She sucks on her teeth. “Why is this so important to you?”
Becauseyouare important to me.
No, I don’t say that. Are you mad? Don’t want to scare her off.
I opt for the truth.
Sort of. “I am very drawn to you. Attracted to you.”
I get a little snort in reply. “You want to buy the bottling source, is what you want. Ireallywish he hadn’t given you an undiluted taste of me.”
“Why not?”
She holds out her hand, indicating me.
Her meaning is clear.
“Blue, consent isnotnegotiable, for me. I insist upon it. Would you do me the honor of a dinner date, at least? Please?”
Doubt darkens her violet eyes to the purple of an evening sky. “Where I’mnoton the menu?”
“Exactly. I’ll pay one of Lucius’s men—hell, I’ll payallof them to come along.”
“Greeeaat. More vampires. Perfect. That’s not intimidating at alll.”
I’m already making mental notes to find out from Lucius who I can talk to, a reliable realtor, to buy a house here. I want one in his neighborhood—a large, beautiful, palatial home. Blue deserves nothing less than that. I’ll do anything to prove to her she can trust me.
“Have you ever actuallydatedanyone since you turned?” she asks. “Ever had a girlfriend who wasn’t immortal, or non-human, or a snack?”
Inwardly, I cringe. I don’t want to discuss Robert tonight. “It’s been more years than I care to remember.”
She leans forward in her chair. “You can’t waltz your immortal ass into someone’s life, turn it upside-down, and make a boatload of promises just because my vintage put some long-overdue starch in your shorts. I have a life, and it’s a life I want to live.”
I hate that she’s effortlessly nailed me to a wall. Metaphorically speaking. “And what do you want to do with your life if not working in a vampire nightclub that’s a secret BDSM blood club?”
I also hate that her voice turns sad and quiet. “Maybe if you stick around for a while, I’ll come to trust you enough to tell you.”
With all certainty, I know if I suddenly promise her the moon, she’ll run. Not that I couldn’t track or find her—in a vampire or human way—but I will forever ruin her trust.
I think that might kill me and drive me toward the dawn.
“I would really like that, Blue.” Lightly rubbing my palms along the tops of my thighs, I can’t think of a legitimate reason to keep her here right now, beyond my desire to do so. “Thank you for being a good sport and talking with me tonight. I appreciate it.”
Another cock of her head. Every time she does that, I hear the way her wig whispers against her cheeks as it sways, the artificial hair sounding like a breeze to my sensitive hearing. “You’re done talking to me?”
“Honestly? I could sit here all night talking with you, but I realize this isn’t comfortable for you, and I apologize for that. I do not wish to make you feel uncomfortable. I’ve enjoyed this greatly, and I appreciate your time.”
She studies me. “I don’t mind hanging out for a while longer. You’re not too bad to talk to, Not-Ianto.”
First barrier—passed.“Thank you.”
She shrugs like it’s no big deal, but I feel something different. I hear her pulse thrumming, see the way her pupils dilate a little—she’s intrigued by me and afraid to admit it. She’s been hurt in some way in the past. She doesn’t trust easily, or at all.
I wish I could fix every problem in her life for her, even if I never get to lay a finger or fang on her.
The thought of others getting to sample her, even from a glass, renders me nearly incoherent with rage. No one should be permitted to touch her, taste her.
I suspect the only reason she allows Lucius to take from her is the money, and that also enrages me, even as I admit he’s being ethical about it.
