During our mental exchange, Antonio appears slightly more confused and I realize why. He still doesn’t know why I tackled him and Rafe dragged him out.
“Antonio, you were projecting some of your feelings for Olivia into the room. Since I was standing close to you, I could feel it the most.” Yeah, right. I think that sounds plausible. “I had to get you out of there before someone else caught your feelings.”
“Oh, wow, that wouldn’t have been good, would it?” Is that excitement I hear in his voice, or perhaps fear?
Rafe snickers from his chair. That’s a massive understatement.
“No, probably not. If everyone felt your desire, they would all want Olivia.”
My mind swirls around the possibilities. How am I going to keep him busy for the night and away from anyone he could unwittingly project to?
How about a free meal with one of the employees interested in a long night of fun? Rafe whispers in my mind, reading my thoughts, when I hadn’t asked him directly.
Good idea. Dammit, why didn’t I think of it?
“Look, Antonio, Olivia is a great girl, but she’s busy tonight. Let her have some fun and approach her at another time. You’ll be here all week in any case.”
Antonio’s head whips up and his eyes go black, a dark feeling of jealousy floods the room and Rafe bolts to his feet like he’s ready to head out the door. I clamp my mind shut as tightly as I can while crossing the room to stand before Antonio. I reach out with two hands and cup his cheeks, forcing him to look up and meet my gaze.
Once his eyes lock onto mine, I peer deeply into his mind to shut down his jealousy. Fragile tendrils of my thoughts weave into the red of his emotion. I don’t normally have to touch someone to do it, but doing so speeds the process up and I need to act fast. He’s aware, but he’s in a trance and he won’t be able to recall any words spoken around him or my actions when I let his mind go.
Rafe returns to himself, the jealous emotion gone, and states, “Well, love, that might not have been the best thing to say.”
“Yeah, hindsight being twenty-twenty and all, I can see that now.”
I’m picking my way through Antonio’s thoughts, trying to delicately balance what he feels with the temporary ability he has to project.
“Rafe, can you call the front desk and see who Tommy has on the list for a no-holds-barred night? I want someone with experience. Make that two someones. Have them come up to room thirteen. Hopefully, the sheer size of the gym room will help to contain any stray projections.”
“Good call on the location. Getting him off the main guest floor will only help.”
I suggest in Antonio’s mind that a night out with two willing and attractive women is what he needs. Rafe moves to the phone by the bed and picks it up to call the front desk.
“Oh, and see if we have any blondes for him.”
Might as well keep the fantasy going as long as I can. This little episode puts a major crimp in the plans I’d laid out. I’m starting to wonder what’s happening in the bar after we left too. Is Drew still seducing Olivia or have they gone off together?
I’m content I’ve done enough subtle work in Antonio’s mind to release my hold. He takes a deep breath and his body tension flows out on his exhale. He looks like he’s back to his normal, cocky, slightly arrogant self. Good, I don’t think I did any damage with the mind meddling.
It was hard to master the subtlety behind the vampire-to-vampire mind manipulation. If I mess it up or go in too strong and change a lot, he would know something happened. He would sense another vampire’s presence and possibly know it was me. He could come after me, or worse, tell the Tribunal and then I’d be screwed. And not in a good way.
Rafe hangs up the phone then gives me a slight nod that the plan we discussed is in action.
Dria, I think it would be best if I head back to the bar and you take the Italian Stallion into the gym with the ladies.
Why?
Just in case anyone walks by on the way, we wouldn’t want him projecting.
Sounds good, love. Give me ten minutes to go change and then I’ll take him.
Aww, too bad… I’m enjoying the peek-a-boo ass show.
I smile at him and sashay out the door, working it with all I’ve got.
Ten minutes later finds me back in Antonio’s suite wearing a skin-tight pair of black leather pants and thigh-high boots, which I’ve topped with my existing red corset and jacket. I didn’t want to waste more time changing than needed. I’m in the doorway, motioning Antonio out ahead of me.
“Come on, sport, I’ve got a room on the fun floor to show you.”
“Fun floor? Why do you call it that?”
“Oh, you’ll see.”
Rafe heads out past us to the second staircase, going back up to the bar.
I send him one last parting thought. Let me know if you find out anything interesting in the bar, ‘kay?”
You got it, love. Hurry back to join us.
Antonio and I take the first staircase, winding up to the third floor, and head off into the west wing.
“I love all these books on the landings, and those reading nooks are nice. What made you decide to collect?”
His curiosity in the midst of this situation brings me back into polite hostess mode.
“Rafe and I speak seven languages between us and have acquired a lot of books over the years. I’ve always displayed the whole collection for guests to enjoy as well; we get people from all over the world in our dark paradise. No computer can take the place of a good book in your hands.”
My pace is brisk as I head down the hall and Antonio quickens to keep up. My master key card goes in the gym door, and I open the room with a dramatic flourish. With a wave of my arm, I usher him in ahead of me.
There’s no attic over this room and the angled roof makes a high-vaulted ceiling. I always feel like I’m walking into a real gym with padded walls, until closer examination of the free-standing items.
“This place is fantastic. Are those gymnast rings I see?” Before I can answer, something else catches his eye. “What is that in the corner, some type of elaborate swing?”
Antonio’s the most animated I’ve seen him thus far. His eyes are big and his voice holds youthful exuberance.
“Yes and yes.” I say with pride. “You’ll find a lot of old gym-type equipment and some newer, softer pieces too.”
“What are those black, velvety-covered shapes with the buckles?” His head scans the room, trying to take everything in at once.
“Those are the best, one of my personal favorites. They’re called ‘bedroom adventure gear’ on the website. Wedges and ramps, cubes and cylinders. All covered in washable fabric. Oh, and the buckles are the best part—a gentle way to restrain your partner.”
I point to the left of the door, drawing his eye to the various attachments and blindfolds hanging on pegs.
“You’ll find the cuffs and straps over there on the wall.”
“But what are the shapes for?”
I hand him the picture books I’d ordered as well, hanging in a wall folder.
“The shapes put your lover into position, giving him or her support for different angles and won’t kill their back during the act. Let’s face it—we may be undead but most of our lovers aren’t!”
Antonio chuckles as he looks around, his eyes flitting from item to item in rapid succession, cataloging them for future use.
“What’s that big chair-like thing?”
“It’s called the Esse, kind of a chaise lounge built for comfortable sex positions.”
“I’ve never heard of this stuff before. Did you get it all here in Alaska?”
“No, we’re pretty much hours from anything. You must have noticed that on the plane ride up. I do a lot of Internet shopping. The shapes came from liberator.com.”
I need to continue on with this mini-tour and wrap things up. The ladies should be arriving any moment.
“Over here,” I gesture to the ri
ght of the door, “is the light panel. Helpful to set the right mood in the room. The stereo system’s next to it; instructions are printed alongside. Across the room and to the right,” I point to draw his eye to the far wall with a door, “is the bathroom and showers. You’ll find towels along with shampoos, soaps and lotions. Over to the left,” I point again, this time to the opposite wall across the room, “you’ll find a massage table, complete with various oils.”
“You really have thought of everything, haven’t you?” he says with an anticipatory gleam in his eye.
“We tried, but trust me, I always think of something to add to each room in the off-season. I think the fun part is the shopping online.”
Antonio quips, “I think the fun part will be trying it all out.”
A knock on the open door brings our heads back around.
“Hi, Vivian. Tommy asked Michelle and me to come up.”
My smile is big and welcome to the lush blondes standing in the doorway. Both are wearing tight workout gear to fit into the ambience of the surroundings a bit better. I introduce them all to each other and note that Debi, the one who greeted me, has an additional outfit draped over one arm.
“What have you got there?” I ask.
“Just in case our guest wasn’t dressed in comfortable clothes, I brought a pair of shorts and a t-shirt for him to change into.” Debi holds the shorts up for display and the open seam in the crotch gapes to reveal an access point that would be hidden when worn.
Antonio’s eyes glaze over at the sight and an air of lust starts to fill the room. Glancing down at his own more formal attire and back up to the items in her hand, he nods.
“What a great idea, I’ll take those and go change.”
He accepts the offered garments and saunters off to the bathroom. I bet he won’t forget to fold up the clothes he discards. That man is too tight. Let’s hope tonight can ease him a bit.
I wait until he’s behind the door before speaking to the women.
“He’s not quite himself right now. This could be very intense. You both okay with that?”
Both ladies have eager, happy looks on their faces and nod with enthusiasm.
“I need you to keep him here all night. He had a reaction to the vamp blood in the bar and he shouldn’t be around the other guests ’til at least noon tomorrow.”
“Got it,” Michelle says.
“Call room service for food to keep up your strength and drink lots of fluids.”
Michelle smiles at my motherly attentions. “No worries, Viv. We know the drill. It’s not our first time.”
“Panic button bracelets on?”
Rolling eyes greet me this time. “Yes,” they both respond in unison.
The bracelets have only been used twice in our twenty years here, but they were definitely needed in those instances, both of which still give me nightmares on occasion. I pat the matching call bracelet I always keep in place, assuring myself in my nervous state that things are okay. I don’t like leaving Antonio, high on my blood, exposed to the ladies like this—but it’s the best option and I’ve got to stick with it.
“Alright, ladies, I’ll leave you to your evening of fun.” I exit the room without a backward glance and hear the door close and lock behind me. If anything happens to Michelle and Debi, I’m going to kill Antonio. I don’t have time for more of his crap.
Having touched every mind on the resort, I can find anyone at any time with only a little concentration on my part. The ease in which I could end a life is a dark, heady elixir always calling out to me. Pulling back from that desire is a constant battle.
Best to keep my mind off of it and head over to the bar. I’ve done all I can here and the rest will be revealed in time.
Now, I wonder what Drew and Olivia are up to?
Chapter Thirteen
I head back down the corridor to the main wrap-around landing, advancing to the east wing, this time going the shorter route through the reading nooks in the loft over the lobby.
Rafe, Antonio is locked in with Michelle and Debi in the gym.
Good, they are smart lasses. They’ll do fine. I can feel your worry but relax—they’ll be okay.
I hope you’re right. I’ll never forgive myself if he starts to project something dark to them right now.
Surprise colors Rafe’s next thoughts. Are you doubting the blocks you put in place? Was his young mind that much of a challenge?
No, that’s not it. I’m off tonight. Like something’s right under my skin and I can’t settle down.
I enter the gentlemen’s lounge to find it empty. Pushing open the carved door to the bar, conversation rushes to greet me.
Could be dead Jean Pierre. The situation would rile up anyone.
Yes, I’m sure you’re right. Asa will be arriving tomorrow morning. It’ll be nice to dump this on someone else.
Looking to the bar, I meet Charlie’s eye. He jerks his head to the nightclub, anticipating I’ll want to know where Rafe is without any sign from me. He’s right, but isn’t aware that I already know where Rafe is through our connection.
Rafe’s response to my comment about Asa sounds incredulous. Is this some kind of a miracle? You’re actually going to let someone help you? That’s huge, babe.
Yeah, yeah, stuff it. I’ll wait till I meet him to make my decision final, okay?
Striding across the threshold, I slip in to the dark, strobe-lit room, easing the heavy door shut behind me. The music thumps a steady techno beat overlaid with flashes of lyrics from other songs. This particular tune sounds like a mixture of Cotton-Eyed Joe and Me So Horny, accompanied by the throb of a computer-generated rhythm.
Out on the dance floor, bodies gyrate and bump with wild abandon, as hands grope and lips linger on necks. Ten or so people occupy the parquet dance space, and several groups line the wall standing near tall tables. The smiles I see and the laughs that reach my ears indicate they’re all having fun.
Rafe raises an arm to catch my eye and I angle over to his bar-height table in a corner. Joining him, I look around the room trying to spot Olivia and Drew. I find them cozied up on the dance floor bumping and grinding to the beat.
“Olivia still has her clothes on,” I point out. “That’s a good sign.”
“Yeah, it’s half-past midnight now and the crowd is starting to get hopping. I wonder how long the clothing situation will last?”
“Should we step in and have him back off now that Antonio is out of the picture for tonight?”
“No, I think we should leave them be for a few more minutes. She looks like she’s enjoying all the attention. She needed it.”
I agree. The poor thing looks as happy as a wallflower in middle school getting asked to dance for the first time. Antonio is an ass. To have such a gem offered to him and not share blood with her. Either he’s just plain stupid or incredibly selfish, I can’t decide which yet.
Drew senses my attention on the two of them and looks up to catch my eye. I give him a nod, motioning my head toward the door back into the pub. He nods back and angles Olivia towards the exit with a smile and a hand on her lower back.
Leaning in to Rafe, I whisper, “Let’s go, love. I've changed my mind. I want to end our stay here on the fun floor and enjoy some time alone together back in our suite.”
Rafe gives me a stern look as he moves around the table to leave. You’re going to touch Drew tonight, aren’t you?
If you know everything already, why do you bother to ask?
Why now? Can’t you let it go for another time?
No. Something is off and I need to know what. Would you rather I snuck out to his cabin in the wee hours of the morning while you were sleeping and told you about the encounter later? Your choice, babe.
He gives me a nasty look. Can’t say I blame him. I know I’m being bitchy.
Rafe’s voice sounds angry in my head. Now what kind of choice is that? Of course, I want to be there. Drew’s an unknown element with everything else we have going on
right now. No matter how tired I am from this damn long night, I would never risk your safety.
When we reach the soundproofed door connecting the club and the bar, Rafe pulls it open for me to enter ahead of him. I try to sway Rafe to understand my desires.
Can’t you try to see my side? How I don’t want to have the mystery of him hanging over my head any longer? I need to mark him off as a suspect and yet I still wonder at the sincerity of his request to join us. Why? He doesn’t know us from Adam, for crying out loud.
Get on with it already! You’re going to do as you please anyway.
I turn to face Rafe as we walk through the bar and give him a beaming smile. As long as we’re both clear on my touching Drew, I can refrain from a sharp-assed rejoinder to let him have the last word.
“Thanks, hon, you’re the best.”
“Uh-huh.”
Drew has escorted Olivia ahead of us and they are already moving into the gentleman’s lounge. Rafe and I follow, giving Charlie a goodbye call as we head out for the night. The new guests and off-duty employees are all still in party-till-you-drop mode. After twenty years of non-stop dark in the winter, a gal can go with a little normalcy in her schedule. After all, we do have a business to run.
Have I told you tonight that those leather pants fit your heart-shaped ass like a glove?
I hear the smile in Rafe’s thoughts and know our disagreement is in the past. One of the best things about Rafe is he doesn’t hold a grudge against me. We bicker, we snark, we occasionally have knock-down drag-out fights, but I know he’ll never let me down.
By the time we get to the next room, Drew’s already saying his goodbyes to Olivia. By her flushed and rosy-cheeked appearance, it’s safe to say she had a great night with him and is still leaving with all her blood intact. Good for him. He managed to do the job and leave her blood for Antonio to take another time. I’m impressed in spite of myself.
Olivia turns to leave and sees both Rafe and me approaching.
I address her before she gets a chance to go first. “Good night, Olivia. I look forward to our tea tomorrow morning.”
Just One Taste Page 12
