Dark Desires

I blinked. He looked so wretched and remorseful that I couldn't help but give a short burst of laughter. My smile didn't die even when he gave me a hurtful look. "Oh Jacob, darling. I'm on the Pill."

He looked up quickly from his sorrowful contemplation of the bedroom carpet, "But... you're not in a relationship!"

I laughed, "Jacob, most women use the Pill for other reasons too. It's a good way to keep yourself... ummm... regular." I tried to explain delicately.

He gave me a quizzical look and soon enough he understood. His face cleared up and he gave me an embarrassed grin, "Oh... I... see..."

I couldn't help but laugh as I saw him looking at me with that apologetic way that men have. That totally irresistible way that I was finding out Jacob had. Suddenly, all thoughts of sleeping were a long, long way away.

I reached forwards and took his head in my hands, leaning in to kiss him gently. He kissed me back and slowly laid me back onto the bed, his fingers already working their special magic on my body.

**************

The next four weeks were filled with fine days and even finer nights. I could not believe my luck at finding such a wonderful man. His laugh made me all giddy with happiness and it was the little things I noticed when we were together that made me glow all warm and fuzzy inside. He was always opening doors, standing aside to let me pass before him in narrow places, looking after the bill – and even making me breakfast in bed on some occasions. It was heaven and I was dreading the moment when he would have to go home.

Jacob smiled at me over dinner one day. It was his last night here and he had taken me to the most romantic little restaurant for our last dinner. Well, for the last dinner this time, that was. We were already planning the next time we would see each other. I had some time to myself coming up and we were eagerly making plans as to when and how I'd get to him. It was my turn this time.

I smiled back at him and reached forwards to take his hand that rested on the tabletop. I knew it was a completely cliché move, but I couldn't help it. When I looked into his eyes, I saw the love shining there and I knew that he had to be seeing the same thing in mine. "You know," I sighed, "It's strange just how fast this has all been..."

He laughed, "Fast? Yes, I suppose, but it seemed like an eternity just to get to see you. I think I was falling in love with you the minute we first chatted."

I grinned. Sentimental things like that were what drew me to him. Suddenly a thought came to me and I frowned, "How far do you think we could take this? I mean, living so far away from each other.... Having our own separate lives and friends... " I trailed off when I noticed him looking intently at me. He actually looked really serious and I could not decide if it was a good thing or a bad thing. Suddenly, I felt like a complete idiot for bringing it up at all, especially considering how painful it would be when he left in the morning.

"Actually," he started after a moment's hesitation, "I was thinking about that too. I know, I have my small business and like you said, friends and family. But I can't get you out of my head. I would really love for you to see my home and make your own decision." He ducked his head, "I mean... whether you want to move in with me... or me with you..." then he put up his hands, palms out, "Not that I'm asking... I mean, I'm not going to fast... there's no pressure..."

I couldn't help but smile as I patted his hand in a comforting gesture. "We can talk about it after I get there, how about that? I'm sorry for bringing it up, I really am."

He nodded and smiled, "Yeah that sounds better. Don't worry about it, I was thinking about it too, you know."

Our waiter came around with our deserts and I had yet another sobering moment. I felt, suddenly, that this was our last night together and no matter how much I wanted to think otherwise, my heart refused to shake the feeling away. Jacob looked at me and I felt his concern as he asked if I was alright. Though the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach said otherwise, I put on a bright smile and nodded that I was. I couldn't let some silly feeling ruin our last night together.

**************

The warm night was refreshing after the almost chilly air conditioning of the restaurant. We walked down the darkened streets, his arms draped around me as I leaned into him. Believe it or not, it was a full moon tonight. The niggling feeling in the back of my head was finally fading as I let my happiness flow through me. The stars were out and seemed brighter than I had ever seen them.

We chatted aimlessly, laughing our way home. We had decided not to get a taxi, simply because it was our last night together and we felt like a walk. The night wasn't too hot, and we felt completely at ease with each other. His rich, deep laugh echoed along the streets we crossed, the city seemed abandoned. I honestly couldn't have felt any happier than at that very moment, wandering the night with my lover. I didn't even let the impending thought of his dawn flight back hamper my bliss.

Suddenly, Jacob pulled me up against a building and passionately took my mouth in his. His fingers slid into my hair, his tongue pushing against my lips. I parted them, allowing him access and he groaned, his tongue sweeping into my mouth, sliding against my own. I was momentarily shocked at the passion he was communicating, but was soon kissing him back just as hard as he was kissing me. When we broke, we were both panting for air. "Let's go home and make love," his voice was gravelly, his normally blue eyes were darkened. I wasn't sure if it was from the night or from his lust for me. All I knew was that what he was saying definitely sounded good. More than good, in fact, and suddenly I couldn't wait to get home and take off my clothes. I wanted so badly for him to see me naked and for me to see him the same way.

Jacob stepped back and feverishly fished out his cell phone. He flipped it open and tried a few buttons, cursing under his breath. "What? What's wrong?" I asked and he gave me a little helpless look. He grinned, gritting his teeth, "The battery's dead,"

I couldn't help but laugh and soon he was laughing with me. We were both well into the grip of our lust and the only way to call a taxi was officially dead. Jacob looked around. "Maybe there's a payphone around here." I nodded and we began to hunt for one.

I'm not sure who heard it first, but we soon began hearing music. It was the heavy 'thump thump' of a night club. I wasn't all too familiar with this part of town, so I wasn't sure if there was a club around here. Besides, I wasn't one to frequent those sorts of places. I had always valued a level head and quieter places to go at night.

"They've probably got a phone," Jacob said and gave me a kiss before moving off into an alley. I glanced up at the sky, appreciating the fullness of the moon for a second before stepping into the alley after him. The walls were lined with graffiti, but it was the tasteful artsy type of graffiti, not the mindless tagging that most people see on trains or fences. There were depictions of lovers, of demons and angels and many little poetic verses that I couldn't quite read in the dim light. "Honey, can you see these? They are so cool. I wish all graffiti artists did this sort of stuff. I don't think people would mind it if they did." I waited for an answer, sure that Jacob would agree with me, but when I didn't hear anything, I looked up and saw that he was almost at the end of the alley, just close enough to a streetlamp for me to see his silhouette. I smiled, and looked at the art on the walls one more time before hurrying to catch up with him.

Once I did, he looked at me and smiled, "Did you say something before? Sorry, I was just trying to figure out what this song was..." he gestured vaguely around and I realised that the distant thumping had evolved into a murmur of actual music. Lyrics and rhythms could just be made out and the tune was tantalisingly familiar. I grinned, "I know what you mean... I think I've heard it before. When we get to the club, we can ask the DJ or something." I slipped my arm around him and licked my lips, "But we can't take too long, okay?" I grinned and I saw the answering flare of renewed desire in his blue eyes.

He laughed, "Yeah, you're right!"

The music got louder and louder as we got closer and closer. Soon we crossed the next street over and into another alley. This too was decorated in tasteful graffiti and I pointed them out to Jacob. He smiled and nodded, squinting ahead at something. I looked too, but couldn't see until we got closer. It was a flashing neon sign. It read, "Midnight Club" and I had to laugh. It wasn't exactly the most innovative of names, but it seemed to suit.

Jacob and I smiled and nodded at the other couples who were hanging around the entrance. There didn't seem to be any line, but there was a doorman. We walked up to him casually but Jacob had to shout slightly to be heard over the music that boomed from the open front doors. As he asked about a phone, I looked around at the other people who were there. I always found it interesting to see what kind of people actually went to night clubs. There were usually the over the top, desperate single women who wore too short skirts, too low cut shirts and no panties. And then there were the single men who often had too much hair gel, too tight jeans and absolutely no respect for women in general.

Funnily enough, I couldn't see any of those types of people here tonight. If anything, I would have guessed this was a classy joint, but for the loud obnoxious music. The men I saw all wore long dark pants with conservative tops – some T's but most were dress shirts. And the women... wow... they were, in a word, sexy. All of them. One particular brunette wore a long black evening dress that glittered with small rhinestones. I didn't know for sure if they were real or not, but I was willing to believe that they were.

I wasn't paying that much attention to what Jacob was saying, but I turned around to see him smiling at a woman. A very blonde, leggy, woman. A touch of annoyance came to me and I tugged his sleeve, "Honey, are they going to call a cab for us?" But he didn't respond. He just kept smiling at that stupid blonde.

Okay, so she was pretty. Well no, she was damn right gorgeous. Her long curly locks swept over her bare shoulders as her long, golden, halter topped dress flared slightly just below her hips. Her lips were painted a faint cherry red and her eyes were the sultriest brown I've ever seen. And she was pouting. At Jacob.

I got a little more than annoyed this time, and tugged at his arm even harder. He glanced back, a weird angry look in his eyes as he shook my hand off his arm. When I let go, he began to walk towards the blonde. I blinked, not sure what was happening but the 'come hither' look in the blonde's eyes soon cleared up any confusion I had. I took a few steps after Jacob, grabbing him and trying to pull him back towards me. I felt the eyes of curious onlooker's burn into the back of my head. "Jacob, come on, I think we should get out of here."

"Get off me!" his harsh voice cried out as he flung me to the ground. I toppled over, unbalanced and even more unsure of what was happening. I looked up at Jacob, my eyes wide and scrambled up onto my feet. "Jacob... honey... what....?" I was so confused and he wasn't helping me any. I didn't know what to do.

I watched in a daze as he walked up to the blonde, placed his arms around her waist and bent his head to give her on of the most passionate kisses I've ever seen. I blinked, not able to reconcile the picture of my boyfriend kissing another woman the way he had just kissed me, not ten minutes before. "What the – "

"Hey!" I swung my head towards the source of the new voice. A man was exiting the club, coming down the stairs in a rapid, angry pace. I saw the green of jealousy in his grey blue eyes and I instantly knew that Blondie was his girlfriend. I barely heard myself groan. The guy was big – bigger than my perfectly sculpted Jacob. I knew that we were about to be in real big trouble.

Jacob didn't pause. He just kept kissing Blondie and she just kept kissing him back. The arrival of the newcomer didn't stop them and only the big man's fist connecting with the side of Jacob's head forced them apart. I couldn't help gasping and running towards my downed boyfriend – I was beginning to think 'ex' boyfriend – but old habits die hard. "Are you okay, sweetie?" I asked as I cradled his head in my lap. He was dazed, unable to speak and I was sure he had a concussion. That man had quite a punch.

"Oh Drake, look what you've done. Now my pretty boy can't kiss me anymore!" Blondie's voice was revealed to be just as sexy as her body. It was smooth and silken, yet dark and luscious all at the same time. It gave me shivers and I was sure that I felt a slight dampness between my legs.

"Pretty boy? How many times Valery do I have to tell you that you can't have anyone else!?" Drake roared back, staring daggers past me and down at Jacob. I felt my arms tighten around my boyfriend as I stared right back The blonde had a name too, and right then and there I vowed to never name any of my children Valery or Drake. The blonde only pouted back at Drake and giggled, "But I like him."

This only served to make the man even madder and unfortunately, in the way of men, instead of taking it out on the bitch that he was attached to, he decided to take it out on the other man. I found myself standing up, my back straight and my fists clenched in anger as he came down the stairs further to get to Jacob. As he got to me, I almost spat in his face, "Don't you dare!" I screamed at him.

I wasn't exactly sure why I was defending Jacob, after all, he'd just kissed a woman in front of me. But I did know that Drake taking out his frustrations on my errant boyfriend was wrong and before I knew what I was doing, I had raised my hand and slapped him across the face.

There was a brief moment, I think I shocked him, and then something totally weird happened. Valery, of all people came pounding down the stairs, pushing past Drake and drew her hand back. When I blinked, I was on the ground, some five feet away from the now seething blonde. I shook my head and tasted blood, I hoped to god that none of my teeth were broken. She shouted at me from her guard post before the still shocked Drake, "Don't you ever touch my man!"

All I could do was shake my head again. These people had to be crazy. Some sick, twisted kind of love thing happening. All I knew was that I wanted none of it. I started to get up, half crawling towards Jacob who was still lying unconscious on the ground. My head felt like it was stuffed with cotton wool and my vision was blurred. What had the woman hit me with? I spat out a glob of blood and realised that I had bitten my tongue. Good, at least the teeth were okay. Heck, why was I so worried about my damned teeth!?

Valery turned around, draped her arms around Drake's neck and began to kiss him. I blinked, wiping my eyes just in case it was a pain induced hallucination. It wasn't. They were actually kissing. At that point, I didn't care. It was getting too weird and all I wanted was to get out of here. Preferably with Jacob so I could talk to him later. After all, there had to be an explanation about his behaviour, right? I hoped so.

I crawled my way back to my sprawled boyfriend. I saw his eyes flutter open and the incredible sky blue made me smile. I reached out to him and that's when Valery turned around. "I don't like these people, Drake. Kill them for me, will you. Please?" Her voice had the quality of a spoilt child but with the cold emotion of a criminal.

Kill? What the fuck?

I only had time to blink before I saw a flash and was suddenly slumped at the base of a wall. I tasted blood again, this time when I spat, a tooth came with it. I blinked hard, tears of pain blurring my vision as my back burned with the impact. I took a glance towards Jacob but found that he wasn't where I had left him. I searched frantically with my eyes, that dreadful feeling in the pit of my stomach slamming back into me with a vengeance. I couldn't move without something hurting but I managed to turn my head slightly.

What I saw... what I saw made bile rise up into my throat.

I swallowed convulsively and watched in wide eyed terror as someone, no, something, began to rip my boyfriend apart. Literally. The smell of blood filled the air and the mad high pitched cackling of the blonde filled my ears. I looked up to find her watching the gore fest, passion and glee burning in her liquid brown eyes. She actually reached down, bringing up the hem of her dress and slipped her hand between her legs. I gasped, breath coming difficultly for me. I began to hyperventilate and my head began to feel too light. Colours sparked in my vision as terror paralysed my limbs.

I looked desperately around at the crowd that had been at the door. The doorman stood passively at his post, not even flicking a glance at the horrific scene not a few feet away from him. The others saw though, but they just watched. I caught the eye of a couple closer to me and whispered, my voice hoarse with the unreality of it all, "Please... please help us... help him... please..." there was something in their eyes. Some sort of empathetic response, but they did nothing. Just turned and walked up the steps of the club and entered. The music was still ridiculously loud but I noticed that it was now a different song.

I heard a scream and realised that Jacob was awake. Oh god, he was still alive! I saw a flash of blue and realised that he was looking at me. I couldn't move, I couldn't say anything. I was afraid. I was angry and terrified. It was just all too much.

The thing ripping into my boyfriend turned around then, and I could finally see its face. It was Drake. Except... it wasn't Drake. The calm smooth alabaster of his skin was now cracked and rippled in a strange wave like motion. His teeth were something out of a 'When Animals Attack' TV show and the grey blue of his eyes were now a feral looking golden yellow colour. Blood ringed his mouth and was smeared all over his before immaculate dress suit.

It was then that I found my voice, just as he reached down into Jacob's open chest cavity and brought his beating heart towards his mouth. He sunk his teeth in and a scream clawed its way up my throat and forced itself out of my lips. My scream just seemed to excite the animal even more. I call Drake an animal because he sure as hell didn't look human. I didn't know what he looked like.

I blinked and Valery was suddenly looming over me. Her own teeth had changed as well, but her skin was still smooth and flawless. Her brown eyes had turned an icy blue too. She laughed and I heard my own high pitched, terrified screams fill the air. I turned my head away, trying to wish her away from me and saw that the light in Jacob's beautiful blue eyes had gone out. Drake's face was buried in his chest and I kept hearing ugly sucking sounds. I wasn't sure if I wanted to scream again or retch. I guess I chose to do both because I heard a strange choking sound and realised that it was coming from me.

I tasted blood and bile and choked.

I turned back, not willing to see the bloody remains of the love of my life. Unfortunately, I was now staring into the icy blue eyes of his murderer. "Bitch!" I screamed out at her, momentarily surprised that I could form a word in my terror. She just laughed though, unconcerned at my struggles now that I regaining my senses. I wasn't hyperventilating anymore, I think I was past shock. Or maybe I was in the deepest part of it. Maybe I didn't feel so bad because I actually felt the worst of all.