forget, or hot-forget?”

I huff out a laugh that catches in my throat. “Both? When he’s not there, I can’t stop thinking about him, and when heisthere, I can’t think at all. I mean, it’s all consensual. But when he touches me, it’s like…” I trail off with a groan, eyes rolling back. “God, I can’t even describe it.”

Her lips twitch into a smirk. “Girl, you sound addicted.”

“Yeah,” I murmur, tracing condensation on the rim of my glass. “I think I am. To him, to all of it. The luxury, the power, the way everything feels heightened when he’s around. I keep telling myself it’s all temporary, that this is just a job, but it’s like I’m starting to lose touch with reality. With who I really am.”

She frowns, setting her drink down with a soft clink. “That’s not healthy babe. You can’t let some guy– rich vampire or not– rewrite who you are.”

“I know.” I manage a faint smile. “I just… don’t know how to stop it. Or if I even want to.”

I hate that I just said that out loud, but it feels damn good to get it off my chest.

Bex reaches across the table for my hand, giving it a squeeze. “Then maybe you don’t,” she suggests. “Maybe you just enjoythe ride until it burns itself out. Promise you’ll keep your eyes open, though. You can play the game without letting him own the board.”

I stare down at my glass and nod slowly, letting her words settle.

She squeezes my hand again. “Hey. Look at me.”

I do.

“You don’t owe him anything beyond what you signed up for,” she says fiercely, green eyes blazing. “If it’s too much, walk away. No amount of money or orgasms or whatever is worth stressing yourself out this much.”

Her bluntness cuts through the haze like a punch. “I know,” I reply, swallowing thickly. “I just… don’t think he’d let me walk away that easily.”

Something sharp flickers in her expression. “What does that mean?”

I shake my head, forcing a smile. “Nothing. I’m being dramatic.”

Bex doesn’t look like she buys it, but she lets it go, picking up her drink. “Fine. But I swear, if this dude pulls any crap, I’ll go full Buffy on him. Wooden stake and all.”