“What about eating?” I interrupt. This is the most pressing question on my mind besides the shock and awe issue.
“I figured you’d pick up on that one.” He chuckles a little. “I’m technically not alive, but not entirely dead either. I don’t need to eat food, but I can. I just, um, let’s say, pay for it later.” He wrinkles his nose at the thought. “I do feed in the traditional vampire sense, but if you’d rather not know about that, I understand.”
He does that sexy glancing at me through lowered lashes thing again and my heart trips over itself. I force my gaze across the room. The heat stinging my cheeks will betray me even if my mind does not.
I refocus. “No, I want to know. I mean if I could become a snack here at any minute, I’d like to be prepared.” I mean it as a joke.
He gives me a perturbed look but continues. “Vampires can feed on human or animal blood. Human is preferable for taste reasons, but animals can be substituted on preference. Fresh blood is a must so going down to the local blood bank and picking up a pint is pretty much out of the question, unless you want some nasty heart burn from the anticoagulants they put in it.” He thinks that last part is pretty funny from the look on his face. I too get a rather amusing mental picture of vampires walking up to a cooler in a mini-mart and picking up a six-pack.
“So how do you get it?” I ask.
“The Enclave, the club where we had dinner.” He stops for a second, no doubt in reaction to my wide-eyed stare, but continues. “It is an organization of like-minded vampires that choose not to feed on hapless human victims. We don’t go out and attack or kill innocents. Human donors are made available to Enclave members.”
My stomach lurches at the thought and I clap my hand over my mouth. Maybe it is like going down to the mini-mart. A human mini-mart.
“Oh, Abri, I knew I shouldn’t be doing this, telling you all of this. This is wrong of me, all of it.” Obviously frustrated, he leaves the couch and paces near the windows. “We don’t kill anyone. I don’t have to do it every day like in the movies. It’s not often at all, in fact, unless I exert myself.” He stops pacing and faces me. “Most of all, I would never, could never, do anything to hurt you.”
“Hell of a first date,” I say, trying to lighten the mood. The laugh that escapes my lips is thin and unconvincing.
“Sorry.” He runs his hands through his hair and then shoves them into his pockets. The movements make his muscled upper body ripple and flex. God, he is sexy, even if he doesn’t mean to be.
I cringe as soon as the thought enters my head. He will have heard that. Again. Lucan opens his mouth to speak. I interrupt anything he is going to say to save my embarrassment.
“Don’t be, Luke. It’s who you are. This is just a lot to take in. I mean, up until a few hours ago I would have laughed in your face if you’d told me vampires existed. If you weren’t so convincing, I might still be laughing. That being said, I’m not afraid of you. If you wanted to hurt me, you’ve had plenty of opportunities to do so by now. Hell, I was unconscious for at least an hour.”
“Why are you calling me Luke all of a sudden?”
“I don’t know, isn’t that what you wanted me to call you?”
“Yes, well, no. I like Lucan better coming from you.” His sudden innocence is disarming. I begin to relax again when he rejoins me on the couch. “You call me Lucan when you’re thinking of me.”
The red wash of embarrassment across my face says more than I am capable of at the moment. “Yeah,” is all I can manage to say in reply.
His lips twitch into a half smile and he continues his story. “The donors are humans that agree to make themselves available to us at the Enclave for feedings. It’s not gross or painful, I promise. Our fangs secrete venom that is an anesthetic and antibiotic so there is no pain and the wounds heal almost instantly. No worse than giving blood at the Red Cross really.”
“Do you give out cookies and juice afterwards?” I quip before I can stop myself. “Maybe a free ‘I gave blood at the Enclave’ t-shirt?” Inwardly, I’m groaning at my penchant for using humor, even bad humor, to defuse tense situations.
Lucan snorts and shakes his head at my bad jokes. “It’s a little better than cookies and juice. The donors, or Patrons as we call them, are compensated financially for their services by the Enclave’s foundation. It’s voluntary and Patrons can stop at any time, so long as they agree to keep our secret. Several of the people you met at the restaurant are Patrons, our waiter and the hostess for example.”
“What about the valet guy?”
“Serge.” Lucan spits out the word like it has a bad taste. “He is vampire, but struggles with the formalities of The Enclave.”
“Formalities?”
“The use of Patrons versus the Hollywood version of vampirism, among other things.”
“Oh. That explains why he looked at me like piece of meat when we left. He shocked me when he helped me out of the car too.” I divulge this in hopes that it will force Lucan to explain the mystery to me.
A flash of anger crosses Lucan’s face but he recovers quickly. “Guess I can’t put off explaining the shock anymore can I?”
I shake my head. “I knew I’d break you down eventually.”
“It’s called amperic effect. Amps, electricity, you get it, right? It is a hunting mechanism that vampires use to stun their prey. The constant low voltage current lulls a victim into a relaxed state, but a high dosage can paralyze someone, like a taser.”
“Interesting. Like a sea anemone. Can you control it or is it always there?” My brain briefly wonders to the movie Finding Nemo and how Nemo can’t say anemone.
“You amaze me. I have amped you several times and your first thought is about a cartoon fish with a speech impediment, not about if I was trying to subdue you into being dinner.”
It is hard to tell if he is admonishing or amused. Personally, I think he should be relieved I am thinking about a cartoon fish and not about being dinner, but that is just me. I am also shocked he’s seen the movie. Just go with it, I tell him and myself.
“I can control it to an extent, but it’s a natural, automatic response. So, yeah, like the sea anemone. It’s also a, um, mating ritual of sorts.” I can’t hold back a snort of laughter. “Okay, no, that’s not a good way to explain it. It’s like when you get butterflies in your stomach. Well, those butterflies just manifest themselves externally for vampires. It’s how we gauge physical attraction. So my nervous jitters can, and did, literally knock the crap out of you.”
“Uh, not literally,” I correct. “Nervousness? What are you nervous about?”
“Being close to you,” he replies. “I don’t have a lot of experience in this area.”
“What area? I thought you were close humans all the time. I saw tons of pictures of you online with people at charity stuff. How can I be any different?”
“You just are, Abri.” His voice is flat and evasive.
Growing tired of the ambiguity, I push. “Different how?”
He sighs hard, looking at the ceiling. “I’ve already told you more than I planned on our first date and even though you haven’t run away yet, can’t it suffice for now that you’re just different?”
Even knowing he can hear me, I am unable to help myself from the thoughts: There are few things I despise more in people than evasiveness. Lying maybe, but evasiveness is worse. It leaves too many avenues for my brain to go down and go down them it will.
I am just an average human. How on earth can that be harder or different to be around than one else? Maybe I am some sort of vampire Kryptonite/Crack combination that makes me repulsive and irresistible all at once.
“I should be going. It’s late and I am not doing the walk of shame in front of my own office building in the morning.” I stand up to find my shoes but Lucan grabs my hand. The amps knock me backwards. He catches me just before I hit the floor. My body goes rigid and I feel the air rush out of my lungs. It’s not as bad as the last time, I am s
till conscious. It reminds me of the electric fences my grandmother used to keep the cows and rabbits out of her garden. You never forget bumping into one of those lines.
“Oh shit! Abri, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just wanted you to stay.” The remorse in his voice is palpable. “I’m so sorry, love. I tried to hold it back.”
“Yeah, can’t you set that thing to anything less than stun?” I cough and sputter, amused by my Star Trek reference, pretty sure it is lost on Lucan.
“Abri, I was watching Star Trek when it wasn’t in reruns,” he chides. “How about some water?” Lucan is up and heading for the kitchen. I mumble my acceptance and something about him being old before closing my eyes. Sleep overtakes me before he can return.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The warm morning sunlight streams across my face. I enjoy it until I realize that my apartment doesn’t have warm morning sunlight that streams across my face. I open my eyes to find myself again in Lucan’s bed. The clock reads 8:15.
It is bad enough that I failed to make it home last night, but now I have not even managed to wake up early enough to dodge the majority of my coworkers who will be arriving in the lobby shortly. There is no way to make it home, change clothes, and get back before nine. Yesterday’s work outfit is still hanging on the hook behind my office door but I will still have to walk into the office in my happy hour dress. Neither clothing choice is appropriate attire for the hearing I have scheduled at ten o’clock. I will have to leave early and swing by my apartment to change. Walk of Shame here I come! I roll over to see if Lucan is beside me listening to my dilemma, but I am alone. Draped across the end of the massive bed on his side are a garment bag and a note:
Dearest Abri, I trust you slept well. I am sorry I could not be here when you woke. Accept this gift as my apology and I will see you tonight. Your most humble servant, Lucan.
I unzip the bag to reveal its contents. Inside is a beautiful heather gray silk suit. The label on the inside of the jacket reads Versace, which even I know is expensive. He has saved me from the Walk of Shame and, if I hurry, the unlucky gift Mr. Jones is waiting to bestow on me if I’m late this morning.
The bathroom I locked myself in last night must have been the powder room because I find another, fancier, bathroom just to the other side of Lucan’s bed. Two of the four walls are made up of the building’s triangular windows. There is a large marble tub in the center of the room and a shower big enough for two along one of the non-window walls. It is 8:25, only thirty-five minutes get ready and back down the elevators. I fire up the cavernous shower for a quick rinse. There is no time to wash my hair hopefully it isn’t a wreck.
In fifteen minutes, I am showered and dressed. Now I need shoes. Shit, I am going to have to wear the Jimmy Choo heels, at least until I can retrieve my loafers from under my desk. I find my shoes and my purse next to a banana and granola bar on the island in the kitchen. Another note from Lucan promises coffee on the counter and cream in the fridge. The fridge is surprisingly well stocked for a bachelor that doesn’t need to eat. It’s 8:42. Hopefully that is enough time to snake my way back down to the 30th floor.
Lucan must have taken the stairs because the antiquated elevator is waiting for me just where we left it. The stairs would have been preferable but all I can picture is my body lying in a twisted heap at the bottom thanks to my stupid heels. The ride down is far less eventful than it was going up. I make it to the main elevator bank again and hop into the waiting car. No time to look at the murals this morning either. The ride from the Cloud Club to the 30th floor is just long enough for me to fabricate an acceptable story of my evening for Lindsey and Max, who are probably already waiting for me in my office.
***
“Good morning all.” As expected Lindsey, Max, and Brooks are waiting for me. It is 8:59 and change. Mr. Jones’ assistant walks passed my door with a thick file, looking for her next victim, just as I am putting my purse away. I have managed to avoid being tagged. “How late did you guys stay out last night?”
“The question is how late you stayed out last night, my dear.” Max has his eyebrows raised at me.
“Technically, I was home by eleven.” I am not willing to admit much about last night, but I know I will have to cough up something before these three will scurry off to their own offices.
“Just not your home, right?” Brooks beats Max to the punch line and Max scowls at him.
“What would make you say that?” Maybe if I am coy enough they will get bored and leave. Lindsey hasn’t said anything yet, but I can practically see the light bulb turn on over her head.
“That’s a new suit isn’t it Abri?” Damn she’s quick. “It’s nice. What is that?”
“Versace,” Max says accusingly. “Part of the new spring line that isn’t due out until next month to be exact.” Leave it to Max to know every piece of couture available on the market. He is now glancing down at my feet. “And I must say, those shoes go with it wonderfully.” His look says don’t lie to me sister, I know you would never wear those to work if you had a choice.
“All right, since I have a hearing in about an hour, I’m going to cut to the chase on this one with you Nosey Nellies. We went to dinner. We went back to his apartment and I fell asleep from too much wine. I got home really late. Nothing else happened.” There is a collective gasp followed by a round of ‘I told you so’s.’ It is mostly the truth. After all, I did fall sleep at Lucan’s apartment, however, wine was not the culprit.
“That explains the suit,” Max says. His face has resumed the same displeased look he wore yesterday after seeing the calling card.
“What explains it?”
“You don’t own, nor would you buy, a Versace anything. Let alone a suit from a collection that is not available yet. He gave it to you didn’t he?”
“Technically.” I admit, using the word for a second time in as many minutes. I have no a logical explanation for Lucan giving me a yet-released Versace suit so I don’t offer one.
I am torn between wanting to spill my guts to my friends, if for no other reason than hearing myself say it out loud might solidify in my mind as actually having happened; and checking myself into the nearest psych ward for evaluation. Of course, if I told them they would probably check me in themselves. I decide not to risk it in favor of making my hearing this morning.
“I have court. Max, can you get me the Stewart file? Lindsey, lunch as usual when I get back? Brooks, good to see you again,” I fire off in rapid succession. I don’t mean to be brusque, but if I stand here much longer, I am going to tell them everything. I am no good at keeping a juicy secret.
Max nods; his displeasure is obvious as he walks out of my office. Lindsey does pretty much the same thing and turns to leave with Brooks. I sit down at my computer to check my email while I wait for Max.
My Inbox is full of the usual firm announcements, junk mail, and client questions, which I delete or sort for later. It is the last email in the box that catches my attention. It has a time stamp of just seconds ago. The sender is obvious, who else can [email protected] be?
Good Morning!
I trust you slept well and are enjoying your gift. I thought about getting you something from your own closet, but figured that might be too forward, entering your apartment and all. If you want, please use the Evora. Leo will be waiting for you with the keys. She suits you better than me. I will see you tonight. Good luck today.
Lucan
Too forward? And a Versace suit isn’t forward? I consider which would have been more disturbing: finding a selection from my own closet sitting at the foot of the bed this morning or knowing Lucan saw my disaster of an apartment when he went to retrieve it. I stop short of considering how he knows where I live or how he would have gotten inside.
And hell yes, I’m going to use the Evora. It would be rude not to, right? There is a parking garage across from the Courthouse I can use.
“Here you go, Abri. And don’t think you’re goi
ng to get away without a full report when you get back.” He knows I am withholding information. I suspect he’s holding back as well after his reaction towards Lucan and the Enclave’s crest. “Girl, you’re going to be late if you don’t hurry.”
“I have time.” I smile knowing what I am about to do. “See you when I get back. Come to lunch with Linds and me. That way I only have to tell this once.”
“Already planning on it. I really like Lindsey and Brooks. We had a great time last night after you left.”
“Max, that’s great. I’ll see you later.” I am happy they made friends. Max and Linds are two of my favorite people, even if Max does annoy me sometimes. I grab the file and my jacket that they remembered and draped over the back of my chair. Wait, this isn’t my jacket. It is black like mine, but not boring weather resistant nylon like mine. It is cashmere. Lucan. I pretend not to notice the difference, and apparently, Max doesn’t either for once. Under the jacket is a matching scarf and leather gloves. Now I consider how he got into my office. Even if he took my keys, I didn’t have my security badge on me last night. Score one in the vampires have special skills I'm not ready to know about column.
Secretly I hope that Lucan will be inside the elevator when it opens. Of course he isn’t. I feel slightly strange pushing the button for the service elevator. Luckily, the car is already there and I don’t have to wait. I get in and look at my choices: basement, garage, or service deck. I settle on garage as the obvious choice and the elevator reacts in kind. The same guard that took the Evora’s keys last night greets me when the doors open.
“Good morning Ms. Cole. Mr. O’Reilly tells me you will be requiring the car this morning for Court.”
“Uh, yes. Please.”
“Wonderful. I trust you can drive a stick?” He smiles warmly at me but I can tell he is studying my face as if I might lie.
“Sure. I learned on a ’65 Mustang.” He eyes me suspiciously. “I’m sure Mr. O’Reilly wouldn’t offer his car to me if he believed I was unable to handle it.” I add sweetly. I don’t mean to be spiteful, but it bothers me when men assume something because I am a woman, especially when it comes to driving or cars. I want to add that I can also drive a John Deere harvester that’s worth more than any car down here, but think better of it.
42nd & Lex Page 7
