by Kyla Riley
Conn? Conn Cael? The hot, insane man that said he was a vamp? Holy cannoli! Did he steal the coin? Was he the one setting her up? How’d he get this thing and why did he want to have dinner… unless he meant having her for dinner? Daphne swallowed hard at the thought of his lips against her neck again and felt herself flush nervously with excitement. Conn didn’t leave a number, address or anything on the back of the card, but she smelled something that made her want to purr.
Sniffing the card, she realized that the man used scented stationary. At first she thought it was girly and almost laughed, but then she smelled it again and the woodsy scent made her girly-parts down low dance the salsa.
It was his scent.
Sandalwood, juniper and some other musk combined to make it smell just like him. A loud knock on her office door interrupted her train of thought and caused her to jump, knocking the coin inside of the box onto the floor. Daphne couldn’t help the high-pitched screech that escaped her throat.
“Just a second!” she yelped and then flew to her knees to grab the box and quickly put it in her purse, zipping it shut. Getting to her feet, she smoothed her hair quickly and unlocked the door. Opening it, she expected to see anyone else standing there but Conn.
Good Golly! He looked good enough to eat, no pun intended, she thought wildly and grabbed the front of his shirt. Yanking him inside the room and ignoring his shocked face, she slammed the door shut behind her and locked it again. Whirling around, she stared at him in awe.
“Where’d you get it?” she asked bluntly, leaning against the door.
“Get what?”
“You know what!”
“You like my gift?”
“Gift? You can’t give someone something that is stolen.”
“I beg your pardon? It’s not stolen.”
“It’s fake?”
“It’s not fake either. It’s a coin from my personal collection and I thought you might like it. Am I wrong?”
“Your personal… collection? You have more stuff like that?”
“Yes, they are my memories… my trinkets from over the years.”
“And you just happen to have a coin worth a fortune?”
Conn shrugged absently and stood there looking at her where Daphne clutched the door for support. He was so beautiful and the thought of him being a liar or thief made her feel almost ill. Could this all be real and legitimate?
“The coin is only worth a fortune to those that would want to collect it. To me, it’s a memory. Ephraim was a good man that wanted to do something special and was denied. I remember how proud he was that he’d minted the coins regardless and he gave me one as a token of our friendship.”
“You were friends with him?”
“For a time before he passed away.”
“I can’t accept the coin,” she whispered suddenly, feeling awful.
“Is it because it’s from me?”
“No, because it belongs in a museum for others to see. Why would you ask if it was because you gave it to me?”
“Because we started out on the wrong foot, as people say,” Conn said quietly. “I want to make that up to you and take you to dinner.”
“You want to take me to dinner,” she enunciated. “I’m not your dinner, right?”
“I will admit that the taste of you was more than my senses could handle. I would love to sample your lips or your blood again, but no Miss Gentry… just dinner tonight between two normal people.”
“Normal? Not the vampire? No pricky-the-necky stuff?”
“Just a lonely man that wants your company,” he said softly, staring at her. As he held out his hand towards her, she saw the honesty in his eyes and realized that he was baring his soul to her. He was lonely and simply wanted her company. Daphne smiled gently and lay her fingertips in his palm delicately like a true lady of noble birth.
“How can I say no to that?”
7
Knocking on Daphne’s office door had to be one of the hardest things he had done in a long time. Conn had wondered about her for the last few days, and his discussion with Holly. Regret has been a terrible thing to live with, but he wasn’t sure he deserved a chance at happiness. There was nothing in Daphne’s expression that said she was the one for him. It was more along the lines of what she didn’t say- and what he felt.
She knew deep inside that he wasn’t the killer or that it was a mistake. That stuck with him like a porcupine quill in the skin. It was hooked and wouldn’t let go. Every time he replayed their banter back and forth, it was her firm belief and conviction that was his undoing…and then her taste.
Ahhhhh yes, he mused, her luscious taste that woke him during the night. He dreamt of feeling her lips against his. The taste of her blood made his pulse race with desire. Daphne was an exquisite creature reminding him of her namesake, the tale from Greek mythology- except he didn’t want to lose his Daphne forever like Apollo did in the story.
As the door opened, Conn’s lovely goddess reached forward, drawing him inside her office quickly, leaving him stunned at the turnaround. Looking her over, he quickly ascertained that she was full of doubt and insecure as well about the two of them. This made him feel a bit confident for taking the first step. Perhaps there was a common ground they could share and develop a friendship between them after all? She didn’t run away nor was she scared of what he was, but rather his honesty and admission of being lonely won her over.
“Where would you like to have dinner?” Conn asked politely. He wanted to impress her but was afraid to choose incorrectly. It had been centuries since he’d accompanied a woman on an outing. The last time, it was proper to take a carriage ride along the river Thames, but there were no carriages, nor did he want to share her attention with anyone. He wanted to court Daphne, but they no longer called it courting. He wanted to date her.
“Well, I’m not really dressed for anything fancy, so how about something casual where we can talk?”
“Fancy? You look exquisite,” Conn breathed and picked up a heavy black curl from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. He loved how silky and dark her thick hair was. It was like a turbulent river of ink. “I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful in such a long time.”
Her mouth made a perfect O in surprise followed quickly by a smile and then laughter. He wasn’t sure that he wanted to be laughed at, but Daphne’s smile was epic and the stuff of legends. His heart beat hard in his chest as he memorized her profile.
“C’mon and relax. You seem so stiff and nervous. It’s just dinner together but be ready…” Daphne admonished and warned him with a wide grin. “I’m going to ask a lot of questions and don’t leave out any details. Got it?”
“Got it.”
* * *
Daphne stared at Conn with something akin to happiness and fascination. He was quite literally a walking history book just waiting to open up. They ended up going to the museum together and getting hot dogs from a vendor outside. It wasn’t anything spectacular or romantic, but she wouldn’t have traded it for the world. As they walked through the exhibits, they stopped at each pane of glass and simply talked.
His voice was soothing and the outlook he had from each time period was extraordinary. It was like this until they got to the really old stuff that was B.C. – but in the A.D.- Before Conn, but after Christ. Her pastor would roll over if he heard how she had referred to the time periods in history.
According to Conn, he was born in 1051 A.D. and was only fifteen when he was cursed. He didn’t say much about it, other than it was his entire family that bore the brunt of it- and he admittedly struggled for a long time with it.
When they got to the exhibits prior to his birth, the roles were reversed and Daphne did most of the talking. It was incredible to go on discussing history and see the enthusiasm in his eyes. He didn’t shut down or look bored, rather he looked almost as fascinated as she was. There was something so utterly wonderful about looking through ages and eons of time, knowing that civilization modifies,
grows and expands. Maybe that is why she wasn’t freaked out about Conn being a vampire, instead she looked at it as a biological change that could impact the future. She could be chatting with the next missing link to evolution… and he was incredible.
“Can I ask you a question?” Daphne blurted out suddenly and looked around to see if she disturbed anyone nearby or if they were listening. It was getting late and the museum would be closing shortly. They’d been here for a few hours and only seen about half of the exhibits.
“Of course, ask anything you like.”
“Why did you come to my presentation? Was it to try to make a fool out of me?” She hated to ask, but it had been bothering her. She was afraid that she was falling for a pretty face with an ulterior motive. If he was out to sabotage her career, she needed to make sure her emotions weren’t involved too.
“That wasn’t my intention and I am sorry for that,” he said quickly, taking her hand in his. This surprised her because throughout the whole evening he’d been a perfect gentleman, not even touching her whatsoever – but now, it just got real. He’d laced his fingers with hers and Daphne had to fight the urge to purr like a kitty. “I was more fascinated with the woman that proclaimed that I could be innocent or that it could have been an accident.”
“Do you think you could have honestly done those murders?” she whispered softly, glancing up at him as he stood close by her. His eyes were a brilliant shade of rust, warm and weathered by the sun. There were flecks of brown, but the ruddy hue was ever present and gorgeous to behold. The cleft in his chin was present, his nose was long and straight – elegant and aristocratic. All his features were bold, masculine, sexy…and combined they were… well, panty-melting.
“I came to, holding the woman I cared for, dead in my arms. I don’t remember what happened. I have lived with that guilt for centuries.”
“I am so sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he breathed, his voice lowering intimately. “I just know that I am terrified to hold someone again- for fear that I might hurt them.”
“Will you hurt me?” she whispered softly, her eyes locked onto his- as if afraid to look away and break the moment.
“Never,” he vowed vehemently as his lips descended onto hers. Part of her had been wanting and waiting for this all afternoon… Conn’s kiss. Suffering, grief and guilt were gone and in its place was a man wanting to show only his affection.
His firm, warm lips urged hers apart as he leaned in towards Daphne, still holding her hand. The brush of his tongue triggered an urge that had been growing inside of her. His other hand reached up and cupped the back of her head tenderly as he devoured her soft moan of delight. Suddenly, she felt something sharp against her tongue and jerked back in surprise.
It was his teeth.
“Owstith! Ewdit my tond,” Daphne muttered and glanced up to see Conn’s heated eyes as he licked his lips, her blood was on his lower lip. Flushing, she realized how it was incredibly sexy to see the wanton desire for more in his eyes. Maybe this vampire thing would have a few merits as well as a few drawbacks.
We’ll just call them ‘opportunities for improvement,’ she thought and blushed as his heated glance watched her expressive face. It was as if they were both thinking the same thing: What would it be like during sex between them? Snacky-bitey-sexy-stuff?
Yeah, she could be down with that if the rest of Conn looked as damned delicious as his face looked right now. He watched her like a starving man being handed a half-gallon of ice cream and a spoon. He wanted to dig in and taste more – and she found herself wanting to let him.
“You are temptation,” he breathed.
“Boy ain’t that the truth,” she retorted softly to see his surprised smile and delighted eyes. “What? Girls have wants and needs too.”
“You want me?” he asked, a small smile on his face and sheer delight in his eyes. It was enchanting to see the doubt and wonder in his face. Did he think he was undeserving of friendship or love?
“I think we should call it a night. That’s probably best,” she admitted, looking away and avoiding answering the question.
“We haven’t finished touring the museum. Will you meet me here tomorrow night too?”
“I’d like that… in the mean time?” she began nervously, “See if you can figure out a way to kiss me without two spears in your mouth.”
“You’d rather the one that’s in my pants?”
Daphne barked out a surprised laugh and roared in delight as he chuckled with nervous embarrassment. The flushed pinkened expression on his face was beyond endearing. “Twenty-first century pick-up lines seem odd coming from you. I’m sorry I laughed at you.”
“I adore your happiness and I thought it was a creative pun.”
“Oh, I will give you that,” Daphne giggled. “Spear in your pants,” she muttered shaking her head. “Work on the kissing thing first. I’d like you to kiss me sometime again and not worry about being poked.”
“The teeth will not bother you again, I swear it,” he uttered solemnly, holding up his hand like he was giving an oath of fealty- to her.
8
Getting out of her car, Daphne walked up to the museum where she was supposed to meet Conn for what could be called a second date. She liked the fact that he wanted to continue the tour and enjoyed spending the evening with her talking about the past…his past. Glancing up, she saw him standing there by the front doors, waiting for her. He held flowers in his hands and looked breathtaking in his simplicity.
Dressed in a pale, plain, grey sweater and slacks, Daphne swallowed hard. He actually looked incredible and only had eyes for her, as she watched other women walk past him. They glanced at him and she even saw one stop and say hello (the bold hussy!) but he never looked away from where Daphne was walking forward towards the museum… and to him.
“You’re early,” Daphne said with a pleased smile as she accepted the simple bouquet. She fought back a yelp as Conn reached out and pulled her towards him, his lips descending onto hers in a warm welcoming kiss. She felt the sweep of his tongue, a silent encouragement for her to do the same, but she was a little gun shy regarding his fangs.
“Don’t be frightened,” Conn whispered against her lips with a hesitant smile, “I practiced all evening to make sure my fangs didn’t cut you again.”
“Practiced? On what?” Daphne bit out tightly and jerked her head back away from him. If he thought he was going to be okay kissing other women and then kissing her – he had another thing coming.
“A sock puppet,” Conn said with a straight face for only a second before she heard what sounded like a cough escape him and his eyes were dancing with mirth. “It looks like it’s been eviscerated too.”
“You’re kidding?” Daphne giggled and then threw her arms around his neck, laughing uncontrollably. She liked that he made her smile and teased her.
“Of course, I am,” he admitted, his arms tightened around her waist. “It was all a joke to get you to laugh and smile at me again. You are beautiful when you are happy.”
“And when I’m not happy I look like a troll? Is that what you are saying?”
“Never. You look like a dark goddess, my goddess, and I will do everything in my power to make sure you are always happy with me.”
“Slow down there, Conn. We are simply enjoying a few hours together- not planning the rest of my life,” Daphne said nervously, dropping her arms from around his neck and pulling away from him. He reached out and clasped her hand in his own tightly.
“I pushed you. I am sorry,” he admitted. “Don’t pull back. You’re right.”
“Just don’t rush me,” she confessed softly. “I really like you but this is all a bit much to swallow. I mean, if the roles were reversed what would you think?”
“I’d think that I was the luckiest man alive to be wanted by you- and I want you to feel that way about me someday.” Conn stepped forward and held open the door for her. Daphne barely caught the words he muttered faintly under
his breath as she walked past him.
I hope…
He said that he hoped that she could grow to care for him? He had admitted to being lonely the other day, was it that bad for him? Silently, she walked and noticed that he held her hand the entire time as they made their way down the opposite direction from yesterday.
Out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed that he seemed to be just content to be there with her. She couldn’t imagine being alone for so long, away from family, or watching friends grow old and die. Things like that would wear on you, destroy your inner soul and make you retreat into a shell in order to protect yourself. Is that what Conn had done over the years? What was bringing him out into the open? What prompted him to ask her out?
“Do you not like the Egyptian period as much as the others yesterday?” he asked quietly, leaning down towards her in order to prevent him from disturbing the others around them.
Startled, she looked up and saw how close he was, catching a glimpse of something in his eyes before he hid it. Tenderness? Concern? Fear? Swallowing hard and feeling nervous, she felt like they were alone in the room and the attraction to him swamped her more than ever before.
“I am really glad we are here together,” she said in a hushed voice, staring at his beautiful eyes that were watching her. As if driven, she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his for a brief second. The moment she made contact, she felt his breath hitch in surprise and desire. She craved that connection with him and it felt so right to just give in for a moment. Leaning back, she nodded shyly.
“Egyptians fascinate me and that is what got me started onto the path of becoming a history professor. My parents used to get me books on Ancient Egypt, Greece, and the Byzantine Empire when I was in middle school.”
“I bet you were a beautiful child.”
“You’d be incorrect,” she smiled softly. “I was a normal kid. Acne, braces, cowlicks and insecure just like anyone else but over time you grow into who you are. You grow confidence or simply the ability not to care anymore…but we aren’t here to talk about me. Have you seen the statues of Maat before?”
