by C. M. Owens
I have one customer who is simply here for the Wifi. He's about my age with black hair, tattoos peeking up from his shirt collar, and a piercing on his right eyebrow. I've studied him too much, since it's a little dull in here tonight.
I've barely seen his face though. He's kept his back to us since he arrived an hour ago.
Mary smiles, offering me a farewell-wave, and heads out to throw her arms around a beefed up guy who is leaning against his car. I smirk as they entangle in a rather showy kiss, and then I flip on my phone to pick up reading my book where I left off.
"Need anything?" I ask the guy who has no interest in spending a dime in the diner.
"No, still fine," he chirps.
I hear the door open, and I look up to see a tan guy with onyx, glistening hair, as he walks in. His eerie smile sends shivers down my spine, and I glance over to see the human in the corner shiver too.
Looking back, I see his glowing blue eyes spark and flicker before dying back down to a deep brown.
Shit. Vampire.
Swallowing hard, I murmur, "Can I help you?"
He smiles bigger, malice burning in his eyes as he sits down at the bar directly in front of me.
"What time do you close?"
"Um, an hour."
"Ah. Then I'll take some coffee while I wait."
I get sick as he stares at me, and I slowly back up, refusing to pull my eyes away. He knows who I am, and I know who he is. He's the night stalker from last night.
"You shouldn't be in here right now. You know what I am," I almost whisper.
"You shouldn't have meddled in my meal and then sent the council after me," he growls.
I narrow my eyes as I place the cup of coffee in front of him, and then I do my best to act composed and in control.
"You shouldn't have been in the open. You risk us all when you kill like that," I murmur in a nearly muted tone.
The sparks in his eyes ignite more fiercely as he smirks all the more - the devil's air in his breath.
"Well, I was famished, and there she was - drunk and alone."
"That's not how things work and you know it."
"Neither is interrupting one's kill. You're just lucky no one wants a damn war."
I laugh a little louder than I meant to, and he glares at me.
"No one would start a war over this shit," I daringly release through my mocking laughter. "You're a speck in a world far larger than you. Interrupting your brazen, open kill was nothing but warranted in the eyes of everyone's councils. I pray someone caught it on tape, and then they'll exterminate you."
He shakes his head, smiling more. "If they saw me, they saw you. You might want to recant that last little bit."
My feigned confidence doesn't waver, and I keep the conversation below the register a human can hear. "The force I used was invisible. You had a girl bent backwards with your fangs dug in. All they'll see is you mysteriously flying backwards and me screaming for help as I rush to her body. Believe me, I've ran through it a time or two."
He snarls, his eyes sparking blue again and his fangs slip free.
"How about I just pick up with you where I left off with her?"
He smirks as he stands, acting as though he's about to prove he hasn't just made an empty threat. But then the door sounds out as new customers arrive, halting him from trying anything.
Thank God.
He snarls louder as he turns, and a wave of butterflies crash through my stomach when I see Kane and his friends walking in.
He smiles as he walks toward the counter, and then his smile falls when he sees the damn vampire still ready to rip my throat out.
"Hey," he says softly, his eyes returning to me and studying my face.
I try to seem casual, not wanting to give this fanged son of a bitch any ideas about going after Kane in order to get revenge on me.
"Hi," I say very professionally, showing indifference instead of pure lust. "What can I get you?"
He frowns, feeling my chilly demeanor, and then he shrugs. "Um, five coffees and a slice of pie each," he murmurs with a bit of disappointment.
I glance back to the night stalker, and then I head over to the coffee. He won't attack with eyes on us. He's in enough trouble as it is.
"I'll bring it to your table," I say with my back turned, and I hear a slight huff as Kane walks away.
"Thanks."
When I turn back, the night stalker is staring at me, slowly sipping his coffee, but I ignore him as I head over to Kane's table - the oversized corner booth. The girl who glared at me the night before is sitting by his side, her body touching his.
Maybe it's good I'm being cold. It seems he has someone already much too into him, and he obviously doesn't mind the attention, since he's sitting by her.
Without speaking, I pass out the coffee and pie, avoiding eye contact with Kane, and then I force an obligatory smile before wandering back behind the counter. They're too close for the night stalker to say more, so he continues to stare at me, trying to scare me.
This could get bad when we're alone, so I decide to text Frankie. I know he's still in town.
Night stalker in diner. Could use your help.
This will cement my mother's fear, and I know she'll be out here as soon as she's finished with the ceremonies.
Crap.
Almost instantly, the door swings open, and in walks Frankie. Kane's head turns to investigate, and he watches the night stalker watching me as Frankie takes a seat at his side.
I smirk as Frankie cracks his fingers, warming up to intimidate the fanged asshole. "I'll take some coffee, Miss."
I stifle a laugh, and I serve him his coffee as requested, my eyes studying the night stalker who is oblivious to the immortal on his side. Realizing we're out of cream, I head to the back to grab a fresh stash.
As I turn around, I gasp for air when I see a body standing too close. I sigh in relief when I see it's Kane.
"You keep scaring the shit out of me," I grumble, shoving him lightly, and he smirks.
"I was starting to wonder if you recognized me." He almost pouts, making me tingle in all the wrong places.
I can't fight my foolish grin, and then I roll my eyes. "I recognize you, but I'm at work."
He smiles as he leans over, and his arm presses against the wall over my head.
"Is that guy bothering you? You seem a little rattled around him."
Knowing he'd probably say something to him, I decide it's best to lie. I don't need Kane throwing himself in the middle of a vampire/witch debacle.
"No. I'm just not used to working so long. Apparently the new girl gets used and abused the first few days."
He smiles bigger, and then he leans back.
"What are you doing after work?" he asks while propping up on some crates behind him.
"Why? You having another party?"
He lets out a small laugh and shakes his head. "No party, but I wouldn't mind you coming over… if you want to that is."
"You wouldn't mind me coming over? That doesn't sound like much of an invitation," I tease while stacking a few more boxes of stuff in the corner, pretending to stay busy so I don't fall prey to his emerald green eyes.
"I suppose it didn't. Let me rephrase it. Would you like to come over after work?"
Trying not to grin like a girly idiot, I shrug as I turn around. "I could, but it'll be late. I'm closing up at eleven, and then I'll need to go change and wash away the diner."
"I could come to your place if you prefer," he suggests, his lips turning up in a seductive grin.
We'd be alone at my place, and I don't know if that's a good idea… Definitely not a good idea.
"That sounds better, actually," I blurt out. What? "You want to meet me there around eleven thirty?"
I've lost my damn mind.
"I'll just swing by and walk you home. I don't like the vibe I'm getting from that guy. I don't mind waiting in your living room."
Oh damn. Tell him no. Tell him never mind.<
br />
"Sounds good."
Dumbass girl.
"Great," he says with a smile, and then he ushers me back out.
I glance over to the counter to see Frankie sipping his coffee beside the night stalker who seems a little paler now. Frankie gives me a wink, letting me know he just gave the lone stalker a hint that I have backup.
Kane glances over his shoulder, making butterflies stir when his eyes meet mine, and then he slides back into the booth beside the girl who is now fuming.
"Would you like some more coffee, sir?" I ask while staring at the less antagonistic night stalker.
"No thank you," he says, and then clears his throat. "I should be on my way."
He stands up and throws a ten on the table before walking out with his tail between his legs. I smile at Frankie who leans back with a triumphant grin.
"Well, that's that."
"What'd you say to him?" I whisper.
"Nothing. Sometimes words aren't necessary," he whispers back, and then he gives me a menacing wink. "Just give me a call if you have any more problems."
He stands up and then waves before walking out the door.
Kane turns around and comes to the counter as I wipe it clean and cash out the night stalker's coffee.
"So, it's almost eleven. Can I just stick around?" he asks as his friends come up to leave their money behind on the counter.
"Um, if you want to," I murmur a little shakily.
He smiles as he sits down, and they all start filtering out the door.
"You coming, Kane?" one of the guys asks.
"Nah. I'll be home later. Don't wait up."
I blush fiercely at the way that has to sound, and the guy chuckles in response, while the girl with a black, short bobbed haircut glares at me once again.
"We're supposed to do something tonight," she grumbles.
"Do it without me," he says nonchalantly.
She rolls her eyes and follows the others out, and then Kane props up on the counter as I cash out all the tickets and pocket the extra change as my tip.
"Are you sure she's not your girlfriend?" I ask with a tense tone, my eyes not meeting his.
They're supposed to do something? What does that mean?
"Positive," he exhales very dramatically. "She's just a roommate, but she's got a crush… like you do."
Blushing again, I roll my eyes and walk away from his teasing grin.
"I think you're a little full of yourself," I mumble.
"Hey, you're the one who blushes every time I say something," he menaces, and I turn to see his smoldering gaze burning through me.
"You're the one in my place of work asking to come home with me," I daringly counter, my own sizzling gaze meeting his.
"I never said I don't have a crush."
I blush again, and he leans back while propping his hands up behind his head. The lone guy in the corner with his laptop finally stands and heads out the door without so much as a thank you.
"He sat in here all night, taking up a booth, and never even ordered anything," I murmur softly to change the subject.
"Are you ready?" Kane asks, his attempt to seduce me refusing to be deterred as he ignores my statement.
I glance over my shoulder to look at the clock, and see it's five minutes past eleven.
"I suppose so. Just give me a second to wipe down your booth and ring out the register."
"I'll get the booth, you get the register," he says with a grin before picking up my rag and heading away.
I try not to smile like a fool as I rush through the closing process. As soon as I'm done, Kane walks over to hold the door open for me.
Locking it quickly, I turn around to see him staring at me with a gaze so sexy I'm worried my eyes are going to shift again.
"So," I murmur, looking away, "what do you want to do at my place?"
He stifles a laugh, making me blush harder, and then I shake my head.
"Not what I meant," I mumble as he walks side by side with me.
"I didn't say anything," he murmurs, feigning innocence.
"You didn't have to."
He laughs harder as we cross the road in the quiet, still night.
"I thought a movie and popcorn, if you have either. If not, we could just head down to the lake or something."
I'd love to go to the lake with him, but we'd have no privacy there. That's probably better. I don't need to be alone with him. The lake it is.
"I've got a movie and popcorn, so you're in luck."
Apparently my brain and my mouth are no longer linked together. Good grief.
"So I should probably ask for your last name," he murmurs while running a hand through his hair. "It's not on your tag."
I chuckle lightly and then say, "Coldwell."
He tilts his head to the side, and then he nods.
"And yours?" I muse. "I suppose I should have asked before inviting you home with me."
A devilish upturn of his lips makes me feel as though I'm coming down with a fever. "You should have. That's very irresponsible of you," he seductively plays. Then he sighs out before answering. "It's… don't laugh… Ice."
I do laugh because he's full of shit, and he lets out a laugh of his own.
"Seriously, what is it?" I giggle out.
He pulls out his wallet while smiling and hands me his license. My eyes fall on his surname that truly says Ice.
"Wow. Kane Ice. Unbelievable."
"I know," he says while putting his proof back in his back pocket. "I've caught hell a time or two. When people call me Vanilla I get a little agitated."
I giggle louder, and then I feel his hand grazing my back to turn me when I almost walk by my own house.
"Thanks," I murmur softly.
He bites back his grin for my completely stupid move, and he follows me up to the porch as I nervously fumble for my keys.
"If this is making you uncomfortable, we can go back to my place. There will be plenty of people around."
Good idea. Say yes.
"No, I'm fine," I lie, forcing a smile.
What's wrong with me?!
I push open the door, and then I quickly flip on the light to show him my very girly decorated home.
"The diner must pay more than I thought," he murmurs as he looks at my furnishings.
I smile lightly while shaking my head. "Everything you see was a housewarming gift from my mother. I paid for the house out of my savings, which was also started by my mother."
"Well, nevertheless, I'm impressed. I'll wait here for you," he says while flipping on the television and sitting down on my couch.
Suddenly, the flashy sectional looks so much sexier with him on it. His long, perfectly sculpted body makes my body start to sweat as I gape openly at his marvelous physique.
"Yeah," I finally force out, and then I quickly disappear into my bedroom.
I start tossing clothes around, trying to find something that doesn't scream slut, while also looking for something that won't make me look undesirable. I suck at mediums.
I hear the shower turn on, and scowl at myself for letting my magic out. The room flies into place, cleaning up my accidental mess, and then I scowl again.
Great. Seeping magic in front of a human. Just what I need.
My phone rings just as I walk into the bathroom, and I roll my eyes when I see who it is.
"Hey, Mom," I murmur casually.
"What are you doing with a boy in your house, Alyssa?" she scolds.
She's lost her mind, and Frankie deserves an ass kicking now. Keeping my voice in a whisper too low to even be heard by an immortal not standing directly beside me, I answer with agitation.
"Tell Frankie thanks for ratting me out."
"It could be dangerous. After last night-"
"He's human. Besides, I'm sure you've got Frankie watching the house for any possible intruders."
"You're sure he's human?" she worries.
"Very. I've been around him at midnight. He's also been alo
ne with me and hasn't tried anything"
She huffs out, not enjoying her total lack of control.
"Well, if something happens, just call for Frankie. He's tuned in."
He might want to tune out.
"Sure will."
"And be careful. Right now, you're less than a year away from your immortality. Your emotions, hormones… everything will be a little out of whack. Don't lose your innocence to some random guy simply because you don't have the control to stop."
"Not having this conversation," I grumble.
"If it gets too intense, just eat some of the carnations I left behind and a drop of honey."
I'm not eating flowers to keep from being horny.
"Got it."
I hang up quickly, and then I rush myself through the shower to cleanse away the burger and fries smell.
Staring at my drowned-rat imagery in the mirror, I sigh. Against all my better judgment, I use my magic to dry and style my hair while also making my makeup appear.
"Breaking my own damn rules so I can hurry up and be with a guy," I mumble under my breath, disgusted with my eagerness.
Deciding not to dwell on my pathetic excitement, I pull on tight pair of jeans and a shirt that drapes off the side of one of my shoulders. Feeling satisfied, I walk out to see Kane is no longer on the couch. A twinge of worry spreads as the thought of the night stalker making his way into my house crosses my mind.
"Kane?" I say a little too crackly.
"In here," he murmurs from the kitchen. "I hate burnt popcorn so I'm watching very closely. I thought you were getting ready."
I smirk as I walk into the kitchen, and he turns to face me with a smile until his eyes fall on my fully redone self. His smile falls, his eyes widen, and his mind becomes clogged with transparently scandalous thoughts.
"Something wrong?" I almost tease.
He swallows hard and then bites back a smile. "Not at all. I just wasn't expecting you to… well, you clean up fast."
"I learned to be quick, thanks to my mother. She's constantly bouncing around from one task to the next."
"Well, I'm impressed again."
I grin as I smell the hint of something familiar, and then my eyes point to the microwave.
"I thought you said you hate burnt popcorn."
"Huh?" he asks with a stupefied stare, and then he turns to follow my gaze. "Shit," he spews while jerking open the door. He frowns as he opens the bag, and then he shakes his head. "Sorry."
