Etienne: Romance with BITE (League of Guardians Book 2)

by V. A. Dold

  He made one last pass over his head, then wrapped his arms around her again. “I swear it happened.”

  “You yelled so loud all my neighbors heard you.”

  He cocked a brow. “Only if they are zombies. Do you have zombies in the building?” he teased.

  “Pff. Zombies don’t exist.”

  “Sure, they do. Who do you think advised the producers of the Walking Dead? But if there were any in the vicinity, I would know about it. I doubt any would be stumbling around New Orleans. They only exist in South America.”

  “Now you’re teasing me,” she grumbled.

  He rubbed his chin back and forth over the top of her head. “Not even a little.”

  She lifted her face and looked him in the eyes. “Seriously?”

  He kissed the tip of her nose. “Seriously.”

  “So how do you know that no one is in the building with us?”

  “No heartbeats. Well, except for a cat on the second floor.”

  “You can hear a heartbeat that far away?”

  “Hello, vampire here,” he teased.

  Willa rolled her eyes. After a thoughtful pause, she asked. “Will you stay the night?”

  “I have no intention of leaving. I like it right where I am. You make the perfect blanket.”

  “You’re making jokes again,” she said sleepily, the last two words mumbled as she faded off into dreamland.

  Willa felt the mattress dip when Etie sat up and paused to stretch. She cracked her eyes open only far enough to see sunlight peeking between her blinds. Ugh. She hated mornings. She checked the clock beside the bed and groaned. Six a.m. She didn’t even know what six a.m. smelled like. Who in their right mind got up that early? Etie apparently. He left the bed and collected his scattered clothing, dressing quietly.

  Willa snuggled deeper under the covers. No way was she getting up until at least nine. She sighed when she felt Etie’s lips press a kiss to her forehead.

  “I have to go home for a bit. There are things that require my attention. I will only be a few hours if you want to have lunch with me.”

  “Mm. Lunch sounds great.”

  “Perfect. I will call you when I am free.” He kissed her forehead again before whispering, “I love you, Willamina Josephina Donnella Witt.”

  “Call me that again and I’m erasing your number from my phone,” she groused.

  She heard Etie laughing as he locked her front door behind him. She rolled over, punched her pillow into just the right shape, and mumbled, “Laugh it up, vampman.”

  Wearing a satisfied grin, Etienne showered and dressed before heading downstairs for a strong cup of coffee. He’d left his mate sleepy and content. As well she should be. If she had been less than exhausted, he would have questioned his sexual prowess.

  Darius and Carolyn were already in the kitchen. His second eyed Carolyn’s backside like she was a delectable treat while he sipped coffee. Poor Carolyn had no idea she was about to be molested while loading the dishwasher.

  Darius sucked in a breath and spun around to stare at him, the sudden move sloshing hot coffee across the back of his hand. He took a second deep breath and his eyes widened. “You were up close and personal with Miss Willa last night.”

  When Darius opened his mouth to say more, Etienne gave him a warning glare. “Choose your next words wisely. Willa is my muierimei.”

  Darius shrugged. “I’m in shock. You smell pretty, and you’re glowing. It’s kind of scary.”

  That brought Etienne up short. “I am not glowing.”

  Carolyn glanced over her shoulder. “Yes, you are. Being happy and in love isn’t a crime, you know.”

  Etienne poured himself a cup and kissed Carolyn’s cheek. “I agree wholeheartedly. Willa is an amazing woman. I was prepared to spend weeks, months wooing her. But she didn’t think twice about doing the first exchange with me.”

  The cup stopped halfway to Darius’s lips, and Carolyn spun on her heel to gape at him.

  “We talked for hours when I was at her apartment. I did my best to explain things to her. But I didn’t realize I had done such a good job,” she chuckled.

  “For that, I’m eternally grateful. Darius if you’re not done with your morning caffeine fix, refill your cup and follow me. I have a lunch date with Willa, and I don’t want to be late.”

  “Hold on. What the hell is wrong with you? You’re talking like a normal person,” Darius demanded.

  Etienne shrugged. “Willa pointed out that perhaps if I used contractions, I would blend in better. I’m practicing, though I often forget.”

  “Holy hell. I like this woman already.”

  “Shut up and meet me in the library.”

  Willa rolled over and patted around for Etie, and then remembered he had gone home hours ago. She blinked her eyes open and came nose to whiskers with Shadow lounging on Etie’s pillow.

  He stared back at her. She swore she saw condemnation in his yellow eyes.

  “Oh, shut up. I haven’t had sex in years, and you’re not going to ruin this for me.”

  Shadow flexed his claws and yawned in her face.

  Willa reared back and plugged her nose. “What have you been eating?”

  He closed his eyes, ignoring her.

  “Fine, go back to sleep, Mr. Stinky.” She kissed him on the head, yawned, and stumbled to the bathroom for her morning routine. Willa stood under the spray and moaned. The hot water felt great on her sore muscles.

  As she dried off, she noticed Etie’s Polo shirt on the vanity, neatly folded with a note on top of it. She ran a finger along the collar and smiled. The crazy man must have gone home half naked.

  Good morning, Willa.

  I think this will look great on you.

  Have a great morning, my love.

  I miss you already,

  Etie

  XOXO

  Willa grinned to herself. It was obvious he wanted her to wear his shirt, and the Xs and Os were adorable. She put it on and sniffed the collar. Mm, Eau de Etie. Smiling, she went in search of a pair of jeans.

  Back in the bedroom, she glanced at Shadow. “You had better behave yourself today. Your mother has fallen hard for a vampire, and you’re about to get a new daddy with fangs bigger than yours. If you rip anything to shreds when I go out I might let him bite you.”

  Shadow snored.

  Her cell phone rang. Speak of the devil, it was Etie.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello, my love. I have disappointing news. My meeting has turned into an all-day affair. I’m sorry, but I will not be able to join you for lunch. Are you free for dinner?”

  “Sure. I’m free. And don’t worry about it, I’ll just grab something here and have lunch with Shadow.”

  “Thank you for understanding. I’ll call you when I finish for the day.”

  “All right. Take your time.”

  Willa was pouring her second cup of coffee when a knock sounded on her door. She stiffened and then recalled the extra security on her windows and doors. Besides, a stalker wouldn’t knock. Would he?

  Quietly she tiptoed to look through the peephole. Etie? I just talked to him. What is he doing here? He isn’t supposed to be back until the end of the day and didn’t he say he would call first?

  She flipped the deadbolt and opened the door. “Hey there. Aren’t you a few hours early?”

  No greeting, no acknowledgment of her question, just, “Would you like to have breakfast with me?”

  Shadow hissed and dove under the couch. Willa glanced over her shoulder and frowned at the incensed feline. What the heck was his problem?

  Confused by Shadows reaction, she turned her attention back to Etie. “I haven’t eaten yet, so sure. Come on in while I get ready.” She opened the silver gate and held it wide. She glanced at his hands as he swept past. Odd, he wasn’t wearing his ring.

  He jumped when she goosed him playfully. Very slowly, he turned his head, his features hard and cold.

  “Don’t ever do that again.
”

  Willa narrowed her eyes at him. “Who stuck a stick up your ass?”

  “Do your thoughts always spill out of your mouth without censoring?” he snarled, his voice every bit as icy as his look.

  She gave him a huge sarcastic smile. “Of course. I believe that if everyone said what they were feeling or thinking there would be a lot less confusion in the world. And right now, I think you’re an ass.”

  “I see,” he said with a bored look on his face.

  Willa studied him, unease and suspicion crawling up her spine. She opened her gift a crack to get a handle on what his issue was. “Something is wrong here. I can feel it.”

  “That might be your lack of filter. You might want to start using it.”

  She flicked his nasty comment away with the back of her hand. “Your energy feels all wrong. It isn’t just your dark mood. It’s the core of you.” She gave him a peeved glare. “What happened to you since you left this morning?”

  He glanced away, refusing to look her in the eyes. Something was not right, but she couldn’t suss it out.

  “Nothing. Are you going to get ready to go or not?”

  “Not. I have no intention of spending time with you until you get over this mood.” She stomped to the door and threw it open. “You need to leave and don’t come back until you can be civil.”

  He grabbed her arm roughly and snarled, “You’re coming with me.”

  Willa tore her arm from his grasp. “The hell I am.”

  He glared at her, or at least she assumed he did based on his pinched expression. Though with his dark glasses covering his eyes, she wasn’t sure. Then without another word, he spun on his heel and stalked out.

  “Don’t come back until you figure out what your problem is.” She slammed the door in his face. Huffing out a breath, she cracked her neck to ease the tension and grabbed her coffee off the counter. As she settled onto the couch, Shadow squeezed out from under it, and rubbed against her legs.

  “That man may be sexy as hell, but he’s also an ass and arrogant enough for ten men. Well, he won’t get away with that with me.”

  Meow.

  “Exactly. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll bring flowers the next time he darkens my door.”

  Meow, meow.

  “Excellent point. He better have a box of chocolates, too.”

  Shadow put his front paws on the cushion and flicked his tail impatiently.

  Willa scooped him up into her arms. “Uff. That’s it. Tomorrow I’m getting diet cat food for you.”

  He rubbed his head against the side of her face, purring. “What should we watch?” she asked as she grabbed the remote. “A home improvement show or animal planet?”

  “Meeeooowww.”

  “Animal planet it is.”

  Ivan stomped down Willa’s front step and marched to the car waiting on the street. He yanked the door open, plopped into the back seat, and slammed the door shut.

  Dmitri turned to look at him. “Where is the woman?”

  “Not with me. Obviously,” he barked sarcastically. “There are a number of protection spells on her apartment. Before I could drag her out, I was forced to leave. We’ll have to catch her outside of that protective space.”

  “Did you pull off the impersonation? Did she believe you were Etienne?”

  “Yes and no. She thought I was my brother being an ass.” Ivan glanced at his second and smiled an evil smile. “At least that is a plus. She is angry with him now. Perhaps I managed to throw a wrench into the relationship.”

  “Do you want the men to continue to follow her, or is she no longer useful as a pawn?”

  “Keep a team on her. She may prove useful yet. My twin has a way of getting what he wants. That woman may prove to be the chink in his armor.”

  Dmitri turned to face forward and started the engine. “I’ll make sure the team reports in the moment she leaves the apartment.”

  “Good. Now find a place where we can have a quiet breakfast and discuss our next move.”

  Chapter Nine

  Willa and Shadow were still binge-watching animal planet when the phone rang. Willa jumped and slapped her hand over her heart.

  “Hello?”

  “Lord, I have missed you. Are you ready for dinner?”

  “That depends on your mood. Are you crabby or acting normal?”

  After an uncomfortable, pregnant pause, Etienne answered, “Normal?”

  “Then I’m ready.”

  Thirty minutes later, Willa heard a knock at her door for the second time that day. She checked the peephole and grinned. Based on what she could see in his hands, Etie was more than repentant.

  “Good evening, beautiful,” he said as she opened the way for him.

  “Hi, there.”

  He kissed her lips softly, and then took a step back. “These are no match for your beauty, but no flower is.” He held out the bouquet of roses and baby’s breath to her.

  “Thank you.” She breathed in the flowers and went to the kitchen for a vase. Once they were in water, he held out another gift.

  “Carolyn told me that women like chocolate. There’s a new shop in the Quarter called The Fudgery. They make the best chocolate I have ever tasted and knew it was the only candy that would do for my muierimei.”

  Willa took the bag from his hand and opened it. She licked her lips. The aroma rising from the chocolate made her mouth water. “Yum! I’ll save this for later.”

  “Lastly, I saw this in a shop window and thought of you.” He held out a square velvet jewelry box.

  The hinge made a creaky sound when she opened it. Willa sucked in a quick breath. Nestled in black velvet was a vintage diamond and ruby bracelet. “Etie. This is gorgeous. How did you know that I adore rubies?”

  “I am pleased that you like it. Allow me.” He lifted it from the box and put it on her wrist. “Perfection.”

  Willa wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. Or two. Okay, three. His warm, spicy scent invaded her head and weakened her knees. “You smell good enough to eat.”

  “You do as well,” he murmured next to her ear as he nuzzled her neck.

  She pulled back far enough to capture his lips in a long, drugging kiss. Coming up for air, she panted, “Are you ready for dinner? I’m starving and craving oysters.”

  “Are you now? I know a great—”

  “Ah-ah-ah, I’m choosing the restaurant this time.”

  Etie cocked a brow. “All right.”

  Willa grabbed her purse and keys and pulled him out the door. As they buckled up, she said, “Head for Bourbon and Iberville.”

  He gave her a questioning look, but when she just grinned back, he pulled away from the curb and headed for the French Quarter. Etienne parked as close to the target destination as possible and helped her from the car.

  “Where to, my love?”

  Little did he know he had used a parking garage next to their destination. “Right here,” she said, pointing to the red and lime green neon sign.

  Etie swallowed hard and went an interesting shade of pale. His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. “Willa, I am—”

  “Come on, vampman. Their food is awesome.”

  His shoulders shook with a cringe, and he looked less than convinced.

  Willa bit her lip when he pushed the door open with a single finger like he was touching a poopie diaper. His grimace was quite impressive.

  She stifled her laughter and preceded him into Acme Oyster House. She took a deep breath as he grudgingly followed her. “Mmm, smell the awesomeness,” she said as she turned to smile up at him.

  Etie looked around the restaurant and frowned. “All I smell is cheap fried food.”

  Willa scowled. “Close your eyes and take a deep breath. You can smell all the spices and flavors.”

  “Pff. I would rather not. I’m sure I already stepped in something nasty. I’ll have to dispose of these shoes the moment I get home.”

  She gave him a disg
usted look. “Pull that stick out of your butt and cut loose a little.”

  His brows rose to his hairline. “The what? Up my where?”

  “You heard me,” she said without suppressing her amusement. It was then she saw the glint in his eyes. “Funny. Very funny. Let’s grab that table near the window.”

  Within minutes, Willa had an employee placing drinks and a platter of oysters in the center of the table. Her vibrancy and lust for life was something he had lost along the way and yearned to partake in. Immortality had a way of dulling life and making everything stale. Willa was bringing the enthusiasm of his youth back to him. He relished her zeal for things most humans took for granted. His muierimei was fascinating and a pleasure to be around.

  He watched as she put an oyster to her lips and loudly slurped it from its shell and moaned. Patrons sitting near them stared and laughed as she quickly went to a second, then a third.

  Willa didn’t care what he, or anyone else, thought of her. She did what she wanted. Said what she thought. Lived life at full throttle and on her own terms.

  How he envied her freedom and fearlessness. Happiness bubbled up, and laughter burst from his lips.

  Willa paused. A fourth oyster poised at her lips. “What?”

  “You’re a strange woman, but you’re my kind of strange. I love everything about you.”

  Her brows pinched together. “And that’s funny to you?”

  “Not at all. The laughter was simply a reaction to the happiness you bring to my life.”

  She grinned and slurped the oyster from the shell. Swallowing, she gave him a huge smile. “Good.” She pushed the platter closer to him. “You better eat some before they’re all gone.”

  He picked one from the plate and gave her a grin before slurping it loudly from the shell. “Mm.”

  “I told you,” she laughed as she grabbed another. Then she called to the waitress for more.

  While they ate, Willa studied him. He waited patiently to see what she would say next. Finally, she wiped her mouth and sat back.

  “Is this the first time you ate raw oysters from the shell?”