by C. E. Black
I bit my bottom lip, to stifle my amusement.
“And quite a few have expressed concern for my soul. Particularly curious about the gypsy who cursed me.”
I couldn’t stop the snort this time.
“Oh, and about half of those—”
“Wait, don’t tell me,” I raised my hand. “They think you drink animal blood to stay in touch with your human side?”
“Some, yes. But, mostly, they wonder if my blood works as an aphrodisiac.”
“Oh, God.” I reached for one of the cocktail napkins and wiped the corner of my eyes. “They ask you that?”
“Well, I may have paraphrased…”
“You mean, they asked if your blood would make them horny?”
“Yes.”
I laughed so hard tears streamed down my face. “I can’t believe people sometimes. And I thought I had it bad.”
“I told you mine. Now it’s your turn,” he coaxed.
“I have nothing as entertaining,” I replied, drying my cheeks with the small paper napkin. “Mostly, I seem to attract the cheaters, liars, and perverts.”
He stared at me for a full three seconds before he signaled for the waitress. “You win. Another beer? My treat.”
“Sure.”
“Another for the lady,” he told the waitress.
She left quickly, and he turned his attention back to me. I shifted in my seat. When I was the focus of that vivid blue gaze, it was like being under a spotlight.
“So, this one, tonight, he was married?” he asked, picking up our conversation.
“Yep. His wife showed up. With their two kids,” I added. “But that was only the spectacular ending. The beginning and middle had their good points too.”
“Uh-oh.”
I nodded but waved my hand as if to erase the memory. “It’s not worth talking about. I just wish there was a better way to meet people. For folks like us, especially. Bars are overcrowded, and online dating sites cater mostly to humans. I’m tired of either having to hide what I am or cross my fingers that they don’t fear me.”
Bram nodded thoughtfully. “I agree. I have nothing against humans, I just haven’t found what I’m looking for.” His gaze sharpened and held mine. “Until now.”
Swoon!
“It’d be nice to have a way to meet others of our kind,” he continued, ignoring the melted Kate puddle in front of him.
“Maybe through a website,” I was able to offer up once I’d solidified again. “Oh,” I exclaimed. “A dating site for supernaturals.”
“Brilliant!”
We both laughed at our folly. But…was it crazy? Maybe a dating site was exactly what we needed.
Hours flew by as we continued to talk, and if hadn’t been for the buzzing in my purse, I might not have noticed that the bar had slowly emptied.
“I’m sorry,” I told Bram as I pulled out my phone. “Let me make sure this isn’t an emergency.”
“Go ahead.”
But when I swiped the screen, I didn’t have any missed calls or texts. The buzzing was my alarm, reminding me I had a meeting with a client. It was already going on three o’clock in the morning, and though I was definitely a night owl, my creativity peaking in the early morning hours, the clients who gave me their money were also important.
“I’m sorry, but I have to cut this date short. I have work tomorrow.”
“Of course.” He placed a few bills on the table for the tab. “I’m sorry if I’ve kept you too late.”
Standing, I gripped my purse and waited for Bram. “No, no,” I waved him off. “I usually work nights, but I’m meeting a client tomorrow.”
He followed me to the door, holding it open for me as we walked out. I had to brush against him as I passed, and small tingles shot up my arm where we touched. Okay, maybe I did it on purpose. Don’t judge.
“This was delightful,” Bram said, once we were standing next to my car. “Would you be interested in a second date?”
Was he crazy? Of course, I would love to go out with him again. Inside my head, I was doing my happy dance.
“I would like that very much, Bram. I had a great time as well. When?”
“Is tomorrow night too soon?”
I opened my mouth to say that it wasn’t soon enough, but remembered my schedule. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“Then Friday?” he asked.
A week away? The wait would be torture, but I agreed. “Friday’s perfect.”
“Here’s my card. My number is on the back if you should feel inclined to text me throughout the week.”
Our fingers touched and lingered as I reached for the proffered card. His gaze moved from my lips to my eyes then back to my lips. He opened his mouth, either to ask for a kiss or to say goodnight. I didn’t give him the chance to choose. After stuffing his card into my purse for safe keeping, I hooked one hand into the front of his dress pants and pulled him into my space, tilting my head and offering my lips like a sacrifice.
Blue eyes blazing, he flashed a grin seconds before his lips found mine. The kiss started off slow, his lips skimming mine gently, sipping as if to take only a taste. However, as I pushed my breasts against him, a groan rumbled from within his chest and his lips parted mine. His strong arms wrapped around me, his hand pressing into the small of my back, pulling me closer.
The kiss intensified, sending heat roaring through my veins, and I groaned at the pleasurable ache that consumed me. If I’d thought I had turned into a Kate puddle before, I’d been mistaken. I was now well and truly melting at his feet.
Bram stroked my shoulder, then my cheek as he slowly pulled away. Dazed, I leaned my forehead against his chest while I caught my breath. What a kiss!
Pressing his lips to the top of my head, he sighed softly. “I should go. Before I ask to come home with you,” he said, his voice husky with arousal.
As much as my body screamed otherwise, I whispered, “Okay,” and forced my brain to take control. This time.
Reluctantly, I pulled away, leaving one last kiss on his cool cheek before getting into my car. He waited as I drove off, waving when I looked back in my rear-view mirror. Once out of sight of the bar, I pulled over to the side of the road and squealed, doing my happy dance right there in the driver’s seat.
I’d just landed a date with the hottest vampire in New Orleans!
4
Bram
This week had dragged. Every night had been a lesson in torment as I’d watched the damn seconds tick by. One client after the next—none of which were able to hold my interest. Not like Kate. The worst moments were when she texted me, but I couldn’t respond. I’d never felt so attached to my phone before. I wanted to read every word she sent.
I’d since divided my life into two categories: pre-Kate and post-Kate. Pre-Kate, I’d loved my job. Numbers had always interested me—something my mother had discovered when I was a child. Post-Kate, I couldn’t give a damn about investments and portfolios. I only wanted to focus on her. And that kiss. Christ. It’d rocked me to the core. I’d never felt anything like that before, not in all my years. Our lips had touched, and I’d known right then and there.
She was the one.
Thankfully, Friday had finally arrived. Doubtful I could last another night without seeing her. I grabbed my phone from my dining room table and skimmed back through our text messages, my mouth curving as I read them over.
Everything about her made me smile. Her fun and bouncy personality, to her sense of humor and dry wit. A bit of an emoticon abuser, but I didn’t mind. They suited her.
I’d even learned that she was a fox shifter. Her entire family was, in fact. Her red hair made sense now, as did her mischievous little grin. After a bit of teasing, she’d promised to shift for me one day. I told her to take her time. I’d seen plenty of shifters in my day, from wolves to bears and everything in between. All part and parcel of the New Orleans lifestyle. With every full moon came the exhibitionists. Nothing like strolling down the French Q
uarter on four legs.
I continued scrolling only to pause on one quick exchange that still made me laugh.
* * *
Kate: Hey there! Just wanted to wish you a good evening. Or…would that be morning for you?
Bram: Evening is fine, and good evening to you as well.
Kate: Sleep well?
