Isla jumped. “Christ, sorry.” Her cheeks reddened with embarrassment. “I didn’t think there was anyone else in the house.”
The chef smiled. “No trouble.” She then looked at Coleen. “We’re ready in the dining room.”
Coleen thanked the woman, and sensing Isla’s confusion wrapped her arm around her shoulders. “I have no skills in the kitchen.” She kissed the warm skin just below Isla’s ear. “My talents lie elsewhere; so I hired a chef for the evening.”
Isla’s voice wavered as her heart rate surged. “That seems like a lot of effort.”
Enjoying the reaction her touch triggered in Isla, Coleen kept her lips only a few inches from Isla’s ear as she spoke. “It was that or we suffer through burnt toast and runny eggs.”
Isla placed her hand at the back of Coleen’s neck, and pulled her forward. She eagerly pressed her mouth to Coleen’s, taking Coleen’s full bottom lip between her teeth and gently biting down. A second later she released Coleen. “When you put it like that, I should be thanking you.”
Coleen kept her eyes shut, certain they were glowing an iridescent blue. She buried her face in the side of Isla’s neck, her incisors pressing against the back of her upper lip. “You’re welcome.”
Isla leaned back and kissed Coleen on the cheek, and then turned to Julian. “Sorry brother, time is up.”
“But I haven’t even started.”
“Whine some more and see how much time you get after dinner.” Isla pointed to the hall the chef had disappeared down moments before. “Chop-chop.”
Julian practically flung himself forward as he followed his sister down the hall. Coleen stood, her back ridged as she focused her attention on squelching the lust that swirled throughout her body. Opening her eyes, she felt the tips of her incisors retracting. It was then that she realized she no longer hungered for Isla. She longed for her.
“Where should I sit?” Julian stood next to one six chairs surrounding the large, rectangular dining table.
“Sit there, and then Coleen can sit at the head of the table.” Isla looked up as Coleen entered the dining room. “Is that okay?”
“Perfect.” Coleen smiled, and took her seat.
The table was set impeccably, with black linen napkins and white China plates with a thin ring of gold around the edge of each plate, and matching gold plated flatware lined up perfectly on either side of each place setting.
A young woman dressed in a pair of black slacks, and a white dress shirt stepped forward with a bottle of wine in hand. Smiling at Isla, she held the bottle out in front of her. “Wine, ma’am? Ms. Andrade has selected a 2003 Fonseca Vintage Port, or I can get you vodka and cranberry.”
Isla looked over at Coleen. “Do they know what kind of beer I drink too?”
The server grinned. “Shiner Bock in the bottle.”
Isla chuckled. “I’ll have the wine, please.”
The server filled Isla’s glass and then Coleen’s. “And we have Izzy Clementine for the young man.” The woman removed a clear glass bottle from the ice bucket near Julian, and twisting the cap off, began to pour the orange beverage into Julian’s glass.
“What’s that?” Julian asked, his nose wrinkled.
“It’s orange soda, Julian.” Coleen reassured the child. “But it doesn’t have all the caffeine and sugar.” She took a drink of her wine. “If you don’t like it, I’ll get you a scotch.”
Julian giggled, and took a drink of the soda. “I like it!” He declared, holding the glass up in front of him.
“What are we eating?” Isla asked once the server left the room.
“I have no idea, I just told them to make sure Julian had a cheeseburger.” Coleen looked at a delighted Julian and winked.
The server returned with a large tray that she placed on the opposite end of the table. “For the gentleman.” Julian’s eyes widened as a cheeseburger nearly as big as his head was put down in front of him, accompanied by a smaller second plate piled high with French fries.
Isla and Coleen were both given small plates with field greens, tomatoes, and cucumber dressed in a light vinaigrette. Coleen thanked the server as she spread her napkin out across her lap. “I thought you would need a head start on the burger, Julian, while we work on our salads.”
Julian had managed to get both hands around the enormous cheeseburger, and was attempting to take a bite. Isla tisked. “Jules, cut it into quarters; otherwise, I can’t tell if you’re swallowing it or the other way around.”
Julian plopped the burger back down on the plate. “Dad said you never use a knife and fork with pizza or burgers.” He slowly turned the plate around as he sized the burger up.
Isla frowned. “If you get lock jaw, you’re on your own.”
The remainder of the dinner went well. Isla ate, and Coleen feigned interest in, filet mignon with crab. Their banter was casual as Julian managed to work his way through over half of his cheeseburger, nearly all of the fries, and a scoop of chocolate ice cream.
“It’s called a food coma, Julian.” Isla had her hands on her brother’s shoulders as she guided him to the sofa in the den. An amused Coleen watched as Isla handed her brother the television remote and the wireless PlayStation controller.
“I can’t breathe.” Julian rubbed his stomach with one hand while managing to turn the television on with the other. “What time is it?”
Isla looked at her watch. “Eight thirty. So game away.”
Julian mustered a weak smile and held the game controller up. “Gaming.”
Isla and Coleen walked down the hall to the library. After Isla managed to get over her shock and admiration for Coleen’s vast book selection, she carefully sat a first edition of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass on the mahogany desk and thumbed through it slowly.
“Do you want a drink?” Coleen was standing behind Isla, admiring the smoothness of her skin where her shoulder and neck met.
Isla shook her head, her attention fixed on the book. “No, thank you.”
Coleen took Isla’s hand in hers. Coleen entwined their fingers. She studied the paleness of her own skin in contrast to Isla’s. Isla turned around, her back against the desk as Coleen stepped fully into her space.
Isla reached for Coleen. She placed her hands on either side of Coleen’s neck, gently pulling her closer. Coleen leaned forward, resting her hands on Isla’s hips. Their lips were inches apart as Isla’s breath caught, and then her lips were pressed to Coleen’s.
Coleen ran her hands under Isla’s blouse. The warmth of her skin and the pounding of her heart elicited a low moan from Coleen. Grabbing her by the waist, Coleen lifted Isla up onto the desk, their lips never parting. Pushing her back, Coleen was overwhelmed with the need to touch and taste every inch of the woman under her.
Pushing Isla’s blouse up, Coleen began to eagerly lick and suck the supple skin across Isla’s stomach. Entwining her fingers in Coleen’s hair, Isla pulled her up, bringing their lips back together. Coleen roughly palmed Isla’s breast through her blouse. The gasp her touch triggered from Isla brought a smile to Coleen’s lips.
Isla pushed back against Coleen, and sliding off the desk, the two women stumbled onto the sofa. Kneeling between Isla’s legs, Coleen effortlessly unbuttoned Isla’s jeans. She pulled the garment back, and placed a series of heated kisses across Isla’s abdomen.
Isla’s eyes flew open when Coleen suddenly pulled away from her. “What is it?”
Coleen cocked her head to the side. The sound of footsteps outside the house were followed by the faint beeping noise of the alarm system, indicating an exterior door had been opened.
Coleen looked at the clock on the desk. It was barely nine. “Damnit.” She muttered as she got up from the sofa. “Give me a minute please.”
Coleen quickly walked down the hall toward the front door, her sense of smell already telling her who the intruder was. “Old friend, how unusual that you should arrive on time, or in this case, three hours early.”
“Is
it only nine? It seemed later.” Claudio smirked as he peered over Coleen’s shoulder toward the den. “Do I smell a child?”
He lifted his head and inhaled deeply through his nose. “And something even lovelier in the library?”
“As always, your skills of perception amaze me.” Coleen knew it was best to downplay her irritation. Claudio would only see it as an invitation to play.
Holding his arms out to his sides, Claudio grinned. “I amaze myself.” He took a step toward the library, his eyes fixed on Coleen in a clear gesture to size her up. “Can I meet your friends?”
“Of course.” Coleen stepped back, and gestured for Claudio to follow her into the library.
Before she opened the door, Coleen listened. Hearing Isla’s heartbeat had returned to normal, Coleen gently knocked on the door before entering.
“Isla, I want you to meet an old friend of mine. He’s visiting for a few weeks and has been staying with me.” Coleen forced a smile as Claudio and she walked into the library. “This is Claudio. Claudio, this is Isla.” Coleen casually glanced back toward the hall. “Her brother Julian is around here somewhere.”
Isla stood, and walked toward Claudio, her hand outstretched. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Claudio took Isla’s hand in his, and pressed his lips to the back of it. “Likewise.”
Coleen caught the amused expression on Isla’s face. Claudio’s demeanor was even more dated than Coleen’s. Old world charms were no doubt lost on a twenty seven year old.
Isla glanced at Coleen and then back at Claudio. “How do the two of you know each other?”
Claudio contemplatively looked toward the ceiling. “I can’t remember exactly. It’s been so long.”
Coleen put her hand on Claudio’s shoulder. “It will never be long enough, friend.”
“You’re too kind.” Claudio stepped around Coleen and began walking toward the hall. “I would love to meet your brother. Julian, was it?”
“That’s me.” Julian was suddenly standing in the doorway. He looked past Claudio toward Isla. “I need to pee.”
“Julian, please say use the restroom.” Isla chided her brother.
“But I do have to pee.” Julian frowned. “It’s why I need the restroom.”
Claudio chuckled. “Brilliant.” The vampire bent down and stretched out his hand. “I’m Claudio.”
Julian took the man’s hand in his. “I’m Julian.”
Coleen stepped in between Claudio and Julian. “I’ll show you where the restroom is.” She took the boy’s hand, and quickly walked with him down the hall. “When you’re done, you can go back to the den and play more of your games.”
Julian nodded. “Awesome!”
Coleen looked down at the boy, the warmth of his smile nearly bringing tears to her eyes. “My pleasure.” She turned and walked back toward the library, not wanting to leave Isla alone with Claudio for too long.
“So much of the country is uncharted, and completely primitive.” Coleen heard Claudio clearly regaling Isla with one of his travel stories as she walked back into the living room.
“How are you getting that far into the jungle?” Isla was sitting in a chair across from Claudio.
Claudio glanced up at Coleen, a smirk on his face. “Well, I walk, of course.”
Isla laughed. “Naturally.” She looked at Coleen. “Everything okay with Julian?”
Coleen nodded. “I told him he could go back to the den when he’s done.”
Isla glanced at her watch. “Actually, this might be a good time to get him out the door without too much fuss.”
Claudio stood up. “But we’ve only just met.”
Isla hesitated. “Well – I – we really need to get going, but maybe all three of us could have drinks before you leave town?”
Claudio took Isla by the arm, and escorted her out of the library and down the hall. “That is a wonderful idea.”
Coleen could hear Claudio take a deep breath in through his nose, and squelched the protective hostility that welled up in her knowing he was taking in Isla’s scent. She knew he couldn’t resist the opportunity to indulge himself with the smell of a human, but she didn’t want it to be Isla.
Julian walked into the room, and seeing his sister’s purse on her arm, frowned. “I thought I had until ten?”
“Plans have changed, and I’m getting tired.” Isla began rummaging through her purse for her car keys, ignoring the exasperated sigh that escaped her brother.
Coleen hated that Isla and Julian were leaving, but was relieved she wouldn’t have to manage Claudio’s appetites while attempting to keep her own desires in check. “Julian, you can come back at any time to play the games.” Coleen reassured the child.
Claudio cleared his throat. “Well, it’s been a pleasure. I’ll let Coleen see you out.” He again took Isla’s hand in his, kissing the back of it. Julian snickered, and quickly thought better of it as Isla shot him a disapproving look.
With Claudio gone, Coleen showed Isla and Julian out.
Pulling her car keys out of her purse, Isla looked up at Coleen. “We had a great night, but it’s okay if next time you just order some pizza.”
“Noted.”
Isla took Coleen’s hand in hers, and pulled her towards her. She put her hand on Coleen’s cheek, and leaned in to kiss her. Coleen hesitated, and Isla stopped so that their lips where only a few inches apart. “What is it?”
Coleen was looking down, unable to meet Isla’s gaze, the surge of longing threatening to overtake her. “I wish you didn’t have to go.”
Isla grinned, clearly relieved Coleen’s reserve wasn’t because something was wrong. “You wouldn’t say that if you knew how hard Julian is to get out of bed in the mornings.”
Coleen looked up at Isla, in that moment not caring if her eyes were as bright as the sun. “When will we see each other again?”
Isla placed a gentle kiss on the corner of Coleen’s mouth, her voice low. “Depends how much of me you want to see.”
Coleen smiled and kissed Isla full on the lips, the taste of honey and orange washing over her. “How many babysitting credits do you have left?”
Isla ran her fingers along the back of Coleen’s neck. “Enough.”
Coleen had no control over the words coming out of her mouth. She knew she was making offers she couldn’t honor. The memory of Isla against her when they were in the library, and the warmth of her body, made Coleen forget how complicated their relationship truly was.
“This Saturday?”
“Done.” Isla kissed Coleen, and then took several steps back, her face flushed. “I have to go now, or you will find out how hard Julian is to get off to school.” A minute later, Coleen watched as the car’s taillights disappeared around the corner.
“She’s lovely.” Claudio’s voice broke into Coleen’s euphoria.
Coleen started walking back toward the front door. “You can see why I’m considering her as a companion.”
Claudio walked beside her. “Oh, most definitely, and what are you planning for the boy?”
Coleen shrugged, forcing the indifferent tone from her mouth. “If I choose to move forward with Isla, then let the proverbial chips fall as they may with Julian.”
“I might be interested in the boy.”
Coleen stopped walking. “What for?”
“A protégé. Someone to mold, and when the time is right, I’ll turn him.” Claudio walked past Coleen and into the house.
Coleen’s instinct was to take her friend’s head off. That alone gave her pause. She had always considered, to varying degrees over the centuries, a vampire’s life to be far more valuable than a human’s, but her rules were changing. She wasn’t afraid of her feelings for Isla, although yearning for a human was new to her. But she was afraid what she might do in defense of them.
Chapter 12
It was raining as Coleen stood on Isla’s front porch, and she was pleased she had managed to ring the doorbell this time.
�
��Hi.” Isla greeted Coleen with a smile as she opened the door. “Come in.” She stepped to the side.
“Please note I come bearing no gifts.” Coleen turned toward Isla with an innocent look on her face. “So don’t say I never listen.”
Isla grabbed Coleen’s wrist and pulled her to her. A second later, Isla had Coleen’s back pressed against the front door, as her mouth sent bolts of fire along Coleen’s neck and lips. Coleen could barely keep up as Isla’s hands roamed along the curve of her waist, along her lower back, and down to her backside.
“I need to tell you something.” Coleen hadn’t meant to say the words. Her mouth had betrayed her. Now Isla, her cheeks flush with desire, stood wide eyed in front of her.
Brushing a stray strand of hair from her forehead, Isla took a step back, her breath still coming in short bursts. “What is it?”
Coleen stepped around the confused woman. “Can we go into the living room?”
Isla nodded, and followed Coleen. As they sat on the sofa, Coleen intentionally kept distance between them because she had to prove to herself that she could. Isla wasn’t cooperating though, and immediately reached for Coleen’s hand.
“Tell me.”
Coleen knew her heart had been more courageous than her mind. She had started and stopped with Isla countless times. Then she had been still, fearful of the truth. Now, the emptiness of the lie threatened to devour her if she did nothing. She was not ashamed of what she was or the existence she had led, and in the moment she knew to continue the charade with Isla implied that she was.
“I’m a vampire.” Coleen’s mouth felt dry and hollow.
A quick laugh escaped Isla, and she covered her mouth. “I’m sorry, it’s just –” She tilted her head to the side. “I don’t get it.”
Coleen stood up and walked across the room. “I’m a vampire.”
Isla shook her head. “Saying it a second time doesn’t help. I’m still waiting for the punchline.” Her mouth opened in surprise, and then quickly turned into a mischievous smirk. “Is this a game? Something – sexual?”
Coleen couldn’t help but smile in spite of the dread that blanketed her. “Sadly no – though I suppose it could be depending on your reaction.” Coleen shook her head. “But I’m getting ahead of myself. To be clear, I’m a three thousand year old vampire, and I can appreciate how that sounds, but you must believe me.”
Coleen: Forever (Waking Forever Series Book 5) Page 14
