Page 12 of Stranded with a Wounded Vampire

“Oh good.”

Is he staring at my neck?

“And when does this happen? Is it during some sort of ceremony…?”

“While we are having sex, when I am inside of you, I will sink my fangs into your neck and ingest your blood and at that moment there will be a heightened response to both of our orgasms.”

I stare at him in wonder and shift on my feet again to decrease the heat between my thighs. I know already that his species does not need to drink blood daily to survive. They only share blood between each other to solidify contracts or for special ceremonies. And now I know they also do this during sex.

It seems like a good time to change the subject. “How about I make dinner now? You can relax and sit while I get food ready for us.”

He nods and takes a seat at the nearest kitchen island.

“I know you get groceries. Do you have anything to eat?”

“I received more supplies this morning. You can check to see if there’s anything you like.”

I open white cabinets that I think might hold some food and that's when I discover he has the exact same spaghetti sauce I purchase. Not only that, the exact same pasta. I look over at him and give him a big smile. “Ooh, you’ve got the exact same type of sauce and pasta that I purchase. Have you tried this?”

Is he flushing with embarrassment?

“No, not yet.”

And I look in his cupboards further and find a pot to boil water. He has a very nice set of pots and pans. And I find pasta dishes to plate the spaghetti exactly how I like, flat almost like a plate but with a rim around the edge. “Is it okay if I keep looking? If I open up more cupboards, the fridge and everything?”

“Please feel comfortable. Use this kitchen as if it were yours.”

“I wish,” I whisper, gazing longingly at the shiny marble counters, the top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances and not one, but two kitchen islands.

And that’s when I notice the pink box I brought is in the trash, because it’s empty. “Did you already eat all six of the treats?”

“I was waiting a very long time for you to depart and they were tasty.”

“Oh, well that’s good. Which one did you like the best?”

“I still enjoyed the items you call donuts. The other one, with the green spread on the top was good too.”

“Hmm…sounds like you’re still a fan of the Old-Fashioned donuts and you like the pistachio and…” I open the fridge and let out a screech because I’m startled all over again by the bags of blood.

Bruce stands as if readying to come to my rescue.

I wave a hand at him. “That's all right,” I laugh. “Sorry, about that. I promise I'm becoming used to it.” I reach around behind the blood and find the wrapped block of the exact Parmesan that I like to use. “How did you know this is what I purchase? You even have the same grater I use.”

“They told me when I questioned them at the grocery store.”

I open the freezer and find a package of frozen baguettes. He’s even got frozen croissants, ciabatta, sourdough and English muffins. “You even get fresh, artisan bread delivered and all you have to do is bake it?”

“I like it. Human food is very good. I foresee that the various foods from your species around this world will become your number one export. Your agricultural products and the creative meals are unlike anything on my planet or anywhere else in the four sectors. I think you'll be famous for your agriculture. And your donuts.”

I turn on the oven to preheat. “Is that a smile? Are you telling a joke?”

He looks away.

“Hmm. And what do we get in response for sharing our fabulous food products?”

“High tech, especially medical technology which can save or improve millions of lives.”

“Oh, that's wonderful.” I fill up the pot with water and get it on the stove to start the boil. The oven is already heated to the right temperature, so I toss the cold baguette inside directly on the middle rack. “You know this kitchen is beautiful and huge. I love the island in the middle and in fact the two islands. This stove is fancy and it's the type of appliance that normally I would never even see in real life. My commercial kitchen is nice, but the kitchen at my home is just an apartment. This is my dream kitchen.”

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