by Angela Horn
“You look the picture of health,” Simon said while his too green eyes watched her.
“Thank you for the dress. It’s really pretty.”
Simon grinned. “I wasn’t sure you had anything to wear. I hope it wasn’t too presumptuous of me.”
Once Simon sat in the booth, Gigi slipped next to him and grinned. Liking how he was lying to her, she knew he didn’t care if he was presumptuous. She also liked how he used a big word with her. She was mostly just happy she knew what it meant.
“I really like the dress. The material is very soft,” Gigi said, smiling. “You can touch it if you want.”
Simon smiled slowly until his white teeth sparkled in the dimly lit restaurant. “Someone is feeling frisky.”
“I’m happy to be here with you.”
Simon eyed her again, seeming suspicious. He often looked that way when Dahlia lingered near his booth.
“How are your dog admirers?” When Gigi sighed loudly, Simon let out an amused laugh. “Oh, yes, they are emotional little bitches, aren’t they?”
Gigi giggled mostly because he seemed so amused.
“They’re young,” Simon said when his laughter died out. “Weres should live a long time, but they are so terribly stupid as a species they tend to die before their fortieth birthdays. I respect Silas for making it to a hundred. The Alphas in the Circle are so young and their behavior is quite immature.”
“A hundred?”
Simon nodded with a smirk. “Still a babe though.”
“How old are you?”
“It’s rude to ask.”
“Oh, but I want to know.”
Simon smiled. “Nearly a thousand give or take a few decades.”
Gigi’s mouth popped open then she covered it with her hand. “Is it fun being that old?”
“Of course. I would have died long ago, if it weren’t fun. Would you like to be that old one day?”
“What would I do for that long?”
“Oh, you’d find something to keep yourself occupied.”
“Is sex really good enough to keep someone occupied for so long?”
“No, probably not. A good hundred years, maybe two, could just be the sex. You’d eventually have to find a hobby.”
Grinning, Gigi started to speak, but the waiter arrived. Simon ordered for them both and Gigi wasn’t sure what food would arrive for her, not that she cared.
“If you bite me, will it hurt?”
“Yes. Not as much as you’d think and it would be worth it.”
“I don’t think I would like being a Vamp.”
“Then why ask?”
“I like you and I’m curious.”
“Of course you are.”
Gigi sucked on her lower lip which caused Simon’s too green eyes to lighten.
“If I changed you, I wouldn’t take you as a mere lover,” he said, sipping his clear drink. “I haven’t had a bride in a long time. I think you would make an excellent one.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Well take Dahlia. She was Lawrence’s lover, but he has many lovers. It’s why he didn’t spend the time to raise her correctly and why she wanders around looking for someone to save her. She’s perfectly capable of saving herself, but she was young when changed. She’s no longer all that young, yet she remains stupid. Lovers are fine and I treat mine well, but they aren’t meant to be anything beyond a diversion.”
“Would Sara have been your lover or your bride?”
Eyeing her again, Simon nodded. “She was lovely. Since her disappearance, I’ve often wished she would have allowed me to change her. No matter her loveliness, she would have been my lover because I would have grown bored of her too quickly.”
“I think you’d grow bored of me too. I don’t find me interesting.”
“You’re not supposed to find yourself interesting,” Simon said with a grin. “While I enjoy my own company, hundreds of years on my own would be intolerable. And I do think you’ll keep me entertained.”
“What would I have to do?”
“The main difference between a bride and a lover is how a lover is temporary, but brides remain bound for much longer. My last bride lasted sixty years.”
“Lasted? Did she die?”
“Oh, no. She’s in Buenos Aires now. I just grew tired of having her around, so I sent her away. Amelia was very interesting, but too demanding. I have no interest in having a child. When she didn’t get her way, she would throw elaborate tantrums. I wouldn’t pay them any mind and she would throw even greater tantrums. She would run off and I wouldn’t follow. She would take lovers, so I took lovers to replace her. Amelia wanted me to remind her of my undying love every moment of the day. I was happy to remind her every decade or so. Yet she was a fine bride for the first thirty years.”
“Do you miss her?”
Simon shook his head, his face a mask of indifference. “I stopped loving her around the forty year mark and didn’t care for her at all the last decade. I would have sent her away earlier, but I became distracted and never got around to it. She’s happier now. I know this because she sends me daily emails explaining how happy she is.”
“She likes to vomit her feelings on you, doesn’t she?”
Simon smiled. “I knew you would get smarter.”
“I read a dictionary. It made a big difference.”
Laughing, Simon waved over the waiter who was standing anxiously nearby. Once the food was served, Simon glanced at Gigi.
“If you become a Vamp, you couldn’t eat solids. You are a chef, so I have no doubt you could design an array of interesting soups.”
Gigi frowned, disliking how she might have to give up steak. The steak on her plate looked especially wonderful. Simon sensed her question and smiled.
“The restaurant serves human food because some Vamps bring their humans to dinner. It’s a way to build stronger relationships. It’s also a good way to keep up the human’s strength. Lots of protein and all.”
“I would have to eat people if I became a Vamp?” Gigi balked.
Simon laughed loudly which drew the attention of the restaurant. The other Vamps immediately turned away, afraid to draw Simon’s attention in return. Gigi didn’t think it was funny though. Someone might have eaten Sara and Gigi didn’t want to eat anyone.
“Vamps drink blood. We don’t eat anything. It’s why the food is in liquid form.”
“Oh, yeah, sorry,” she mumbled, suddenly unsure about agreeing to the date.
“Eat your food before it gets cold,” Simon said quietly while sipping his soup.
“Would you boss me around a lot if I was your bride?”
Simon smiled slightly. “Yes, probably. I boss everyone around.”
“Where would I get the blood?”
“From me initially. Young vampires don’t control themselves well. I can’t have my bride killing her human suppliers. When you were older, you would have human servants to feed from. They would be willing, of course. These days, it’s so easy to find agreeable blood donors. What with the economy and the dumbing down of education in this country.”
“I wouldn’t hurt anyone then?”
“I doubt it. If a Vamp is very aggressive or cruel before the change, they tend to be the same way afterward. Those types of Vamps are disposed of these days. There is presently a sort of truce between Vamps and humans. If some Vamps went rogue and killed at will, the truce would end. Humans can’t defeat all the magical creatures, but they could kill enough Vamps to make it inconvenient. While you seem rather gentle, some of this might be a result of the tampering with your mind. I suspect you were not always as naïve as you seem.”
Saying nothing, Gigi ate her steak. She didn’t want to be a Vamp, but she didn’t want to be alone either.
“Sixty years is a long time,” Gigi said once she was finished eating.
Simon smiled and ran his tongue over his top teeth. “You would last much longer than sixty years. I had a bride who lasted over a hun
dred years and she wasn’t nearly as intriguing as you.”
“But I’m not human. Nolan said so.”
“Oh, he doesn’t have a clue what you are. I couldn’t change you if you were a Were, but I could change a witch. Whatever you are must be closer to a witch than a Were, so I’m sure it would work.”
“I’m not sure if I want to be a Vamp. I wish there was a way to test it out first.”
“Like a Vamp intern?”
Gigi smiled. “You’re making fun of me.”
“A little.”
“I like you, but I’m not sure what I should do.”
“There’s no hurry. I dated Sara for several months before she said no. I could wait a very long time for your answer. Don’t rush yourself.”
“Thank you.”
Simon studied her and his eyes grew darker this time. “I would like to join you at your apartment this evening.”
Gigi studied him in return and she smiled when she realized studying people was fun. Maybe that’s why everyone was always studying her?
“I’m not supposed to invite Vamps into my apartment. If you freak out during a surge, you could eat me.”
“Drink you,” Simon corrected with a faint grin, “and I’m a Master Vamp. I don’t freak out.”
Gigi knew he was teasing her and she liked when he teased. The look in his eyes was devious, but in a good way.
“Okay, you can come to my apartment. If you try to bite me though, I’m going to be mad.”
Simon laughed. “Very scary.”
“Somehow I killed the monster in the alley and it could fly, so I think maybe it was scarier than you.”
“You killed it?” Simon asked with a frown on his handsome face. “Interesting. Does anyone else know this?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Good. Do not tell anyone especially the witches. They already want to harvest you.”
“Mira said she wants to read me. I want to say yes now because I want to know what I am.”
Simon’s frown darkened. “Witches,” he sighed. “They are a scourge which coming from a vampire should tell you something.”
“I shouldn’t go?”
Simon sighed again and looked deep in thought. “It might be nice to know what you are, but I suggest you take Dahlia along. The ginger Were too. The witches are troublemakers, but they might behave if they know you have allies.”
“Are you my ally?”
“The best one you can have, young Gigi.”
While Simon watched her warily, Gigi reached out and touched his cheek. His skin was warmer than she thought it would be. Returning her hand to the table, she frowned.
“Are you dead?”
“No. I’m just not human anymore. During the change, the human part dies. That’s where the undead thing comes from.”
“Why do you want to come to my apartment?”
“I would like to do things to you which aren’t appropriate in a public place.”
“Sex things?”
“Most definitely.”
“If you start and I don’t like it, will you stop?”
“Of course. I’m seducing you. Being a brute isn’t very seductive.”
Smiling, Gigi reached out to touch his face again. She moved slowly so he wouldn’t feel spooked. Once she caressed his face, she noticed a few Vamps watching and she turned to stare at them. They stared back, but she held their gazes. Gigi wasn’t talented at much, but so far she hadn’t met anyone who could outstare her. When the Vamps’ gazes faltered, Gigi smiled then looked at Simon who was grinning.
“A very impressive bride indeed,” he said softly.
“I’d rule them with an iron fist.”
While they both laughed, Gigi wasn’t kidding. She didn’t like the stuck up Vamps with their black clothes, too pale skin, crotch dancing, and dismissive glances. If she had power over them, she would make them fear her. It made no sense not to.
Once they arrived at Gigi’s apartment, she offered him a drink, but Simon seemed more interested in testing out her soft dress. His lips barely touched hers then returned for a tender kiss. While he kissed her, Simon kept her hands pinned behind her. His grasp was gentle, but Gigi felt a bit trapped like she had in the alley when the monster shoved her against the wall.
Before she might panic, Simon slipped behind her so Gigi’s hands were free. Running his fingers along her bare shoulders, he pushed aside her hair to expose her throat. Simon’s fingers danced across her flesh of her neck and she shivered even though she felt more hot than cold.
His lips soon took the place of his fingers while his hands pulled her against him. He felt warm, though not warm like a Were. When his lips sucked gently on her throat, Gigi’s head leaned back against his shoulder and she closed her eyes. It felt so good she could barely stand.
“Do you trust me?” Simon whispered in her ear.
“Yes,” Gigi moaned, even though she didn’t trust him. Simon wanted her to though and she wanted to give him what he wanted.
Simon’s fingers slid down her shoulders and across her breasts, teasing her nipples through her dress. Gigi squirmed with pleasure and she wanted to touch him, but he had his Vamp rules. All she could do was grip at his soft slacks.
No matter how good his lips sucking on her neck felt, Gigi remembered Sara’s warning.
“Don’t bite me,” Gigi said in a voice heavy with desire.
“Shhh, this is our very first date. Biting is something for down the road, sweet Gigi. Please relax.”
Gigi didn’t want to lose herself to Simon’s needs, but his touch felt too good and she only wanted more. She wondered if she would still be capable of telling him no soon.
Swimming in pleasure, Gigi barely noticed the lights dim or how her dress was pulled up around her waist. She thought she heard a ripping sound and suspected her panties were no longer attached to her, but she didn’t care. Nothing mattered as long as Simon was happy.
As the pleasure built, his fingers slid between her legs and her knees gave out. Simon held her up with one arm around her waist while his other hand made delicious little movements between her thighs. At her throat, he sucked and licked softly. All the pleasure surged to a crazy need as Gigi pressed down on his fingers, seeking more and finding a jolt of relief. Overwhelmed, Gigi ached to hold Simon as her moans eased into heated sighs.
Simon’s fingers lingered a few more minutes then he slid them between his lips and tasted her. Gigi was ready to give him anything at that moment. He only tilted her head back and kissed her, soft and slow.
“Do you trust me?” he asked again.
This time when she said yes, Gigi wasn’t lying. Simon smiled slow and seductive as he still held her around the waist. His other hand slid the dress straps off her shoulders. While he tasted her skin, setting it on fire, Simon pushed her dress down until it hung around her waist, barely clinging to her hips.
“Trust is very important to Vamps,” Simon whispered. “It’s what all the rules regarding hands are about. I want very much to trust you.”
“I would never hurt you,” she said and she believed her words. “I want to touch you.”
“I know you do, but it’s too soon for such a level of intimacy.”
Some part of Gigi’s brain realized the oddity of his statement. She was essentially naked and his hands and mouth were exploring her at will. She also heard his zipper sliding down and was fairly certain what would happen next based on the book Sara gave her about sex. Yet no matter what he did to her, Simon kept her arms trapped downward so she could only reach his thighs.
Even knowing how the Vamp rules were pretty one sided and maybe worrying over Sara’s assertion of Simon being a liar, Gigi couldn’t make the situation stop. She didn’t want to be bitten, maybe didn’t even want him inside her. While Gigi didn’t want to tell him no, she wasn’t sure if she should say yes either.
A crashing sound startled Gigi and Simon hissed. Following his gaze, she saw a gaping hole in the window a
nd glass on the floor. In the mess on the ground, she noticed a large rock.
“Stupid dog,” Simon muttered, releasing her slowly as if to ensure she could stand on her own. Once she was upright, he zipped up his pants and prowled towards the window.
“They broke my window,” Gigi said, pulling her dress back on. “You think it was a Were?”
“Your doggie fan club annoys me,” Simon said, shutting the curtains.
“They were watching us?”
“One of them. Any more than one and the bastards would be howling at the moon. They’re idiots that way.”
Simon said his insults without raising his voice and he seemed more annoyed than angry. Gigi was just upset her window was broken since she didn’t know how to fix it.
“I feel like I’ve done something wrong,” Gigi muttered, sitting on the couch and wondering where her panties were.
“Guilt is a quality useful to humans, less so for Vamps,” Simon said, pulling her up and into his arms. Simon still keep her hands pinned safely behind her back.
“But I’m not a Vamp.”
“Not yet,” Simon whispered before his lips found hers.
Gigi liked Simon’s kisses and the pleasure he created between her legs was still sending out happy little tingles. Even with all the good that came from time with him, she was uncertain now. Maybe she was just embarrassed to have one of the Weres, especially Anton, see her so exposed.
“You’re in a poor mood now, aren’t you?” Simon asked quietly.
“Maybe. My window’s broken.”
“I’ll have it fixed.”
“But you didn’t break it.”
“Yes, but the dumb dog wouldn’t have broken it if I hadn’t provoked him by wading into his territory. To ensure we don’t suffer any interruptions next time, I think you should visit me at my house.”
“Okay.”
Simon stepped back and studied her. “What specifically are you concerned about?”
“I don’t know. I was enjoying myself and now I feel nervous.”
“Would you like me to stay and protect you from the stupid dogs?”