by Rhys Rowlyn
Scare? What is Giles talking about?
“I’m fine and haven’t seen the cab since. Maybe I was just being paranoid, and he was an overaggressive cab driver.” She smiles as she walks out from behind the desk, and I can still do nothing but stare.
She is magnificent with long red hair, which falls in curls around her shoulders, pale clear skin, and bright green eyes. She is tall, maybe six inches under my six feet four inches, and towers over Giselle at five feet two inches. Her slender frame moves with grace as she holds out a hand for me to take.
At our first touch, electricity runs up my arm and I have to clench my other fist to remain calm instead of snatching her up to run away and make her mine. Her mouth drops open. She must feel the attraction between us.
“André, what are you doing in the office? I thought we were going to meet at the bar?” Phillipe looks from me toward Fleur, his brows rising. “Oh, ohhhhhh, how about we go in here for a moment and allow Giselle and Fleur to finish their work?”
Giles and Phillipe each grab one of my arms and drag me out the door and out of the room. I dig my heels in for a second, but the look of confusion on my mate’s face stops me from fighting back. I narrow my eyes at Giselle, and she gives me a nod. Satisfied she will help explain a few things, I allow myself to be led down the hallway and into a large closet behind the bar.
Giles closes the door, shutting out the noise from the main room of the club, and I take out my earplugs.
Giles turns toward Phillipe for answers. “What just happened? André was acting possessed.”
“I believe he met his mate. Am I right?” Phillipe turns toward me, grinning.
“Yes, Fleur is my mate. I have no doubt. It is just as you said. I scented her and had to go find her. Then when we touched for the first time, I felt a jolt like I’ve never felt.” When I was first told I would find my mate, I questioned Phillipe about everything.
“Oh, wow. Congratulations, mate. For never having seen a vampire mate, I think it’s amazing that I’ve witnessed two in the last few months. I wonder what this means.” Sitting on a keg, Giles crosses his ankle over his knee.
Phillipe leans against the wall, rubbing his chin. “I understand how you feel, but you’re going to have to stay calm and ease her into things. Giselle felt our attraction, but it frightened her at first. Of course, things were easier for me because we were confined to a boat and the more time she was around me, the stronger the feeling became.”
The door opens, and Chi Chi and Rebecca slip into the closet that is fast becoming crowded. They look at the three of us expectantly.
“What’s going on? We know something’s up, or you three wouldn’t be holed up in a closet.” Rebecca puts her hands on her hips, staring Phillipe down. Chi Chi loops his arm through hers, nodding.
Giles crosses his arms over his chest, still grinning at me. “André found his mate and he was a little excited, so we brought him in here to calm down.”
“That’s so exciting! Who is it?” Rebecca bounces up and down, clapping her hands.
“It’s Fleur.” Phillipe continues to rub his chin, his brows drawn together.
Chi Chi wrinkles his nose, shaking his head. “I like Fleur, but she’s going to be tricky.”
“What do you mean? I don’t understand. She’s my mate.” My body tenses and I clench my fists, preparing to defend my mate.
“Whoa there, big guy, I’m just saying she doesn’t believe in anything paranormal or supernatural.” Chi Chi holds up his hands to ward me off.
Phillipe steps between us as if to protect the smaller man. I would never intentionally harm him. He’s under our protection. “How do you know this, Chi?”
“I went to school with her, and we were discussing our families. She talked about how her mother was very superstitious and always putting charms around their house to keep evil spirits away. She thought it was all a load of bull—even said she felt the witches were taking her mom’s money and scamming her. Yeah, if I were you, I’d tread carefully and ease her into all of this.” Chi Chi waves his hand in my direction.
Great, my mate doesn’t believe in the supernatural, but then again, most people don’t. I will have to convince her.
“Why are you worried about that?” Rebecca asks. “All you have to do is show her your teeth and jump up on a building. Problem solved. She’ll have no choice but to believe.”
“True, but he wants her to want to be with him, not be scared of him. He won’t handle rejection well. When I first met Giselle, my emotions were all over the place, and it would have been easy for me to lose my touch with things. Like I said, I had it easy and we were confined. He’s going to have to woo her and make her want to spend time with him.”
Phillipe is right. My emotions are heightened since I scented her, and I could jump out of my skin. I don’t want her frightened or upset in any way. The thought of her feeling any discomfort makes my gut clinch. I’ve heard how Phillipe thought Giselle had betrayed him, and I can’t imagine hurting my mate in that manner.
The door opens, and Cassandra squeezes in. “What are all of you doing in the closet? Are you all planning on coming out?”
Giles, Chi, and Rebecca all laugh. Phillipe and I stare at her, confused. Of course we’re going to come out of the closet.
“Oh, darlin’, that train left the station long ago.” Chi puts a hand on his hip and waves his hand in the air.
Cassie and Rebecca burst out laughing, and I’m still confused about what’s so funny.
Phillipe blinks a couple times, shaking his head. “Fleur is André’s mate, and we’re trying to calm him down and figure out how he can woo her.”
“Thank goodness it’s someone I like. From what y’all have told me about those women you crossed over with, they all sound like a bunch of bitches. I can’t imagine what our lives would be like if we had to put up with them. Guess if one of them is like her ancestor, we’ll move the couple off somewhere.” Cassie puts her arm around Giles’s shoulders and bumps him with her hip.
“I worried my mate would be like Rosaline. She was awful. You all seem to like Fleur, and she works with Giselle. I’m assuming she’s nothing like her ancestor.” I knew immediately upon meeting Rosaline that she was trouble and we weren’t going to do well together. Fleur appears to be opposite in looks and, from the little time I was around her, demeanor.
Rosaline was a petite brunette who had brown eyes and a curvy figure. I was actually attracted to her until she opened her mouth and spew her bitterness. A couple of the women were weak and meek, so Rosaline tended to bully them, and she hated me.
“I’ve been around Fleur several times, and she’s nothing like Rosaline. She’s kind and a hard worker, two things Rosaline was not.” Phillipe straightens from the wall and opens the door.
“Wait, we haven’t talked about what I should do. How can I woo my mate?” Even before the curse I wasn’t much of a flirt and relied solely on my looks to attract them.
“You’ll do fine. Just be yourself. The attraction will help, and besides, Fleur is easy to talk to. Let her know you’re new in town and need a friend. She’s a sucker for the underdog.” Chi winks at me, and I’m unsure how to take his advice.
“Look, you’ll do fine. Fleur’s a computer nerd, and I’ve never heard her talk about dating, so she’s probably just as awkward as you.” Cassie shrugs her shoulders and walks out of the closet.
Everyone leaves, and I’m alone with Rebecca. She smiles shyly up at me. “Just be nice to her and listen to what she says. I never dated and don’t have much experience with men. I bet she’s just as nervous as you are. She may not know you’re mates, but she thinks you’re hot. That alone is going to have her on edge. She’ll be flattered you like her.”
I follow her out, thinking about what she said. I hope that will be enough because I’m at a loss as to what else to do. We weave through the club, and I don’t even hear the sounds around me. All I can think about is seeing Fleur again. I think throwing h
er over my shoulder and running away might be my best plan.
We enter the office again and all eyes focus on me, which does not help the situation at all. I want to tell them to leave, but then I would appear rude. Fleur is sitting on the sofa, talking quietly with Giselle, but her gaze immediately turns to me and I freeze.
Rebecca elbows me in the ribs, and I smile at Fleur. “Mademoiselle, bon jour.” I bow in front of her and straighten when Giselle shakes her head behind Fleur’s back.
“Wow, you and Phillipe have such classical manners. I feel like I’m in an old French movie.” Her cheeks turn pink as she smiles back at me. “You can call me Fleur. No sense in being so formal.”
“Oui, thank you, and I am André. It is a pleasure to meet you.” I take her hand again and bring it to my lips to lightly brush them across her knuckles.
She shivers at my brief touch, and our eyes meet. I blink when I hear someone cough in the background.
Giselle takes Phillipe’s hand, smiling at him. “Why don’t we take Fleur and André to the new café I’ve wanted to go to? It looks like a nice quiet place for a chat.”
Everyone but Fleur looks at her with wide eyes. Vampires don’t eat food. It makes us violently ill, which isn’t an impression I want to make.
“Oh, that sounds good. I’m starving and would love to spend time with people my own age. I’ve been so busy lately, I haven’t had any time to spend with my friends.” She grabs a large bag, and before she can swing it onto her back, I take it from her.
“I’ll carry that for you. It looks heavy.”
She smiles as she walks out the back door and into the alley. I follow closely, with Giselle and Phillipe bringing up the rear. I really hope Giselle knows what she’s doing. She seems confident all will go well, but Phillipe looks as concerned as I do.
“Don’t worry, I’ve done this plenty of times. New Orleans is all about food, and if you don’t eat, you don’t fit in. It’s all in the slight of the hand and moving things around,” she whispers behind me.
I frown, wondering how this is going to go down.
Fleur
“Can I walk you home?” André’s hands are in his pockets, and he raises his brows.
We just finished having a great time with Phillipe and Giselle. They have disappeared, stating they had to get home, leaving André and me alone. I don’t mind because I really like him and want to get to know him better.
“You don’t have to, but I would love if you would. I’m only a couple blocks away.” I reach out and take his hand in mine, and tingles of awareness run up my arm.
I find this man so attractive, and from the moment we met, I’ve felt drawn to him. He is unlike anyone I’ve ever known. He has a delicious French accent, long blond hair that falls in golden waves, and dark-brown eyes. He’s well over six feet tall, which works for me. I’ve always been tall for a girl and, if I’m honest, a bit self-conscious about my height. It also doesn’t hurt he’s one big muscle. I don’t know if I’ve ever had someone as attractive as him look twice at me, much less want to have dinner.
“I would feel better if I saw you home. Knowing you’re safe would help me sleep.” He squeezes my hand, and I smile at him.
We walk down the street until we come to my parents’ shop, and I lead him into the alley beside it so we can go in the back door.
I turn to face him. “This is me. Do you want to come in for a nightcap? I will warn you I live with my parents. I know it’s lame and I could move out, but my mom is constantly coming up with excuses for me to stay, and I’m trying to get my business off the ground, so I allow it.”
“No judgment. Where I come from, maidens lived with their parents until they were married.” Smiling, he tilts his head to the side, and I’m distracted by his lush lips.
“So do you want to come in?” My voice is desperate for air. I step closer to him, staring at his lips.
André lowers his head and whispers, “Sure, if it’s all right with your parents.”
He places his hands on each side of my face on the brick wall behind me and takes my mouth in a gentle kiss. My hands creep up to his shoulders, and I open for him. Our tongues collide, and the kiss deepens. My hands are now tangled in his hair, and I’m holding him against me as we devour each other. He squeezes my hips, pulling me tighter against him. I hear a horn honk in the distance and remember where we are just as my leg rubs against his and I feel the evidence of his desire.
I break away, leaning against the wall and feeling breathless. I lower my forehead to his chest and try to calm down. Geez, I’ve never felt this hot for a guy, much less after meeting him only a few hours ago. I’ve heard of chemistry between people, but this is crazy.
After unlocking the door, I walk inside but André stops as if he slammed into an invisible wall.
“That’s strange.” He tries to come in but is stopped again.
“What’s the problem?” I step back into the alley, then reenter without difficulty and frown back at him. I tug on his hand to encourage him in, but he doesn’t get past the threshold of the door.
“Fleur, is that you?” my mother shouts from upstairs.
“Yes, Mother, it’s me. I have a friend I was going to invite in!” I yell over my shoulder and feel my cheeks heat up.
My mother bounds down the stairs and rounds the corner. “Who is it?”
“André Dubois, Phillipe’s cousin.” I step aside so she can see him standing in the doorway.
Maman pales, clutching her chest. “You! Fleur, how could you bring him here?”
Gasping in surprise, I release André’s hand and turn to stare at my mother. “Mother, what is wrong with you? Why are you being so rude?”
She grabs my arm and shoves me behind her. “Go away! You will not have my daughter.”
André narrows his eyes, glaring at my mother. “Madam, if you know who I am, then you know what your daughter means to me.”
“You will not have my daughter. Now go away.” She points her finger at him while keeping her body in front of me.
“Mother!” I try to move her aside, but she holds firm.
She hisses. “Hush, Fleur. Trust me, you do not want any part of this man.”
André’s look softens when his gaze finds mine, and he smiles softly. “I’ll leave for now. Fleur, I’ll see you soon.”
Waving, André turns and disappears into the darkness. Putting my hands on my hips, I confront my mother.
“How dare you? Mother, what is the meaning of this?” I jump when a painting falls off the wall behind me. “What the hell?”
I walk over and look at the mounting piece. There is no reason for the painting to fall. The hooks that were holding it up are still in place and intact. It was as if the painting jumped off the wall.
Shaking my head, I stomp up the stairs. “Dad, what’s wrong with Maman?”
“Why? What did she do?” He looks up from his newspaper, raising his brows.
“I met this guy named André, and he is good looking plus nice. I invited him in, and she lost her mind.” I stomp my foot to emphasize my point.
“You don’t know who he is or, should I say, what he is.” Maman gathers her purse and keys as if she’s leaving.
“What are you talking about? He’s a man, one I’m really interested in.” I flop onto the sofa, running my fingers through my hair. This is too much. She’s going too far.
“Trust me, Fleur. You don’t know what you’re dealing with. I forbid you to see him again.” She tries to rub my shoulder, but I shrug her hand off.
“Mother, I’m twenty-four years old and a grown woman. I can see whomever I wish.”
Her face turns an alarming red color, and the vein in her temple stands out. “Not while living under my roof. That creature is not welcome in my house.”
I jump to my feet to meet her angry glare head on, my temper rising to match hers. “Then I’ll move out. It’s been a long time coming.”
Maman’s face pales, and she grabs my upper
arms in a tight grip. “No! You can’t! Not now. You have to stay where it’s safe.”
My shoulders droop as the fight leaves me, and I give her a brief hug. “Maman, I’m a grown woman. It’s time to loosen the apron strings.”
“All right, I’ll lighten up. Just don’t leave for now.” She hugs me back.
“I’ll stay for now, but if you go crazy over André again or think to forbid me from seeing someone, then I can’t make any promises.” Pulling back, I meet her gaze and furrow my brow. I must take a stand. She can’t push me around.
“But, Fleur, you don’t understand,” she whispers softly, shaking her head.
“Maman, I mean it. One more word about him, and I’m gone.”
“Fine, have it your way. Not another word. I have to go out and see a friend. You’re staying in for the rest of the night, right?” Maman asks over her shoulder as she slips on her walking shoes by the stairs.
“Yes, I have some work to do, and it’s getting late.” I wave off her concern.
“Alice, it’s late, why are you going out? Who do you have to see?” My father leans back in his chair, looking back at her in surprise as if he’s just now realizing she’s leaving.
“Maxine was feeling ill, and I told her I would bring her some medicine. Don’t wait up.” She rushes down the stairs, and I frown at my father.
“What is wrong with her? She seriously lost her mind downstairs. I don’t know if I’ve ever been so embarrassed.” I take out my phone and text Giselle to get André’s number so I can apologize. I should have gotten it earlier, but between our kiss and Maman’s reaction to him, I forgot to ask for it.
“Your mother does love you. Always remember that. I’m glad you’re staying, but I understand if you choose to leave. Just know you’re always welcome here.” My father has always been the peacekeeper of the family. When things would get too much, he would step in and either take me somewhere or calm my mother. She always seems to listen to him, and he’s the only one who can make her see reason.
My phone dings with a response from Giselle, and I lean down to kiss my father’s cheek. “I’m going to go make a call and then call it a night. Love you, Daddy.”
