Date with a Vampire (16 page)

“It’ll have to wait,” Melody shouted over her shoulder as she raced in the direction of the men’s
bures
.

“Where are you going?” Sugar caught up with Melody and sprinted alongside her.

Melody shot her hairdresser a huge grin. “I’ve decided to take your advice. I’m going to compromise.”

— : : —

Perspiration rolled down Guystof’s neck. His stomach wrenched with pain. He’d taken the last of the potion, but there had barely been enough to wet his tongue. What did it matter anyway? There was no need for him to continue with this charade. No need for him to appear human. Melody knew the truth about him. And despised him. His stint on
Dream Girl
was over. He looked down at the foot of the bed where his bags were packed. As soon as these pains subsided, he would be on his way home. Not only had Theo won, but Guystof had lost the only woman he’d ever loved.

When the door burst open and Melody charged inside, he could barely believe his eyes. Another woman, a makeup artist, if his memory served him, though he barely took notice of her, hovered in the doorway.

Melody came around to the bed, concern etched on her face by the lines on her forehead. “What’s wrong? Are you ill?”

Guystof rolled onto his side and brought his knees up to his chest. “Is it that apparent?” he moaned.

“And why are your suitcases packed? We haven’t had the final elimination yet.” Then, as if it just occurred to her, she leaned over him, her hair brushing his neckline and smelling like coconuts, and said, “You’re leaving, aren’t you? You weren’t coming to the ceremony. You were leaving me.” Her eyes blazed with anger.

He bit back a groan. “You shouldn’t be here, Melody.” He lifted the belt to her bathrobe. “And certainly not dressed like this.”

She looked down at the silk print robe as if for the first time she realized what she wore. “That doesn’t matter. What I care about is you. What’s wrong?”

“That potion I was telling you about. The one my grandfather made… The one I’ve been taking…to appear human. It’s been making me sick. Maybe I haven’t been taking enough.”

“How much are you supposed to take?”

“I started with one drop a day. Must have gotten up to five, maybe six.”

“How long have you been getting sick?”

A sharp pain stabbed at his side, and he grimaced. “Awhile. Right after we met.”

“My poor darling. You’ve been suffering all this time and never let on.” Melody scanned the room. “Where is that remedy? Let me get you some more.”

He held his stomach in pain. “There is no more.”

“What can I do?”

“There’s nothing you can do. It usually goes away after a while. I’ll be fine alone.”

“Well, I’m not going to leave you alone. Not now. Not ever.”

He tried to sit up, but the pain held him down. “What are you saying?”

“What I should have said last night. I don’t care who or what you are. I love you. And nothing will ever change that.”

He touched the side of her face with his fingertip. He’d never get over the silkiness of her skin. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“For the first time in my life, I know exactly what I’m saying.” She leaned over farther and whispered in his ear, “I just have one question for you, Count. What’s it like being a vampire?”

“It’s a very lonely existence unless you have someone to share it with.” His gaze locked with hers.

“My thoughts exactly.” Her eyes smiled back at him.

“You would do that for me?”

“Absolutely. I’m willing to compromise.”

He curled his arm around her neck and pulled her down on top of him. His mouth found hers, and he kissed her with all the joy he felt in his heart.

“Ah, hmmm.” Sugar cleared her throat. “I don’t mean to interrupt you two lovebirds, but—” She tapped her watch. “It’s getting late.”

Melody looked over at her. “You’re right. I’d better get dressed.” Then she turned her attention back to him. “And you, can you make it to the elimination ceremony?”

“Nothing on earth would stop me.”

She kissed him again, then pulled back and studied him. “You’re so unnaturally pale today. We have to do something with your skin.” Melody’s gaze went to the doorway. She motioned for Sugar to come inside.

“Guy’s not feeling well. Would you put some makeup on him to give him some color?” she asked.

Sugar winked. “Of course, hon, that is my job, after all.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you both at the beach, pronto.” Melody blew Guystof a kiss good-bye and dashed from his
bure
.

He sat up in bed and watched Sugar set up her makeup case. She pulled out a tube, squeezed some flesh-colored cream into her palm, then came over to him and, with a small sponge, applied it to his face. He didn’t especially like the feel of it on his skin, but if it helped make him look normal, he’d put up with it.

When Sugar finished with him, she handed him a mirror, and to his surprise, he looked remarkably healthy. “You’ve done a fine job. I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Just take care of my girl,” she warned.

Guystof wished he could promise her he would, but that wouldn’t be the truth. He was a vampire and knew well the dangers that came along with that. The most he could say was, “I’ll do my best.”

— : : —

Melody felt very much a princess as she sat on her throne-like chair on top the bamboo sea raft that carried her to the bachelors. The ocean was quiet and looked like blue glass. She watched as her
bure
disappeared from view and felt a twinge of sadness, knowing come this time tomorrow she’d be leaving Fiji.

A sea turtle swam by, its head lifted above the water as if to warm it in the bright afternoon sun. She thought back to all the things she’d seen and done during her stay on this tropical island paradise—visiting the rainforest, snorkeling in the warm Pacific Ocean, and drinking kava with the natives. All things that just a short while ago she’d never imagined she’d experience.

However, when she spotted the men on the beach looking chic in their formal attire, she left her nostalgia behind. She caught sight of Guy, tall and suave and by far the most handsome bachelor. Her breath caught in her throat. Soon the world would know that not only was she his dream girl, but he was the man of her dreams.

Four warriors dressed in native Fijian attire brought the raft to shore. One offered her his hand and helped her off. He walked her to the ceremonial spot, a lovely area shaded from the sun by palm trees and ferns. A cool trade wind blew from the southeast and ruffled her hair. She took a deep breath, folded her hands in front of her, and waited for Henry to come forward.

He smiled at her and took his place at her side. “Are you ready?”

She nodded, and he looked out over the men. “Well, this is what you’ve all been waiting for. Melody is ready to announce the name of the bachelor she’s chosen.” He kissed her cheek, then stepped back out of the limelight.

Melody squeezed her hands together to steady their trembling. She didn’t know why she was nervous. She shouldn’t be. There was no doubt in her mind whose name she would call. But for some reason that knowledge did nothing to quell her rapid heartbeat. She closed her eyes. This was a big step. No, a huge one. But one she’d been waiting a lifetime for.

When she opened her eyes, she focused on the man with the cropped black hair, and her nervousness disappeared. His vibrant blue eyes told her everything would be all right.

She offered him a wide smile, then said in a loud, clear voice, “Guy LeBreque, will you accept this lei?” She took the fresh flower lei from the arm of a warrior and held it out in front of her.

Guy came forward faster than she expected—a good indication that he was feeling better—took her by the waist and twirled her around.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” She laughed.

“Positively.” He tipped his head, and she draped the lei around his neck. His mouth sought hers, and he kissed her. Cheers and clapping ensued. Their lips parted, and they looked out at the group of well-wishers—Henry, Sugar, the crew, even the other bachelors cheered and seemed genuinely happy for them.

Serenie and her boys emerged from the crowd. They carried a baby coconut tree. Serenie set it down in front of Melody and Guy.

“This tree will be planted here,” she said in her melodic voice, “with a sign inscribed with both your names, so that the tree may grow with your love.”

Melody hugged Serenie, thanking her for such a thoughtful gift, then she took hold of Guy’s hand and together they walked down the beach in the direction of her
bure
.

Behind them, she heard Daniel yell, “It’s a wrap, folks.” The crowd roared, and Melody didn’t need to turn around to know the cameraman slowly faded them to black as they walked away into the sunset.

Guy draped his arm around her shoulders, and she snuggled against him, feeling happy and cherished and deeply in love. While they walked, they watched the sun set behind the horizon. The sky, awash with brilliant color, was streaked with magenta and purple, then dusk took hold and the first stars of the night winked above them.

They watched the sky turn black and a chill blew in from the water, but Melody barely felt it wrapped in the warmth of Guy’s arms.

“Look!” He pointed up at the stars. “Do you see it? The Southern Cross.”

She shook her head.

Gently, he cupped his hands around her head and guided her. “There.”

“Oh, yes, I see it now. It’s lovely.”

“It sure is.” His gaze was directed on her, though.

Her cheeks warmed and she looked back up at the sky. “In times gone by, it was used by travelers as a guide.”

“Do you think it will help us?”

“Do what? Find our way home?”

“Perhaps.”

“I don’t think we’ll need it.” She swung around. “’Cause we’re already there.” She laughed and started to run across the sand, then called over her shoulder, “Come on, pokey, I’ll race you.”

He needed no more prompting. Soon, they were side by side; then with a burst of speed he sprinted ahead. When he reached the
bure
door, he yanked it open but waited on the threshold for her to catch up.

“Allow me.” He swept her into his arms and carried her inside, depositing her on the bed and collapsing beside her, where he lay laughing and trying to catch his breath.

Melody had never seen Guy so playful. It was a side of him he’d never shown her before and one she hoped to see a lot more of.

“I can’t wait to introduce you to everyone back home. I know they’ll adore you just as much as I do.” She lay on her back, crossed one leg over the other and stared up at the ceiling with a huge grin on her face; then she reached out and stroked the side of his face. “And I know you’ll like them. Now Ann, she’s my best friend and an awful lot like me, just a little quirkier. And Mags and Billy. They’re so much fun. And Gizmo. Oh, how I miss him. He’s my dog—”

The look on Guy’s face made her snap her mouth shut. “What’s wrong? What did I say?”

He took hold of her hand and brought it to his mouth, running his lips over her palm. “You did nothing, love. In fact, I’ve never seen you quite so animated as you were when you spoke of those you love.”

She frowned, not quite sure what he was getting at. “Sooo?”

He looked at her mournfully. “Have you forgotten what I am? What you’ve promised to become?”

The blood raced from her head down into her toes, and she had no doubt that she was as pale as a ghost. “Ah, no, not forgotten, just kind of shelved to the back of my mind.”

“I’m serious, Melody.”

She rolled onto her side and propped her head up with her hand so that she stared straight into his crystal-blue eyes. “I know you are. I got caught up in the excitement of us, that’s all. But I haven’t forgotten, nor would I ever take back the promise I made to you. We were meant to be together. I’m sure of that. And if that means I have to become a vampire, then I will.” She offered him a smile despite the melancholy that flooded her. What if she never saw her family again…or Gizmo…or the girls?

As if reading her mood and wanting to shake her free of it, he pulled her to her feet and led her to the french doors, where outside on the patio a candlelit dinner awaited them.

Melody’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Did you do this?”

A smile curved his full lips and he said, slipping into his sexy Romanian accent, “Sometimes a little bit of magic comes in handy.”

“That it does.” She stepped outside and walked over to the table, sparkling with crystal and china and overflowing with enough food to feed the entire
Dream Girl
crew.

“You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble for only the two of us.”

“It was no trouble, my love. A little point of the finger here, a little snap there, and voilá, you have a feast. Besides,” he said, removing a stem of grapes from the fruit bowl in the center of the table, “I had more in mind than simply eating dinner when I created this.”

“Oh!”

He tore a grape off the stem, ran it across her lips, then teased her with it until she opened her mouth. Her teeth pierced the grape, and its succulent juice exploded in her mouth. The next thing she knew, his lips were on hers.

He burned a trail of fire over her skin as he caressed her neck. Slowly he slid one strap of her gold lame shell down off her shoulder, then the other. He touched her breasts until her nipples grew hard, then with nimble fingers undid her sarong, so both her top and bottom fell in a heap of shimmering gold at her feet. She stood before him, nearly naked, in only her under garments, yet she was not ashamed.

He gazed at her with such open admiration that she felt like the most beautiful woman alive.

“You are lovelier than I ever imagined.” He ran his forefinger from the base of her neck to just below her navel, sending erotic shivers down her spine.

“Looks like dinner is going to have to wait.” He lifted her in his arms and carried her across the patio, setting her back on her feet in front of the hot tub. “This is just much too enticing.” He reached behind her back and undid the hooks to her bra, slipping the straps off so that he held the lace undergarment in his hands.