The Moon Rises (Gigi Monroe)

by Angela Horn

  Declan’s hands were suddenly on her face and before she could step back, his lips were on hers. When his tongue slipped into her mouth, she tasted root beer. Yes, Declan liked root beer. She also tasted something else. Something better, richer…something male.

  His hands grabbed just under her butt, lifting her off the ground and wrapping her legs around his hips. Temporarily startled, Gigi soon complied, her arms around his neck as she soaked in his heat.

  Declan growled when she pressed her hips against his, sliding along the hardness in his jeans. Gigi didn’t know much, but she knew his growl was an approving sound. She also knew she wanted him to make the sound again. Gigi especially liked the pressure between her legs.

  Then Declan suddenly stopped.

  Pulling his lips away, Declan set her on the ground and took an unsteady breath. When his eyes watched her, she thought he might kiss her again, but he didn’t.

  “I’m glad you’re okay,” Declan said, wiping his mouth as he stepped away.

  “Thank you.”

  Declan nodded and she saw him swallow hard as he kept backing away.

  “I messed up your hair,” he muttered, waving a hand next to his head to show her which side was messy.

  “Sorry.”

  “No. I…I’m just really happy you’re okay.”

  Gigi watched him as he reached the door. Declan seemed embarrassed or maybe nervous.

  “I’d appreciate if you didn’t mention this to anyone especially Finn.”

  “Did we just do something wrong?”

  “No, not we. Me. I was too happy to see you, I guess.”

  Before Gigi could say anything else, Declan opened the door and backed out of the room. He watched her until the moment he disappeared into the mass of male bodies.

  Gigi’s first inclination was to leave the gym, but then she thought of how both Anton and Declan kissed her then just stopped. Declan at least didn’t tell her to stop coming around.

  Flustered again, Gigi needed some time with a punching bag. When she asked to use one of the bags which were being pummeled by cranky Weres, the males stumbled over each other to offer up their bags.

  Gigi took her turn beating the crap out of the bag, pretending she was hurting the monster’s master. Declan avoided looking at her, but she could almost feel him not looking. His gaze avoided her, yet seared her with its heat.

  By the time Gigi left the gym, she was relaxed, yet aroused again. She had waited for weeks to be touched again like Finn touched her on their date. Now in one day, males were kissing her left and right, but it all ended with her alone.

  After another shower, Gigi was restless and her shift wasn’t for another few hours. Heading back out, she needed something to settle her, yet everyone she came into contact with made her feel weird. Even Ella, who hugged her and seemed genuinely worried about her, also spent a lot of time telling her to shut up and never trust anyone.

  The great part about being friends with Michael was how he never sugarcoated anything. Anton and Declan usually acted pretty normal, so their odd behavior was unnerving. Michael didn’t know how to be normal because this would involve the kind of effort he wasn’t willing to put in.

  Michael was sitting cross legged on his desk, shirtless as usual, as he watched a soccer game. He growled when he heard the door open, never looking at Gigi. He then inhaled and the growl ended. Turning to her, he frowned darkly.

  “I don’t do ghosts. Go away.”

  “Do what with ghosts?” Gigi asked, staring at him.

  “Hell, even dead, you fucking stare.”

  “I’m not dead. If I was, why would I visit you?”

  Smiling, Michael jumped off the desk in an oddly graceful move.

  “True. I can imagine a few other places you might haunt first.”

  The enforcer patted her on the head like she was a good dog then stepped back.

  “Does Finn know?”

  “Declan did, so I guess Finn would.”

  “I’ll call him anyway and let him know you’re here. That way he can come pet your head too,” Michael said, grinning naughtily. “Or lick you since that’s his thing.”

  Gigi smiled as she sat in an uncomfortable chair. Michael only kept furniture in his office that was so painful to sit in that people would hurry up and leave. Once Michael typed something into his phone, he handed Gigi a bowl of peanuts and returned to watching his game.

  “I heard the monster could fly,” Michael said after a few minutes.

  “Yeah.”

  “Maybe that’s why I never caught its scent? Didn’t leave one, just flew down and snatched up the girls.”

  Gigi considered asking Michael if he thought Sara and the others were alive, but she wasn’t in the mood for non-sugarcoated truth about Sara. Michael suddenly stood up and headed for the hallway.

  “I have a feeling this might involve feelings and crying and shit,” Michael said over his shoulder as he disappeared.

  Gigi frowned at the soccer game, not understanding. She then heard the door open. Turning towards Finn, she smiled and stood up. The Were looked extremely tired as he lingered at the door, just staring at her.

  A soft smile touched his lips then he took a step forward. “Declan said you were alive and I wanted to see you, but I figured you needed your space.”

  “Space for what?” Gigi asked with a frown.

  Finn shook his head and his hair fell in his eyes. Gigi closed the distance between them and pushed the hair out of his eyes. She wanted to touch his hair all the time and since everyone was acting weird today, she was going to jump on the bandwagon. Finn’s eyes were so soft as he stared at her, almost hypnotized by her standing alive in front of him.

  “Are you okay?” he asked in a whisper.

  “I feel fine. Someone healed me. Maybe it was my ghost?”

  Nodding, Finn looked around the room then back at her. “Can I hug you?”

  “Of course,” Gigi said immediately.

  Gigi actually shuddered when she eased into the embrace. Finn felt so good, so warm and safe. There was nothing erotic about his hug, nothing hungry or demanding He held her gently and kissed the top of her head as he caressed her hair. Gigi sensed he was consoling her.

  For the first time, Gigi realized, truly accepted, how something bad had happened to her. A monster tore her open and somehow she killed it. She wasn’t human and some mysterious figure saved her. Pain and fear lingered just outside her thoughts. The monster who took Sara had returned to take another girl. While its death was a good thing, Sara was still missing. Yet until Finn soothed her, Gigi hadn’t even realized she needed soothing.

  “Are you in pain?” he asked as Gigi looked up at him.

  “No. Whoever healed me, fixed me completely. Not even a scar.”

  Nodding again, Finn kissed her forehead. “Now that they know what took Sara, I wonder if they can find her and the other girls?”

  Gigi stepped on her tippy toes and kissed Finn’s lips. No one ever asked about Sara anymore and Gigi worried everyone would forget her like they did Katia and Monica.

  Finn showed no passion, just touched her lips softly with his. Though he was clearly upset, he held her gently.

  “It’s okay,” she whispered.

  Finn nodded, his eyes pained and a little wet. “What would the world be like without you in it?”

  Gigi wanted to point out how his world was without her for most of his life and how the world would go on without her just like it did when anyone died. Those were logical things to say, but Finn didn’t need logic. Just as she needed gentle lies when Sara disappeared, Finn needed them now.

  “I’ll be more careful,” Gigi said, nuzzling her face against his strong chest. “Ella said I was stupid to help Dave. Next time, I’ll be smarter.”

  “Not stupid,” Finn whispered. “Brave. It’s why the world is better with you in it. I’m just happy you’re okay.”

  When Gigi smiled up at him, his lips brushed against hers then he frowned
slightly.

  “Declan said the monster was some big flying thing. You actually fought a big flying monster, Gigi?” When she nodded, he smiled slightly. “Of course you did.”

  “It’s kind of strange how I got so scared when you licked me, but I felt braver when faced with an actual monster. I guess I might be maturing.”

  Finn’s smile brightened. “Hell yeah. You kicked a monster’s ass.”

  “I don’t know how it died.”

  Finn watched her and said nothing. His expression was no longer unhappy as much as curious. If he wanted to ask more about the monster, he didn’t.

  “I’m sorry you were sad,” Gigi said when Finn just watched her with those beautiful eyes.

  “I lo…” Finn swallowed hard and sighed as he slowly let her go. “I wish things were different for us. I hope you know how much I wish that.”

  Gigi nodded because she did know. Finn wanted her, but nothing had changed. In fact knowing the pain of losing her had only increased his need to keep her safe.

  “I wish we could have another date,” Gigi said, wanting Finn in a way which had nothing to do with lust.

  Finn sighed, his eyes on the ground. “Me too.”

  “Can’t we beat up the people who made the threats so they’ll back off?”

  Finn smiled then laughed when he pictured what she was proposing. Gigi wasn’t sure why it was funny, but the unhappiness in his eyes faded.

  “That would be classic.”

  “I don’t get it.”

  “I know,” Finn said, kissing her forehead. “Can you hang out for a while?”

  “Aren’t you working?”

  Finn frowned. “The girl of my dreams gets killed, so yeah I’m taking the day off.”

  “Girl of your dreams?” Gigi asked with a grin as she ran her tongue along her top lip.

  “Don’t flirt in my office,” Michael grumbled as he returned. “Geez, I’d have thought you two would be done by now. You lick her yet?”

  Finn grinned. “Suck it, Mike.”

  “I said stop flirting,” Michael teased then turned to Gigi. “Want to watch soccer, nag?”

  “No. Your chairs are uncomfortable.”

  Michael snorted. “What a whiner. Fine, let’s go upstairs. I’ve got peanuts up there too.”

  Taking Finn’s hand, Gigi followed after Michael. The three of them watched soccer in silence which was how most of their time with Michael was spent. Finn held her hand the whole game and brought her drinks and sneaked peeks at her.

  Gigi knew if he had a chance to be with her, Finn wouldn’t tease or push her away. Finn was special and he should be hers, but Gigi couldn’t have him and she again found herself alone.

  Gigi was thinking about Finn while she dressed in the club’s locker room. Earlier Silas had hugged her so tightly her feet didn’t touch the ground. The hug was unexpected, but Silas’s immediate switch in mood wasn’t. Weres were such teases. Hot and cold. That’s why Finn was special. If he could have her, he would always run hot.

  Gigi thought about Anton and Declan and how they teased. Well Declan teased. Anton just seemed to want her and not like wanting her. Either way she felt grumpy as she buttoned her vest.

  The new waitress Violet was nearby, silent as usual. Dahlia was at the mirror, admiring her reflection. Justine sat on a bench and wiggled her feet into the work boots. Sighing, Gigi thought again about Anton’s weird behavior.

  “Something wrong, Gigi?” Dahlia asked, never taking her dark eyes off her reflection.

  “I’m feeling frustrated.”

  “Frustrated about what?” Justine asked.

  “Since I almost died, some of the males I like have kissed me. I get excited because it feels good, but then they push me away and act weird like they don’t like me. It’s frustrating.”

  “Giving you blue balls, huh?” Ella said, entering the dressing room. “Yeah, they’re Weres, aren’t they?”

  When Gigi nodded, Ella sighed.

  “Those bastards tease constantly. I know Dave screwed Lisa years ago, so the rest of the Weres won’t date us. They still tease though. If I had a buck for every time one of them came on hot then turned cold at a moment’s notice, I’d buy the fucking club and ban those shitheads from coming here.”

  Justine grinned. “Weres are dicks.”

  “Yeah, and what about you, dummy?” Ella said to Justine. “How long has Nolan been teasing you? A year at least? Talk about giving a girl blue balls.”

  “Blue balls?” Gigi asked.

  “Yeah, they get you all hot and horny and then just blow you off.”

  “That’s it!” Gigi cried. “They gave me blue balls.”

  The females laughed and Gigi sensed it wasn’t with her. Nonetheless she had a term for her problem now. Leaving the locker room, Gigi was startled when Dahlia appeared next to her.

  “Simon would like to see you.”

  “I have to work the ghoul floor.”

  Dahlia stared with her dark eyes and Gigi stared back. The Vamp finally sighed.

  “He won’t keep you long. Just meet him downstairs in the lounge.”

  Nodding, Gigi took the stairs to bypass the main Vamp area. Part of her wanted to see Simon while another part was tired of all the male interest. Stepping into the lounge, she found it empty. Gigi glanced in one direction then in the next. When she glanced back, Simon was standing before her.

  “Miss me?” he asked with a grin.

  Gigi smiled. “Thought about you all day actually.”

  Simon laughed and took her hand. Leading her towards the couch, he relaxed into the velvet material and Gigi joined him. Simon’s hand held hers as he studied her face.

  “Trust no one and act dumber than ever,” Simon said as his lips grazed her cheek.

  “How come?”

  “You are a miracle and miracles don’t happen often in the Circle. I have seen quite a few over the millenniums and the reaction is always the same. Curiosity, suspicion, hostility. You are too valuable to me to be harvested, but they’ll try. Be careful.”

  “Okay,” Gigi said casually.

  Simon gave a slight roll to his eyes then kissed her hand. “I will be sending a request for a date in the next few days. Feel free to wait with bated breath.”

  Gigi frowned. “Why don’t you just ask me now? I’m right here.”

  “I enjoy the anticipation.”

  “Of what?”

  “Of the possibility of you declining my request.”

  “Why would I?”

  “I know, right?” Simon said with a grin.

  Laughing, Gigi shifted around on the couch to see him better. He immediately looked at her with a sudden unease. Her hands weren’t where he needed them to be. Finally Gigi knelt on the couch and pressed her hands in her lap.

  “Better?” she asked.

  “Much.”

  Gigi leaned forward. “I’m not going to hurt you, Master Vamp. I’m going to kiss you. Don’t be afraid.”

  Simon laughed and Gigi smiled, but she kept leaning forward until her lips met his. A part of her wanted to jump on him and rip off his clothes, figuring Simon wouldn’t push her away. She instead decided a quick kiss was probably best after her weird day. When she pulled away, Gigi sighed.

  “I’m going to seriously consider your request for a date, but I can’t promise anything.”

  Simon smiled, showing off his bright white teeth. “I dare you to say no.”

  Shrugging, Gigi sat back on the couch. “Are you done teasing me?”

  “No,” Simon whispered and leaned forward to kiss her. His tongue tasted her lips before he pulled away. “Now you are dismissed.”

  Sighing, Gigi started to leave then Simon was suddenly next to her as she neared the door.

  “With bated breath, Gigi,” he whispered in her ear and she smiled.

  Without looking back to prevent more teasing, Gigi walked into the stairwell and headed for the ghoul floor. Using the back entrance, Gigi wondered if Simon would rea
lly ask her on a date. Sara said Simon would be the first to show interest, but she also said not to trust him. Gigi wanted to trust Simon though. He seemed like the kind of male who would be nice to depend on.

  Finally reaching the ghoul floor, Gigi found the children enjoying lollipops while sitting on the dance floor. When they saw Gigi, they all jumped up and tottered towards her. She hugged them, no longer bothered by their unpleasant appearances, having been charmed by their sweet little personalities. Some of them could talk well enough for her to understand. The ones who couldn’t speak well had friends who translated.

  Gigi noticed Murphy and Tobin watching her like two scientists might study a mouse in a maze. She smiled at them and they smiled back. When she served them, they made friendly chitchat, initially not asking the questions.

  Thinking about what Simon said, Gigi figured he knew more about the Circle than she did. When Murphy eventually inquired into the specifics of the attack, she acted confused and muttered something about being unsure. Acting dumb and her staring were turning out to be assets.

  Chapter Thirty One

  Simon’s invitation was delivered by a nervous human messenger holding flowers and a package. Gigi took the pretty pink flowers and the package then thanked the man who nodded and bolted down the stairs.

  Gigi liked the spaghetti strapped dress Simon sent her. The pale pink dress was soft against her skin and Gigi liked the way it rolled along her curves. She knew Simon picked the dress because he liked to look at her body. He often mentioned doing things to it, but never exactly what. Assuming he meant sex, Gigi knew not to ask for specifics.

  Gigi was nervous when the driver came to pick her up because she wasn’t entirely sure where she going. The car dropped her at The Veinyard restaurant which was filled with Vamps. Gigi knew they were Vamps because they wore all black and were too pale and many of them felt the need to stare hard at her then glance away like she was unimportant.

  Simon was waiting for her in a back booth of the restaurant. He wasn’t wearing black and he didn’t look too pale. He looked blond, tanned, and handsome in his dark blue shirt and gray slacks. Seeing her, his smile erased the snotty expressions she was receiving from the other customers. Once she arrived at the booth, Simon kissed one cheek then the other with his lips brushing against hers in between.