Page 14 of Blind Bite (Best Fangs Forever #1)
Chapter Fourteen
“So, tattoo apprentice—that sounds fascinating,” Jamie leaned forward, his eyes never leaving mine as I gave him my spiel. “What made you decide stabbing people for a living was for you?”
“I’ve always been artistic, and I do work with some other mediums, but body art is better paying. I also do piercings, too. There’s something about permanently altering someone’s skin that’s...” I searched for the right word.
“Intimate?” His lips curved into a smile that made my stomach flip.
“Exactly.”
“I’d love to see your work sometime,” his voice dipped lower. “I’ve been considering getting one myself.”
“Really? Do you have any already, or is this your first one?”
“Something like that.”
“Ah,” I said, “a virgin.”
“In a way, yes.” He chuckled, glancing at my empty glass. “Another drink?”
“I would love one.”
He waved down a server who disappeared to procure another one of Martha’s fruity concoctions.
“What do you do, Jamie?”
“I work in finance. Investments, primarily.”
“Sounds...”
“Boring?” he laughed, “it can be. But it affords me certain freedoms I’ve grown accustomed to.”
“Like what?” I asked.
“Travel. Fine dining. Meeting fascinating purple-haired women at questionable dating events.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “What’s the most interesting place you’ve traveled?”
“Venice, at night. The last time I went, there was a masquerade held by some dignitary. The masks, the mystery...” He trailed off, lost in thought. “There’s something magical about anonymity in a crowd. The thrill of anonymity that surges through your veins. It’s like ambrosia.”
“I’ve never left the country,” I admitted.
“We should remedy that.” He said it so casually, like whisking me off to Europe was the most natural suggestion in the world towards a stranger you just met.
“Are you always so forward?”
“Only when I’m running out of time.” He nodded toward the timer. “Two minutes left.”
“That can’t be right. We just started talking.”
“Time flies when you’re captivated.”
“I think the phrase is ‘when you’re having fun’.”
“That too.”
“Now you’re just laying it on thick.”
“I assure you, I’m being quite sincere.” His fingers brushed mine across the table. His cool touch unexpectedly ignited a rush of heat within me.
“What’s your favorite book?” I blurted, desperate to maintain some semblance of normal conversation.
“Dorian Gray. Yours?”
“Pride and Prejudice.”
“Ah, a romantic.”
“Says the man who likes a book about eternal youth and beauty.”
His laugh was rich and genuine. “Touché. What’s your greatest fear, Lilith?”
“That’s deep for speed dating.”
“I prefer to skip the small talk.”
I considered his question. “Being alone forever, I think. Living a pointless, lonely life.”
Something flashed in his eyes—recognition, maybe. “I can’t imagine someone like you would befall to such a fate.”
The one-minute warning bell rang, and panic seized me. I wasn’t ready for this to end.
“Guess it’s almost time for you to leave me for greener pastures.”
“Give me your phone.” He held out his hand.
“What?”
“Give me your phone.”
I handed him my phone, watching as his fingers moved gracefully across the screen.
“There. Now you have my number, and I’ve texted myself from your phone, so I have yours.”
The final bell rang just as he slid my phone back to me with a wink.
“Until next time, Lilith.” He stood, bowing slightly before moving to the next table.
My drink arrived just as my next date sat down—a balding man with food stains on his tie who immediately launched into a monologue about his model train collections. I politely nodded while stealing glances at Jamie, seated at the next table. Our eyes met, and he smirked.
My phone buzzed in my lap.
Jamie
Is it just me or does your date look like he lives with his mother?
Lilith
It was never said that he didn’t live with his mom. But he’s very passionate about his trains.
I bit my lip to keep from laughing.
Jamie
I’m passionate about rescuing beautiful women from tedious conversations. Fancy an escape? Or would you rather endure more of this torture?
Lilith
Isn’t that against the rules?
Rules were meant to be broken. If you’re not too engrossed in the train lecture, meet me by the bar exit in 2 minutes?
Lilith
Make it 1.
I glanced up at Jamie, or at least went to. The seat he once occupied was already empty and his date was chugging her wine like it was water.
I stood abruptly, mumbling something about the bathroom to Train Guy, who barely paused his dissertation on locomotive history, a topic that made me long for Holloway’s long-winded lectures. Weaving through the tables, I spotted Jamie already waiting by the exit.
“That was thirty seconds, not a minute,” he said.
“I’m an overachiever,” I grinned. “Where to?”
“I have a quaint little spot in mind.” He pushed open the door, cool night air rushed to greet us. “The night is young, and so are we. Relatively speaking.”