Human Interaction

by Cheyenne Meadows

  Tilting his head, Alex paused. His grin faded. Doing a quick scan of the room, he quickly sat down in the chair opposite me. "Listen, I heard about what happened…"

  I watched his face, not uttering a word.

  He released a weary sigh and picked at the small round tray he carried drinks on. "I swear I didn't know. If I did, I would have beaten the guy to a pulp."

  Those blue eyes peered into mine, sincere and apologetic. My tough shell cracked. "Thank you." Perplexed, I didn't know what to say and possessed no clue why he apologized for something when he stood blameless.

  He lowered his gaze. "I don't drug women. Not my thing and I abhor those that do."

  I nodded. "I understand."

  He glanced around once more then returned to his feet. "It won't happen again. I can assure you that. They made sure of it."

  "They?"

  Alex nodded, shot me a quick half grin, before heading off to a nearby table whose patrons waved demandingly.

  The thump of the bass ceased abruptly, noting the end of Meat's set. I relaxed back in my seat, watching the mass of women return to their tables, fanning themselves, and clamoring about the quality of dancers.

  Lights dimmed once more and the music turned up as another man took the stage.

  A large body plopped down into the chair opposite me. An all too familiar body. One that dressed in record time. "Hi."

  My head tilted in his direction. "Hi again."

  He leaned back in the chair, hands resting on those now jean-covered thighs. Deep blue eyes met mine. "Missed me?"

  My mouth dropped open. Talk about cutting to the chase. Haughtily, I stuck my nose in the air and answered. "I have my paper to finish." A shrug followed.

  His dimples flashed as he grinned, eyes dancing with amusement. "Uh huh."

  I snorted in return. What does one do with a self-confident man? Not sure what to say, I peered out at the stage once more. Women lined up, shaking their hard-earned money madly in the air. The new dancer smiled and gyrated in their direction, seemingly happy to appease them.

  Meat followed my gaze, then leaned forward, resting those big hands on the table. "He stuffs his thong with a sock." The low voice carried, sincere and serious.

  I blinked. How did he know? On second thought, I'm not sure I really wanted to know. Taking the thread, I ran with it. "I see. Too bad." Tapping my fingers, I met his eyes. "So what do you stuff your thong with?"

  The animal just angled back and laughed. Personally, I found the question realistic and reasonable, not worth amusement. Must be a male thing.

  "Oh, babe." His chuckling continued as a wry smile appeared. "Is that an invitation?"

  "Why can't you just tell me?" I nervously picked at an invisible mark on the table.

  He moved in closer, our noses a couple of inches apart. The low rumble reminded me of a big jungle cat communicating with others of his kind. "Showing you would be much more fun. You. Naked. Under me."

  Oh, boy.

  I resisted the urge to fan my suddenly burning face. I swallowed and stuttered. "Umm. Well… you see…"

  He continued to stare, although his gaze drifted a bit lower. "Yes?" he purred.

  A burning question popped out. "Did you drug me the first night?"

  "What?" He transformed from sensual teasing to offended astonishment in the blink of an eye.

  "My water was spiked. Were you responsible?"

  "Hell no. You think I can only get women by drugging them?"

  "Alex said that spiked bottle of water was from you," I said, even as I mentally recalled the rest of Alex's words about Meat knowing nothing about the laced drink at the time.

  Meat ran his fingers through his shoulder-length dark hair in agitation. His body tensed as he leaned in my direction. "I'm sure that lowdown asshole bartender used my name and the names of the other dancers frequently. Anything to get the woman to drink and another bounty in his pocket," he snarled.

  Realization struck. "Then you weren't drugged?"

  He snorted. "As if. We saw that mangy rat dragging you through the back door. We followed, thinking he was going to take advantage of you. Instead, we heard him selling you to the intermediaries and accepting his money."

  "And?" I waited for more.

  "We knew this wasn't the first time something like this had happened. And, if we managed to infiltrate, we could recover some other innocent victims. So, we 'accidentally' stumbled into the fray, appearing intoxicated. Luckily, they believed our act and didn't shoot us right away. The rest of it you know."

  "Alex said you and Ducky took care of the bartender."

  "He did. I got a couple of licks in, but the vamp said something about not liking beet pulp for dinner."

  I shuddered as I recalled what Ducky could do with a bad guy. My mouth dropped open. "You took a huge risk with your life in order to save me?"

  He shrugged as if unconcerned. "Police tracked down accomplices. Shut down the system. For now."

  "Thank you."

  "Do I get a reward for my noble deeds?" His teasing grin returned.

  "Not tonight. Sorry. I have to get home to my kids." I paused. "Maybe later, though."

  His eyes snapped back to my face. "Kids?" He shifted back a bit, head tilting in question.

  Taking a deep breath, I pushed down that belly tingling sensation. "Yeah. I have twin boys. They just turned four." I couldn't help but smile as I thought of them. Full of vim and vigor always.

  Meat's face morphed into something I hadn't seen before in our short acquaintance. His sensual teasing fled like a snowflake in the summer wind. In its place appeared something harder, angrier.

  "So, you send your husband off on business trips to work his ass off while you play around? The kids are just baggage, I take it?" his steely voice accused.

  "What?" I gasped. How did we get from "I wanna do ya" to "you're a tramp" in less than a minute?

  He sneered. "Just like those other women. A man works to keep you in the means you think you deserve, and any chance you get, you go out searching for some stud to fuck."

  My dander shot through the roof. How dare he? "I never cheated on my husband," I spit through clenched teeth.

  He gave a brittle laugh. "You think I'm stupid? That I should be on my knees begging you to take me on as your plaything?"

  Oh, that was it. Grabbing my purse, I lunged to my feet. "I repeat. I never cheated on my husband. Believe what you will, you jackass." Tears burned my eyes. Something inside me cracked open. The place where I held those emotions and memories in check flowed over, like a river cresting its banks after a flooding rain.

  Rushing, I headed to the exit, wiping my eyes, and crunched into a tall, strong body. His hands reached out to grab my arm, steadying me.

  "What the…"

  "I'm sorry. Excuse me." My voice broke as I pulled away and headed frantically for the door.

  The cool night air refreshed me enough to find my car and slide in the driver's seat, but couldn't take the sharp pain away. On the drive home, tears flowed unchecked down my cheeks. Sniffing and wiping them with my shirt sleeve, I kept driving. Questions stormed through my mind. How could I have believed that maybe there might be something with that man? How could I have been so wrong? It had been four long years since I lost Wills. Why did it still hurt so badly?

  Would there ever be someone to love me again?

  CHAPTER 8

  The chiming of the doorbell caught me mid-stir. Shutting the mixer off, I hurriedly wiped my hands on the kitchen towel and started toward the door, wondering who on earth could be visiting so early. I hadn't ordered anything. Anyone who wanted to visit usually called first. My heart pitter-pattered at the thought of more looming devastating news.

  "Mommy, someone's here!" Sasha's voice rang through the open and airy family room. He kneeled on the couch with his head stuck between the curtains, looking outside. Chance stood beside the couch, watching as I headed toward the door.

  The chimes went off once more.
"Hang onto your horses. Jeez," I grumbled as I jogged to the front door. "Who is it?"

  "Don't know, Mommy," Chance answered, his brown eyes focused on the door.

  "Old woman," Sasha replied. Obviously, daycare hasn't discussed tactfulness yet. My more outgoing son beat his brother into this world by four minutes. A fact, he enjoyed tossing out now and again.

  Taking a quick peek out the window, I spotted a delivery van decorated with a large red flower on the side. I unlocked and pulled the front door open.

  An older, gray-headed lady stood on the front porch, a huge bouquet of flowers in hand. Multiple colors of roses blended perfectly with baby's breath and a handful of tiger lily blooms.

  I twisted the bolt on the storm door and opened it enough to partially step out. "Can I help you?" My eyes glanced toward the vehicle. The Flower Specialists, it read.

  The lady smiled at me. "I have a delivery for Shy McDaniel."

  "Oh. That's me." I gave her an odd look. For the life of me I didn't know of anyone that would send me such an arrangement out of the blue.

  She handed me a clipboard with a paper on it. "If you would just sign here, I can be on my way."

  "Sure." I scribbled my signature then took the heavy vase from her hands.

  "I have a penis," Sasha announced proudly, having opened the glass door enough to stand beside my leg, his little hand fastened to my jeans.

  Her eyes twinkled as she chuckled. "Oh, you do?" she addressed him as she shot me an amused look. By her calm, amused reaction and appearance, she reminded me of someone's grandmother, one that heard all the silly boasts of small children before.

  My face heated. Leave it to my son to share his favorite word of the week with a total stranger.

  He nodded sincerely back to her. Her smile widened as she glanced my direction. "He's adorable."

  "Thank you. For the flowers too." I gave her a little wave and headed back in, nudging Sasha ahead of me.

  Chance hastened over, looking up at the bright colors in my hand. "What's that?"

  I found the card nestled between a pastel pink and a bright white rose. "Flowers. Beautiful flowers," I mumbled in answer, my attention focused on opening the card. My breath caught as I read the inscription.

  "Forgive me. M."

  * * * *

  I made my way through the front doors of the strip club for the third time in just a couple of weeks. The now familiar mountain of a bouncer only shook his head and stuck his hand out for the cover charge fee. Dutifully, I handed the money over and flipped my hand in order to be stamped. A small finger wave and a wan smile followed.

  Formalities completed, I entered the main room, peering at the masses of women already there. Friday night and the place hopped. A pair of young ladies even occupied my small corner table.

  After the huge bouquet of flowers had arrived this morning, I'd spent a couple of hours debating what to do. Seven days had passed since Meat's accusations. They still stung. But, the floral gift had led me to believe that maybe he'd realized his mistake, and now sincerely wanted to apologize. I'd decided to visit the club once more, accept his apology, and then continue on with my life. Each day I'd thrown myself into school, work, and my boys, trying to push Meat and his surly accusations behind me. The research project had been finished ahead of schedule, thanks to the free time away from observation hours at the club. While I might not have spent the required twenty hours at the booming and loud social place, I counted the kidnapping day as all part of the whole scientific process. Two evenings at the joint and twenty-four hours with kidnappers sufficed in my book. Might as well get something from such a traumatic event.

  My eyes raked the room once more, frantically searching for an empty table, even a single unused seat. Anywhere to sit and wait.

  Someone poked me from behind. Turning, I looked up. "Oh, hi."

  Ducky tilted his head in my direction. "Came back for more, huh?"

  I lowered my eyes. "I… I needed to thank…"

  "Meat?" He interjected.

  Nodding, I chewed my lip, my belly fluttered with nervousness. What did I have to be nervous about anyway? I was there to deliver my thanks and then leave. Simple as that. Right?

  He scanned the room, grabbed my elbow, and tugged me along. "Come on."

  "What? Where are we going?" I asked, trying to keep up with his long strides and not trip over furniture and others' feet in the process.

  "To see your knight in shining armor," he answered flatly.

  "Whoa!" I dug my heels in. "He's not that. In fact, he's still in the big jerk category as far as I'm concerned." I frowned up at the tall blond vampire.

  A grin tugged at his lips. "The big jerk category, huh?"

  "Yep." I wasn't sure the source of his amusement. I still ached from Meat's comments. "The flowers helped a bit, but by no means is he out of the doghouse with me." I didn't realize I mumbled that comment aloud until Ducky chuckled.

  "In the doghouse, is he?" His smile widened.

  Rolling my eyes, I shrugged. Honestly, I wasn't sure I wanted to get into this discussion with Meat, let alone with his sidekick. "Why haven't you eaten me?" I looked up and met his dark eyes.

  Without answering, he glanced around once more and hauled me through a side door, up a flight of steps, and down a narrow hall. Finding the door he wanted, he opened it and pulled me inside.

  The tiny dressing room contained a couple of chairs, a big mirror, and an open closet packed with costumes. He gestured to one seat and took the other, waiting for me to sit.

  "So?" I plopped down. "Is it because you're afraid I'm contagious? You are what you eat theory? Friends of the family?"

  Large fingers ruffled through his hair. He gave a little shrug. "You're a single mother with small kids. If we ate you, what would happen to those boys?" His eyes met mine.

  I swallowed hard. He knew about my kids? I could only return his stare.

  "Yes, I know about your family. All of them."

  "Oh." My Enforcer family and vampires haven't always seen eye to eye. So, Ducky knowing such personal details sent a small shiver of concern down my spine.

  "We aren't rabid animals," he growled in my direction, obviously insulted.

  Quickly, I amended. "I never thought you were, Dica… mon… men… duc… nemis." He frowned. I tried once more. "Duc… a nem… dic… a neme." I can't say his name to save my life. But, out of respect for his recent saving of my life, I could at least try.

  His eyes crossed briefly before he shook his head. Full lips tilted upward and twitched. "Not even close."

  "But… but…" I sighed in defeat. This certainly wasn't turning out to be my day. At least he said they wouldn't eat me. For now. When the boys were grown, I guess I was back on the dessert bar. Oh, boy. "I'm sorry. I seem to be making a hash of things and I don't mean to." I looked downward, watching my tennis shoe rub back and forth against the cement floor.

  "How about a compromise?"

  My gaze jerked up. "Compromise?"

  He nodded. "I don't care for the names you call me now. But, I see you're never going to learn to pronounce my real name, no matter how much practice you have."

  My head bobbed in return. Like that was a huge revelation.

  "Call me Ducian."

  "Ducian," I mimicked.

  He nodded. "Much better than Ducky." A slow smile followed.

  How could I compete with that logic? "Ducian it is." I returned his grin.

  "Good. Now sit here while I fetch your doghouse kitty."

  "Wait! I don't know…" The door shut behind him, leaving me alone. "That I want to speak to him." I finished the sentence in a quiet mumble to myself.

  My toes drummed out a beat on the wooden floor, my fingers thumped on my thigh as I waited. My gaze locked on the wardrobe just a couple feet away. With nothing better to do, I walked over and began thumbing through each article, hanger by hanger. Not everyone had the opportunity to check out the wardrobe of an exotic male dancer. Amazing what strip clu
b dancers wear. Everything from caveman print to leather, chaps to… a pink tutu? I pulled the tutu out, holding it up against me. Who would've thought?

  The door opened quickly, with Meat stepping in, filling up the small space. His eyes traveled from my face to the outfit I held as the door closed behind him. "Nice choice. You wearing that for me?"

  I gasped. Indignation surged to the forefront. "No. I found this in your collection. I assumed you would be wearing this tonight on stage. Unless maybe a lover accidentally left it here…?"

  "Touché," he replied, tilting his head in my direction. Old worn jeans coated his lower body as a form fitting black T-shirt covered that wide expanse of chest. His dark hair fell just below his collar while piecing blue eyes remained connected to mine. The room seemed to shrink with his manly presence.

  Sighing, I replaced the tutu back on the rack, turning to face him once more. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." My chin dropped as I studied the floor.

  A finger delicately placed under my jaw pulled my face up to meet his gaze once more. "No. I'm sorry." The whispered words easily carried in the small space.

  His finger stroked the soft skin of my cheek then down my neck before it fell away. Tiny ripples radiated from the area to the pit of my belly.

  "I…" I chewed my lip debating on what to say. "I wanted to thank you for the flowers." There, I completed what I'd come here to do.

  He regarded me once more. "You're welcome. I didn't know…" He sat down on the nearby chair, rubbing his forehead. "I see all kinds of women…"

  "You don't have to explain. I understand." I took the seat opposite him.

  "Let me finish." His voice, though gentle, discouraged any argument. "I had no idea that you were a mother. I heard the word 'kids' and jumped to conclusions. Single mothers don't usually spend much time in this establishment. Some women don't even know how lucky they are to have children. The kids are only a commodity, an afterthought. Nothing more." Anger and frustration laced his voice. Lifting his head, he met my stare once more. "Ducian told me about your… situation." He reached out to lightly trace the back of my hand. "My gut twisted for what I said. And, it ate at me, leaving you with those accusations." He pulled his hand back, leaning back in his seat. "I waited for you to return to the club. When you didn't…" His words trailed off.