“That’s just the way his is, Gwyneth,” Morgaine said. “I don’t think we can change him.”
“I suppose not. Ain’t no point in beatin’ a dead horse…’course, it can’t hurt none either.”
Sly grinned and wandered closer to his friends. “I guess you gave me some of your old things?”
“Well,” Roz answered, “Merry told us thatsomeonewas too proud to let her furnish the place with new stuff, so everything here is used.”
“We figured y’all wouldn’t mind a few little cast-offs since it didn’t cost us nothin’.”
“Thank you.” He scanned the cozy looking living room and a lump formed in his throat. “I’m truly touched.”
He wandered over to the eclectic furniture grouping. His amplified sense of smell told him exactly who’d previously owned each piece.
The antique chair was from Roz. The couch was Merry’s. He ran his hand over the back of it. The beat-up old brown leather only made it softer and more comfortable.
The trunk was Morgaine’s and a bookshelf held the scent of Konrad’s wolf hair.
“We put a few items in the kitchen too,” Gwyneth said.
He strolled past the dining area furnished with a tiny round table and two chairs, again with Merry’s scent, and stepped into the galley kitchen.
Gwyneth opened the cabinets and showed off a five-gallon bucket and a couple of large copper pots. “These will come in handy later on when we set up the—”
Morgaine cleared her throat and sent her a quick headshake. “There’s plenty of time for him to look around and see what’s here.”
Gwyneth looked over at Merry and must have realized she almost spilled the beans about the still in front of the landlady.
“Of course. Silly me. What was I thinkin’?”
“And Sly,” Merry added as she set the Champagne on the counter, “If you need anything else,pleaseask. Okay?”
“I can only think of one thing I really need and that’s a way of darkening my bedroom during the day. Did you bring any blankets?”
“I didn’t have to,” Merry said. “Morgaine suggested room darkening shades. It’s the only thing I bought, Sly. I promise.”
Sly looked over at Morgaine. She blushed slightly and dropped her gaze to the floor. Why was she embarrassed? She had thought of his needs and suggested the perfect way to meet them. He wanted to hug her, but not in front of an audience.
“I really can’t thank you enough—everyone.” Were those tears threatening to form in his eyes? No way was he going to let people see the big scary vampire cry—especially gross bloody tears. He grabbed the Champagne bottle and said, “Did anyone happen to donate a corkscrew?”
Chapter four
Gwyneth applied her best perfume, brushed her hair, and tip-toed downstairs to Sly’s apartment, carrying her lit candelabra. She knew Sly wasn’t using electricity in order to save money, andhemight be able to see in the dark, but she couldn’t. Besides, everyone looked good in candlelight. She wore a short, black skirt—a departure from her long, black, broomstick skirt. She hoped her black velour top which clung to her curves made her look as alluring as she felt.
Sly opened the door shortly after her first knock.
“Howdy, Sly.”
“Hi Gwyneth, what a surprise.”
“I hope you think it’s a good surprise, and I didn’t catch you with your pants down.” She giggled and felt herself blush. “Well hush my mouth, I didn’t mean that quite how it sounded.”Or did I?
Sly grinned and stepped aside. “Come in.”
She sashayed in. “I know y’all Vampire folk have to be invited into someone’s home, but is it the same the other way around?”
He shook his head, but kept his smile and said, “Not that I’ve ever heard. Seems a little unfair, but…Please, have a seat.”
Oh good. It looks like my Southern charm, as Chad calls it, is workin’.
