Forever and a Night_A Vampire Romance

by Lana Campbell

  He stifled a groan, having a sudden, urgent need to tug at the waistband of his jeans where just below an uncomfortable tightness had developed. Damn Julia and her meddling! He glared at his computer and tried to focus on Dominic’s email. He read the words, but what his mind translated was, “Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.”

  He couldn’t think straight. Mia captivated him for a number of reasons. She was hands down one of the loveliest women he’d ever met, body and soul. There was great genuineness in her. Purity and honor too. She took her job very seriously and cared deeply about those she worked with. Her children even more. She had three grown girls and adorned them. She talked about them incessantly under enchantment.

  There were many things she hadn’t told him, yet he knew because when he enchanted her it gave him full access to her mind. For one, she was not a woman for casual sexual encounters. Perhaps that was one of her most intriguing attributes. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d met a woman with a value system parallel to the one he’d been raised with, but had lost eons ago because of the vile things he’d done while under Isabella’s mental control.

  Aside from Isabella, he felt spiritually lost because he was vampire. Some of their kind believed God had included them in whatever form of religion they observed. Julia and Dimitri for one. They were staunch Catholics. Nathan had read the Bible a number of times. In God’s opinion, what he did to survive was an abomination. And he sure as hell felt like one after this three night splurge with Mia.

  He heard Julia huff and glanced her way. She looked very disappointed that her efforts to get him to blab about Mia had failed.

  Too bad.

  Dimitri on the other hand appeared troubled. “What?”

  “I know we’ve been pressing you for answers, but our motivation is concern.”

  Nathan sighed. “I know that. I don’t have any answers. The truth is I can’t stop thinking about her, lusting after her her blood and body. She has morals which put a kink in the latter lust. Maybe it’s best I leave her be. She’s a complication I don’t need right now with Isabella an ever present threat.”

  Dimitri nodded. “Any word from Dominic?”

  “He sent me an email which I’ve been trying to read and perhaps could if the two of you would shut up long enough for me to do so.”

  That put a chagrined look on Julia’s face. Good.

  Dominic was their son and his lead attorney at Davenport Enterprises, although he handled a great deal more for him than legal matters. He was vampire and could get things done humans couldn’t. Currently, his number one mission was tracking down Isabella.

  He scanned it quickly, then sighed. “Nothing, I’m afraid. No credit card or phone trails. No sightings. She’s gone under.” Meaning, her initial plan of attack had failed and she was re-grouping.

  About two months ago she’d shown up at his office in New York. He hadn’t seen her for nearly twenty years. And good years those had been. Of course her first order of business had been to attempt to seduce him, which nearly made him upheave his lunch that day. He’d have rather been seduced by Medusa.

  She claimed to have made the biggest mistake of her life when she’d dumped him a hundred and seventy five years ago. Nathan had told her to kiss his ass.

  He snorted. The notion of her loving anyone was so ludicrous, it was almost funny. A ferals’ affections only extended to themselves. They were the most narcissistic beings on the planet. But what Isabella wanted from him wasn’t funny at all. She wanted to be his wife—not life-mate. What she really desired was his money and the power and fame that marrying him could bring her.

  “This is not good.” Dimitri shook he head, his features creased with concern.

  Nathan sighed. “I know. I’m not going to avoid her forever. I’m safe here. We’re all safe here for now, but eventually I’ll have to face her.” There would be no reasoning with her when that day came. It would be war, and like any war, people would die.

  With a couple mouse clicks, he logged off, then glanced at Dimitri and frowned. “Enough Isabella talk. It’s late.” He stood and they followed suit.

  Julia glanced at Dimitri with a worried frown, then back to him. “Nathan, I know my son. He will find Isabella. From there I’m certain the two of you can finally put an end to that miserable woman. God forgive me, but a joyful day that will be. That unpleasant matter aside, you have another woman to think about. My heart tells me you could never turn feral. You are too a good of a man. This woman you’ve been seeing could be your life-mate. You need to examine that possibility, cher.”

  He resisted the urge to groan. “I’m trying to, Julia. I just need time to think, which maybe I could do if the two of you would go away.”

  She nodded and gave him one of her famously, motherly looks. The two children she had were grown and apparently her empty nest had gotten the better of her lately because she’d sought to mother him.

  “I understand, Nathan. I know you’ll keep us informed about Isabella, but please be careful there. As far as this human, should the need to talk arise, you know Dimitri and I will be here. Good night, my darling.”

  He let out the breath he’d been holding and unclenched his teeth when the two finally left. He really was on the edge. Normally he could tell Dimitri anything. For the most part Julia too. Not presently because whatever was happening between him and Mia had him scared and confused.

  Nathan had no idea how to tell if his actions with Mia were pre-feral or pre-life-mate. One thing was for sure, he wasn’t about to back off from her until he found out.

  However, his evasiveness with his friends stemmed from guilt. Mia had no idea he’d fed from her. Until he allowed it, she wouldn’t remember any of the conversations or passionate encounters they’d shared while he’d had her enchanted. Or worse, that he’d mined her thoughts during those times.

  What the hell was wrong with him? He’d never treated a human with such thoughtless disregard. His guilt morphed into self-loathing. He had to do something to make this right. What that might be, he hadn’t a clue.

  “Hell,” he muttered, then shut down his computer, stood and stalked toward the door. Bed was his destination, but he doubted he’d be getting much sleep tonight.

  ***

  Nathan stayed away from the little Italian bistro and Mia for the next three days and absorbed himself in work. He’d ached to see her, but those three prior days of indulgence made him realize he needed a serious vampire time out. It hadn’t been an easy conviction, but he’d used the time to think. A few productive thoughts had sprouted, but most had been memories of her, plaguing his mind like a drug. And just like any junky committed to his or her addiction, he’d worked on measures to obtain a permanent fix.

  He grunted, then tossed the real estate contract Dominic had faxed him earlier on his desk. He couldn’t make sense of it or anything for that matter because his mind was snaked around thoughts of Mia and what he would say to her tonight.

  That talk with Julia and Dimitri the other night had been far more beneficial than he’d realized. It had resulted in a conscience spanking too. Nathan knew if he wanted to explore a relationship with Mia, it had to be on even terms. Meaning, he could never feed from her again. As a human anyway.

  Soon he would see her and present her with an offer she’d be hard pressed to refuse. At least he hoped so. She’d refused every request he’d made for a date, shot down every flirtatious effort he’d employed to gain her interest when she’d been in her natural, conscious mind. He knew she wasn’t playing hard to get, but she’d proved impossible to attain thus far and her actions only made him more determined to have her.

  Hiring her was the only thing he could think of that would give them time and opportunity to get to know one another. If nothing developed between them, fine. At least he’d gain a chef. With her passion and drive, he had a feeling she would be a good one.

  He glanced at the time on his computer screen which read ten fifteen p.m. Time to go. He placed th
e document he’d been studying inside a file folder and laid it next to his keyboard, then pulled out a drawer to his right and extracted an employment contract he’d had Dominic draw up for him. He stared at it, imagining Mia’s reaction once she read it. Based on what he knew about her, it would be no clear cut deal.

  The offer was more than generous, one few people would refuse. Nathan had discovered enough about Mia to know she couldn’t be bought for any amount of money, which meant he had to play this card he was about to lay before her very carefully. When he’d spoke with her under enchantment, she told him she had a daughter who had been accepted to Harvard medical school and she worried about funding. Her daughter could go to Harvard three times over if Mia accepted this deal. Hopefully, her need to help her daughter would be his ace in the hole.

  Seconds after as he pulled his Porsche out of his garage, headlights flashed across the rearview mirror then lit up his car. Had to be Julia and Dimitri, he thought. They’d been gone most of the day. He parked the vehicle and stepped out. Nathan waited while Dimitri pulled his Navigator into the other bay.

  They were getting in late. Julia’s doctor’s appointment had been for three this afternoon. Nathan hoped the lateness of their return to be a good sign. They were in the city to consult with a doctor of their kind for fertility treatments. Dr. Christian La Mond, and he was the best vampire fertility specialist in the world, so the two of them said. They’d spoke of him often, but Nathan hadn’t met him.

  Since the birth of their daughter Maria, sixty three years ago, they had never had another child. Females of their kind had difficulties conceiving as they aged, but theoretically could for over three hundred years. His friends had great confidence in Dr. La Mond. Nathan hoped the man could help them because he knew how desperate the two were to have another baby.

  Both wore beaming grins as they stepped out of his SUV. Nathan returned one. “Any news?”

  Julia clasped her hands together and exclaimed, “I’m pregnant!”

  Nathan quirked a brow. “Well, that explains my obscene grocery bill.”

  Chapter 3

  “You and Joe really rocked the orders out tonight, Mia,” Brittany said, grinning at her across the bar as Mia took her usual stool at the end to eat her shift meal.

  Mia was still miffed at the girl and her boyfriend for last Saturday night’s splurge, but she had to admit, both had worked hard this week; an obvious attempt to gain Joe’s good graces.

  Everyone at Tavania’s, including Joe knew she and Michael had gone to the Deathtroid concert. Brittany had no idea how hard she’d worked to convince Joe to give her and Michael another chance. Had she not, the two would have been standing in an unemployment line this week. As sous chef, she was second in command behind Joe. Her voice carried weight.

  Mia spiraled her fork in her Fettucini Alfredo and frowned at her. “An easy thing to do when the floor is properly staffed.” She took a bite and stared at the cute blonde, college coed who looked chagrined.

  “I know. It will never happen again, I promise.”

  “I hope ditching work was worth it, because neither of your jobs are particularly secure at the moment.”

  “We know. We’ve apologized our asses off to Joe all week and you too.”

  “Uhm hum.” She gave her a look that said she buying what she was selling.

  Brittany folded her arms on the bar and leaned forward, glancing at her neck. “How are you doing? Not to be nosey, but what are those marks on your neck? I’ve seen you rubbing and scratching at them all week.”

  Mia reached up and fingered the tender bites. She suspected her apartment infested with fleas, maybe spiders or some other disgusting creepy crawlers, she didn’t know. Her landlady, an eccentric, elderly woman with thirteen cats, lived in the apartment across the hall from hers. Fleas seemed to be the most logical answer so she’d called an exterminator and had her place bombed. Why the little devils hadn’t bitten her anywhere other than her neck she had no answers for. “I took care of it. I had my place sprayed on Tuesday and haven’t had any bites since.”

  “Ew. That’s got to suck. So, is there anything you need help with before I head out?”

  Having raised three girls her age, Mia knew letting her off easy would be no benefit to either Brittany or the restaurant.

  Most of the kids who worked here were in oat sowing mode. She’d shared the gospel with all her co-workers numerous times. Many thought she was crazy, but that went with the territory as a Christian. Setting an example by one’s lifestyle was critical. Responsibility was equally as important and letting these kids off easy wouldn’t teach them a blooming thing.

  “Actually, yes. I was supposed to clean out the walk-in tonight, but I’m beat. You can get in there and bleach it, then pull and toss everything expired. Shouldn’t take more than a couple hours.”

  The girl’s jaw dropped. “Mia, I can’t do that. Michael and I are going to that new club, Cajun Refugees tonight to hear this really cool metal band. We’ve been looking forward to this all week.”

  Neither of the two deserved mercy. They needed to learn the value of hard work and honoring commitments. “Too bad. I guess your date can start in the walk-in. If Michael wants to be with you, I’m sure he can help you get the job done faster.”

  She turned her attention back to her meal, but not before she caught the girl’s mutinous scowl. Mia heard her mumble something nasty as she walked away. She chuckled wickedly, then took another bite.

  “Sounds like you’re having a good evening.”

  Mia’s head jerked up, her gaze honing on the man who had been starring in her thoughts and dreams regularly over the last week, all of which had been rated no less than PG13. Tonight they might be rated R or worse, considering the tight pair of black jeans Nathan had painted on and the fact he hadn’t pulled back his thick, jet hair, but left it loose to fall across the collar of some expensive-looking, silky, grey shirt.

  She scowled at him. “You’re very good at sneaking up on a person, you know that?”

  “Sorry.” He gave her a grin that was far more smug than apologetic.

  She was surprised to see him, because he hadn’t been back to Tavania’s in several days. Mia thought her repeated refusal to his date requests had run him off. Apparently not.

  “You’re here late. Surely, by now you know the kitchen closes at ten.” That said, she could already tell by the glint in his gorgeous, violet eyes, food hadn’t brought him here tonight. For reasons she couldn’t fathom, he’d been hitting on her. Sticking to her guns hadn’t been easy, especially when he smiled at her the way he did now, sexy, and confident. No wonder he was rich. He could look at someone like that and they probably laid whatever the heck he wanted at his feet.

  “I didn’t come by to eat. I came by to see you.”

  She groaned, shook her head, then took another bite of Fetticini. The man was relentless. Now that the whole restaurant knew Nathan Davenport had a thing for her, the subject was top conversation amongst staff. She glanced down the bar and saw Cody, Brittany, Michael, Delanie, the restaurant’s hostess and Tina, another server with their heads together, grinning, each casting curious looks their way.

  She swallowed and glared at him now seated on the next bar stool. “If you’re here again to pester me about going out, save yourself a headache.”

  “No. I have a problem that I had hoped you could help me with.” He crossed his arms and leaned back a bit on the stool.

  That peaked her curiosity. She laid her fork inside her bowl and stared at him. “Care to expound?”

  He offered her a warm smile. “I would. Recently, I lost my personal chef. She was a very talented Le Cordon Blue graduate and worked for me for about three years until she married and had a baby four months ago. She still comes in upon occasion for a guest dinner when I’m in New York. On Tuesday she called me and gave me a two week’s notice. She wants to stay home with her baby which is completely admirable, but her choice leaves me with a position to f
ill. I’d like to offer it to you.”

  Mia knew her mouth gaped because she could only imagine the money involved in being the private chef of this man. She would have been slobbering over the once in a lifetime offer if she didn’t suspect other motives driving him to make it. “Well, I appreciate the opportunity, Nathan, but I’m afraid I’m not qualified. I have no formal training. I’m just a sous chef. Everything I’ve learned, Joe has taught me. Trust me, I’m not what you want.”

  “You’re exactly what I want. You might not think I know much about you, but I’m a very observant individual. The most important thing I’ve noticed about you is your loyalty, ethics and drive for hard work. No amount of training or college can inspire that in a person. It either comes naturally or it doesn’t. I’ll take that over talent any day because anyone can be taught skills, not values.”

  His tone had been earnest and his expression morphed into one she suspected he used in a boardroom when conducting multi-million dollar deals. But she had no intention of becoming a prime piece of real estate on the block for auction. “No, but thank you. I’m very happy with my job here and I have no desire to move to New York City. Yuck. I know you live there primarily.”

  He reached behind him and pulled a folded, multi-page document out of the back pocket of his jeans and laid it on the counter next to her dinner bowl. “Look this over. It might change your mind. It’s a contract for your employment. Feel free to take it to your own attorney for review. I think you’ll find the terms and compensation package I’ve included to be more than fair.” He stood, held her gaze for a moment, his expression still wreathed in business mode.

  Mia opened her mouth to reply, but he turned, then walked off. She watched him weave his way between the empty tables, then exit through the front door. Seconds later, all staff members witness to the exchange converged in front of her on the working side of the bar.