by Rena Marks
“How do we pretend?”
“A few interviews, a few photographs. We’ll be seen from time to time in public. I don’t suppose you’d consider wearing my bites on your lovely neck?”
I shook my head at him.
“Okay, then how about if you start accepting my gifts? And of course, we’ll hold hands, we’ll kiss in public, all the things couples do. Just try it.”
I refused Julian’s offer.
“Look at me, Anjelia.” His eyes glowed red again. Dimly, I wondered if they glowed whenever he had sex.
But suddenly I realized having a dating pretense wouldn't be so bad. I could experiment with the supernatural world and earn protection from the werewolves. It sounded agreeable, and I wasn’t entirely sure why I had been so hell bent on refusing in the first place.. As far as being an eternal human servant, sorry. I had been married to the wrong guy until his death. I couldn't imagine being tied eternally to a virtual stranger. A tie that even death wouldn’t break, because our deaths would be tied together also.
* * * * *
Good news traveled fast. The next morning I found that everyone seemed to know something was going on, a connection between the master vampire and me. I stopped for my morning coffee and the guy who makes it was unusually reserved. Of course, now being marked, I knew why. The guy who normally makes my coffee was a werewolf. Funny how I’d never noticed before.
I waited for my coffee to get prepared. Danielle, the red-headed vampire bitch, entered the coffee shop. I shivered at the hatred in her eyes. She was taking the “protection” thing literally, though, because she ignored me as I did her.
When I left, I realized the significance of this encounter. The coffee shop was obviously owned by a supernatural because of the separate door used by vampires. The door was in an area shaded from the sunlight.
I had never run into Danielle before. Either she was in the coffee shop for some other reason and pretended to be a customer or she was following me. Which was odd since she had previously avoided me.
By late afternoon, I had two messages from Julian. I ignored both. This situation was too new, I was discovering things like spotting other supernaturals, and I didn't want or need any more added pressure regarding our new arrangement. Nicki appeared and brought me some dinner. Obviously Johnny had prepared it—a juicy burger and fries. She sat down while I ate.
“Are you coming to Bang’s later?”
I looked at her blankly. “Why would I come to Bang’s?”
“Because Julian requested it. The press will be there. We’ve admitted publicly to being vampire. It’s big news. Surely you’re not going to refuse him?”
“I didn't know anything about it. I hadn't planned on coming.”
“Oh, no. Anjelia, you can’t snub him. Not tonight. Not when we’re going public.”
“I agreed to his protection. I agreed to pretend to date him. But this is the first day since our pretense. I am not going out with him tonight. He hasn’t even asked me.”
Nicki shrugged. “He doesn’t usually have to ask. You certainly are stubborn. Most women would be falling over themselves to be graced with his presence.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not me. I have other plans.”
“What plans?”
“I’m curling up with a good book.”
“Damn. I better come home with you. You might need some supernatural protection.”
I took it as teasing but that’s exactly what she did. While I locked up the gym, I noticed she waited near my car. We drove to my place and I didn’t mind having someone else along.
“I don’t understand why you don’t date Julian—for real, I mean. We all know you’re attracted to him.”
Could I be that obvious? The sex had been awesome but why did I continue to fight it? I wasn’t even sure myself, but I seemed to flip back and forth without rhyme or reason.
“Yes,” I admitted slowly, “I’m attracted to him. But I’ve always been attracted to the wrong types. Nicki, a vampire and a human can’t work.”
“Why not? Surely you’re flattered that he’s all but crawled over the ground you walk on. For years. Since you were married to that creep and let him move you out of town. I can’t believe how often you ignored Julian’s advances, returned his gifts, shunned him in every way but one. You were fair in voting for the club to remain open.”
“Can we talk about something else? Please.”
“Okay, Leah. What else shall we talk about?”
“How about you? You and the other girls. Why are all three of you always together?”
“We’ve been together for decades. After a while it just becomes habit, I guess.”
“Wouldn’t most people grow apart? Like human relationships?”
“We just never have. Lily sired me, you know. I didn’t know it at the time but I had a weak heart. It would have given out. She sensed it and converted me before my heart quit. Isn’t that just like her? To convert someone because they would die?”
I smiled. “What about Anna?”
“Anna. Anna took us under her wing, got us away from the vamp who had converted Lily. She’s strong, stronger than even she realizes. It’s not easy to break a conversion. She broke her own and she broke Lily’s.”
“Johnny?”
“Johnny was sired by Julian. Johnny loves Lily, has always loved her. She’s afraid of being ‘tied down’ as she calls it, especially since ridding herself of her sire. So we’ve always tagged along. It’s worked well for us.”
My phone kept ringing. I turned it off, setting it on the counter nearby.
Around ten thirty, Nicki left for the bar. Soon there was knocking at my front door.
I looked out the peephole and saw Johnny.
“What do you need, Johnny?” I yelled through the door.
“I’m here to escort you to Bang’s. I have a message from Julian.” He yelled back.
“Come on in, then. I certainly don’t want my neighbors to know the message,” I said as I opened the front door.
He entered my house and looked around. “Nice place. Girlie.”
“Just the way I like it. Have a seat.”
Holding a package under his arm, he handed it to me as he spoke.
“Julian’s message is please, please attend tonight and honor him with your presence. To show his appreciation, he’d like you to have this gift.”
“A gift and he’s asking please?”
I opened the box. Inside was a party outfit. Not just any party outfit but a complete set. Underwear, shoes, hose. All in black, except for the underwear. That was red silk. Hooker red.
“Please,” Johnny repeated.
I sighed. First Nicki, then Johnny. A girl could only take so much pressure.
I nodded and he looked relieved. I took my box into the bedroom and changed. My hair had been up in a ponytail so all I had to do was spritz it to bring the curls back in. It was already bouncy from being up.
I walked back into the living room where he was waiting. He stared at me, not saying a word. I have to admit, it made me a little self-conscious.
“What?” I snapped.
He gave an appreciative male smile. “Sorry. I’ve only seen you in sweats. You’re very—well, you’re hot.”
“Thanks. I think.” I looked down my body with disgust.
Julian obviously had fantasies about me in the “Dominatrix” role. There was lots of black, lots of cut out holes and lots of skin showing through. It was a tight pantsuit and had a long half-skirt that draped down my backside to the ground, like the train of a wedding gown. Looking at the bright side, I was glad there wasn’t a cape.
“Shall we?” he said and offered me his arm.
We arrived at Bang’s and of course didn’t have to wait in line. The gazes from other patrons burned into us as we strode directly up to the front door. Johnny escorted me inside and I noticed Julian right away. It was hard to miss him, since his outfit was the match to mine. We were both in black although his was
more masculine and missing the damn half-skirt.
He was announcing the next act on stage. I was aware of applause and then Julian made his way to us. He nodded to Johnny, who removed my hand from his arm and placed it on Julian’s. Before I knew it Johnny left and I was standing alone with the sexiest vampire in the room. He leaned forward and brushed my cheek with his lips. I shivered at his nearness. I'd almost forgotten the magnetism he had.
His voice was husky. “Thank you for coming tonight. I appreciate it.”
“I could hardly waste the outfit. I definitely think people know we’re together.”
He laughed softly. “Especially if we can find a little quiet corner where I can whisper in your ear. Or nibble at your throat.”
He escorted me to a table. More eyes followed us as we made our way. Most of the eyes were female, and tinged with jealousy.
We didn’t sit across from each other but on the same side. He was slightly behind me with his arm casually across my shoulders where he could press his lips to my ear to explain things. Which he did frequently.
“I'm having fun,” he whispered.
I nodded. I was beginning to enjoy myself, too. I don’t know when I became aware of it but suddenly I was. I’m ashamed to admit it but I enjoyed the pretense. It’s not every day that an average girl like me snags the master vampire of the city. Especially when he looks as sexy as Julian.
Finally a man approached and asked if he could have a few questions answered.
Julian nodded and he sat across from us.
“Anjelia, my sweet, meet Jack Horntrey with the Enterprise paper.”
The Enterprise was a local newspaper and featured me quite frequently during some of my more controversial moments. Yet, I had never met Horntrey personally.
“Mr. Horntrey.” I held out my fingertips.
He grasped them eagerly. “Councilmember Romere.”
He was one of the most attractive redheads I’d ever met. And I am definitely not attracted to redheads, especially since the Danielle incident. His eyes were a soft brown with dark lashes. It was a good thing, to balance that red hair. His hair wasn’t a bright red but on the softer, blondish side. His skin tone was even, unlike the ruddy complexion of most other redheads. He spent time in the sun, his skin was a warmed, lightly tanned tone.
“Thank you both so much for granting me this interview. If there is anything you don’t wish to answer just let me know.”
I barely noticed Julian’s nod.
“Why do you suppose Bang’s has become such a happening place?”
“People need a new place to meet. Here, there’s mystery and excitement in a trendy new setting. It’s also a safe bet because our rules ensure your safety,” Julian answered.
“Like?”
“If you meet a vampire at Bang’s, there is no ingesting of blood allowed on the premises. There’s also no mesmerization allowed, so everyone has free will. It’s about meeting people, different people, in an environment that is fun but most importantly, safe.”
“So you are a vampire too?” Horntrey asked.
“I am.”
I wondered how city council would react. Eventually the questions turned to our relationship, as I knew they would.
“How long have you two been an item?”
Julian answered. “Since the sweet Anjelia finally stopped refusing me. I’ve chased her for years.”
“Please.” I turned toward the reporter. “Can you imagine any girl turning him down? He’s absolutely perfect.” I leaned toward his ruby red lips and pressed a kiss gently to them.
The kiss felt natural, like we were a real couple. Like we’d kissed many times before instead of just a few.
“I understand you’ve been a member of city council for quite a while.”
“Yes, I have been.”
I knew what he was implying. That Julian was with me for my votes. Although I should have known better, this was an unforeseen circumstance.
“Julian and I go back much further than my council membership. I simply needed time alone after my marriage before I was even ready to think about getting into another relationship.”
“How does the council accept this relationship?”
Everyone was aware of certain council members trying to run the vamps out of our fair city.
“I hadn’t thought about it. Just as I never thought of whom the council’s significant others may be. For all I know, there might be several that are interracial.”
Yeah. Like with the demon crowd I mentioned earlier.
Julian whispered against my lips without turning his head. “With that, Mr. Horntrey, we will leave you. Our song is playing.”
He motioned to Johnny to come over and sit with Horntrey. Johnny was there in a flash and Julian introduced him as his second-in-command. He instructed Johnny to answer the rest of the questions.
Then he pulled me to my feet and we glided to the dance floor. We moved so closely together, I locked both arms around his neck. He kept his head lowered to whisper in my ear.
“We have a song?” I asked teasingly.
He smiled against my cheek. “They will have a few pictures like this and we can retire to my office if you wish. After our dance.”
I nodded.
“Of course, I cannot resist some liberties while we are so close that you would not allow otherwise.” His warm, deep voice murmured near my ear and his hands skimmed my bare back lightly. “Did you enjoy our lovemaking?”
“Yes,” I admitted.
“I did too. I always want you.”
I wanted the contact of skin against skin. I relished the feel of his fingers sliding down my body. The thought of them buried deeply inside my wetness again. I knew I should say “slow down and remember it’s just a pretense” but I threw caution to the wind. His fingers felt delicious as they skimmed my bare skin.
His lips found mine. They hovered over me, not quite touching yet.
“I would like a real kiss, Anjelia. Pretend there are no people around us and that you wish to be here tonight with only me.”
He was the master of seduction, no doubt about it. When our lips touched, I parted mine in invitation. He opened his mouth over mine. He pressed gently in encouragement, allowing me to make all decisions. I slipped my tongue into his mouth to taste him. I wanted to appease the swirls of excitement that had gathered low in my belly. He met me eagerly.
Our kiss lengthened. There was a prickle of awareness that made a tingle start at the back of my neck. I pulled away from him and he looked at me wryly, as if he had half expected me to pull away.
Looking around, I noticed why I’d felt odd. Glowing red eyes from across the room.
Danielle watched, ruining my mood.
“Would you like to go back to my office now?” Julian asked.
I nodded.
He clasped my hand in his and we walked across the dance floor to the back stairs. Before we reached the stairs, I noticed a woman making her way toward us. She was the only person the a bar full of black garbed vampires dressed entirely in white.
She was petite, a heart-shaped face framed by waves of white-blonde hair. Sunshine blue eyes made me think cheerleader. She watched Julian as she walked toward us, her face eager.
“Julian.”
“Tanya. Meet Anjelia.” He turned toward me. “Tanya is the resident witch I told you about.”
I held my hand out for her to shake. She looked at my hand, held in midair, disdain on her pretty face.
“I can’t touch humans,” she said, her voice gentle and sweet, contrasting with the nasty look I’d glimpsed in her eyes.
Julian grasped the hand that I’d held out, bringing it to his lips and kissing the inside of my wrist. “Her loss is my gain,” he whispered, his voice husky.
He’d subtly saved the day, rescuing me from any embarrassment over the rejection of my proffered hand. He needn’t have bothered. Female rejection never offended me.
Still, the gesture was sweet and I curv
ed my hand to cup his jaw.
“Nice to meet you, Tanya,” I said, while deliberately keeping my gaze on Julian to shut her out.
I wasn’t aware if we were still in our pretense-mode or not, but it didn’t matter. I was no longer pretending. I was remembering the kiss we’d shared on the dance floor.
Julian steered me from Tanya and to his office. Suddenly, we were there, opening the door .
His office was plush, richly decorated in a masculine style. I sat on the suede-like sofa. Julian sat next to me, without touching me. Perhaps he felt that I was already back to my senses and regretted my rash decision with the kiss.
“Anjelia, I am having a good time. Tonight. With you.”
“I’m having a good time too,” I said.
“Would you like to have dinner tomorrow night?”
“Are we still pretending to date, Julian?”
“I’d like to make this date real.”
“No.”
“Just no? No reason?”
“No new reason. I'm not ready. The same reason as before.”
“How long can you avoid me? I know you want me. I felt it in your kiss and in the shared pleasure we’ve had. Why are you so stubborn, Anjelia? What are you afraid of?” he asked, his voice enticing, making me think of hidden delights.
“I’m not afraid of anything, Julian. I just don’t want my choices taken away. I have issues with not being able to make my own choices.”
“You’re attracted to me. Why not let nature take its course?”
“If nature takes its course, you’d have been dead centuries ago,” I reminded wryly.
I knew I was being unreasonably prickly, and I wasn't sure why my mood had changed so suddenly. It had when I'd seen Danielle, or perhaps when I'd met Tanya. I didn't trust his witch.
“Okay,” he conceded. “But before our pretense, you actually enjoyed being with me those first couple of nights, right?”
“Yes, I did. But even then I made it clear that we are not an item. We had sex for the marking. It was wonderful. Great sex, probably even the best I've ever had. I'm just not ready for anything else.”
“I don't want you to be uncomfortable. I just want you to know I'll always be interested in more, but I'll take whatever you wish to dole out. So let’s be friends then. Pretend in public, and friends in private?”
