by W. J. May
She would need more than one drink with her friends to calm her nerves, the thought of going dancing with Liam causing her stomach to turn. She’d been a dancer all her life, her mom and dad putting her in ballet, acro and tap classes from the time she could walk. Her movements were fluid and she was pretty sure she knew how to use the dance floor to bring a boy to his knees. She had a feeling with what he was, he wouldn’t have a problem keeping up. She grew nervous because suddenly she had someone who knew her secrets and she could honestly see becoming a part of her life.
“So many things left open. So many things unknown.” She turned on the car and left as the moon began its ascent in the sky, only half of it illuminated. She glanced around, the uneasy feeling of someone watching her creeping across her skin. She shivered, buckling up and pulling out onto the quiet street in front of her house. She sent Liam a text that she could meet him at The Roxy, the music that night a mixture of hip hop and slow stuff. Meeting him there gave her the freedom to leave alone if she needed to.
The drive to La Tachera took no time at all, the silence in the car left her at ease. Maybe I’ll see if my friends want to come to the club with me. They most likely would. They were easy going and the three of them had known each other since they were in grade school. It was time she started spending more time with them again, especially if something happened to… She quelled the thought and refused to finish the sentence.
Kallie parked the car and got out, walking quickly across the street and thanking an older male who held the door open, his smile kind and cologne yummy. She looked over her shoulder and smirked at him as he chuckled. Funny how you didn’t have to be a werewolf at all to notice the slight attraction of another. Just had to keep your eyes open.
Approaching the small table near the back where her friends sat, Kallie took notice of the guys with them. One was sitting close to Jeanne, his muscles bulging as if he’d eaten a steroid steak before arriving. The one close to Lisa was handsome and looked like a swimmer. A lone boy sat to the side constantly roaming the crowd. She realized all of a sudden that their “drinks” were more like a triple date. Not good.
No chance of escaping. Lisa waved her over when she spotted her. They know I have a date after this. I’m going to kill them! Instead, she walked up and extended her hand to “Muscles”, introducing herself. Lisa’s guy stood and introduced himself too, his eyes running over her inoffensively. Guys had no sense of stealth. It proved to herself that only women would make effective ninjas. You could read men like a book… most men.
She turned to the last boy, who stood from his seat, his hand extended. He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles, the dark orange of his eyes giving him away. Strong facial features and long eyelashes had her staring a moment too long, his looks so similar to Liam and yet nothing like him. He was just slightly taller than her, his body strong beneath the thin cotton button down he wore. He smiled and damned if she didn’t see the tips of his fangs, the world left to wonder as she watched all the time for what most didn’t believe to exist. Did Liam warn her that Red Bloods were dangerous? What was he doing here, with her friends? She should have asked Liam how to properly kill a vamp. That should have been her first question to him last night. Idiot!
Another thought made her blink. What if those guys after her dad had sent this vamp to keep an eye on her? They had threatened her father, maybe now they were checking what liabilities her father had.
She heard Jeanna hiss, “Stop staring!”
“I’m Caleb. I hope you like Cherry Coke.” His voice sounded huskier than she expected. He winked and pulled her chair out for her. She slipped into it and looked over at her friends as Caleb sat down beside her, his hand moving to the back of her chair almost protectively.
“You guys told him.” Kallie shook her head at her friends as the whole table erupted with denial.
Lisa sat back and picked up her own drink, the yellow tint to the liquid giving way to it being something fruity. “We didn’t! We told him a little about you and he called it. Honest to God.”
“Let’s leave the big man out of this.” Caleb leaned in, pressing his forearms to the table and looking over at Kallie. “You’re far more beautiful than their pictures did you justice.”
Kallie was unsure what to say, but swallowed the lump forming in her throat. She had a hard time believing this guy was here to watch her. She felt this instant attraction to him, and he obviously noticed it as well. Maybe it was a vamp thing. They created this sexual tension-lust. Three years of not seeing anyone worth dating and in the last week she lays eyes on two of them!
Good thing Liam got there first. Caleb seemed dangerous, like a bad boy lay deep in his skin and wanted so badly to get out. The thought made her shiver, a nervous laugh leaving her. “So my friends told you my favorite drink, and then showed you baby pictures?” Kallie looked up as the waiter returned, thanking him for her drink and turning her attention back to Caleb as Lisa and her date got up to walk along the open terrace just outside. Caleb’s attention on her caused her stomach to tighten, his eyes boring into her. He was wickedly handsome, his lips curving up into the most sensual turn as he smiled. She quickly looked away, reaching for a maraschino cherry inside her drink and trying to remind herself that she wasn’t starving for attention.
“You have baby pictures? I’ll need to check those out.”
His comment made her tingle – the good sensation kind. She glanced over at him. “Only if I get to see yours first.”
He leaned in and she backed up a little, his confidence stifling. His eyes glowed a little deeper, the hint of crimson rimming the large orbs that beckoned her to move toward him. “I’ll show you anything you want, you just have to return the favor.” He smiled and moved back.
Kallie nearly tipped her chair over when she jumped up. She snorted in a shaky breath. “I, uh, just need to run to the lady’s room. I’ll be right back.”
His eyes moved up from her thighs to her stomach and finally to her eyes, the expression on his handsome face making her feel far more beautiful than she was. He simply nodded and sat back.
She knew his eyes stayed on her as she turned and walked away. Hand on the bathroom door, she paused before going in and looked back toward their table, Caleb still very much focused on her.
He was a vampire no doubt – a Red Blood. Was he the one that turned her dad?
She stood at the sink, questions slamming into her left and right as she tried to make sense of them. It was useless. She would simply have to ask him, but now wasn’t the time. She would need to be alone with him. She couldn’t risk her friends’ lives on the unknown. She desperately wanted him to be something else, something good. What were the chances of two beautiful men becoming interested in her? And both of them end up being vampires, while her vampire father stayed hidden at home?
A few more minutes of staring at the wide-eyed shocked girl in the mirror and she made her way back to the table, a large plate of nachos having arrived and everyone at the table digging in.
She sat down and picked up her plate, smiling over at Caleb before offering him some of the food. He declined, his excuse that he’d already eaten. She took several small bites, the conversation around the table fun and light hearted. The only pressure she felt was in the small glimpses toward the intimidating man beside her. He focused on the others at the table and yet the sinking suspicion that he wanted to get her alone, to talk with just her, sat heavy on her shoulders.
She checked her phone an hour or so later and stood up, excitement and sadness taking turns for dominance in her chest. Caleb stood instantly beside her.
“I have to go. I’m meeting a… friend.” Why couldn’t she just say Liam’s name? Why hide it in front of Caleb? From the smirks on her friends’ faces, they thought the same thing. “This was fun. Thanks for inviting me.”
Her friends groaned, but gave quick hugs and, now used to her not usually around, got back to enjoying themselves.
Ca
leb stared at her, his heated gaze leaving her bare. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
“No, you don’t need to. I’ll be fine.”
“It wasn’t a question, Kallie.” He smiled and moved in beside her, his fingers brushing along her lower back, a chill rushing down her spine. He seemed to notice and looked down at her, a soft smile tugging at his mouth again.
“It was nice to meet you,” she said when they reached the door. “I can make it to my car on my own. Thanks.”
He opened his mouth to argue.
She continued, “I think perhaps another time I can ask you a few questions. You know, about where you come from and where you’ve been.” She turned to face him as she pushed open the club’s front door.
His smile faded as he simply nodded. “When you’re ready for answers, or you’re in danger… I’ll be there.” He leaned down and much to her surprise kissed the side of her cheek, his hand sliding along her hip as if they had been intimate a million times. “Call for me and I’ll be there.”
He winked and walked back toward her friends, her eyes glued on him. He seemed to know her very well. Too well. Like who she was and what she needed. The only question now was… how?
Another question crossed her mind; how was she supposed to call him if she didn’t have his phone number?
Chapter 10
The large dance club was packed, people milling about around the edges of the large amoeba made up of a hundred bodies, but moving as one. Kallie stuffed her purse under the front seat of the car, leaving her hands free to tug and pull at the short dress she wore. Her legs seemed to go on for miles and were too thin as far as she was concerned.
She moved to the bar as the bartender turned and smiled at her, giving her the once-over. “What can I get ya, kitten?”
“I’ll just have a water, please?”
“Not drinking tonight?” He smiled and moved to get her a bottle of water.
“Need to find the guy I’m here with and then we’ll see.” She thanked him for the cool drink, turning her back to the bar and watching the door for Liam. She wasn’t old enough to drink and never liked the idea of losing control or your memory due to liquor. She’d had too much hell in her own life with control and blacking out to need anything to push her into another similar experience.
Caleb popped into her mind, something about him so familiar and yet not at all. She would have to ask him his true age as vamps didn’t age like humans. Maybe he’d just recently turned and she knew him from his younger days.
Who knew? The disturbing part was that she wanted to know him. Liam was at the top of her list for dating, but something about Caleb… she couldn’t pinpoint what it was yet. If the Blue Bloods were more laid back, the diplomats so to say, then the Red Bloods were the ballers, the fighters. She needed a fighter on her side seeing that her dad was being ganged up on by more of his kind.
“You look deep in thought.” Liam moved in front of her, looking down as she straightened and looked up at him.
She smiled, happy to see him. “Just thinking about my crazy life. If anyone knew the true drama of it all, they’d be interviewing me for the paper.” She laughed.
Liam grinned and then leaned over her, making her inhale deeply to catch his delicious cologne as he ordered a beer. “You want anything besides water?”
Tempting, like him. “I’m good. I’ll just stick to the pure stuff.”
He got his beer and took a long drink, the tight fit of his black t-shirt and jeans calling her attention far away from Caleb and back to the man who’d stolen her breath the night before. He set the beer down on the counter and reached over, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear before letting his gaze freeze her in place.
“Damn, you look good.” He brushed the back of his fingers along her hip, the color of his eyes lighting up the space between them. The dark lights of the club flickered and the music roared to life again, the song sensual with a drum beat that set perfect rhythm.
“You don’t look too shabby yourself. You need to watch your eyes. It’s a bit more than obvious that you’re other worldly.” She set her water down, reaching for his hand. “Let’s stop staring at each other and do what we came to do.” She loved how bold she felt when around him. Caleb sent her into nervous excitement, Liam made her brazenly shameless.
She tugged on his hand and he moved in behind her, the two of them maneuvering to get out into the middle of the dance floor where the crowd lightened slightly. Butterflies beat against the inside of her stomach, some of them flapping as high as her chest and the base of her throat. She turned to face him, keeping her hand in his as it pulled him close, their fingers locked together and pressed to her lower back.
“Let’s see whatcha got.” He teased her with his words, but his eyes were not playful at all. He looked hungry, his gaze heavy and moving across her face and neck as she studied him.
Kallie slid her free hand around his waist and pulled him a little closer as he moved in, closing the distance between them. She leaned back a little, the smell of his cologne mixed with the soft woodsy tones of his soap filled her senses, her eyes closing a little as they moved.
Caleb was all but forgotten, the man holding on tightly and forcing her to beckon to the liquid sway of his body caused her heart to almost stop. He was much better than she had expected, other women moving in to dance up on his back as Kallie took all the attention granted from his front. He politely moved around the floor, his body never belonging to anyone but her. He reached down and turned her, his left hand sliding down her outer thigh until he reached the edge of her dress.
Her breath caught in her chest and she was glad he couldn’t see the shock on her face that he might consider pulling up her skirt a little. He didn’t, but simply brushed the tips of his fingers along her exposed leg. His other hand reached up and moved her hair to the side before sliding around her other hip and splaying along her stomach, pressing her back to his front.
The hot whisper of his breath hit her neck before his words reached her. “I could drown in you.” His nose ran up the soft skin just below her ear, his lips brushing by her ear. Chill bumps broke out along her skin, the moment so sensual it almost hurt. How lusciously right it felt to be wrapped up with him in the middle of a dark dance floor. Between the crowd and the volume of the music, no wayward thoughts could register or hold in her mind. Everything in that moment was about him. The tight grip of his hands, the deep timbre of his voice, the unspoken promise that he’d give her anything she wanted if he could.
How had it come to that so fast? Were people meant to be together?
Just call for me and I’ll be there. The sound of Caleb’s voice right beside her ear jolted her to her senses. She pulled from Liam and looked around, the confusion on his face telling her that perhaps she was losing it.
“You okay?” He moved in, pulling her back flush against his front. “You need some of your water? Looks like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“No, I’m good. Just thought I heard someone.” She shrugged casually and leaned into Liam, his arms wrapping around her tightly as he pressed his lips to the top of her head. “There’s no such thing as ghosts, right?”
Liam’s chuckle helped her relax slightly.
She sighed softly, trying to force herself back into the moment with the strong, sexy man that held onto her tight, but she couldn’t fully get there again. The song changed and she moved off the floor, offering her hand to him and him taking it. They stopped at the bar and he picked up his beer, emptying the bottle and turning her around to lean against him. She pressed her back to his chest and relaxed in his arms, his sudden touchy-feely attitude fine by her. The strong muscles of his arms held her tightly, their bodies damp with sweat from being in the middle of the floor, surrounded by the movement of lust around them.
He leaned down again, whispering in her ear, “I hope you don’t mind, but I brought my bike tonight.”
She turned her head toward him, their lips so close she c
ould feel him breathing. “What bike?”
“I had a motorcycle out by that old car you saw the other day. I love riding it, but I rarely do.” He tilted away from her, looking down at her legs. “Now I’m a bit concerned about you riding it though.”
She laughed. “I drove, remember? I’m not drinking tonight, so I’ll just drive myself home.”
“No goodnight kiss on your porch where your father can see and potentially threaten my life? Damn… I thought I was going to get to live a little tonight.”
She started to turn, a pair of crimson eyes burning into her from across the room. She paused, narrowing her gaze and seeing someone who looked a lot like Caleb. Was he here? Had he followed her? Liam pulled her the rest of the way around, his hands moving up to cup her face.
“Where are you tonight? Something happened, so tell me about it and let me help bring you back to me. Tomorrow night is our time to be concerned, but tonight… tonight is all about fun. At least it was fun… now I feel I’ve lost you.”
Not wanting to lose him, she nodded as her hands came to rest on his chest. She stood on her toes and pressed her lips to his. His hands slid down her neck and over her shoulders, pulling her tighter as he deepened the kiss. The sweet taste of his beer rolled across her tongue, the subtle groan from him, vibrating his chest and leaving her dizzy with desire for more of him.
Her fingers curled against his chest, the firm muscles locked in place, hard and perfect under her fingers. He moved back a little, his eyes illuminated brilliantly. He looked at her only for a moment before pulling her up and kissing her again, the passion not slow burning or something to work up to, but explosive. He licked and kissed at her mouth until she forced herself to move back, air rushing into her depleted lungs as she gulped it in.
