Called by the Vampire - Part 1

by V. Vaughn

  Sebastian must have heard me, and he strolls toward me from the direction of his study. “Margaret. How was your walk?” He stops in front of me and closes his eyes as he breathes in through his nose. I’ve come to realize he’s living vicariously through me when he does this. “You smell like the sun.” He frowns. “No salted-caramel latte today? You had something hazzlenut.” He grins at me when he opens his eyes. “You’re branching out.”

  I think about how I flirted with Aiden and smile. “Yes. I am.”

  “Hmm.” Sebastian holds out his hand. “May I have your phone, please?”

  I stiffen, because while he said he was going to monitor my communications, he hasn’t checked my phone since the first time. Heat rushes to my face as I realize he’s going to see what I texted Kristi this morning. I sigh as I reach in my back pocket to retrieve my cell. I’m tempted to explain, but my heart fills me with defiance. It makes me think she wants to get a reaction out of Sebastian, and it amuses me. I slap the phone in his hand. “Have at it.”

  I watch Sebastian’s face as he taps on the screen, and when his eyebrows rise, I smile. He glances at me with a cold look. “I see you’re making friends in town.”

  I shrug in an attempt to appear indifferent.

  Sebastian nostrils flare the slightest bit. He’s jealous! My heart does a little dance of joy. “It says here this boy is a new habit for you.”

  Even though my heart continues to skip with glee, I’m the one that has to deal with my boss’s anger, so I say, “It was a joke for Kristi because Aiden is the kind she goes for.”

  “Aiden?”

  I refrain from rolling my eyes and say, “You can’t seriously be j—” My heart suddenly conveys dread, and I realize that while she was having fun at Sebastian’s expense, I shouldn’t push it. I sigh. “You know I walk to the coffee shop. I see that guy every day, and he’s nice to me. Am I not allowed to make friends?”

  “It’s not a good idea, Margaret. You can’t tell them anything about your life.”

  I glance around at the dark interior of the entryway, and the urge to throw open the drapes is strong. I realize I’m lonely here, and it’s only going to get worse if I’m not allowed to have friends. In the past week, my social contact beyond my walks has been Bertha glaring at me too many times to count and daily conversations with Sebastian about story structure and character motivation as he teaches me about the construction of a novel. Anger simmers in me as I ask, “So you’re it for my social life?”

  “Are you seeking companionship?”

  “Yes. I’d like to have someone to talk to. That’s what people do. They work, and then they have fun with their friends.”

  “I see. I’ve been neglecting you. Come to my study after you have your dinner, and we’ll do something for entertainment.”

  I sigh, because Sebastian’s idea of fun can’t possibly be mine. My heart wants me to go, though, because I feel her excitement about spending time with him. I say, “I’m not a child. I’ll be fine.”

  “Margaret. You’re right. You do need engaging leisure time. Come to my study later.”

  I don’t think being alone with Sebastian is a good idea considering how my heart is practically begging me, so I ask, “Can Alexander join us?”

  Sebastian blinks as if he’s surprised by my question, and he takes a moment to answer. “He’ll be there.”

  “Thank you.” I glance down at the empty coffee cup in my hand. “Is there anything else?”

  “No. I’ll see you this afternoon for our meeting.”

  I nod at him and make my way to the kitchen to dispose of my garbage before retreating upstairs. When I get to the kitchen, I glance at the window and walk over to it. I pull back the blackout shade and look outside. The view is of the side yard, and I notice a birdbath with tulips that haven’t bloomed. While it hasn’t been confirmed, I’m sure the myth about vampires and sunlight is true, and it seems odd to me that the Hart brothers would bother with bulbs they can’t enjoy.

  Yesterday, I tried to get information from Sebastian about what being a vampire is like, but he shut me down by saying I’d learn about them over time. I suppose he doesn’t want to share too much with me in case I don’t work out. However, I think Alexander will answer my questions, and I smile as I imagine seeing him tonight. My good mood returns as I climb up to my room to indulge in romantic fantasies written by the Hart brothers.

  Chapter 10

  My only company is the hum of the refrigerator as I shovel in my tasteless dinner of fish and soft vegetables to satiate my hunger. I suppose Bertha wasn’t hired for her cooking skills considering the Hart brothers don’t eat food, but she takes the heart-healthy diet to the extreme. There aren’t any salty snacks in the cupboards, and she doesn’t seem to believe in dessert. I’m not sure Bertha’s seen a saltshaker either, since I scoured the cabinets and couldn’t find one. I’m going to have to speak to Sebastian to see if I can start cooking my own dinners, because I’m a firm believer in food tasting good.

  Once I’m finished with my meal, I grab an apple from the bowl on the counter to curb my desire for sugar. Sweet juice explodes on my tongue when I bite in, and I let out a small sound of pleasure at the taste. Ever since I asked Sebastian if Alexander could join us tonight, I’ve been smiling. My need for the playful brother has only deepened in his absence. Reading stories of love and passion has my imagination in overdrive, and Alexander Hart is the hero in my fantasies as well as my dreams. I lick my lips as I recall the kisses we’ve shared, and my belly flutters with the hope I’ll get more tonight.

  The apple core thuds in the garbage can where I toss it, and I make my way up to my room to freshen up. I glance at the closed study doors as I pass by them. I can’t hear anything and wonder if the men are already in there. Once I’m upstairs, I open my closet to search for something a little nicer to wear than my yoga pants and sweatshirt. I have a vast array of beautiful skirts, slacks, blouses and dresses, which I’m required to wear for my meetings with Sebastian, but when I’m in my room reading, I go for comfort.

  I select an olive-green crewneck sweater and pull on a pair of soft jeans that are snug on my hips. I take in my appearance in the full-length mirror. Even though I can’t do strenuous exercise, I’ve got good genetics, and my body is soft in a feminine way Kristi envies. My jeans show off my round bottom as well as my narrow waist. I take a moment to apply some mascara and blush before I descend the stairs, prepared for an evening of fun.

  Alexander greets me in the entryway with a big smile on his face. He’s wearing jeans and a tight long-sleeve shirt that shows off his athletic body. “Maggie. I’m told you’re looking for some excitement.”

  “That I am. What’s the plan?”

  “Sebastian won’t let me take you to a seedy bar, so I brought it to us.” He tilts his head toward the hallway. “Come see.”

  Seedy bar? I knew it was a good idea to involve Alexander. Our feet pad softly over the plush oriental carpet that leads to a part of the house I’ve never seen. After getting caught my first day exploring the second floor, Bertha scared me away from any places I don’t belong. When we get to the end of the hall, Alexander opens a pair of doors that reveal a large room with what appears to be a marble floor and stately windows that have velvet drapes hanging from the ceiling to the floor. It makes me think this is a ballroom. A portable bar is off to the side, and I notice a pool table with red felt. The wood is dark and ornate, unlike the tables I’ve seen in my small hometown bar. The items look out of place, and I wonder if Alexander had them delivered just for tonight.

  Cool air surrounds us when we step inside, and I turn to Sebastian as he says, “Good evening, Margaret. Can I get you a drink?”

  While Alexander is dressed casually, Sebastian is not. Although I bet he thinks so since his dress shirt is unbuttoned at the collar. “Sure,” I say. “Do you have beer?”

  “Certainly.” An opener clinks on the glass bottle as he removes the cap. “Have you ever played b
illiards?”

  I smile at his antiquated term for pool and watch as he pours the beer into a glass. “A few times. I’m not very good, though.”

  “Excellent,” says Alexander. “Sebastian hates to lose.”

  “Really.” I take my drink from Sebastian and smile at him as I say to Alexander, “Then you should teach me to be good enough to beat him.”

  Sebastian’s somber face lights up a little as if I’ve amused him, and he says, “You’ll need years of practice for that.” He lifts up a martini glass. “And I’ve got almost a hundred of those on you.”

  I let out a snort at his joke. “Who knew Sebastian Hart had a sense of humor?”

  He smiles at me now. “There’s a lot about me you don’t know, Margaret.”

  I’m aware. And tonight I plan to find out more about the Hart brothers. I take a sip of my beer, and the cool liquid slides easily down my throat before I turn to the sound of balls thudding on the pool table. Alexander is racking them up, and I walk over to him. I notice open cases on the floor and see pool cues that appear to screw together. “Those look serious,” I say.

  “We don’t do things in a small way around here,” says Alexander.

  “I’ve noticed.” The pool cue Alexander put together for me is smooth in my hand when I take it from him. “What are we playing?”

  “Cutthroat. Do you know it?”

  I nod, because it’s one of the two games I’m familiar with. “Can I break?”

  “Sure,” says Alexander.

  I hit the cue ball with force, and I’m rewarded with satisfying cracks when it connects with the other balls. I manage to get one in and call lows. The brothers focus on hitting each other’s balls in before getting to mine, and when it’s my turn again, there are only three of their balls left. I don’t see an easy shot. I walk around the table slowly, but I can’t figure out what I should try. I ask, “What should I do?”

  Sebastian says, “Do you recall your geometry class?”

  I fear I’m in for another lesson and roll my eyes as I glance at Alexander. He winks at me as I say, “Yes. I remember.”

  “Think about angles.” Sebastian motions with his hand for me to move over to where he’s standing. “How can you get the ten ball in a pocket?”

  I search for a clear path that will allow my ball to travel without hitting any others. I point as I say, “If I were as good at this game as you two are, I’d bounce it off the far bumper to come back and hit the one on our side and have it then rebound toward the far corner pocket.”

  “Very good. Now plan the course.” I walk to the other side to determine where on the bumper I need to make contact, and then I return to where Sebastian stands. My heart skips a beat when his fingers grip my shoulders so he can place me where I should be. “Line up your shot, but don’t hit it yet.”

  I do as he asks, and Sebastian leans over me to put his hands on mine. My heart fills with warmth, and to my surprise, the heat travels lower. His voice is soft in my ear as he says, “Loosen your grip.” I force the tremble of desire that rushes through me to stay hidden. “You want the cue to slide gently over your fingers for a smooth ride.” My mind takes his direction to a sexual place, and I inhale slowly to calm myself. He says, “Let’s do this together.”

  Holy crap. I can barely think as Sebastian presses against me to guide my hands. Somehow, the ten ball goes into the corner pocket, and I’m sure it wasn’t my doing, because my focus was on what Sebastian’s fingers would feel like on more of my bare skin. When he releases me and backs away, I blow out a shaky breath as I place my hand on my chest in an effort to regain my composure. My cheeks are heated up with my arousal, and when I glance across the table, I see Alexander’s glare. My desire for Sebastian is quickly doused in ice water. Damn it. It’s Alexander I want, but my stupid heart just had a moment with Sebastian instead.

  Alexander’s face is unreadable as he says, “Your next shot is over here, Maggie.” He glances at Sebastian as he calls me by my preferred name. Sebastian raises his eyebrows at him, and I think these two might be playing something other than pool. I walk over to stand near Alexander, and he grabs my hips to move me where he wants me to stand. He sniffs my hair and whispers in my ear, “I’ve missed you.” A shiver of excitement runs down my spine, and my eyelids get heavy for a second as I imagine his lips on my neck.

  He pulls me back so that my bottom is pressed against his groin as he leans over me to guide my hands the way Sebastian did. Only he is much closer, and I’m nearly melting at his feet with the desire that’s affecting me all the way down to my toes. When the ball goes in a pocket, he says, “That’s too bad, brother dear. You’re out.”

  He backs away, and I’m able to breathe again. I notice only one of Alexander’s balls is left as Sebastian says, “I’m afraid you’re about to lose too. Come here, Margaret.”

  My heartbeat quickens, but I ignore it. Being attracted to two men in the same room is too much for me to handle, and I need to stop their game before it goes too far. I have no desire to be volleyed back and forth between the brothers, who have equal pull on my emotions, and I definitely don’t want to go where Sebastian might take this to one-up his brother. I walk over to Sebastian, and when I get there, I hold up my hand. “Let me try this one on my own.”

  Alexander grins as if he’s won. He might have if he didn’t gloat, because it makes my heart and me harden. I am not a prize. I think about the path I need to complete and lean down to take my shot. When I make it, I say, “It looks like I’m the winner.”

  The balls clatter as Sebastian takes them out of the pockets to place on the table. “Margaret, what’s wrong? Is this not fun?”

  My half-empty beer glass thuds on the bar when I set it down. “I think it’s time for me to go to bed. It was very kind of you both to do this for me. Thank you. Good night.”

  As I walk out of the room, I avoid the gaze of either man, and Sebastian says, “Good night, Margaret.”

  “Sleep well, Maggie,” says Alexander.

  Unfortunately, I don’t think I will. I came to work for Sebastian Hart and have an adventure. Becoming Kitty Kane will be exciting, and I’m going to get my chance to live large through her, but it comes with a whole lot of complications the Hart brothers have no intention of making easier.

  When I get to my room I walk over to the window and gaze out at the inky black water below. Moonlight shimmers on the tips of waves and wavers before me. I wrap my arms around myself as my heart glows with the warmth of Sebastian’s attention tonight, and my body hums with my attraction for Alexander. I place my fingers on the cold glass and cry.

  Maggie decides to make friends, but Sebastian has other ideas…. Called by the Vampire Part 2.

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  About the Author

  V. Vaughn lives on an island in Maine with her three Portuguese Water dogs.

  V. Vaughn also writes Contemporary Romance as Violet Vaughn and Cozy Mysteries with her bestie as Lucy Quinn.

  www.violetvaughn.com

  violetvaughnauthor@gmail.com