by Eve Newton
As promised, I am ready in five minutes, with my hair still wet, but clipped back off my face; at least I am clothed, in a stretchy black, strapless shorts playsuit and heels. I don’t do flats. Not anymore.
Eyeing me appreciatively, he holds out his arm for me and I take it, placing my hand in the crook of his elbow.
“Shall we?” he asks with a wink.
“We shall,” I answer with a wink of my own.
“Lead the way, then,” he says. “I have no idea how to get to your kitchen.”
I laugh at him. “Kitchen?” I scoff. “No, no, my dear. Do I look like I cook?”
Actually, I do. I studied with one of the top chefs in France a few years ago. But still, a little mystery never hurt anyone. Yet.
“Esther will be waiting for us,” I add.
“And who is Esther?” he asks.
“My Estates Manager,” I reply.
He cocks an eyebrow at me, but I don’t elaborate. Yes, I have a staff of fifteen. From housekeepers to grounds men, pool keepers, drivers, etc. Esther manages them all. I don’t like to brag, well, no more than the next girl, anyway.
As we make our way downstairs, I can see Cole having a good look around again. I like watching him looking at my house, which I designed and decorated.
“Do you like it?” I ask quietly, almost shyly.
Bringing his attention back to me, he smiles and says, “Very much so. You don’t really do minimal, do you?”
I shake my head with a giggle. I’m pleased he likes it. Normally, I wouldn’t give a flying fuck what anyone thought, but his opinion seems to matter to me for some reason.
“I’ll give you a tour after breakfast, if you like. I want you to be comfortable here, know where everything is...” I trail off wondering why these words are coming out of my runaway mouth.
“Like the kitchen?” he asks.
I relax slightly. “Yes, exactly,” I agree.
We reach the bottom of the stairs and are standing, once again, in the foyer. I take his hand and pull him to the left to the den area, which leads out onto the terrace, that overlooks the main gardens and swimming pool. A tickle goes down the back of my neck, which signifies Devon’s presence, still sitting outside at the table. A pang of nerves goes through me to my annoyance, but I am anxious to get this introduction over.
Sensing me as well before he sees us, Devon looks up from his newspaper, the Financial Times, as usual, I note fondly. Carefully, deliberately, he places the paper on the table and stands.
“Morning, Kitten,” he smirks at me as if this is the first time I have seen him this morning. He stalks over to me and plants a whopping big kiss right on my mouth. I want to punch him in his handsome, smug face. Pulling back sharply with a furious glare and a quick shove on his chest, I turn back to Cole, who is watching this exchange with, thank the old gods, amusement. He can see what’s going on here.
“Cole, this hilarious dick is Devon. Devon this is Cole,” I say, looking back at Devon.
They shake hands and size each other up.
“Nice to meet you,” Devon says pleasantly. “Been a while since Liv had someone stay over.” I glare at him and he smiles innocently back.
Fucker, I will stake you later.
“Nice to know I’m special then,” Cole replies smoothly and leans down to give me a lingering kiss.
“Please, have a seat. Esther will be along in a minute,” I say when he pulls away with a sly grin on his face.
As he does so, Devon resumes his seat and turns on the old charm. I roll my eyes at him as he engages Cole in a conversation about American sport of some kind. I like sports; I’m an avid English football fan and also have investment interests in Formula 1 racing, hence my annual trip to Monaco, but I get left out of the conversation because I’m a girl. Ugh.
Esther arrives and we order. I know it sounds awfully formal, but it really isn’t. It just...is.
Cole asks for black coffee, bacon and eggs after Devon asks for the same thing. Pretty slick move. I have my usual green tea and fruit.
The topic of conversation switches to the gym. Devon asks Cole if he works out, and when Cole replies yes, Devon offers him the use of ours.
“We also have a separate area for sparring,” he says, emphasis on the ‘we.’ “If you’re up for taking on Liv?” He looks at me with a wicked glint in those gorgeous eyes.
“Devon!” I snap.
“What?” he asks innocently. “I’m sure he would love to see you in action. She’s a seventh level master in four different martial arts,” he adds to Cole.
Shithead! Why is he giving away all of my secrets? I am supposed to only be twenty-six years old, for fuck’s sake. I am going to smack that boy as soon as I get the chance.
Cole’s eyebrows shoot up. He stares at me in wonder. “Are you serious?” he asks.
“Erm, yes,” I admit.
“Wow, that’s some achievement. You really are a woman of many talents, aren’t you?” It sounds more like a statement as opposed to a question. I can see the query in his eyes as he processes everything I have seemingly done in a short space of time.
Mercifully, Esther arrives with breakfast and the conversation shifts again to the news of the day. I tune out. Now that the pissing contest seems to be over, they are getting on like a house on fire. Well, so it appears. The old gods help us if it turns out I have to introduce him to CK. I brush that unpleasant thought under the mental mat with a shudder.
After the table is cleared, Devon heads off to do whatever it is he’s going to do, leaving us alone.
“Well, that went better than I expected,” I comment dryly and Cole laughs.
“Hey, I’m a charming guy,” he says.
Mm, I’ve noticed.
He takes my hand and asks, “What are your plans today?”
As it is, I’m free today. “I don’t have anything specific to do today. What about you?”
“Spending it with you, if you want to.” He gives me a sultry smile that makes my heart beat faster.
“That would be nice. Although, I am thinking we need to get you a change of clothes,” I say, eyeing his smart casual from the night before. “I can drive you home and you can change?”
His hand tightens on mine. “I’d like that, very much.”
“Okay then, I’ll even let you pick the car,” I say on impulse, having found out during one of our conversations last week that he, like me, is a sports car buff.
“Ah yes, the garage of wonders,” he says jokingly. “I was hoping you would show me.”
Excited to show him my impressive, yet admittedly, over the top collection, I drag him to his feet.
“Follow me,” I say.
I dash across the foyer to the other side, where the door leads into the enormous garage. I open it with a flourish and flip on the light. The fluorescent lights flicker on, showing my beauties off in all their glory.
“Fuck me,” Cole says, stepping past me and staring in disbelief at the array before him.
I’m beaming as I follow him. There is nothing more rewarding than having your collection admired by someone whose opinion matters to you.
“Well, which one do you fancy?” I ask.
He stares for a long time, deciding.
“Well?” I prompt when he doesn’t say anything, gesturing in showroom style at the array in front of us.
He snaps out of his deliberation and with a look of delight, he says straight away, “The Veyron convertible!”
Ah, my favorite!
I walk over to the key cabinet and select the key. Turning back to him I say, “You drive!” and throw it to him.
He catches it with impressive reflexes and grins as he asks, “For real? I’ve always wanted one of these.”
I nod, glad that he is happy and run over to him. He kisses me quickly and heads straight for my pride and joy.
“You sure?” he asks again before he gets in.
“Well, I don’t know where you live so it’s probably fo
r the best, really,” I say and with a whoop, he leaps, Magnum, P.I. style, into the car, leaving me to embark more gracefully, by actually opening the door. I open the garage door with the remote I pull from the glove box.
“Lead the way,” I say and smile as I use his own words back on him. He starts up the engine in glee. Pulling out of the driveway, I don my Ray-Bans, as my Vampire eyes are super sensitive to the sun.
I look over at Cole enjoying the drive. I am enjoying watching him. My thoughts drift back to my encounter with CK this morning and the guilt rears its ugly head again. What is with that?
Cole’s house is situated in Beverly Hills, he informs me, so I sit back and enjoy the ride and listen to him talk animatedly about the new film he hopes to be in.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Back at Cole’s house, after he gets changed and gives me a tour of his lovely house, he declares he would like to take me to lunch.
We get back in the Veyron and Cole heads towards a cute little eatery around the corner from his place.
He pulls my chair out for me. I grin and sit, but instead of sitting across from me, he pulls the chair to my left and sits down. He takes my hand and smiles that gorgeous half smile that I love. His eyes are a beautiful dark blue now to match his dark blue t-shirt.
“Liv,” he starts. He looks away and clears his throat. I remain quiet, wondering where this is going.
“Liv,” he says again, and I raise an eyebrow.
Spit it out already.
“We’ve known each other a week now, but it feels like so much longer.” The waiter interrupts us with menus and a wine list. Impatient, I glare at him and he backs off, leaving us alone again. Cole closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. Opening them again, he focuses on my glaring green gaze and steels himself. “I’m falling for you, Liv,” he says. “What you do to me,” he adds in wonder. “I don’t know how or why I feel this way about you so quickly. It makes no sense and has taken me completely by surprise. I’m not usually the love-at-first-sight kind of guy.” He stares at me waiting for a response.
I open my mouth to say something, but he stops me suddenly. “Don’t say anything. You don’t have to say anything. I know it’s crazy and even crazier for me to be telling you, but I need you to know how I feel. It seems important to me for some reason that you know. I don’t know why, maybe it’s destiny,” he says with a little laugh. “You have turned my head. You are sexy and beautiful and alluring and mysterious, yet I feel like I’ve known you my whole life. You have bewitched me.” He stops talking, looking at me helplessly.
Wow, and there was me worried that what I felt for him was weird and sudden.
“I know how you feel,” I say to him quietly. “I knew there was something between us the minute I set eyes on you. It is crazy and completely illogical. Maybe it is destiny.”
His eyes light up with relief that I haven’t run a mile after his admission, and that I also feel strongly for him.
The waiter returns for our order. I twiddle my thumbs and contemplate this afternoon’s conversation. Cole takes his phone outside to make a quick call.
When he returns, he says slyly, “Someday you are going to have to fill me in, you know.”
“About what?” I ask innocently.
“You. Your life and achievements, it’s quite extraordinary,” he replies.
I mentally sigh knowing that at some point, he’s right. “One day,” I say noncommittally. He frowns at my evasiveness.
He focuses on my hands, as I am fiddling with my Faerie ring that is on my left thumb and can never be taken off. “This is very unusual,” he says, picking my hand up and peering at it closely.
Hm, it’s over a thousand years old and enchanted Celtic Faerie silver. Damn straight it’s unusual.
Twirling it, he pulls on it as if to take it off.
Jesus, I’d burst into flames and fall at his feet in a pile of ash.
I snatch my hand away quickly and try thinking up an excuse. “Err, it’s a family heirloom, I don’t ever take it off…you know, superstitious…” I trail off, but fortunately for me, he buys it and thankfully the drinks arrive, and it breaks the tension.
I have never been one to sit around waiting for things to fall into my lap, so when there is a sudden lapse in conversation, I decide to find out how open he would be to my secret. “Cole, can I ask you something?”
“Of course. What is it?” he says.
“Do you believe in…um…other life forms?” I ask, knowing how ridiculous it sounds now that I’ve said it out loud.
Surprised by the question, he frowns. “What, like aliens?”
I shrug, stifling my noise of frustration. “Sure, or Faeries, Witches, things like that,” I say, trying to be casual.
“Uh, yeah, I guess so. I dunno. Never really thought about it. Do you?” he asks, interested and thankfully not looking at me like I belong in the loony bin.
Again, I shrug. “I like to think I have an open mind,” I say, hoping he will say the same.
“Yeah, me too,” he says to my relief. “I mean, who knows? Who’s to say that there aren’t some Faeries among us right now?” There’s a twinkle in his eye as he teases me, but he’s sincere about the open mind.
Good, I can work with that.
We spend the next hour talking, about everything and anything. We have so much to talk about despite our massive differences. I feel connected to him, just as I did with Devon. It must mean something, I think, fingering my ring pensively as we walk back to the car.
He will accept me.
He has to.
T he rest of the day is spent in my swimming pool. I feel more and more that I have to tell him I am a Vampire.
As he leaves, reluctantly, later that night, I cling to him.
“I have had a really nice day,” I say to him. “It’s been a long time since I had so much easy fun.”
“I find that hard to believe,” he says. “You are so much fun.”
I laugh sadly. “Not so much lately. Things are difficult,” I say.
His look of concern warms me. “Difficult?” he asks. “Anything you want to talk about?”
Yes. Very much so, but I just shake my head. I want to ask him to stay again and take him to my bed to ravage him all night long, but he looks exhausted after a late night, very little sleep and a long day.
“Okay, well, remember that I’m here if you want to talk,” he says as he curls my hair behind my ear.
I shiver and lift my mouth to his for a kiss. He obliges me with gusto and walks me back to the stairs. With a monumental effort on my part, I push him back.
“As much as I would love that,” I say. “I think you need to head home. If you stay, you will get no sleep again.”
He looks disappointed, of course, but I am still not happy about what happened with CK and Devon this morning while he was in the house. There is something not sitting right with me about CK’s attitude and it is distracting me. “You are mine,” he’d said. He hasn’t said that to me in a lifetime. One thing I am sure about is that if he had declared his love for me the way I had for him this morning; I would be in Italy with him right now. And that makes me feel guilty to be spending this time with Cole. I need a bit of space to think about things. Plus, he definitely needs to sleep.
“Sleep,” he says, closing his eyes. “What is that?”
I snicker at him as he opens one eye and waggles his eyebrows at me.
“Go,” I say to him. “I will call you tomorrow.”
“Fine,” he says, mock wounded. “But you will make this up to me.”
“Count on it,” I assure him.
He goes off happily in my Veyron that I have lent him to return at his earliest convenience.
“So?” Devon asks. “What’s the verdict?”
I turn to him with a big sigh. “Haven’t decided yet,” I say.
He narrows his eyes at me. “What aren’t you saying?” he asks.
He knows me so well. “CK said something earl
ier. It’s got my head in a tizz,” I admit.
Devon snorts cynically at that. “What a surprise,” he drawls. “Will you never learn?”
“What do you mean?” I ask with a huff.
“Lizzie, sweetie, that’s what he does. He messes with your head,” he whines. “Let me guess…he said something that makes you think he wants to be with you again, but it was so subtle you don’t really know, but most of you thinks he only said it because you told him about Cole?”
Damn him. Fucking astute bastard.
My face of thunder must say it all, as he backs off with his hands up, but when he gets to the stairs, he points to me and says, “Are you going to wait around for something that might never happen?”
He disappears up the stairs, two at a time, and I watch him go with a growing temper. No, I bloody well am not. Devon is absolutely right. CK is just messing with my head. Well, he isn’t going to get away with it. I pull out my phone and text him: “Telling Cole. Xx”
Almost immediately, it buzzes back: “If that is your wish, then so be it. Xoxo”
I frown at the screen, but if I was expecting anything else, I would be a fool.
CHAPTER NINE
A nother week has passed. Cole and I are going out for our third official date. I have decided that tonight is the night I am going to tell him. I don’t want him going anywhere and he doesn’t seem to want to either. I haven’t heard back from CK since his ‘so be it’ message, but I have to push that thought away. It will do me no good. CK is my past and Cole is my present. And hopefully also my future. I have sensed him about to tell me, more than once, that he loves me, but I have stopped him from saying it. I want to tell him about me first before we make such declarations. That way, if he rejects me, it might not hurt so much.
Well, that’s what I tell myself as I dress for dinner quietly and quickly. Cole is meeting me here to take us to dinner at 8 PM, and time is running out. My nerves are shot, and I jump a mile when Devon walks in. We have an open-door policy when it’s just the two of us, of course.