He is quite the unique man, being so forward and somehow respectful at the same time. Knowing what he wants and going for it, without being demanding. He’s wealthy, a vampire, an entrepreneurial genius, and devilishly handsome. Somehow, he’s single, so something has to be wrong with him.
Wait, is he single? Oh gods, what if he’s married? Am I the other woman right now? Surely, he’s not. He’s not that kind of man, is he? I should just ask him, blunt and straightforward. If he gets defensive, I’ll know he’s hiding something.
“So, what’s wrong with you? Are you married?” I inquire, clasping my hands together on the table and leaning forward.
His eyes twinkle at me, not missing a beat as he answers. “I am not married or seeing anyone. Why does something have to be wrong with me?”
“It just makes no sense.” I search his face for any flicker of hidden emotions. “What does a man like you really see in a bartender from the nightlife sector of New Bria?”
A smile crawls across his lips as he softly says, “I see so much more than someone who pours drinks. There’s a fire in you, a drive stronger than most people possess or could ever wish to possess. I can feel it. I can see it.”
“Really?” is the only word I can seem to formulate. No one has ever told me things like he has tonight. I don’t know how to react.
Emris might just be the only person in the world who sees deeper than the flesh when he meets someone. Or he’s the world’s best seducer. My heart beats faster, my cheeks on fire, even now, just staring at him in silence as his words soak in, looping around in my brain.
“I want to know about you, what brought you to where you are now, what drives you crazy, both good and bad,” he coos, sitting up straight. “Will you tell me over dinner?”
I nod eagerly. As if on cue, three men in suits come up the stairs and onto the roof. Two hold silver platters, covered by lids, and the third carries two filled wine glasses. The platters are placed in front of us, as are the wine glasses.
I narrow my eyes at the glass, seeing what he’s chosen for my drink. A white wine, but it’s bubbling. I bet this is Cerise’s doing too, telling him my drink of choice, a white wine spritzer. His glass is filled with a dark-red liquid, but it doesn’t smell like any of the Bloodka.
“New drink?” I ask, taking a sip of mine and letting the bubbles dance across my tongue before swallowing it. “And how did you know I like this? A little birdie again?”
Emris sips as he stares at me, sending a tingle down my spine. “It’s a trial of blood-based wines we might release. And, yes, a little birdie may have whispered some hints into my ear.”
“Did this little birdie have cherry-red hair, by chance?” I tease, rolling my eyes as I take another sip to hide my smile.
“They may have had some red feathers. My memory is blurry.” Emris chuckles, briefly turning his attention to the men in suits and nodding.
They lift the lids from the platters, taking them away and disappearing from the rooftop. I look down at the plate in front of me, and instantly, my stomach growls. Cerise knows how much I love steak, and how I rarely buy it because it’s so expensive. Emris didn’t have just any steak prepared for me though. It’s filet mignon.
My eyes dart from the plate up to Emris, who wears a grin, before falling back to the plate. The steak is served with roasted vegetables—asparagus, carrots, and brussels sprouts. The aromaof the filet mignon and vegetables combine in the air to create a savory dream. I might literally be drooling.
“Please, dig in,” Emris tells me, lifting his fork and knife.
I follow suit, trying to maintain some semblance of manners. If I were home right now with this meal, I would absolutely devour it. Emris doesn’t need to see me manhandle a plate of meat, though this is definitely making me want to manhandle him.
He put in this much effort for our first date—bringing my dream date to life, and serving me my favorite foods. There’s a sweetness to him that I wasn’t expecting, and it makes me like him even more. So much so, we’re nearing uncharted territories for feelings.
“Are you from New Bria originally?” I ask after basically inhaling a few bites, then wiping the corners of my mouth with a napkin.
Emris smiles, his fangs pointing out from between his lips. “No, quite far away, actually. Though, I’ve spent many, many years here. I like this city.”
“How many years?” I nearly choke on my wine as I realize that’s potentially a rude question to ask a vampire.
“I’ve lived here for nearly thirty years now,” he answers, eyes twinkling with amusement as I try to regain my composure. “I am technically twenty-six, but I’ve been twenty-six for quite some time.”
Well, I figured he was going to be one of the older vampires around, considering his success. He does look younger, but that makes sense if he was turned at only twenty-six. I wonder just exactly how long he’s been around. I will not be asking that, though, not on the first date. Not like the answer will change anything.
“I like it here too,” I say, deciding to tell him a bit about myself in return. “I moved here when I turned eighteen, five years ago.”
Emris listens attentively, his eyes not wavering from me. “Why did you move here?”
Narrowing my eyes at him, I take another bite, using it as a buffer to debate how much I tell him. This is only our first date, and I’m still unsure what exactly his goal is. I do, however, think he is hot as hell and surprisingly sweeter than he looks.
“My parents weren’t very open-minded, and when they found out I didn’t share their values, every day became a living hell at home. So, I left,” I answer honestly, shrugging it off.
“I see. I understand that in some ways.” Emris’s tone softens again, drawing my eyes back up to him from my plate.
