Page 22 of Absolution
“Why would you need to offer him anything other than a good time? He’s Max Hart’s kid so maybe he’s looking for a break from the super vamp lifestyle. It’s got to be like being the heir to some Fortune 500 company. Hart has more money than pretty much every vampire in the midwest combined. Luca was handling some Ascendance paperwork stuff so he’s probably being groomed to be a CEO.” He scrunched up his face in distaste likely because he’d experienced the same thing with his mother pushing him to be the first male witch to lead the Dominion—which I was sure was going to happen sooner rather than later. “I’d hate that.”
“Some things in life just bite.”
“Like you wanna bite him.”
I shrugged. “He did say he has to drink blood from another vampire every once in a while.”
“Sounds kinky. You going to try that?”
“Letting him suck on me?” Burst out of my mouth before I forgot who I was talking to.
Sei laughed. “In more ways than one.”
“You have a one-track mind.”
“I like sex. Don’t you?”
Did I? I guess. “Maybe another night.”
Sei nodded. “Your say. Come on. Your prince awaits!”
Chapter 8
Luca looked edible. He’d changed again at some point into pale green pants that hugged his ass and rode low on his hips. His shirt was a button up, white and tight enough to outline his strong shoulders and flat stomach. He’d shaved, but not enough to get rid of the stubble, more just to tame it, and his hair was product free falling around his face in waves. He looked like he’d just stepped off the cover of one of Seiran’s many romance novels.
“You look damn good,” Luca said approaching me with a look in his eyes that said sex. He opened his mouth to say something else but Seiran must have done something behind me because he stopped and held out his hand to me. I took it and enjoyed his warm grip.
“Thanks. You look great too.” Smelled even better, but I was hungry. Maybe I should have taken the witch up on his offer for a nibble.
“Where are you guys headed?” Gabe asked. He’d been pulling things up on the computer and didn’t look happy about whatever he was reading.
“Loco Mojo,” Luca said. “Mostly shifters, but I’ve heard the dancing is good there.”
I’d never been, though I’d heard of it a time or two. I hoped the place didn’t smell like wet dog.
“I want you guys to be careful of any vampires you meet tonight and don’t recognize.”
“Has there been another incident?” Luca asked.
Like the two dead guys I was blamed for? I tried to get a look at Gabe’s computer screen but he had it turned away. “Nothing important,” he told us. “Jamie is going to drop you guys off downtown. Call if you need a ride.”
Something was up. Jamie appeared as the elevator doors slid open. Kelly stood beside him looking ready for a night out himself. I couldn’t recall a time I’d seen the water witch so dressed up, but he was in a pale blue suit tailored to fit him perfectly. Jamie wasn’t any more casual in neatly pressed slacks and a button up that could barely contain his wide shoulders. Was there a party we were interrupting?
“What’s the occasion?” I asked Kelly as we got into the elevator with them.
“Date night at the ‘rents. My mom and his mom.” Kelly put his arm around Jamie’s waist. “He has the overnight shift at the hospital tonight so we won’t be out late.” Jamie tensed but Kelly leaned over and kissed his cheek which brought a flush of color to them.
Dinner with the ‘rents. That was commitment. And probably what was making Jamie nervous. I wondered what it would be like to have someone that I cared about enough to introduce them to my parents. Though again my parents would likely throw holy water on me and curse me for the evil thing I was. Gay and undead—which was worse? I sighed and stared at the wall instead of probing for conversation.
Luca talked with Kelly about some Ascendance thing I tuned out. Everyone liked Kelly. He was just that sort of guy. Friendly, outgoing, good-looking, and powerful. My date wasn’t cruising him, and I knew Kelly was pretty into Jamie, so I wasn’t worried. I wondered more if they thought it was odd that I didn’t try to strike up a conversation, but since Jamie didn’t either, I figured I was in the clear.
Once we were all loaded in the car and heading across town, I let myself study Luca as the street lights passed overhead. I realized that last night he’d been dressed for the club and using all his come-hither sex vibes. Tonight he seemed to be laid out bare. Sure he was still dressed nice and cleaned up okay, but this felt more natural. Maybe this could work. I squeezed his hand and he gripped mine. If anything, I’d have my first date. Might as well make it memorable.
A line wrapped around the block to Loco Mojo. Jamie pulled up to the door to let us out. “Remember what Gabe said, Sam. Stay away from vampires who aren’t his and don’t wander tonight. If you need a ride, call.”
“What’s with the vampire thing?” I asked him, wondering if he’d tell me more than Gabe would.
“No one knows for sure. Just be on your guard.”