CHAPTER TWENTY
Randal’s scent had been infused into the leather of his seats. I noticed this as I slipped into the passenger seat of his car. The interior was showroom clean, and I wondered if this was how his house was as well. As I watched him walk around the front of the car, I took in his impeccable taste in clothing and his clean-shaved face. Showroom clean was exactly what I had expected from him.
“Nice car.” I buckled my seatbelt as he climbed behind the wheel.
“Thank you.” He cranked the engine. “This is my baby.”
I chuckled, glad there didn’t seem to be any awkwardness from what had happened minutes ago between us. “Are all vampires rich and drive nice ass cars?”
“Excuse me?”
I shifted to face him better. “Every time I read about a vampire or watch a show on TV, they all seem to have a few things in common. They’re incredibly good-looking, like going through the transition killed every ugly gene in their body or something. They’re all rich, and they all seem to drive the nicest cars imaginable to rub their wealth in everyone’s face.”
He flashed me an inquisitive look before bursting into a fit of laughter. “You’re serious.”
I arched a brow. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be? Are those the prerequisites or something?”
“No.” He shook his head, barely able to contain his laughter. “The money comes with time, as for the good looks…let’s just say there are plenty of ugly vampires out there, same as every other breed.”
I smiled, enjoying his honestly. “Okay. So, how did you get your money?”
He backed out of the parking space and pulled away from my apartment complex. “I made a few investments over the years that paid off.”
“So you didn’t slaughter a bunch of people and make off with their jewelry and money?” It was a question I had always wanted to ask a vampire, even before I knew they were real.
Randal turned right at the light and cast a sideways glance at me.
“No, that was never something I did. While it can’t be ruled out entirely because I’m sure there are a lot of vampires, as well as other supernaturals, who have gained their money that way.” He shifted gears. “You know, succubus demons are bad for that too. All that seduction power, it can get you what you want at the snap of a finger.”
While I had never thought of it that way, he was right. I could see how gaining money with my curse would be possible, easy even. “I would never use it that way.”
“I know.” The way he said the words, it was almost as though he’d known me long enough to be one hundred percent confident his sentence was the truth.
The conversation died after that, and I hated the silence, so I reached for the radio and turned the volume up. Bluesy jazz music filled the car. While it wasn’t something I would normally listen to, I didn’t change the station because there was something about it that seemed right for the moment.
A saxophone melody filled the car as we headed downtown. It was sad and haunting in a way that got beneath your skin and chilled you to the bone with emotion. A slight shiver slipped through me. I had never been so moved by music without words. Usually I related to the lyrics, not the beat. This was different.
“You can change the station if you want.” Randal broke our silence.
“I’m actually enjoying it. It’s not my go-to music choice, but it’s nice.”
He turned down Chester Street, and I knew exactly where he was taking me—Mystic. Why I hadn’t thought to ask where we were going beforehand was beyond me. I guess it was because I didn’t care. Had I already reached the point where I just wanted to be somewhere with him, and that was all that mattered? It had been so long since I’d harbored that feeling it took me by surprise.
“It’s all I listen to. I find it’s soothing, relaxing.” He slowed to let a few pedestrians cross in front of us. “What do you normally listen to?”
My lips quirked into a smile. “The stuff you play at your club. Anything with a story or good lyrics, and a beat that’s easy to dance to is also a must. I like being able to relate to songs.”
“Ah, so you’re one of those who believe lyrics are the voice of the soul.” It wasn’t a question, but I acted as though it were.
“Exactly. I’m normally not a happy-go-lucky, rainbows and sunshine person, but if the right song is on I can be. If the artist is good, I swear I can feel the emotions from their lyrics ripping into me or lifting me up.”
We pulled into a spot near the front of Mystic. “You seem to be a more positive person than you give yourself credit for,” he said as he cut the engine of his car.
An argumentative sentence burned on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it back.
He popped open the driver’s side door and slipped out of his seat with a grin plastered on his face that made me think he knew I’d been about to debunk his theory on me.
* * * *
We were seated immediately. All Randal had done was step to the hostess and say his name. From the way recognition and admiration had pooled in her eyes, I was sure saying his name hadn’t been necessary.
“That was easy.” I tossed my purse onto the seat beside me. “Do they always have a standing reservation for you, or did you call ahead?”
“I called ahead.” He grinned. “Contrary to popular belief, I don’t have that kind of pull everywhere I go.”
“I could argue with that, but I won’t.”
He leaned against the tabletop and narrowed his eyes at me. The same dangerous glimmer of amusement from earlier flashed within their cool gray. We were back to flirting with one another. “By all means, go right ahead. What were your thoughts on the matter?”
“Okay.”I tipped my head to the side and pursed my lips together, thinking of the right words to use. “I think you have more pull than you give yourself credit for.”
The corner of his lips twisted into a cocky grin. “I’ve heard that somewhere before.”
Our waitress came then. I leaned back against the booth to get a look at her. If she acted like putty in his hands, then I was planning on using it as an example.
“Hi. I’m Sarah. I’ll be your waitress tonight.” She was staring at him. Her line of vision had yet to move to me. Perfect. “What can I get you to drink?”
Randal, seemingly unfazed by her undivided attention, shifted his gaze to me. “Do you drink wine?”
I nodded. “Reds are my favorite.”
“Mine too.” He winked, and I got the impression there was a double meaning behind his words. “Will a sweet red work?”
“Yeah.”
“We’ll have a bottle of your best sweet red, please.”
“Coming right up.” Sarah tucked her pad and pen into the front pocket of her apron and flashed him a wide smile. He didn’t return it and she noticed. His eyes were back on me.
I watched her as she walked away with way more sway to her hips than necessary. Her golden aura clung to her every move. Even if I hadn’t been able to see her aura, I would have guessed she was a werewolf. Something about her screamed animal. She was fierce looking, and something primal glistened in the depths of her brown eyes.
“Point proven,” I muttered.
“And what point is that?” Randal’s eyes shined with an unspoken challenge that let me know he enjoyed our flirting and banter as much as I did.
“That you have more pull than you think.”
He leaned back in his seat and folded his arms across his wide chest. “Elaborate, please.”
I rolled my eyes at the arrogance oozing from him. He knew exactly what I was talking about. Was this some type of an ego stroke for him? “She was all over you.”
“Really? I didn’t feel her.” The cocky lit in his voice made me want to smack him.
“Figuratively speaking, of course.” I folded my arms over my chest and leaned back, mimicking his posture. “Her eyes didn’t even shift my way the entire time she was taking our drink orders. And that sway to her hips when she walke
d away was definitely not for my benefit.”
“How can you be so sure?” He raised a brow. “Some werewolves have been known to enjoy both men and women from time to time.”
I shook my head, the hint of a smile still tugging at my lips. “Nope, that was all for you. That woman would do anything you asked.”
His jawline sharpened and defined as his features flattened. “I’ve found in my time that most would.”
Generally speaking guys would love to have this issue, but Randal wasn’t most guys and he didn’t seem to be enjoying the truth of his statement.
When our waitress came back, I was surprised to see two wineglasses in her hand, since it seemed as though she had ignored my presence. “Here you are. Are you ready to order now, or would you like another minute or two?”
We placed our orders, and I watched as she attempted to gain Randal’s full attention again without success. There was something different about him, and I knew it had everything to do with what I had said. His mouth was pinched, and his tone had gone tense and harsh. Maybe I’d made him angry.
I chewed the inside of my cheek. It was apparent that he didn’t enjoy the effect he had on women as much as one would think. We were more alike than I had first thought because that was exactly how I felt about my situation. Most days I wished this curse of mine came with an off switch, or at least something that would grant me the power to turn it on when I needed it and off when I didn’t.
From the looks of it, Randal seemed to share this same wish.
I picked up my glass by the stem and took a sip of the wine he had ordered us. Its sweetness burst across my tongue and stained my lips, just the way I liked it. “This is really good.”
A flicker of life shone in his eyes. Maybe the reminder we had wine was all he needed to put his moment, for lack of a better word, behind him and cheer the hell up. After all we were on a date.
He picked up his glass and spun the wine around before taking a sip. He inhaled the sweetness of it. The way he took such care and noticed so much about a simple glass of wine was mesmerizing. I wondered if it was a trait he had always harbored or if it had come with age. I wanted to get to know him well enough to be able to answer that question for myself.
“Very good.” He licked his bottom lip as he pulled the glass away. My eyes zeroed in on the gesture, and a tiny spasm of pleasure slipped through me.
Randal’s eyes were on me. I could feel them. When I lifted mine to meet his, a nearly electric current passed through me the second our stares collided.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
My cell went off with an incoming text. Thankful for a distraction, for something to cut the moment building between us in half, I reached for my purse and dug it out. While I wasn’t a prude—how could I be with this curse flowing though my veins—I still wasn’t used to reacting this strongly to someone. Even before my awakening, I couldn’t remember having felt this way toward anyone, not even Landon. That was what scared me most.
My phone chimed a second time.
“Must be important.” Randal took another sip of his wine. The harshness of his tone had disappeared, and the playful sense had come back. I was glad.
“It’s a reminder feature. It does that if I don’t get to it fast enough.”
“Ah, a reminder alert. The thing that tricks the mind into thinking a text is ten times more important than it actually is.”
I glanced at him then. The smug smile stretched across his face bordered on a shit-eating grin.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” I glanced at my cell. It was a message from Sage.
“Nothing, I find you refreshing, is all.”
Hey, sorry. You didn’t say where you two were going, so I hope I’m not interrupting, but can I borrow your heels tomorrow night? The black ones? I’ve got a hot date.
“Refreshing?” What could he possibly find refreshing about me?
I sent Sage a reply, letting her know that was fine and then set my phone on the table.
Randal’s wineglass was hovering in front of his lips. “No one has ever let a simple text interrupt an evening with me before.” He took a sip to hide his smile, but I still saw it. It was wide and amused.
“I’m not letting it interrupt anything.” Another text from Sage came through. “I’m just quickly answering a friend while we wait for our food.”
He chuckled. “Right. That is true, isn’t it?”
I tapped on Sage’s text and read it.
Are things going well? Where did he take you?
I quickly responded with:
Things are good. He took me to Mystic for dinner. I’ll call you later. ~ Kenna
When she didn’t answer, I set my cell on the table again and folded my arms across my chest. “No one dares to answer a call or text while in your presence? That’s a little narcissistic of you to say, don’t you think?”
A real laugh bellowed through him, one that was contagious as hell. “I didn’t mean it to sound so, but yes, I can see why you would think that.”
Our food came then. One thing I loved about this place was that even though it had a sophisticated, classy atmosphere, you could still order real food. “Will you’ll be able to eat all of that?” Randal eyed my burger and fries.
“Why? Want some?” I picked up a steak fry and popped it in my mouth. One thing I wasn’t was shy when it came to eating in front of a guy.
“No, it just looks like a lot.”
“Are you sure you’re going to be full after eating that?” I pointed to his fancy meal that barely took up a fourth of his plate. “It doesn’t look like enough to fill up a two year old.”
The same throaty chuckle I was growing to love rumbled from him. “Regular food doesn’t always agree with me. This meal is one I know does. Plus, I don’t have a healthy appetite when it comes to normal food. Not like most vampires do. I’m old, remember?” I liked the playful glimmer in his eyes.
“Right, I’m dating an old man. I forgot,” I teased.
Our conversation continued to flow as we ate our meals. It wasn’t until I was nearly finished with my burger and absently munching on my fries, that I realized his ex was sitting four tables over staring at me. My stomach somersaulted. How could I have missed her walking in? How had I missed her heated glaze boring into me before now?
I shifted in my seat. Slowly exhaling my breath, I glanced in her direction once more to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. I wasn’t.
Natalia was sitting alone, dressed in a slinky black dress and a pair of killer stilettos, sipping from a glass of what I presumed to be wine. Her hair was swept up into a high bun and her makeup was done in smoky, I’m-going-to-win-him-back shades.
“What’s the matter?” Randal leaned forward.
I bit my tongue, thinking of a way to word my issue without sounding like a bitch. It wasn’t his fault his obviously bat-shit crazy ex was stalking me. “Your ex is here.” The words fell from my lips in a hushed whisper that dripped with annoyance.
He didn’t move to glance around. “Natalia?”
I nodded, while wondering how many exs he had. Was it necessary to specify? “That would be her. She’s sitting four tables over, sipping on a glass of wine, while giving me a go-to-hell look.”
I could feel my face pinch together. Generally, I wasn’t one to get pissed or annoyed easily, but when someone clearly went out of their way, not once but twice, to irritate the crap out of me, it happened. My foot shook beneath the table as that energy built the longer she stared. When I glanced at her again, there was a smug smile twisting the corners of her glossy red lips. It pissed me off.
Why did I even look at her? We were having such a nice night before. Now I wasn’t sure we would get the moment we’d been in back. Natalia’s presence had ruined it for me. Not only that, but if this was how things were going to be—if she was always going to be lurking around every corner, waiting for me—then I wasn’t sure Randal was worth it. It might be better to cut my losses no
w while things were still new between us.
I couldn’t handle a crazy stalker bitch.
“I’ll go talk to her.” Randal wiped his mouth with the edge of his napkin. He stood and was walking toward her before I could dispute the idea.
I watched him. There was something commanding about the way he walked. Every movement screamed authority. As he neared her table, my eyes drifted to Natalia. Her game face was softening with each step closer he came. I half expected her to be pouting by the time he reached her, but she wasn’t. She, however, did resemble a frightened puppy. For a moment, I wished I were on the opposite side of the room, so I could see his face because I was sure the look he was giving her was brutal. Every muscle in his body stiffened the moment he paused at her table, verifying my thought.
I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but from the look on Natalia’s face it wasn’t something she expected. My hand grabbed my wine, and I brought it to my lips while watching them. Something from the corner of my eye caught my attention, and I turned to check it out.
A man was standing at the entrance to the hallway where the restrooms were, staring at me intently. This wasn’t what I found odd though; it was his aura color that gripped me. A silver, mist-like aura clung to him, moving as he breathed. It was unlike anything I had ever seen. The guy flashed me a smile and beckoned me to him with a finger.
Who the hell was he? What was he?
I had seen everything, or so I thought, in the last year or so—vampires, werewolves, fairies, various demons, and even witches. This guy though was something else, and my curiosity was strong enough for me to want to find out what.
After I set my wineglass down, I glanced at Randal and Natalia. They were still locked in a deep argument. Mascara ran down her alabaster cheeks as she cried. Obviously she was attempting to give him the guilt trip, remind him of what they shared over the last half century. Maybe I should be focused on this, but I wasn’t. Instead, my mind had shifted to the handsome guy with the silver aura beckoning me to join him in the hall. I was walking toward him before I realized I had made up my mind to do so. His grin grew, accenting the twin dimples in his cheeks.
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