Four Centuries (Damned and Cursed Book 7) (12 page)

They both retrieved a bottle and took long, slow drinks, standing on the side of the room.

"So, Victoria," Patrick said.
 
"Every night after these meetings a few of us get together.
 
Go out, see the sights, hit a restaurant.
 
Would you like to join us?"

"A restaurant?" she said, smiling.
 
"How's that work?"

"Believe it or not, there are a few here that are…
friendly
to our kind."

"I don't know.
 
Honestly, I didn't know I was the oldest here.
 
Would that be like your grandmother tagging along?"

"Trust me, you're nothing like my grandmother."

"Well, that sounds like a lot of fun."

He gestured around them.

"The way these things go, it's the only way we stay sane."

*****

Patrick was right.
 
If it weren't for him and the group of vampires she'd spent the late night hours with, she'd question the direction of her sanity.
 
The company of the others, especially Patrick, and the hot tub in her hotel room were the comforts that kept her mind from rotting.

Being with other vampires in a social setting was something she hadn't done in a long time.
 
Vampires simply didn't
hang out
.
 
They weren't pack animals, like werewolves.
 
It was fun to be with people that simply understood each other.
 
Her inner circle, as supernatural as most of them were, couldn't relate to drinking blood, or having to retreat from the day.
 
Only Jack understood her, due to spending a century together.
 
But time was a luxury the others wouldn't have.

The last meeting had finally arrived.
 
Victoria had an extra spring to her step when she entered the conference room.
 
Soon she would be home in her mansion once again.
 
There was no doubt a ton of work waiting for her when she got back.
 
But she was actually looking forward to it.

Patrick was already there.
 
He typed furiously at his laptop, a scowl across his face.
 
She circled the table and sat next to him, opening her own laptop.
 
They'd sat next to each other since their introduction, and she wanted to believe they were perhaps becoming friends.

"Good evening," she said.
 
"Is everything okay?"

"Oh, yeah.
 
Just business," he said.
 
"I own a beer company."

She shook her head and laughed.
 
"I should have known."

"Hey, if it's one thing Irish people know, it's beer.
 
Or at least the mortal Irish."
 
He pushed his laptop away and turned to give her his full attention.
 
"What do you do?"

"A lot of things, actually."

"You know, we've been talking for a week, and I still don't really know much about you."

"Well, how else am I going to keep you coming back for more?" she said, batting her eyelashes.
 
She meant the remark as exaggerated flirtation, but there was a hint of truth in her words.

He laughed as their eyes met, perhaps a moment longer than necessary.

"The last day," he said.
 
"Are you excited?"

"Ecstatic.
 
I'm not looking forward to the flight back, but I am looking forward to the landing.
 
Curling up on my couch, watching sports with a warm glass.
 
Can't wait."

His eyes lit up.
 
"You like sports."

"Eh, not really," she admitted.
 
"But a friend of mine recently turned me on to baseball.
 
I do watch that.
 
Are you looking forward to escaping?"

"Mostly," he said, his meaning clear as he admired her.
 
"I live in a vineyard.
 
The scents there are like music for the nose.
 
I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Victoria nodded, understanding completely.
 
She couldn't eat pizza, but the scent of it was intoxicating.

Terry stepped into the room, and they knew the meeting would begin shortly.
 
There hadn't been an official
leader
in the past two weeks, but it was obvious if there was one, Terry would be it.

"Ah, six more glorious hours," Patrick said.

She took a deep breath, feeling the relief wash over her.
 
One more meeting, and then a bit of fun before she had to fly out.
 
One more night out with others of her kind.
 
One more soak in the hot tub.

Patrick scooted closer in his chair.

"Hey, listen, there's this restaurant I've been wanting to check out.
 
What do you say?"

"Whatever the group decides, I'm fine with."

He glanced at the table, struggling to find words.
 
She sensed what was coming, but enjoyed the delicious awkwardness.
 
Patrick was even more attractive when he was nervous, which came out every now and then over the past week.
 
An odd mix of charm, confidence, and nerves.

"Uh, actually, the group doesn't know about this.
 
I was thinking…you know, maybe this last time, it could just be you and I."

Victoria smiled.
 
Patrick didn't realize he was on a timer.
 
If he didn't ask in the next hour she was going to take matters into her own hands.
 
She was glad he finally worked up the courage, even if he was a few days late.

"What took you so long?"

"You know what's funny?" he said.
 
"I've been asking myself that same question."

*****

"Hello?"

Victoria closed her eyes in relief at the sound of Amit's voice.
 
The phone had rang nearly ten times, and she thought at any moment it would go to voicemail.
 
The last time she saw him in person was the day he showed her the hotel room.
 
They spoke on the phone rarely.
 
She simply didn't have need of his services as her personal assistant.

Until now.

"Amit, it's me."

It took him a moment.
 
"Victoria?
 
I'm surprised to hear from you.
 
I was told your last meeting was tonight."

"It was, but I'm not leaving until tomorrow.
 
So, you can say no to this.
 
I completely understand.
 
Are you still working?
 
Still in the hotel?"

"I am.
 
And I'm at your service until you leave.
 
What can I do for you?"

"Oh, thank you so much.
 
Please, just come up to my room."

"I'll be there in five minutes."

She hung up and tossed the phone on the bed.
 
Every bag was packed, with the exception of one.
 
She would hide from the sun, out of habit, and catch her scheduled flight back to the United States.
 
Another seventeen hours with bad movies, Liz and Denise.

But she had one more night of fun to go.

Victoria wasn't one to get the jitters, but found herself more flustered than she would have thought.
 
She was quite aware of how it would sound to a mortal, but she'd dated
thousands
of men.
 
Politicians, executives, bus drivers, trash collectors.
 
Even vampire hunters.
 
What was it about Patrick that was different?
 
Was it even a date?

It dawned on her as she paced next to the bed.
 
Patrick was a vampire.
 
She'd never dated a vampire before.

"It's not a date," she said aloud.
 
"You've only known him a week."

She forced herself to stop pacing and smile.
 
It was good to know after so long, her heart was still capable of fluttering.

Even a vampire didn't know what the future held.
 
Victoria and Patrick would go their own separate ways, an ocean between them.
 
But until then, she'd have a good time.

A knock came at the door.
 
Victoria crossed the room, looking through the peephole first, before undoing the latch and throwing the door open.

"Hello…."
 
Amit's eyes went wide in shock.
 
"Victoria!"

It was only when he covered his face and looked away did she realize she was still naked.
 
Modesty was a trait she'd lost long ago.
 
It was a character flaw, she was aware.
 
She reached for a robe and covered up, for his sake more than hers.
 
Amit stood with his knees shaking outside the door.

"Victoria," he said.
 
"I'm a married man."

"Relax, Amit."
 
She couldn't help but laugh.
 
"I'm not trying to seduce you.
 
I need some help picking out a dress."

"That's…not exactly my area."

He refused to uncover his eyes.
 
She gently grabbed his hand and pulled him inside, shutting the door behind him.

"You're a man, and I trust you.
 
You'll be able to tell me what looks good on me.
 
I'm usually pretty good at it, but I'm having trouble tonight."

"I haven't seen anything
not
look good on you."

"Aww.
 
Thank you so much.
 
But believe me, catch me in the morning.
 
You should see my hair."

He frowned.
 
"The morning?
 
I thought vampires woke in the afternoon?"

She brushed aside his keen observation with a wave of her hand.

"It's an expression, Amit.
 
Now c'mon, help a girl out."

She led him to the bed, where she had an entire suitcase worth of clothes spread out.
 
Picking up a random dress, one of her favorites, she held it against her curvy frame.

"What do you think?"

Frowning, he brought a hand to his chin, deep in thought.

"Ironically, the robe is kind of in the way now."

"Easily fixable."

"No!
 
I didn't mean…Oh, goodness gracious…."

"It's a naked female body, Amit.
 
I know you've seen one before."

Victoria cast aside the robe, tossing it to the floor.
 
She held the dress up to her body once again.
 
Bits of hip and thigh stuck out here and there.
 
Amit's eyes didn't know where to look first.
 
Finally, he regained his composure, taking all of the vampire in.

"Too much red," he said.
 
"Red dress, red hair.
 
Overpowering."

She smiled.
 
"You can
never
have too much red."

He glanced over the contents of the bed.
 
"Is the goal seduction?
 
Or is this another business meeting?"

She was taken back by the personal question, and the ease in which he asked it.
 
She liked it.

"Personal meeting.
 
The clothes will be staying on.
 
At least, I think so.
 
But…I do want to turn his head."

Amit nodded.
 
"The sleeveless black Lela Rose," he said, then turned his attention to the ten pairs of shoes on the floor, several of which were heels.
 
"I take it you're comfortable walking on your toes?"

"I won't twist my ankle, if that's what you mean."

"Hmm…the Valentino's on the end.
 
And I'm sorry, but I won't be able to help you with the undergarments."

"That's okay.
 
Won't need any tonight."

She kept an eye on him as she dressed.
 
He watched her, but not with the gaze of a man admiring a naked woman.
 
She was now a project he was involved in.

"So, not your area?" she teased.

The corner of his mouth lifted in an amused half-smile.

"There!" he said.
 
"Perfection!"

"I look good?"

"You look…."
 
He couldn't find the word, so simply flashed an a-okay sign.

It took her a moment to find her footing in heels.
 
It had been a while.
 
Walking to the full-length mirror, she was very pleased with Amit's selection.
 
She owned extravagant, expensive clothes, but seldom wore them.

"Thank you so much."

"Of course," he said.
 
"It really has been a joy to have you here, Victoria.
 
I hope you come back next year."

"Don't hold your breath," she said, laughing.

"So, where are you going tonight?"

"He wants to meet at this restaurant on the other side of town."

"Are you ready?
 
We'll leave whenever you want."

"Amit, no.
 
I didn't mean…you're off the hook.
 
I was going to catch a cab."

"Nonsense.
 
I'll be in the limo outside.
 
Just come down when you're ready."

Amit didn't have time to turn around before she surprised the Renaissance man with a hug.
 
Victoria squeezed the air out of him, drawing a laugh, before he hugged her in return.

"Thank you for everything."

"You're very welcome."