“So is this the obsession you warned me about?” I kid as he carries me to the bathroom.
“Uh, well, I guess so. I hadn’t not—," he stops and chuckles. I realize I am burying my nose in his shirt collar. “Guess I’m not the only one.”
“Sorry. Guess not.” It’s weird; I can’t get enough of his smell. He is fresh rain, cut grass, a summer breeze, and maybe even grandma’s house all rolled into one. In fact, it is just about any memory inducing smell you can imagine all at once and yet each one is distinct. Did he smell like that before? I’m not sure I’ve ever smelled anything so wonderful before.
“It is weird, isn’t it? And yet I’m not anxious about feeling this way. There are none of the normal jitters about a new relationship. No ‘Does she feel the same way?’ or ‘Am I getting too close, too soon?’”
“Very weird.” I take one last sniff. “But there is something different about you. You seem so much more animated, less worried about what will come next.” Admittedly, I am feeling the same way.
“Well, I’ve been waiting a very long time for this. I’m ecstatic that it’s working out. Not many vampires find their soul mates. Not many people find them either, actually. So I guess we are both very lucky indeed. Now about that shower…”
The buzz of Lucan’s phone interrupts us. His face falls as he juggles me to one arm so he can answer.
“Hello,” he says as he places me on the bed. “Aye. Thank you. I’ll be there.”
“That was quick.” I can tell from his face that it was not a friendly call. “What’s wrong?”
“Something’s come up with a project I’m working on with my foundation and I’ve got to go sort it out before we lose the deal. When I return we will do something fun. Dinner and a show, if you want. I mean, if you want to stay and wait for me.” His face vacillates between hopeful and worried.
“Of course I’ll stay.” I couldn’t leave if I wanted to— I’m addicted.
“I’ll be back in a few hours,” he says with a smile as he plants a chaste kiss on my lips. The amps ripple through me and he’s gone. I don’t know if I will ever get used to the lightening fast movements. The door slams shut from the whirlwind of negative pressure created by Lucan as he flies down the stairs.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
I am reluctant to head into work after such an amazing weekend, but the alarm feels otherwise. My lumpy bed is a total let down after Lucan’s plush wonder bed. Then again, we hadn’t really done a lot of sleeping the last few nights in his bed or mine. My body is stiff from our activities and the lack of space. I try to reach the alarm only to realize I am trapped. Lucan is asleep for once and, in his inanimate state, his arm across my upper body weights a ton. He looks peaceful even though he isn’t breathing. The thought crosses my mind that I am technically in bed with a dead body but I banish it, unsure of whether he can hear me in his sleep.
I can’t believe how much my life has changed since this time last week when I laid here lamenting my current lot in life. Soul restless I think I’d called it. Well, I’d gotten the soul part right, hadn’t I? The thought makes me laugh and the bed springs creak beneath us. The movement brings Lucan a little closer to consciousness and he stirs beside me. He pulls his arm in close to his body, freeing me from his dead weight. I take the opportunity to scoot out of bed before he traps me again.
Since we showered in the middle of the night, all I need to do to is fix my hair and find something to wear. I figure I will play it low key today in my own regular clothes rather than Lucan’s couture gifts. Mondays are khaki pants kinda days. I find a sweater, pull it on over a white tank, and pick up a pair of low-heeled boots off the closet floor.
I am pulling the flat iron through the last of my hair when I hear Lucan stirring again.
“Good morning, love,” he calls. “Don’t go to work today, come and play with me.” He is sprawled across the bed when I walk back into the room. The thin sheet across his hips is purposely revealing just enough to entice me back into bed.
“It’s hasn’t even been a week yet. I can’t start ditching work for you already. Besides, Max and Linds will be beside themselves if I’m not there to fill them in on my weekend.” I reply in mock exasperation, as I plop down on the bed to put on my boots.
“How much are you going to tell them?” he asks. He doesn’t mean whether or not I am going to give a minute my minute account of the last two days.
“Just that we have the most amazing sex anyone’s ever had and that you’re a vampire, why?” I bat my eyelashes at him and he tosses a pillow at my head. “Just kidding. No intimate details, no matter how hard they beat me. No matter how much they promise me. Just that we had a great time hanging out this weekend. Normal new relationship stuff.”
Obviously relived, Lucan rolls over and kisses the small of my back where my sweater has ridden up. If we start this, I will never make it into the office. “No fair,” I pout. “I really do have to go to work today, you know. Don’t you?”
“Sure, if I want to. But I’m the boss, so it’s not like anyone can complain too much if I don’t show, right?”
“Lucan, do you have anyone that you talk to about stuff? A best friend or something?” Lucan has never mentioned any friends in our many getting-to-know-you chats.
“Aye, I’ve got friends. My oldest friend, and I mean that in terms of years known and time spent on the planet, lives in Italy. We talk pretty regularly.”
“What about girl friends?” The question is out before I can stop it. I can’t even explain why I want to know.
“I haven’t had a girlfriend in a long time, Abri. At least since Eisenhower was president—or maybe Lincoln.”
“You know there’s a hundred years between Lincoln and Eisenhower, right?” I tease. “I’m sure you’ve had a girlfriend or two in the last five hundred years, I’m not worried about that. I meant friends that are girls.”
“Oh, I knew that.” His lashes sweep down, covering the embarrassment in his eyes. “I have a few friends-that-are-girls, as you put it. They’re all vampires though.”
“Just wondering,” I say, standing up. “And it might as well have been a hundred years since I had a boyfriend, so we’re even. I had better hurry if I want to get to work on time. I can’t just go down stairs today unfortunately. Are you coming?”
“Yeah, just let me get dressed.” Lucan throws back the flimsy sheet with a dramatic flourish, watching for my reaction. Even in my lumpy bed with faded 250 thread count sheets, he is godlike. And it is rather saintly of him not to complain about said lumpy bed and faded sheets. So much for keeping my focus on getting out the door and not his naked body.
“No fair tempting me.” I’m pouting again. “I’m grabbing some breakfast, want anything?”
“No, I’ve got to swing by the Enclave later.”
We sound just like any normal couple getting ready for the week. Only one of us is heading to a secret club to drink blood and one of us is heading to the kitchen for a granola bar. Well, at least he didn’t say ‘feed,’ I remind myself.
“I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve never, um, experienced, well... I had no idea that sex would make me so...hungry.”
All I can do is shrug my shoulders. I had no idea either.
We are out the door five minutes later and heading towards the Chrysler. Traffic crawls at a typical Monday morning pace. Lucan lets me out in front before heading for the garage to save time. Everyone is busy and I make it all the way to lunch before Linds and Max descend on me begging for information.
“My weekend was great. I caught up with an old friend, went to this new club in the Meat Packing District called Vault. I haven’t stayed out that late in years.” I purposefully leave out any details about Lucan.
“Did you see Lucan O’Reilly?” Max asks. His tone is almost accusatory.
“Ah, yeah, I did.” I give him my best what-the-fuck look. I still can’t figure out why he changed his tune on Lucan after our first meeting in my office.
“Are you guys getting serious?” Linds interjects. “I think he’s so cute and mysterious.”
Max harrumphs a little before getting up to leave. He mumbles over his shoulder. “Yeah, right.”
“What’s his problem?” she asks.
“No clue. It’s as if he doesn’t like that I’m seeing Lucan, not that he knows him or anything bad about him. I mean, everything we found online was positive. And don’t think Max didn’t run a complete background check on the guy either.” Max had to know about the Enclave. That has to be what’s making him leery of my dating Lucan.
“Well, whatever. Max can be weird sometimes for no reason. I still think he’s dreamy and he treats you nice, right?”
“Yeah, he does. He really does.” My thoughts drift back to Saturday night. “He’s perfect.”
Lindsey gives an excited squeal before going back to her office. She is such a romantic.
I have a ton of work to get to but my mind is racing, itching to think about the last few days. My mind is performing a play by play of the weekend now that there is no danger of my thoughts being intercepted. I roll the idea of being Lucan’s soul mate—Sodalis, around in my brain. Admittedly, it should freak me out that a guy I just met is calling me his soul mate, but it doesn’t. I understand and accept it on some deep level without question. It’s like he’s given me a word that perfectly describes my own feelings even though I don’t really know what it means, even though I didn’t know I had those feelings until now. It’s this last part that kinda freaks me out, but in a good way. Fuck it. I’m committed to the ride now. I’ll just hold on tight and see where it goes.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The paperwork from Virgil Hicks arrives via courier just after lunch. Most attorneys fax court documents that don't require service of process because it's faster and cheaper; but given his reputation, it isn't surprising that Virgil Hicks uses such an ostentatious means of delivery. It is a good way to show off his prowess and the large retainer he had undoubtedly conned out of Mark Ainsworth to handle his case with the utmost discretion considering the circumstances.
Mr. Hicks has filed a motion seeking the award of Sarah and Mark's apartment to Mark alone. I need to call Sarah and let her know what’s happening, but first I will give Virgil Hicks a call and introduce myself.
“Good afternoon, this is Abri Cole calling for Mr. Hicks.” I try to sound professional and detached, as if I don't know anything about vampires or the Enclave, or Mr. Hicks' association with either.
“Hold please,” says a rather bored sounding voice on the other end.
“Ms. Cole, it's a pleasure to speak with you. I trust you received my delivery on the Ainsworth matter then?” Mr. Hicks’ Southern drawl is sticking in my ear like syrup on a pancake.
“You too, Mr. Hicks. Yes, I did receive it and your motion for possession of the apartment.” Enough of the pleasantries, I am here to talk business.
“Please, call me Virgil. About the motion, if your client will agree to move out by the end of the month we can forego that hearing all together. Sound agreeable then, Miss Cole?” The smugness in his voice cuts through all of the syrupy sweetness.
“Virgil—Mr. Hicks, under no circumstances will my client agree to move out of the apartment. Your client has wholly abandoned living there since before the divorce action was filed and has the immediate resources to secure other living arrangements while this case is pending.” Although incredibly cliché, I want to add, “I'll see you in Court!” before slamming down the phone, but I don’t.
“Very well Miss Cole, have it your way. Just understand that I have been paid a very handsome sum to insure Mr. Ainsworth comes out on top in this matter, and I believe he will. Your client would be well served to take what's offered to her and go on about her life.” His tone has changed now; he isn't threatening me so much as stating the obvious. But he doesn’t know that I know that. Or does he?
“I will see you in Court next week then. Have a good day Mr. Hicks.” I want to push him for more information but there is no good way to go about that so I don’t. “Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Miss Cole.”
I switch lines and dial Sarah's cell to tell her about the papers. “Hey, it's Abri.”
“Hey girl. What's up? How's that hot man of yours?” She sounds so upbeat I hate to ruin her mood.
“He's good. Listen, I just heard from Mark's lawyer. He filed a motion to get Mark back into the apartment. There's a hearing next week that we will need to prepare for.”
“That bastard! I'll kill him. He hasn't shown his face here in weeks and now he thinks he can just kick me out and move back in. He can't do that, can he, Abri?”
“He can, but he won't win. Judge Michaels doesn't look too kindly on wealthy men that try to kick out their spouses. You won't have to move. I’ll have plenty of ammo against him at the hearing.”
“Good! In the meantime what do I do?” Sarah asks, her voice cracking. Damn, I’ve ruined her good mood.
“Just relax. I know it's hard, but you should just try to keep to your normal routine as much as possible. And don't let Mark in the apartment. No matter what.”
“Okay, thanks Abri. You are a lifesaver. I’m glad we are friends again, even under these circumstances. Tell Lover Boy I said hello. I want to meet him soon, okay. Well, I’ve met him before at a benefit, but I mean really meet him.” At least Sarah doesn't stay down too long.
“Soon,” I promise. “Take care and call me if anything comes up.”
“I will. Bye!”
“Bye.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
As he pretended to work on a new design project, Mark’s thoughts wondered to whether or not Virgil Hicks knew that he was not entirely a vampire. Mark’s phone buzzed with a call. Speak of the devil, Mark thought, it was man himself. He just wanted to let him know that the papers had been filed and they had hearing for next week to determine who would get use of the apartment during the divorce.
Mark wanted to protest that he didn’t want to kick Sarah out of the apartment, but he’d already made that plea to Serge and the attorney with no avail. Serge wanted the nice digs and Hicks wanted to spend Mark’s money the best way he could— in a nasty court battle.
Maybe he should call Sarah and explain himself. He owed her an explanation for his behavior as of late, even if Serge had threatened to kill him if he did. Mark wasn't entirely sure that Serge had the balls or the ability to kill him since he’d become a Halfling. Plus, without Mark, Serge lost his link to Abri Cole. Mark disliked what Serge had in mind for her; after all, she was Sarah's friend and probably a decent human being.
Human. The word made tears fall down his face for first time in months. Surprisingly, they weren’t red with blood but still looked like normal, watery tears. He picked up the phone to dial Sarah's number.
“Hello?” Her Texas twang was a welcomed sound to Mark's now hypersensitive ears.
“Sarah? Sarah, it's Mark. Please don't hang up.” He tried to talk fast in case she hung up. “I’m sorry Sarah. It's not what you think. I'm not a drunk or a cheat or whatever else you think I've been doing.”
“Mark, you asshole. You pick now to call me after you lawyer just filed papers trying to kick me out of my own house?” Sarah was seething mad. “I don't know what your excuse is, but that's all it is, an excuse. Don't call me anymore. Just have your lawyer call mine. It’s too late for apologies now.”
With that, Sarah hung up. Mark tried to dial her number again but tears and a red rage welled up inside him and blurred his vision.
Damn you Serge!
Mark picked up his coat and left his office, telling the receptionist he was going for a late lunch even though he had no intention of coming back today. He’d only been back from his leave of absence for a week and already it was proving to be a bad idea. He staggered downstairs and hailed a cab. Mark tried to keep himself together for the ride back to the hotel.
He didn’t want the cab driver to freak on him
and dump him out; he was in no shape to walk all the way uptown. While they were waiting for a particularly long light, Mark spotted a butcher shop in the next block and knocked on the plastic partition to get the driver’s attention. The driver pulled to the curb with a puzzled look on his face. Mark was well aware of how strange his request sounded given that he’d asked to be taken to a hotel but he didn’t care.
“Wait here and I’ll tip you fifty,” Mark barked at the driver as he climbed out. Inside the butcher shop, Mark ordered ten pounds of hamburger and a rather large roast. When the butcher pushed the heavy packages across the counter, Mark tossed a hundred dollar bill at him and staggered back out to the waiting cab.
“Here.” He shoved the wadded up bill through the grate for the driver. “Now go.”
Mark had recently discovered that his mental clarity improved greatly if he had a steady diet of raw, bloody meat. His body still craved regular food but the raw meat affected him like he assumed blood did a regular vampire. He guessed it had something to do with being somewhere in between human and vampire, or maybe all vampires ate raw meat and he had no idea. Serge wasn't the best teacher and Mark had a pretty steep learning curve to overcome. Whatever it was, he was glad to have found it.
Back at the hotel, Mark used his short fangs to tear into the roast like a rabid dog. When that was gone, he ate the hamburger like fists full of popcorn. It was a rather messy and disgusting sight, one that Mark was glad he could accomplish in private. Feeling almost back to his old, human self, Mark flipped on the TV and vegged out until Serge came home from work.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
I have never been so glad to see a Friday. Lucan insisted we spend every night this week at my apartment since Mark had no way of knowing where I lived. Last night I persuaded him to go back to the Chrysler for the weekend. Safe or not, my apartment is too small for two people. Lucan is still leery of Mark coming after me again, but like it or not, I am going to have to face him in Court next week.
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