Page 18 of Vampires and Violas (A Vampire’s Guide to Gardening #2)

17

I’m just adding a new page to my portfolio binder when I get a text from Noah.

Noah: I’m running late. Do you want to meet me at the office?

Piper: That’s fine. See you in twenty minutes.

I finish up and then head down to the living room, where Cassian is watching a documentary on lemmings.

“Did you know they don’t actually throw themselves off ledges?” he asks when I stop to look at the screen.

“Are you sure? Maybe some do…when they’re running away from their support groups.”

“We’re going tomorrow, by the way.”

“You said I could be done after last week’s,” I whine.

“Marilyn doesn’t think Dylan will remember to provide refreshments, and I promised her I’d bring cupcakes. We can’t back out now.”

“You need a social life.”

“You are my social life.”

“I’m a semi-introverted flower farmer who lives with a workaholic vampire. You can do better.”

Cassian clicks the remote, turning off the TV. “Why does it look like you’re going somewhere? Aren’t you waiting for Noah?”

“He has to work late. He asked me to meet him at the office. Do you think I can drive there myself, or do I need a princely escort?”

“I’ll drive you, and then you can take Noah’s car to your meeting.”

“Great,” I say. “Princely escort it is. Let’s go.”

“What’s with the plant?” Cassian asks as we walk to the Lamborghini.

I look down at the potted assortment of succulents, feeling slightly ridiculous. “It’s for Noah’s desk.”

Not realizing the reason for the gift, Cassian thinks nothing of it. He just opens my door and says, “I’ll hold it for you while you get in.”

“Thanks.”

About the time we arrive at the administration office, I begin to worry my innocent plant gift might look territorial or possessive—like I’m staking a claim on Noah or marking him as mine. But it’s too late now. I can’t leave it in the Lamborghini. Cassian would never forgive me if it fell over and soil went everywhere.

So, I clutch it in my hands and get out, staring up at the drab building.

Taking his job seriously, Cassian walks me inside.

“Hey,” Max says when we come through the doors. “What are you doing here?”

My brother is propped up next to the front desk, probably not letting Emma get any work done. Not that she seems to care.

“Meeting Noah,” I answer.

NIHA’s pretty receptionist meets my eyes, lifting her dark brows like she’s about to convey something. “Ashlyn is with him right now.”

“Oh…great.”

Emma stands and leans over the counter, which is a task when she’s as petite as Sophia. Dropping her voice, she says, “Just between you and me, you might want to stake a claim on your man because that woman is tenacious.”

I grunt, turning away from the group. “Which way is his office?”

Emma gives me instructions, and I walk through the halls, somehow finding my way.

I hear Ashlyn’s voice before I find the office. Following her lilting tones, I stop at the open door, not loving the scene in front of me.

Ashlyn is perched on the edge of Noah’s desk, sipping a cup of coffee, looking like she’s been there most of the afternoon and has no plans to leave. Noah stares at his laptop as she chatters at him, stony-faced.

When he sees me in the doorway, he lifts his eyes and presses his lips into a thin line—the hot vampire version of Grumpy Cat. His face says it all: get this woman off my desk.

And I love him for it.

“Piper!” Ashlyn exclaims when she sees me. “What are you doing here?”

“Noah and I have to meet a potential client.”

“For your flower business?” Looking flummoxed, she glances at Noah and then back at me. “You’re going together for that?”

As I try to figure out how to answer, Noah says, “I don’t like my girlfriend meeting strangers alone. Call me paranoid.”

The room goes silent.

And, no, I haven’t agreed to date him. And, yes, that was super cocky and presumptuous.

But inside, I’m purring.

Ashlyn’s eyes fly wide. When she finally finds her tongue, she demands, “Girlfriend? When did that happen?”

“It’s taken far too long.” He stands. “I’m done for the day. Are you ready to go, Piper?”

Looking like she was smacked with a semi-truck, Ashlyn wobbles to the door. “Okay, well. Have a good night…”

“Bye, Ashlyn,” I say, feeling a little bad. Not a lot. But you know. A little.

When she’s halfway down the hall, I close the door and smirk at Noah. “That wasn’t very nice.”

“What wasn’t?”

“You know she likes you.”

“But I don’t like her.” He rounds the desk to stand in front of me. “Do you know how many subtle hints I’ve tried to give her today that I’m not interested?”

“I’m not your girlfriend,” I remind him.

“No?” He looks down at the potted succulent I’m holding. “Then why are you bringing me a plant?”

I bite my bottom lip to contain my smile. “No reason.”

He takes the pot and walks to his desk. Then he shoves Ashlyn’s plant aside and sets mine in the place of honor, right next to his computer.

“You’re doing it again,” I say with a sigh.

“Doing what?” Done with work, he loosens his tie.

My eyes catch on the movement, and my mouth goes dry. “Being all hot and tempting.”

Noah’s eyes darken, and his smile becomes wolfish. “If you think that’s good, you should come here.”

“We need to go,” I say reluctantly.

“It’ll only take a minute.”

Laughing because I really like playful Noah, I walk over to him.

Raising his brows mischievously, his big hands close around my waist, and he picks me up .

“What are you doing?” I squeal at a whisper, trying to keep my voice hushed because I don’t want to get him in trouble.

He places me on the desk, setting me right where Ashlyn was. “So much better.”

“We can’t do this here.” I press my hand on his chest and nudge him back.

He doesn’t budge. “We could if you’d agree to date me.”

“That has nothing to do with the fact we’re in your office.”

He nuzzles my neck. “We’re allowed to take blood breaks.”

He’s playing. I know he’s playing. But my body doesn’t care. His words are like a shot of heat right to my stomach.

“Bad,” I laugh, grabbing his tie and pulling him closer.

I tilt my face toward him, closing my eyes—fully expecting him to kiss me.

But he doesn’t.

Instead, he rubs his bottom lip over mine and then pulls back.

Slowly, I open my eyes, adding a little pressure to his tie, pulling him closer. Kiss me.

“I’m feeling used,” he teases. “You want my body, but you won’t claim me.”

I laugh, rolling my eyes as I push him aside so I can hop down. “You started it.”

I’ve only taken two steps toward the door when Noah wraps a warm, sturdy arm around my middle, turns me, and drags me back. I end up firmly pressed against his muscular chest, trapped. And I’m not upset about it.

And this time, he does kiss me.

His lips press against mine, lingering briefly. It’s a sweet kiss, but it sets me ablaze.

“I like you visiting me at work,” he says. “Thank you for coming.”

“You told me to meet you here,” I remind him breathlessly.

“I was hoping for a new plant.”

Laughing, I tilt my head up for another kiss…

And the door opens.

Noah and I leap apart, the picture of guilt.

“That’s an HR violation if I’ve ever seen one,” Cassian says wryly.

“What are you still doing here?” I ask.

“I wanted to make sure you found Noah’s office okay. I realized I probably shouldn’t let you wander while I’m on nanny duty.”

“I found it.” I widen my eyes, telling him to get out.

He smirks. “I noticed.”

“We were just leaving anyway,” Noah says.

“That’s exactly what it looked like you were doing.” Cassian chuckles to himself as he walks down the hall. “Have a good evening.”

Feeling flushed, I look back at Noah. “We should go.”

“Lead the way,” Noah says gallantly.

We arrive at the coffee shop with only a minute to spare.

“Get a table,” Noah says. “I’ll order drinks.”

I find a seat by the window and wait. A green sedan pulls into the parking lot. Moments later, Sam and his sister emerge.

Noah returns just as they reach the door, handing me my drink. “Iced caramel macchiato.”

“And black coffee for you.” I frown at his sad cup.

He takes the seat next to me and leans close. “Don’t feel too bad for me. That’s how I ordered my coffee even before I became a vampire.”

Sam’s sister joins us, and we stand up to greet her.

“You must be Kayla,” I say.

“And you’re Piper.” The woman smiles. She’s older than Sam, probably in her mid-thirties. Even though she just came from work, she has a mom look, with a sensible haircut and a massive purse that’s big enough to hold snacks, toys, and an entire first aid kit.

“Where’s Sam?” I ask. “I thought I saw him with you.”

“He had to take a call,” she apologizes. “I’m sure he’ll be in soon.”

Noah introduces himself, shaking Kayla’s hand. “May I buy you a coffee?”

“Oh, that’s nice of you,” she says. “But you don’t have to do that.”

“It’s my pleasure. What would you like?”

As soon as he’s headed to the counter, she says, “Forgive me, but that man is gorgeous. Is he available?”

“Oh. Um…” Sam never mentioned his sister was single. “Technically…yes?”

“Then claim him while you can.” She gives me a knowing look. “Don’t let him get away.”

I laugh, relieved she wasn’t fishing.

For the next hour, we drink coffee and talk about flowers. Noah must be bored to death, but he’s perfectly charming.

When we’re finished, Kayla gives me the instructions for the delivery.

We’re all standing to leave when I realize her brother never made an appearance. “I’m sorry Sam couldn’t join us,” I say. “Tell him hello for me.”

“Will do,” Kayla says as she heads out the door. “Thanks again, Piper.”

“Well?” I ask Noah as we walk to his SUV. “Was it too painful?”

“What?”

“Smiling for an hour straight.”

He rubs a hand over his mouth. “So that’s why my jaw is aching.”

“Thank you for coming with me.”

“The night is still young, and we haven’t eaten. Should we get dinner?”

“Like a friend-date?”

He gives me a stern look. “Like a real date.”

I grin, looping my arm through his. “Yeah, okay.”

It’s already been a long day, so we pick up Chinese takeout and eat it in the park. It’s a nice evening, and families are out enjoying the long summer hours. There are other couples, too, some returning from riding the paved riverfront trail, others prepping their bikes to head out. Others hang out at the picnic tables, like Noah and me.

Noah peers at my stir-fried vegetables and makes a face.

“You don’t like tofu?” I choose a piece with my wooden chopsticks. “I guess you can’t eat it, though.”

“Even before I entered the final stage, I didn’t like tofu.”

I chew thoughtfully and then take a sip of my soda. “Did you ever try it?”

He grins, taking a piece of char siu from his own takeout container. “That’s not important.”

I frown at his Chinese barbequed meat. “Do you miss rice at all?”

“I used to get lo mein. I miss that, yeah.”

“What was your standard order before…you know?”

“Sweet and sour chicken, lo mein, and wonton soup.”

“I’ve never had wonton soup.”

He lifts his eyebrows. “Never?”

“I like vegetarian egg drop.”

“ No ,” he laughs as if disgusted, drawing out the word. “I was wrong—we might not work.”

“Egg drop soup is a deal breaker?”

The setting sun is at a blinding angle, but it washes him in warm light, turning his tanned skin golden. He’s rolled the sleeves of his button-up work shirt to his elbows again, looking ridiculously hot.

“I might make an exception for you.” He looks up at me, his honey eyes warm, and smiles.

My heart dances. I think of the kiss in his office, the way he claimed me as his girlfriend.

Don’t let him get away.

I pull my eyes back to my dinner. “This is nice.”

I’m nervous. Why am I nervous? This is Noah. We live together, for goodness’ sake.

“It is,” he agrees.

“Maybe we should keep doing this.” I poke a piece of broccoli with my chopsticks.

He contemplates me. “Go on impromptu picnics?”

“Yeah, and you know. Other things. Together.”

He leans forward, his focus intent now. “Together…like dating?”

I nod, my heart beginning to race. “Maybe we should try us. I won’t go out with other guys, and you won’t go out with other women.”

Noah sets his box on the picnic table. “Piper, to make sure I have this right…are you unlocking the friend-zone gate?”

I nod. “If you want.”

“If I want,” he mutters, and then he laughs. “Yes, I want.”

I finally work up the nerve to look at him. “So…I guess this is our Day One?”

“Finally.” He grins as he looks back at his takeout box, claiming the last piece of pork.

Finished as well, I look for a trash can. “Now what?”

Noah stands, collecting the boxes, napkins, and unused pouches of soy sauce for the trash. Then he comes around the picnic table and takes my hand. “Now we should probably head home because we work tomorrow.”

We head toward the parking area, and I imagine we look like a proper couple…just a couple of vampires enjoying the summer evening.

When my nerves try to get the best of me, I ignore them. Noah is a vampire, yes, but so am I. Kind of.

And yes, we have some hurdles to overcome—but we’ll take it one step at a time. For now, I’m just going to enjoy being together.