Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Katie-

I didn't ask anything else for a while.

She returned to the stool and just watched me.

Once I fixed a plate for each of us, we moved into the large dining room.

I waited patiently for her to start.

She cut a piece of steak and looked up at me as she was moving it to her mouth.

One eyebrow raised and she looked amused.

Dani: 'Damn girl, you do have it bad.'

She chuckled a little and my cheeks felt warm.

'Wha-what? My mom always said, once you serve someone and meal, you wait until they start eating before you do.'

Dani: 'Oh, sure, I bet.'

She took a bite and looked like she was deep in thought.

Dani: 'Well damn, I might have to start eating food more often if you're cooking. This is delicious.'

'Really?!?!'

I sounded much more enthusiastic than I intended.

She started laughing as I stared nervously at my plate and picked up my fork.

Dani: 'Calm down. I don't think I've actually had a full meal in over twenty years.'

She said delicious no matter what else she said.

'So do you remember things you like?'

Dani: 'Of course, but you're the one that actually needs to eat. If you make something good I'll have some, but I don't plan on changing my diet to include solids regularly now.'

'So, it doesn't suck though?'

Dani: 'No, it doesn't suck, but you'd know that if you stopped drooling over me and ate what's on your plate. It'll get cold.'

'Why are you not really cold? You're not exactly a human space heater, but you're far from icy.'

The words fell from my mouth, shoved by curiosity.

She finished chewing and raised an eyebrow.

Dani: 'I don't maintain a particular temperature like you do. My body adjusts to the environment, so that I'm OK wherever.'

'Do you have a preference? With being hot or cold, I mean.'

Dani: 'Both are whatever. I don't get as uncomfortable as I did before. I don't really sweat from heat anymore, just exertion. If I had to choose I would say warm under a blanket in a cold room is my preference.'

'That's why the fan is always on in our room then? And the thick comforter, but you don't sweat?'

I closed my mouth quickly after realizing I called it our room.

Dani: 'We evolve like everything else. Our body isn't trying to maintain a certain temperature or anything so we don't sweat from the heat after a while.....and yeah I like.....wait...did you just say our room?'

I swallowed.

Dani: 'Don't go getting too comfortable. I told you that keeping you closer is easier than feeling you freaking out from separation. Make no mistake though, I'll stick you in that cage and not think twice about it.'

She sat her knife and fork down.

I did the same and hung my head.

Dani: 'Don't start pouting, you have to eat.'

'I'm not hungry anymore.'

Dani: 'Damnit.'

She slammed her fist to the table and my head shot up.

Dani: 'I'll make you if I have to.'

'Please don't.'

Dani: 'Then do as you are told. You can not do this act every time you get upset because I put you in your place.'

'Please eat with me? You said you didn't like to waste food.'

Dani: 'Fine.'

She picked up her fork and signaled me to do the same.

Dani: 'I'll be glad when you stop this childish bullshit.'

'I'm sorry. I promise I don't mean to. How long will it last?'

Dani: 'Everyone is different, and it depends on the amount of blood. You needed a hell of a lot. Once I knew you were OK, I drank what I usually would in an entire week. Some people burn through in a few days, but I've seen it linger for weeks. It's like medicine or anything else you put in your body.'

She sniffed into the air.

Dani: 'Speaking of, I'll need to go to the store for you tomorrow.'

'What? Why?'

Dani: 'You'll learn to take my word in time.'

'Well, could I go? You said I could buy clothes, but everything right now is black or red.'

Dani: 'I meant a pharmacy, not the mall.'

I hung my head.

Dani: 'I guess, if you don't totally piss me off, though.'

'So, you and the sun....'

Dani: 'Not best friends, but I won't turn to ash. Like everything else, we evolve. When you're new you have maybe thirty minutes in direct sunlight, skin tone depending. Severe burns that don't heal as quickly as we usually do. I never understood why people thought it was just UV rays. Do people not remember science from childhood? The moon reflects sunlight, that's what moonlight is. The moon doesn't produce light.'

I laughed and we both ate with small talk.

Once we finished I washed the dishes while she actually 'ate' on the patio.

Apparently I don't get to be around when she eats.

I go up and put on some shorts and a sports bra before crawling into bed.

She liked to be warm and made heat.

A little while later I felt the covers being pulled back so I inched closer.

Dani: 'Heightened awareness of everything going on. Why are you trying to be sly?'

'I make heat, you said you like to be warm.'

She turned on the lamp and gave me a look.

Dani: 'Do I look amused?'

'No ma'am, I just thought I could...'

Dani: 'Did you never learn the basics of sharing body heat?'

She pulled me closer.

Dani: 'You don't wear clothes, genius. I guess if you're trying to provide heat, you shouldn't bother with clothes any time we're in the bed.'

She wrapped her arms around me and rolled me on top of her.

Her hands ran up my sides and her thumbs hooked under the sides of the sports bra.

She slid it over my head and tossed it aside.

Her face pressed into my breast and she began rubbing it gently against them while holding my back.

Dani: 'You are warm.'

'Wait...you're naked. You weren't a second ago....I'm....I'm dreaming again.'

Dani: 'And you realize it...'

Her eyebrow raised and she looked confused.

Dani: 'So, what are we going to do in this dream of yours then?'