“No,” Patrick said playfully. “Eighteenninety-nine.”
“Right. Sorry, I’m still getting used to all this.” I held up my finger and made a couple circles.
He patted his temple again. “I know.” It was going to take some time getting used to the whole mind-reader thing. “Honestly, you have nothing to be frightened about, Olivia. Vampires really do adore humans.”
Patrick’s eyes flickered to Robert, now surrounded by about ten men in tuxedos who broke into exaggerated laughter after every seemingly witty observation he made. They looked like a waddle of ass-kissing penguins. Robert wasn’t impressed.
“Most of us do, anyway,” Patrick said, inexplicably scowling in Robert’s direction.
I felt a pang of righteous loyalty. What was this guy’s deal? “Robert’s my date, actually. But I’m guessing you already knew that.”
Robert’s head jerked up, as if he knew we were speaking about him. He broke away from the group of schmoozers and started to cross the room to join us.
He made it about halfway when a striking brunette with curves that wouldn’t quit stepped directly into his path. She coiled her arm though his and whispered into his ear, pushing her breasts up towards his face so he’d have a clear view of her cleavage. He muttered to her, a disapproving comment from the look of it. She tossed a hand over her mountainous rack and guffawed desperately.
I was embarrassed for her, and not in a catty way (or because her cup size was twice as large as mine). Robert was putting out GET LOST signals loud and clear, but Trampy McTramperson was refusing to pick up on them. To my great pleasure, Robert shook his head and sidestepped her. Pouting and whispering under her breath, she skulked off toward the restrooms. Hah!
Robert extended his hand as he approached. “Patrick.”
Patrick reluctantly accepted his hand, grimacing as if he were touching a rotting fish. “Robert.”
A chic woman near the orchestra beckoned Patrick over with an aggravated wave. She was chatting with a few couples and nodding politely, looking like she needed some backup.
Patrick waved to the woman. “I’m afraid my wife will drain me if I don’t join her. Olivia, it was so lovely to meet you.” He kissed the top of my hand.
“Lovely to meet you, too,” I said shyly. Nobody had ever kissed my hand like that. Not seriously, anyway.
He gave Robert a curt nod.
After Patrick was out of earshot, I smirked, “Friend of yours?”
“Oh, yes, we’re great pals.”
“Are you having a nice time?”
“I wasn’t five minutes ago.” He held out his solid arm for me to accept. “But I am now. What do you say we get out of here?”
“Okay . . . But we haven’t been here that long?”
He flashed me a wicked grin, making my pulse quicken. “I hardly think security is going to stop us at the door. Idoown the company.”
“You have a point.” Chuckling, I hooked my elbow through his. I wasn’t sure about Dignitary’s policy for dates that ended prematurely, so I mentioned, “I am scheduled to be with you for a few more hours, though.”
“Of course,” he said stiffly. “I’ll see that you’re paid for your full shift.”
“That’s not what I meant,” I blurted. “I’m enjoying myself and I just thought . . . It would be a pity for our time together to end so soon, don’t you think?”
He seemed surprised. “You’re enjoying yourself?”
“Absolutely. I was only pointing out that I’m booked for five hours. We might as well make use of the time.”
We reached the limo, where Carl was waiting patiently. He held the door open for us and we slid in. I noted with satisfaction that Robert’s hand hovered above my lower back.
“What do you have in mind?” he asked.
“Since eating is out, we could go somewhere and talk,” I suggested.
“You want to talk to me?” he asked. “Why?”
