Waiting

by Kiahana

  The waitress reappeared, dropping off four drinks, two of which were apparently for me. I downed the first without taking a breath, needing some liquid courage to reassure myself that I deserved to be by Parker's side. The second I took big drinks, pacing myself more.

  Parker drank out of a small martini glass that obviously contained blood. Before I was done with my second drink, another was plopped in front of me, ordered before she'd left the last time apparently.

  There must've been alcohol in my drinks since I was already feeling the effects. The only thing I could taste was grapefruit juice.

  Sam was the first to come back and join us, happier than before.

  “He was yummy, don't you think?” I just smiled and giggled, pretty sure it was a rhetorical question. “Wana dance? Promise not to bite.” Her eyes sparkled as she stood, her hand extended out to me before meeting Parker's gaze. “You can join us too if you're so worried about her.”

  I stood and Sam kept ahold of my hand as I downed the rest of my drink with my other. Parker seemed to be contemplating what he should do before nodding and staying in the booth, Francis joining him before we made our way to the more crowded section of the club, but stayed within eye sight of the table.

  Sam was playing the part of the dude, twirling me in circles before holding me close and moving to the music, growling at any guy who came close to us. I'd never danced so intimate with a girl before but still felt relaxed enough to enjoy it.

  Her sparkly silver dress coincided with mine, though hers had deep v's in the front and back, her breasts once again jiggling close to my face or smooshed against my back.

  After only a few minutes Parker joined us, pressing me against his chest and swaying to the bumping music, Sam closing in on my back, effectively making me the meat of the sandwich.

  Parker was good at everything so no wonder dancing wouldn't be any different. I was turned on the moment he drew me into his arms. When the beat changed to a new song I told him I had to use the ladies room where he escorted me, then Sam came with me to act as my body guard, though there wasn't anyone else in here. That whole not needing to go to the bathroom thing was another plus on being a vampire.

  “Are you having fun?” She made small talk while I used a stall.

  “Yeah. It's new and exciting, and since I've got three protectors I don't need to worry much.” She chuckled as I came out of the stall. “Are you having fun?”

  “Of course. If I wasn't then we would've left by now.” She applied another layer of lipstick while I washed my hands. “Let's get you another drink then back out to the dance floor. Parker loves the way you move. Have you learned to read his eyes yet?”

  “A little, but I'm sure it's easier for you since you've known him for so long. Plus that whole enhanced senses thing since you're a vampire.”

  “That is a benefit. I'm not even really sure what human senses are like anymore. Parker turned me over a hundred and fifty years ago and human memories fade with time.”

  I knew Parker and Sam went way back but what I didn't know was that Parker turned her. That seemed way too personal to me. I tried not to let my thoughts show on my face.

  “Turned you?” I played at nonchalance while reapplying some lip gloss and playing with my hair in the mirror.

  “Yeah. Did he not tell you how we met?” She gave an exasperated cluck of her tongue when I shook my head. “What has he told you? Apparently nothing important.”

  I turned to face her, showing too much interest. Her lips twitched.

  “He hasn't been around much and I guess I haven't been asking the right questions.”

  “Well, we met in eighteen fifty two when I was nineteen and a slave, since I was born to one. After watching my mother being beat to death from a closet, I snuck out and ran away. I was living in the woods, sneaking into people's homes at night to steal food when I was caught by an especially large male who decided to punish me with rape.” I gasped out loud but she dismissed it. “He didn't get to of course. Parker had already been in their home and rescued me. He turned me less than a week later and taught me to live and take care of myself. If it weren't for him I would've been dead a long time ago.”

  Her tone was full of gratitude. He'd saved her life and given her a brand new one, chalked full of benefits such as never dying.

  “Did he kill him? The man who was going to...”

  “Yes. He deserved it.” No argument here. “That was the only human I ever saw Parker kill on purpose.”

  “On purpose?”

  “There was an accident once. I wasn't around to see it. Apparently it tore him up pretty good.”

  The bathroom door swung open and Francis stood there with a determined look.

  “Making sure you were still alive. Come on then, let's get back to having fun. Parker's waiting at the table.”

  I wanted to know more about this accident but Francis held the door waiting for us. Sam looped her arm through mine and led the way to the table where I finished off another drink before all four of us made our way back to the dance floor.

  Sam ordered drinks that were apparently a mixture of blood and alcohol, getting just as tipsy as me while the men remained coherent enough to notice when it was getting late and suggested we head home. Late was a matter of opinion since it was now two in the morning, but the club remained open until dawn.

  We were all giggles and smiles, seeming to decide going to Brian's house would be a good idea at this hour. Parker put up a weak argument but Sam easily shot him down, all of us landing on his front lawn less than ten minutes later. I presumed it was his front lawn since I didn't know where he lived, but apparently they did.

  Sam rang the doorbell nonstop until lights started turning on and he came to the door with only some boxer shorts on, revealing a pretty nice stomach, cut, though hairier than I would've expected.

  “What...oh, hello.”

  He tried to adjust himself and look presentable which made me laugh before I pushed past him and told him I needed to go to the bathroom. I was beyond pleasantries and he didn't seem to mind. Everyone else followed me in, not waiting for an invitation.

  Wait? No invitation? My gaze silently questioned Parker before deciding to let it go for now before my bladder released everywhere.

  When I came back out they were all sitting in his living room and he'd donned a plain white shirt.

  “Sorry about dropping in on you.”

  “I don't mind.” Sam and I burst out laughing, remembering why we came here in the first place. “What?” Now he looked nervous.

  “Nothing handsome. I just came for a late night quickie. I only do willing patrons.” She trailed her finger down his chest to the elastic on his underwear. “Are you willing or should I leave with my friends?”

  Parker and Francis rolled their eyes, expecting this kind of behavior from her.

  “Um, well yes.” Brian was startled. I’m sure he wouldn't regret his decision. Sam was hot. “Are you going to...” He turned his gaze to me.

  “We're leaving. Sam won't hurt you.” I gave him a hug then leaped into Parker's waiting arms, immediately springing my hormones to life. “Bye. Have a good time.”

  Sam kissed my cheek then shooed us all out, shutting the door behind us.

  “She won't hurt him, right?”

  “Of course not,” Parker assured me. Francis seemed to disappear altogether. “You had quite a bit to drink tonight. I think I should soak you in my hot tub, make you sweat it out before putting you to bed.”

  The twinkle in his eye let me know he was intending to take care of me to the fullest extent.

  “I had so much fun tonight. I love Sam.” He chuckled. “I mean, I really thought I'd hate her, but I actually like her.”

  “Why would you hate her?” He really didn't expect me to say that.

  “Because you slept with her.” As drunk as I was I still felt his muscles tense beneath my firm grasp. “I know it was a long time ago but she's gorgeous and I was just really p
lanning on hating her no matter what, but I can't.”

  “I'm glad you two are getting along.” He landed outside the log cabin and we stood there finishing our conversation. “I heard her telling you about how we met. I'm sorry I didn't tell you I turned her. It never really seemed relevant.”

  “It's fine.” Wait. “Should I be upset? What do you have to do to change someone?”

  “You have to be drained of almost all your blood, just on the brink of death, then be filled with the blood of a vampire before your light completely goes out.” He explained it in simple terms, easy for me to understand.

  “How many have you created, and what exactly does it mean?”

  “Thirty, but only seventeen are still alive. I am their maker, therefore technically their master. They come when I call, can sense it when I need them if I want them to, and since my maker is dead, that makes me Master, head of my line so anyone that my vampires make are under me as well. Also anyone I have first rights over. They are protected by me and we act as a sort of family. No one can touch a member of my line without us having the choice of dealing out penalties.”

  “Couldn't you have called your 'family members' to help you when you were locked in that cage?” That would've been the first thing on my list.

  “I tried, but the cell our cages were being held in were lined with silver, depleting our power and energy even more. We had no strength to lift our heads. Sam bursting through those doors and dragging us out saved our lives.” He held my gaze and ran his fingers lightly up my bare back. “Your image kept popping up in my head whenever I was conscious. I'm forever indebted to Sam for bringing me back to you.”

  Our lips met lightly, brushing against each other’s. I moaned on contact, a little too drunk and wanting. His tongue teased mine, gently caressing and massaging before escaping back into his own mouth. Fingers danced along my vertebrae, making me shudder and clutch to his shoulders to stay upright. I broke off the kiss to breathe, his lips continuing a path down my neck to the base where he'd bitten me before.

  “You always know how to shut me up.” He chuckled then nipped at me, his fangs now extended and scraping against my sensitive skin. “Where's Francis?”

  My dress and barely there bra were ripped from my body, exposing me to the crisp night air and leaving me in just my panties.

  “Not here.”

  That's all it took to let down my guard completely before ripping away Parker's clothes, which he helpfully tore at to make it faster. We were both naked and pressed up against each other when I pushed his chest, gently fell on top of him as he laid on the ground instead of falling, then savored every inch of him.

  SIXTEEN

  “Oh, come on! Give him to me. I want him!”

  I'd woken up early, still wrapped in Parker's arms, before taking an early morning dip in the hot tub with him, then showered and started making breakfast before Sam and Francis decided to finish their argument in the kitchen with me.

  “He's mine. I don't give up what's mine.” Francis wasn't budging on his decision.

  “Come on.” Sam looked to me for support. “Brian was surprisingly amazing in bed and I want to make him mine, but Francis wants to keep him. Don't you think I should get him? I'll take good care of him.”

  She batted her perfect lashes, cracking a smile from me. I didn't want to get involved with vampire politics so I settled for shaking my head and looking at Francis who seemed unwilling to reveal his real reasons, though I knew he was hiding them.

  “I'll give you two of my sexiest girls.”

  Still he just shook his head and smiled. Sam pouted for awhile then left without getting her way.

  Parker came back from his trip in town moments later, shoving food in the fridge and pantry before taking a seat next to Francis at the counter, both watching me finish my meal.

  “Isn't she sexy, shoving those embryos in her mouth like that?”

  I stilled, fork full of eggs halfway to mouth when Francis spoke. It was gross what I was eating, now that I stopped to think about it, but ended up shoveling it in my mouth after deciding it was much better than drinking blood.

  “She is.” Parker spoke proudly while I finished chewing my mouthful.

  “What's grosser, eating eggs or drinking blood?” Before they could answer, I finished for them. “Blood. Duh.” They both quirked their lips and left it at that. “Stay here.”

  I held up my finger while asking them to wait before I skipped out of the kitchen to Parker's room where I grabbed my camera out of my purse and came back and found them having a silent conversation, glancing back at me when they heard the click of my camera turning on.

  “You are so cute together and I haven't seen a single picture of you two.” I snapped a quick one of them both surprised, then smiled and waited for them to look comfortable before snapping the next one. “There. Thank you. I'll make you both a copy.”

  They smirked at each other before the awkwardness finally disappeared.

  “Before I forget, why is it that Brian didn’t have to invite you in last night? Have you all been there before?”

  They shared a sideways glance while I sipped on some juice.

  “We don’t need to be invited in anywhere. I had a sort of spell, or enchantment if you will, placed on your apartment only to keep you safe while I was away.”

  “What? How did you do that?” This just kept getting weirder.

  “A witch friend of mine owed me a favor,” Parker explained with a shrug, as if the details were inconsequential.

  I stared down at my plate of food, moving the contents around while I thought. A witch? I’ll be damned. A change of subject was needed in order.

  “So what's in your plans for this week while I'm away at work?” I shoved the last of the eggs in my mouth then started washing my dishes in his sink. “If you think you'll be incapacitated again, please let me know in advance.” I winked.

  “Not in my plans, but I'll do my best to keep you informed.” He stood and faced Francis. “Sam took off and I've got to meet Tiny. Mind staying with her until I get back?” He cast me a sheepish grin. “Not that you need a babysitter but I'd rather be safe than sorry.” He was around the counter with his arms wrapped around me before I could blink.

  “Me too. How long are you going to be gone? Maybe I should just go home since I have to work tomorrow.”

  To come off as a stage five clinger this early in our relationship was not in my plans. We've established we're in a relationship and I was going to be damned if I ruined it so soon. He's been my dream man ever since my Jonathon Taylor Thomas crush ended. Learning more and more about him, he's embedded himself deep within me, making me want more.

  “I can take you home if you'd like, though I was kind of hoping you'd stay here tonight.” The sexy grin on his face ensured a heavenly night was ahead.

  “I'll stay but I have to go to work in the morning. No more calling in sick.”

  I'd give in and stay, but with rules. Becoming one of those girls who gave up their career for a man, possibly just passing through their life, was not me. That would never happen.

  “Hurry up and leave already. I need to leave by ten tonight.” Francis winked at me, making Parker's grasp tighten around my shoulders.

  “Where are you going?” Parker's tone was wary.

  “Out of town. I'll be back in a few days. Don't fret. You're not getting rid of me forever.”

  Parker rolled his eyes then kissed my forehead.

  “Just stay out of trouble and call me if you need anything. It's only ten, I should be back by two this afternoon.” He placed his finger under my chin and lifted my face to capture my lips with a soft, tender kiss. “Stay safe and I'll be back in a bit.”

  I bit my lip and stared at the space he'd been standing until Francis cleared his throat, pulling me from my fantasy thoughts.

  “I know. I'm pathetic.”

  He smiled wider at my confession.

  “No, you're not. It's cute.” That caug
ht me off guard. “I'm glad I came back in my brother’s life in time to see him happy like this. If I never saw him again I'd be happy with memories of him from the last two weeks.” His eyes seemed to glaze over as he reminisced over being with his brother again.

  My chest tightened, overwhelming feelings to comfort him made me come around the counter to take the seat next to him.

  “Do you ever talk to him like you do to me? I know you like to be funny but I can see the hurt you feel, and that he feels.” He was silent for so long I put my hand on his shoulder to make sure he'd heard me.

  “I did a lot of bad things, unforgiveable things. I'm lucky he even let me back in his life. The fact that he trusts me alone with you is...I have hope that we'll be able to go back to the way things were, before we were changed, before we killed our own mum.”

  He had such emotional baggage with no one to let it out to. Now I understood why he'd been so nice to me since we met. He must've felt that I understood and that I'll listen, what with how I'd opened up to him. Gushed really.

  Smiling, I grabbed his hand and drug him out into the hallway then into the theatre room, complete with huge red comfy couches and what seemed like hundreds of throw pillows.

  Francis needed to talk and I wanted to at least be comfortable before letting him get it all out.

  “We've got a few hours, why don't you start at the beginning?”

  He propped his head up with his hands behind his neck and crossed his feet on top of the large community foot rest.

  “It's not a fancy story. Our mum turned us against our will, making us into something we'd only ever been told was a beast, a demon with no soul and conscious. Our time was one of religion and belief. There was no questioning it, it just was. Everyone lived and breathed to please our God; to become a vampire was to be condemned to hell. When we woke up we were thirsty. We couldn't rid ourselves of the hatred we harbored for our own mum to do this to us.” He was staring at the blank screen as if trying to picture it happening now. “Our ability to communicate telepathically was instant and quite the surprise. We'd just made our first kill and I'd been thinking about how good it felt when the blood flowed down my throat, when all of a sudden the thought echoed, but in Parker's voice. We met eyes and both asked if we could hear each other, both of us nodded. Then he told me to hold up two fingers and I did.”