Midnight Sun, Inc. (Crimson Romance)

by Debbie Vaughan

  “Honey, come sit with me. You’re wearing me out,” I urged as Raf paced past the sofa for the hundredth time. I held out my hand and he reached for me like a lifeline. I tugged and he sat. “Sweetie, you need to eat.”

  “No.”

  “Yeah, you do.” I turned my neck in his direction. “Yum-yum, you know how tasty I am!” God! Next I’d be playing ‘here comes the choo-choo!’

  “Connie … ”

  He never called me by my name, only Doll, Honey, Sweetie, and the occasional Snookums. This did not bode well.

  “Raf. Bite. Me. I’m serious. You don’t want to make me mad.”

  He started to protest but I stared him down. He let me draw his lips to my throat. He licked. I giggled. He bit. I sighed. He drank and the earth rocked! Things happened down below that made me very glad I waited until Tom went to work. The sensation of Raf softly licking the bite finished me off.

  “Excuse me!” Raf said as he ran for the stairs.

  I sat in stunned silence until he returned. He’d changed from his khakis to jeans. I didn’t ask why. “We have two hours to kill. Want to take Willy to the park?”

  “Sure. You drive.”

  We rode in silence to MacArthur Park. Some guys played basketball, the same crew who had been with Terrell. Seeing he wasn’t with them, I inquired and learned he was in New York on a photo shoot.

  “See? He had a good reason not to be at the salon.” I had no way of knowing if he was in New York on that particular night, but it seemed plausible. “I could tell he really liked you.”

  Raf nodded, but didn’t say anything. We walked on. After the second lap he turned to me so suddenly I tripped over Willy. He caught me before I fell and kissed me, a deep, throat-cleansing kiss. The kind designed to curl your toes and make you melt, but didn’t. When Tom kissed me my heart stopped, and then pounded, my toes curled. Raf started to giggle and I joined in. A weight lifted.

  “The earth didn’t move,” I said.

  “Nope.”

  “So what happened before?”

  “I have no idea,” Raf looked at me expectantly.

  I shrugged. “You really need to bone up on your vampire shit.”

  “There’s no such thing as a bad orgasm?” Raf volunteered.

  “Too true.”

  Whether due to the orgasm or the blood, Raf appeared calmer as I drove to Dee’s. When we passed the hunting club property, a house had been framed up.

  “Well damn,” I said as we drove by. “They picked a good spot for the house.” The spot I picked, far off the road and barely visible.

  Dee and Bianca waited outside for us. Not knowing what to expect, the hooded cloaks they wore didn’t faze me. The fact Dee wore no makeup, did. I don’t think I’d ever seen her without. Even swimming she wore waterproof. Her glare dared me to mention it. I didn’t say a word.

  They led us to a patch of pine woods with a natural clearing. A stump had been placed in the center as an altar. On the stump sat a candle, knife, bowl, and a ball made of grass or twigs, around the stump, stood eleven cloaked figures. We had a baker’s dozen. No one lifted their hoods or introduced themselves when we approached, which was fine by me.

  “You need to go sit over there,” Bianca said, pointing toward the outer edge of the clearing. “Connie, whatever happens, you can’t interfere. You stay put until I come get you.” Her tone brooked no argument.

  I kissed Raf and dropped his hand. “I’ll leave you to the professionals.”

  I walked off in the direction she pointed. The ball had things inside, I noted as I passed the stump altar, a ball of clay and a feather? I took a seat on the ground; glad I’d worn jeans. Dee and Bianca spoke to Raf, gesturing to the stump. Finally they led him to the altar. Raf picked up the candle, Bianca pointed a finger, and a flame ignited. The others gathered to form a circle around Raf and the altar.

  A low hum vibrated the air as the witches walked the circle. With each pass, the sound grew louder. They chanted not in Latin, but something far older. Thirteen rotations they made before pointing in unison toward Raf. His lips moved. Placing the ball into the bowl, he touched the candle to it. A flame shot skyward. Laying the candle aside, he picked up the knife and slit his left wrist, letting the blood flow onto the flame. The flame died. The witches turned as one, facing away from Raf and the altar. They spoke three words and stamped the ground, walking outward from the circle into the trees. A few minutes later Bianca and Dee came to get me, their cloaks gone. I heard car engines in the distance. The others were leaving. We walked to Raf, who hadn’t moved.

  “You okay?” I asked. His wrist hadn’t healed. Strange.

  “I think so,” Raf answered cautiously.

  “Ladies, I need a drink.” I said quite calmly, just before I hit the ground.

  • • •

  “I think she’s coming around,” Dee said. Then to me, “You are such a drama queen. You scared the shit out of us!”

  I lay on the sofa, my head in Raf’s lap. Dee, Bianca, Jimmy, Tom, and Nancy stared down at me. Nancy took my pulse. How long was I out?

  “Who’s minding the store?” I asked Tom as he knelt by my head.

  “Cindy.”

  “I still need that drink,” I said.

  Nancy nodded. “Her vitals are fine.”

  Jimmy handed me a shot of bourbon. Raf helped me sit up. The slow burn felt wonderful as the liquor went down. No one said anything as I finished my drink, then back to business. Nancy played twenty questions.

  “Did you eat?’

  “Yes.”

  “Any alcohol before now?”

  “No, I drove.”

  “The other issue?”

  “Aunt Maude visited, but only for three days.”

  “Any fever, fainting, headaches, dizziness?”

  “Yeah on the headaches, but I figured they were due to my period.”

  “Take her home, make her rest,” she ordered Raf and Tom. “I’ll call the lab tomorrow and see if I can hurry them along.”

  I didn’t get a say. Tom scooped me up and Raf opened the door then did a vampire sprint to the Hummer to do the same. Dee started to grill Nancy, but I didn’t get to stick around for the answers. Tom placed me in the backseat, I objected. Riding in the back makes me carsick. Tom maneuvered me into the passenger’s seat. He and Raf had a brief argument. Raf won, or lost, and got to drive me home.

  Note: Raf does not always do the speed limit. The boy can drive. Luckily, there were no troopers between Dee’s and home. Tom pulled in right behind us. Raf didn’t pause, but took me straight to the elevator, before I could protest I was stripped, bathed, dried and plunked into Raf’s bed. Tom walked Willy.

  I clutched the towel to me. “A gown, tee shirt, something?” I pleaded. Raf tossed me his pajama top. Tom came in, put Willy on his doggie bed and ordered him to stay. Next thing I knew I was the filling in a vampire sandwich. I got the distinct impression Raf and Tom weren’t speaking. Odd. Then I didn’t care. I was between the two men I loved, which sounds weirder than it is, and I was so sleepy.

  CHAPTER 32

  Tom and Raf seemed pissed at each other and neither would tell me why. Raf kept saying it was nothing. He painted my fingernails to match my toes, rubbed my shoulders to ease the tension, and pampered me to the extreme. He kept quizzing me about Nancy. How long had she been my doctor, did I like her, was she a good doctor?

  In stealth mode, Tom worked on the computer, ignoring us both. Any time I got near, he stared at a stock report. When the sun set, he left for work claiming he needed to check up on the vampire who filled in for him.

  “So do you feel any different?” I asked.

  “Not especially. My wrist hurts.” Raf grimaced as he patted the bandage on his arm. “Damn silver knife.”

  “Bianca said the knife had to be silver, huh?” I unwrapped the gauze and spread some antibiotic ointment on the gash. “I know you can’t get infected, but this may help dull the pain. So, this will heal human slow?”
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br />   Normally on a vampire everything healed in a matter of minutes. I was glad I gave all my silver jewelry to Dee. I hadn’t seen her wear any yet, but I hadn’t seen much of her recently. I blamed all the vampire drama. Apparently, so did Dee. She called to check on me and hinted I spent too much time with the boys. She wasn’t used to there being a man in my life, much less two. Neither was I, so we both had to adjust. I didn’t tell her it physically hurt to be away from Raf. How could I explain what I didn’t understand?

  “You can go to work. Willy and I’ll be fine,” I told him for the millionth time.

  For the millionth time, Raf said, “No. Dr. Andrews said you need to take it easy. What if you fainted and fell down the stairs?”

  We both made excuses, neither wanting to leave the other’s side. This couldn’t be healthy.

  “What if I promise to stay downstairs until y’all get home? I’ve got a powder room, TV, PC, food, and a comfy sofa. You can walk Willy before you go and we’ll be all set.”

  “Well, if you promise … .” Raf’s work ethic kicked in, but he fought it.

  “Swear to God. Maybe I’ll call Dee and visit with her a little.” I knew I’d won when Raf snapped Willy’s harness on. “Maybe you and Tom can work out your differences before you come home.”

  “I told you — ” Raf began.

  “I don’t believe you,” I finished.

  He and Willy left.

  I put Willy’s food bowl in the dishwasher, refilled his water bowl, popped some kettle corn in the microwave, and poured a Diet Dr. Pepper. I took two aspirin, as a precaution, and stuck Hairspray in the DVD player. I could manage a few hours without Raf. I plopped on the sofa just as the elevator doors opened. Willy ran straight to the water bowl, his tongue hanging out.

  “You jogged?”

  “We ran — after a cat.”

  I cracked up. Raf could have held Willy back if he’d wanted or even just scoop him up.

  He put the phone on the coffee table. “Call if you need anything, you hear?”

  “Yes master,” I droned.

  “Bye, Doll. Be good.” He kissed the top of my head, the tip of my nose, finally my mouth, hesitated, and then left.

  I can do this. I spread the afghan over the leather and placed Willy beside me. We needed some quality time. He had become too independent since his recovery. He snuggled in. I hit play and grabbed the popcorn. In no time at all I drowned my anxiety in song. Willy got danced, belly rubs and ear scratches. He was mellow. I was … okay.

  Shortly after midnight, my rerun ended and I was scrounging for something to eat when the phone rang. I didn’t check the ID, assuming Raf was checking up. When it turned out to be Terrell, I was beyond thrilled. Back from New York, he called Raf first thing. My head spun with the possibilities. I am not jealous.

  “You hungry?” I asked.

  “I could eat,” T answered.

  “I’ll call in a pizza, no garlic. Swing by and get it on your way.” I gave him directions and phoned in the order.

  Within forty-five minutes, Terrell was telling me about the photo shoot over pizza. Modeling sounded glamorous, but he assured me it wasn’t.

  “The hours are awful. The photographers are real bitches. No matter how thin you are, it isn’t thin enough. You need a strong sense of self otherwise you starve, get into drugs — bad shit.”

  “Well you’re perfect, so don’t let them get to you. Speaking of perfect, what do you think of Raf?” T colored. He looked down. Shy? “Honey, you can’t be shy and gay. They’re mutually exclusive.” When he still didn’t answer I added helpfully, “He thinks you’re yummy.”

  He smiled. Raf would be home in half an hour.

  “Have you seen Hairspray?”

  Terrell was teaching me the “stricken chicken” when Raf stepped out of the elevator. I don’t think Raf’s smile could have been any brighter, ditto Terrell’s. Well, until Raf’s mother hen clicked in. Or is that clucked?

  “You are supposed to be resting! Is that resting? I don’t think so,” Raf bitched. He had trouble holding his focus with T in the room.

  “Are you sick?” T stammered.

  “I’m fine!” I glared at Raf for making T uncomfortable before adding, “I’d been sitting on my butt for almost four hours. You probably saved me from a blood clot or something. I was having fun.”

  “So, what was all the flapping?” Raf inquired as he put his keys on the table.

  “The stricken chicken,” T and I said in unison, “a dance from the movie we watched.”

  “Well, that would explain the flapping,” Raf agreed. “I missed you at karaoke night.”

  “I wanted to come, but my agent called. This was a big gig. I’m just starting out. I couldn’t afford to pass it up,” Terrell explained.

  “Well sure, we understand. Besides Raf’s threatening to do it again sometime. We had a big turn out.” I kept trying to bridge the silence. Raf and Terrell couldn’t seem to stop staring at each other. Cute, but awkward. “Willy needs a potty break.”

  “Oh, okay, I’ll take him. Would you like to come?” Raf asked Terrell.

  “Sure.”

  I was forgotten. So maybe I was a tiny bit jealous, but for the most part, I was ecstatic. I cleared away the remnants of my dinner with Terrell and made sure Willy’s water bowl was fresh, managing not to hear the elevator return as I boogied to the songs in my head.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be resting?”

  “Yikes!” I squealed. “Bells! I swear to God, I’m buying cow bells for you guys.”

  Tom chuckled as he drew me into his arms. “You keep threatening. What, exactly, were you doing?” He swiveled his hips and waved his arms over his head in impersonation.

  “Very good. It’s called dancing. Ever hear of it?”

  “You’re supposed to rest. That looked very … energetic.”

  “Be glad you missed the stricken chicken. Tom, you can’t expect me to lie around all day, it goes against the grain. I’m not driving or taking the stairs. That’s the best I can do.” To give him credit, he didn’t argue. “So I take it the salon didn’t burn down or anything. No more dead bodies?”

  “They actually managed fine without us.”

  “Speaking of dead bodies, what did you decide about our John Doe? Has he been claimed?” The remains had been taken to his lab. He had some real pull somewhere to get them released from the morgue. Dr. Sam and associates were doing their own inspection.

  “He hasn’t been claimed so he will be cremated,” he replied briefly.

  Obviously he didn’t want to talk about it. Not for the first time I thought he knew more than he let on. That reminded me of another mystery. “Did you and Raf straighten out your disagreement? And don’t say there wasn’t one. Being human doesn’t make me stupid.”

  Sidestepping, Tom asked, “Where is Raf?”

  I did a little happy dance. Tom frowned. “He and his boyfriend are walking Willy.” I grinned at his surprised look. “It worked, Tom. They broke the curse!”

  “Really?” Several emotions played across Tom’s face in rapid succession, surprise, hope, and relief. Profound relief.

  “You were worried. No, jealous,” I said in utter amazement. I had my own uncertainty about my feelings for Raf. “Honey, I’m sorry if I gave you any reason to worry. I shouldn’t tease you.” I put my arms around him and looked up into his eyes.

  “You love him,” Tom said quietly.

  It was true. I did love Raf. No point lying. I said it all the time. But I realized for the first time that, other than in the throes of passion, I couldn’t remember telling Tom I loved him. “I do love Raf, Tom. He’s my best friend, and if you tell Dee, I’ll deny it. But Honey, I love you. I’m sorry I haven’t told you. So sorry! You’re my … everything.” I watched the tension leave him.

  With that came the realization of just how much of myself I’d withheld from him — even after I’d told him about my past. I’d hurt the man I couldn’t imagine living witho
ut. Did it matter if it was Dee’s meddling that had brought us together? No. I loved him.

  “I love you too, Darlin’,” he whispered into my hair.

  “Does it bother you when I share my blood with him?” I asked hesitantly.

  Tom sat in the chair drawing me into his lap. “I’m not sure how to answer,” he said thoughtfully. “Why do you do it?”

  I hesitated, thinking. “Because he’s my friend and it helps him. He only drinks a thimbleful. If Dee needed a kidney, I’d give her one.” I shrugged. “What’s a little blood among friends?”

  “You know there is a sexual component when we feed.”

  “Yeah, I get that. I’m not offering. Raf knows that.” I didn’t go any further, but wondered if perhaps Raf had.

  “Then to answer your question, no, I don’t have a problem with it.”

  “Do you get the feeling Raf doesn’t know much about being a vampire?” The question came out of the blue, but I realized it was something I’d been thinking about for a long time.

  Tom looked amazed. Before he could answer, the elevator opened. Terrell and Raf stepped out. Raf bent to release Willy from his harness. He winked. As I stood to make introductions, I couldn’t help notice T’s lips were swollen. I couldn’t be sure, but there also appeared to be a healing puncture on his lower lip. My, my!

  “Tom, I’d like you to meet Terrell Rose — T — my … boyfriend.” They shook hands. Raf plopped on the sofa and pulled T down with him, slinging an arm around his shoulder. No small feat since T was a foot taller. They’d work it out.

  “Nice to meet you, T. I hope we see a lot more of you. Please don’t think badly of me for excusing Connie and myself. She’s under doctor’s orders to rest,” Tom said politely.

  I rolled my eyes, but smiled and gave T a wink. “See how well I’m taken care of?” I kissed Raf’s cheek and T’s, too. “Night, guys. Come on Willy … ”

  Tom’s hand at the small of my back ushered me to the elevator. A glance back told me we would not be missed. Upstairs, Willy seemed content to stretch out in his dog bed. I was treated to a nice hot bath for two, followed by a full body massage. I was loose as a goose and ready to play, but Tom wasn’t buying. No sex for Connie, too strenuous. I argued it was also very relaxing, to no avail. So we kissed, cuddled and snuggled and whispered words of love. It was very sweet …