“Then what’s there to talk about?” her friend nudged her.
She whined, hanging her head. “All that aside, I want to see him again, but if he just wants to get in my pants, then what’s the point?”
“Every man wants that, girl. The real question is, is that all he wants? Maybe, just maybe, he does like you and you didn’t give him a chance?”
“It’s for the best,” she forced herself to say aloud to make her believe it.
They came around to the other side of the lake, closer to the same tree where Shain had pressed his body into hers. Tingles began at the base of her neck, creeping down her spine, and to a more intimate place.
She squeezed her eyes shut, willing it to stop, but as they got closer, the pressure only increased. A broken exhale was followed by a scattering of goosebumps on her arms.
She whipped her head behind them.
“What’s up?” Stefan asked.
She waited before shaking her head, muttering, “Nothing.”
Yet, her wolf didn’t think it was nothing, urging her toward the tree.
“Kimber?” Stefan followed. “You’re being weird.”
In the evening’s darkness, the little piece of white caught her attention. Kimber’s brows drew together. She got to the tree, placing her hands on the trunk and going on her tiptoes.
Stefan came up beside her. “What is it?”
She reached up in a hole no wider than her finger, into which a piece of paper had been rolled and tucked near the place where she’d once left him a note. Had she not been concentrating so hard on the tree, she never would’ve seen it. No one would’ve, unless they were actually looking for it. A thrill raced through her, making her wolf bark her urgency to open it.
She did, her eyes widening at the words. And its author.
If you’ve found this, then you’re wanting to see me again as much as I want to see you. All you need to do is tell me when and where. I’ll be there. - S
Kimber gasped, reading the handwritten note again and again.
“What, what?” Stefan begged to know.
“It’s from him.”
“Huh?” He snatched it and read, gushing, “Are you serious?”
“Yes.” She traced her hand down the trunk as if the heat of their encounter lingered. “Before he found me at the club, we ran into each other here at the park. At this tree, where he kissed me.” And told me to stay away from him.
“What?” Her friend gaped at her. “Is this for real?”
Because she still couldn’t believe it, she grabbed the note and read it again, though her instincts screamed she was right. “I almost can’t believe it either, but it’s definitely Mr. Eleven.” Thrilled beyond measure, she nearly hugged the tree.
“Okay now, this is beyond dramatic,” Stefan exclaimed. “And I hang out with a lot of queens, so that’s saying something. How did he know you were ever going to find this?”
“He couldn’t know. He just took the chance.”
Just the fact he went through the trouble of coming to the park to leave the note stunned her. If only she knew when he’d left it. Not that it mattered, but she worried if it’d been too long, and if Shain still came to the park to check for a response.
She wildly looked for him, half-expecting him to show himself, but knew he wasn’t there. And he wouldn’t be with so many people around.
“The stud didn’t leave his number,” Stefan pointed out. “Is he actually expecting you to leave him a note back?”
“Do you have a pen? Or paper?”
“Both.” He swung his pack off his shoulder and dug in, finding one, and tearing a piece of paper from a notepad. “Here. Use my back to write on. What are you going to say?”
Good question. “Well, it says to tell him when and where, so I guess I need to pick.” Which was ideal because then she’d be in control, and not ideal, since she had no clue where it was safe to meet him. Somewhere too public could get them caught, and a place too private could get her naked.
At her prolonged hesitation, Stefan faced her. “Can’t decide?”
The when was easy. As soon as possible. “The where is a problem.”
“No matter what, you’ve got to tell him sex is not happening. You won’t know how he feels until you do.”
I already know how he feels. Frustrated and shocked he didn’t get his way.
What she didn’t know was if Shain Trevyn was the kind to enjoy the chase, assuming in the end he would have her? Or the type that was turned off when he didn’t get what he wanted when he wanted it? She’d find out soon. If sex wasn’t the only reason, then he wouldn’t pressure her.
“The fireworks are about to start,” Stefan said, bringing her thoughts back to the present.
Licking her lips, she gave it some thought, then directed Stefan to turn around. “Okay, I have an idea.”
He bent and glanced over his shoulder with a grin. “I can’t wait to hear what happens next.”
Chapter Twelve
Time for his pointless nightly venture to the park.
Shain should’ve insisted on getting her phone number. Clandestine notes in a tree were unlikely to be found, but he didn’t know how else to communicate with her.
But when he saw yellow paper instead of white, he plucked it out like it’d disappear if he blinked.
Atlanta Aquarium. Wednesday. 8pm, before it closes.
If you really want to spend time with me, you’ll meet me there. – K
An aquarium? A very public place. A family place. Chances of any vampires going would be extremely low, but shifters took their kids to stuff like that all the time. Although, eight o’clock might be late enough to avoid a crowd.
He frowned.
Should he go?
Well, shit. If she wasn’t scared to, then neither was he.
Why did she pick such a public venue, though? Apparently, she still didn’t want to be alone with him, and that bothered him. Not just because he was desperate to have her, but because he didn’t think he’d done anything to make her wary of him.
No matter the circumstances, he yearned to see her. If he had to seduce her among the fishes, then so be it.
Amazing how much his mood improved knowing he would spend time with her, that he’d get another chance, that the night at Cutty’s wouldn’t be their last encounter after all.
He was going to win this game.
After an obscene amount of consideration, he’d concluded she must’ve gone in self-preservation mode. She hadn’t trusted him enough to go down the block with him, let alone to a hotel. In hindsight, he’d sprung that on her. While he’d thought it would be a foregone conclusion, he should’ve asked, and not assumed. In the end, he was a vampire, and she was a shiya. Years of her shifter family insisting vampires were murderous, blood-raving killers would hardly be dismissed in two hours.
Trust had to be earned.
It shocked him that he wanted to continue to pursue her, and earn that trust, earn his way into bed with her. Erase her fear to show her he would never hurt her or any woman, no matter their kind.
He scowled, walking back to his car. Then again, how could she trust his intentions? For all she knew, he could turn out to be one sick bastard who got his rocks off seducing shiyas and bleeding them dry.
Shain flinched. Shiyas had been killed and bled dry in the past. The instances were few and far between, but it only took one to blaze fear through female shifters for eternity. The only way to sway her fear was for her to get to know him.
His phone rang.
One of his allies. Probably calling to ask about an account.
He sent it to voicemail. There was nothing to report, and he didn’t feel like carrying on inane chitchat or hear the man brag about his summer.
Seconds later, Amara sent him a text message:
How are things going with Tanaka?
Shain replied: Yet to arrive.
Are you sure he’s coming at all?
He didn’t respond a
nd tucked his phone away. “Thank you for your unending support, Amara.”
The next day, he arrived at the aquarium.
He was early; Kimber was late.
It’d been raining since that morning. He’d checked the forecast and the sun wouldn’t be making an appearance for days. After sleeping a handful of hours, he’d left his loft to take advantage of a sunless afternoon.
Vampires longed for days like that. Daytime in darkness.
He strolled the streets of downtown, stopped by his favorite tailor to say hello, had lunch with an attorney friend who worked nearby, and bought a twenty-five-thousand-dollar painting in a storefront window. Just because.
It was a good day.
By the time he was due to meet Kimber, he was damn near in a jovial mood, getting to the aquarium half an hour early, buying the tickets, anticipating her arrival.
Because it was almost closing time, the aquarium was dead. For that, he was grateful.
Shain leaned on a column in the lobby, trying not to watch the door.
If she didn’t come, he’d assume it was because she wasn’t able to get away. Now that he knew he could contact her—albeit via a tree—he wouldn’t be as disappointed as he was the other night.
Just then, the door swooshed open and Kimber rushed in, soaking wet and out of breath. He straightened his pose.
She softly cursed, flipping the excess rainwater from her hands before running her fingers through damp hair. The customer service clerk at the counter offered her a few flimsy tissues.
Shain held his breath.
Seeing her laugh, not caring her clothes were drenched, and how kind she was to the clerk…he was enraptured. Any vampiress he knew would’ve been in a rage about her state of dress, demanded a towel, a robe, and hot coffee, or something else equally ridiculous.
Kimber and the clerk had a good chuckle before she thanked him and patted her face and neck while he went to fetch her an actual towel.
Shain moved away from the column.
The moment he took a step, Kimber whipped her head in his direction. She shrugged with a sigh. “Sorry I’m late.”
“Hmm. It’s quite all right. This is the second time I’ve seen you…” He slowly looked her up and down, unable to stop teasing her a little, “all wet and bothered.”
She rolled her eyes. “Very funny. The bus stop isn’t exactly steps away from the front door. It’s more like a block and one hundred steps away. It was hardly raining when I left.”
Speaking of hard, her nipples puckered through her scoop-neck shirt, making his tongue water as he remembered gently tugging on one with his lips.
He mentally shook his thoughts. “You took the bus? Why?”
“Because this is pretty far from the rental and a rideshare would’ve cost me a paw and a leg. Goes without saying it’s also slower, hence why I’m late.”
“It’s dangerous for a woman to ride a bus alone at night.”
“I think you’re forgetting I’m not your average woman.” Her eyes briefly changed to amber to remind him.
“Why didn’t you at least wear a jacket?” he asked, removing his and draping it over her shoulders to offer some warmth and hide those little taut peaks he couldn’t take his eyes off of.
“Oh, uh, I didn’t think I’d need one. It’s just rain.” She tugged the jacket closer together, as if she read his thoughts. “I wasn’t that cold. Until now.” Her gaze was the opposite of cold.
Could they just skip the tour? “Kimber—”
“Got you a towel.” The teenaged clerk came out from a storage closet, shoulders slumping when he saw Shain. His face turned red.
With a smirk, Shain took the towel from him. “Thanks.”
“Just what I need,” Kimber said, taking the towel from him to squeeze the ends of her hair.
“You really want to go in?” he asked.
“Why would I spend an hour on a bus and walk through pouring rain just to leave?”
“It’s slow now,” the young man told them. “You’ll basically have the joint to yourselves. Plus, we close in less than an hour, so if you’re gonna go in, better get a move on. There’s a lot to see.”
She smiled and handed him back the towel. “I’m looking forward to the jellyfish.”
Blushing an even darker red, the clerk grinned and gestured nervously. “If—if you come back, I’ll give you a free pass. Just ask for me. Ted.”
She smiled while she put her arms through Shain’s jacket. Apparently, vampiresses weren’t the only ones who could seduce without effort. “You’re very sweet, Ted.”
Shain placed a hand at her lower back. “Let the fun begin.”
Once they walked in, they were encased in a tunnel before emerging to another hall where the tanks began.
“So. Here we are.” Shain cupped his hands behind him.
“Are you as surprised as I am? I didn’t think you’d want to contact me. I thought we were a one-night-only kind of situation.”
“So did I.” But with different endings in mind, it seems.
“I’m glad you didn’t give up checking for a reply. I wasn’t sure how long your note was there.”
“I left it the night after our dinner.”
She turned, staring at the octopus swimming around. Like one would examine a painting, her gaze moved around, fascinated. She lightly pressed her hand on the glass. The octopus came toward Kimber, latching its tentacles to the glass as though to touch her. Even sea creatures weren’t immune.
Shain came up beside her. “What happened? Why did you leave so abruptly?”
She sighed, dropping her hand. “To be honest, I was scared.”
He looked down. “Of me?”
“Of us,” she answered. She turned and waited until he met her gaze. “When we get close, we tend to forget what we’re doing, where we are, what we are. And that’s scary, Shain. I thought our date would be a disaster, and that it’d end as fast as it began. We’re as opposite as two underworld beings can be.”
“It wasn’t a disaster because I’m more than just a vampire, and you’re more than just a shifter. We’ve been conditioned since birth to hate each other, but…”
Her lips curved before she turned away to look at a different tank of fish. “But our attraction to each other won’t allow it.” She paused. “We’ve had several shifters in our pack murdered by your kind, and the shiefs brag about how many vamps they’ve killed—women and men—every time the topic comes up.” She inhaled deep. “And we’re supposed to hate you. All of you. On sight. Regardless if you’re a threat or not.”
He stared at her back, longing to pull her into his arms, kiss her lips, stop her from talking about ugly things they couldn’t change. “It’s the way of the underworld.”
Long seconds went by before she asked, “Have you killed any shifters?”
A pain grew in his throat, making it a challenge to swallow. “I…haven’t wanted to.” Though he couldn’t see her expression, he sensed she hated to hear it just as much as he hated to admit it. “I’m over two centuries old. It’d be next to impossible to live that long and not have some sort of violent encounter,” he added, as if that would rationalize it. “They were all men, by the way. One of them was about to rip out my mother’s throat—”
“You don’t have to tell me the details,” she interrupted.
He also had human, sorcerer, and even vampire blood on his hands, most of which happened during those chaotic World Wars. But telling her he’d been an indiscriminate killer wouldn’t make it any less repugnant. He cared what she thought of him, past and present.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve hurt anyone,” he said, following her to the next section.
“Don’t you hurt someone every time you bloodfeed?”
“I’ve been told it isn’t that painful. Not right away. Our teeth are so sharp, it’s almost numbing. By the time it’s over, we heal the skin, and any pain a human experiences is temporary. If necessary, we can erase the experience un
til it feels like a dream. The only time they have any semblance of it happening is when their minds attempt to fill in the gap days later, trying to hold the memory, sometimes causing nightmares. Besides, I don’t feed on unknowns, not unless I’m desperate or have no other choice, which is uncommon for me. The old days of vampires preying on the vulnerable in dark alleys are basically over. Too risky for us and them.”
“So, how do you get your blood?” she asked, stopping to gaze at the stingray display, the water reflections swirling over her pretty face.
“I have a whilling. A human who comes to my home. Her name is Sasha.”
Her laugh was short and dry. “Like a delivery service? How convenient for you. And she just—lies down and waits for you to literally suck the life from her, and then she goes home, happy to have served?”
“She’s paid generously and sworn to secrecy as a special UA. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were mocking me.” He tucked a hand in his pocket, unable to keep the acid from his tone. “Almost…scoffing at the fact I don’t tear a vulnerable throat out for my survival.”
“Maybe I am mocking you,” she said, voice rising while she faced him. “And am I supposed to take your word? I’ve never heard of a vampire bloodfeeding without excruciating pain. Never met a human who’d been bitten and wasn’t haunted by night terrors because of it. And I think it’s absurd you’re claiming that a human comes to you, offering her neck or wrist or whatever, without telling the world she’s servicing a real-life vampire.”
Irritation ran through him. “You believing me is a non-issue. It’s true.” He took a step closer to her. “Do you really think everything you’ve been told by your brothers is sacrosanct? Do you honestly think they’d tell you that not all of us are the ravaging monsters we used to be?”
“Meeting one of you is supposed to change my mind?”
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