“You just saw him last night and you already have another date? How’s your mom taking it?”

  I shrugged, not hiding my annoyance. “She does not like my late nights. I think it has more to do with the fact I’m not spending all my free time with Anton.”

  “What free time? You barely have time to see me lately,” he laughed.

  “Exactly,” I tipped my cup toward him in acknowledgement.

  He shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

  “I have no free time which doesn’t help when you’re trying to play match maker.”

  “It also probably doesn’t help when one of the parties wants nothing to do with the other.”

  I nodded. “Yup, but she doesn’t seem to understand that, or it doesn’t seem to matter to her.”

  A few hours later, after I returned from lunch, my phone chirped. I reached into my desk drawer, opened my bag, and searched for my phone. I grinned hugely when I saw the message was from Grayson. Rachel glared at me. She knew who it was by the smile on my face. She figured out who ‘G’ was at our pitch to him.

  After our pitch was done, Grayson had walked up to me to discuss the plans for our date that evening. It was my turn to pick what we were doing. He didn’t bother to wait until the office was clear. Rachel stood there gaping, open-mouthed, wide eyed, when Grayson leaned in and kissed my cheek.

  I read the text.

  Grayson: Hey, beautiful. Looking forward to tonight.

  I texted back.

  Me: Me Too. What’s the plan?

  Grayson: Dinner and a movie?

  Me: Movie?

  Grayson: Your pick

  I paused for a second. Figuring he’d think I’d want to see some chick flick, I thought I’d surprise him.

  Me: How weak is your stomach? lol.

  Grayson: Not weak at all. What do you have in mind?

  Me: lol. It’s a surprise. I’ll text you the movie time.

  Grayson: I look forward to it.

  Later that evening, we were seated toward the front of the theater, up against a wall. The armrest was up so as to not separate us. It was about halfway through the movie, but to be honest, I really had no idea. About twenty minutes in, after laughing about the gore that made everyone else scream, we found other things to occupy our time. My fingers were tangled in his brown hair gripping him closer to me. His tongue dipped into my mouth, lightly stroking and teasing mine. He tasted wonderful. I groaned with satisfaction just wanting to drown in him. His jacket was draped across my chest hiding his hands wandering up my back and sides. I was at ease in his arms and yet incredibly turned on. I just didn’t know how to get what I wanted. It had only been a few weeks and there were still obstacles in our way.

  Everything felt right in the world at that moment, from the flawless tranquility his touch influenced from me, to the tremors his lips provoked racked through my body. It was absolute perfection until the scent of blood engulfed my senses. I broke away from Grayson’s swollen lips worrying for a brief second I’d nicked him. Placing my hand against his chest, he saw the worry pass across my face.

  “Hold on a second,” I whispered. He studied me as I righted myself but he said nothing. I closed my eyes and took a deep, heavy breath inhaling the salty sweet scent. I turned my head in the direction I smelled the scent the strongest and it wasn’t from Grayson.

  In the back corner of the theater there was a man hunched over a woman. To the untrained eye, it would look like they were embraced in an intimate moment similar to the one Grayson and I had just been sharing. Perhaps any onlookers would think he was just pressing sweet kisses across her neck, but I knew better. I could smell the blood.

  The stranger lifted his head from his meal, turning in my direction. I ducked down behind my seat. He was a hunter on alert. It made his senses sharper allowing him to feel my gaze on him. Looking between the cracks of the seats, I saw his eerie eyes reflect the light of the screen as he scanned the area, and turned back to his meal. There was no blood dripping down his face or any other signs to give him away. He was neat and well trained which meant he was no newbie. I felt my face go pale. I turned back to Grayson who was looking at me with curious eyes.

  “We need to go,” I whispered and bless him, he asked no questions. He nodded, stood and we left.

  Outside the theater, Grayson waved down his driver who had been idling on the corner, patiently waiting for the movie to end. “Take us back to the apartment, John,” Grayson relayed to his driver sternly.

  “Yes, sir,” John replied with a tilt of his head.

  Overwhelmed by what I had just seen, I let Grayson usher me into the car without question. He scooted in next to me, allowing me to feel the warmth of his body without pressing against me. My thoughts wandered over what I’d just seen. It was a vampire, feeding from a human, in public. Not only that, but if he was from the nest, which was likely, he almost caught me with Grayson. Older vampires didn’t just wander into another’s territory. And like it or not, Manhattan was Anton’s territory. Vampires were also rarely nomadic, preferring to stay in a nest. So the odds that this was a nomad who didn’t know customs were dwindling down.

  We arrived at our destination in what seemed like seconds. Once out of the car, my head cleared a little. I looked around to where we were. We stood outside a large apartment building. Before I examined it further, Grayson grabbed my hand pulling me through the doors. He didn’t pause to greet the doorman who wished him a good evening. He didn’t even acknowledge him. In fact Grayson didn’t stop pulling me until we were in the elevator.

  “Where are we going?” I whispered.

  “To my apartment,” he said, looking straight ahead.

  My heart raced at the prospect of being alone with Grayson in his apartment, but was I really ready to take that next step? “Grayson... I...” I shook my head, not sure what to say. We hadn’t discussed this before.

  “Just to talk; I need a quiet place.” He stayed facing the doors. When they opened, he grabbed my hand, pulling me along once more. He stopped at a crème colored door, which I assume was his apartment. He unlocked it then stepped inside, tossing his keys on a table by the door. I paused at the threshold.

  ”Come in,” he said when he saw that I hadn’t followed him. I was grateful. It would have been impossible for me to enter without his invite and even more difficult to explain. It all originated from demons not being allowed inside human dwellings. As I stepped over the threshold, I gasped. What caught my attention was the solid glass wall, in the living room, that looked out on to the city. I slowly walked through the foyer into the living room. The walls were traditional white. A long white sectional couch sat with its back to the glass wall, on top of a round black carpet. A black coffee table with four glass panels sat on top of the rug. Everything brought focus to the fifty-inch flat screen mounted to the wall.

  “Have a seat. Can I get you something? Water? Wine?”

  “Wine would be good.” Something to take the edge off my nerves.

  “I have a merlot?”

  I nodded, “That would be fine.” I sat there taking in his apartment. I couldn’t help but focus on the wall behind me. The city was lit up, like it was every night. I could never get tired of seeing it. It was home.

  Grayson came back with two glasses containing a deep maroon liquid. He hand me one, “Thank you,” I replied taking a sip, wishing it was something else that was red.

  He sat on the ottoman angling out from the couch. “Will you tell me what happened at the movies?”

  I sighed. Taking a bigger drink of my wine, which was a little bitterer than I liked. Looking down at the glass, I spoke, “I saw someone.”

  “Gabriella you looked like you were terrified.”

  I frowned. “I just didn’t feel safe...” I bit my tongue as soon as those words came out. Safe was not the type of word to use when trying to lessen the questions to answer.

  “Safe? Is someone trying to harm you?”

  I shook my head. “No of course not. I meant...” He reached over, grabbed my glass out of my hand and set both of ours on the table. He stood up and came to sit beside me and grasped both of my hands in his, resting them in his lap.

  “You told me no crazy exes,” he paused. “Were you lying?” His gray eyes skimmed over my expression, searching for deception.

  “No,” I stated firmly. Raising my hand, I cupped his face. “I thought it might be someone who knew my mother. Like I said before, she is very intent on pushing me toward her friend. If the person I saw, saw me all over you, it would not have gone over very well.”

  He nodded, licking his lips. “So us at the movies,” he gestured between us, “that wasn’t the reason you wanted to leave? I didn’t make you… uncomfortable?”

  I giggled lightly. “No. If you would have made me uncomfortable I would have asked you to stop. And if you still continued to do it after? Well, I know how to handle myself.”

  “That’s good,” he sounded relived. “Not about you handling yourself, I mean that is good too, but you wouldn’t need to use your mad ninja skills on me. I only meant…”

  “I know what you meant.” I giggled at his nervous stammering. Seeing Grayson whom was master of his universe get flustered helped ease my nervous feeling. I wasn’t the only one who was feeling it.

  He sighed, “How about Friday, we try dinner and a movie again? Only this time, we do it here. That way, no surprise people show up. Just you and me, I’ll even cook for you.” I looked down sticking my bottom lip out to pout “What?” he asked tipping my chin up.

  “I have to go two days without seeing you?” I smiled.

  He chuckled, and then nodded. Not so long ago, he was twisting my arm to see him sooner. His hand slid to the nape of my neck. His gray eyes sparkled while pulling me closer. My heart was racing with anticipation. He leaned past my lips, his warm breath flowing against my ear, sent chills down my spine. “I think you can handle two days,” he whispered. “It might even make Friday better.” He pulled back.

  My breathing was heavy as my eyes dropped to his lips. Almost like gravity was pulling me in his direction, I leaned into him. The moment our lips touched, a spark ignited in me. I moved my lips hungrily against his. My tongue dipped into his mouth teasing him. Instead of quenching the spark, the kiss just made it grow. When Grayson’s hands slid up my back, I felt like an inferno was growing in me. Grayson pulled back placing light kisses on my lips, gently easing down the flame, until it was just a flicker, waiting for the right amount of fuel to burn me from the inside out. He rested his forehead to mine, both of us breathing harder.

  “I should go,” I whispered. He nodded against me, but neither of us moved. His eyes flickered open. I saw something in them, a hunger that made the flame inside me grow again. I slowly pulled away. I reached over, grabbed my wine glass and downed the remainder. “Yeah, I should go,” I said to myself as if I was trying to convince myself of what I needed to do. Standing, I straightened my dress.

  “I’ll take you down.”

  I turned back to him, nibbling on my lower lip. “I would really appreciate it but...” I took a deep breath, “I’m worried that if we were to get in the elevator together right now, that I might not make it home tonight.”

  He laughed but nodded in agreement. “I’ll just walk you to the elevator then.” I smiled then agreed.

  Chapter 3

  “So are you going to sleep with him?” Shawn asked as I was getting ready for my date. Friday had come at long last. I was more than grateful to be away from the nest. I was tired of my mother obvious attempts to shove Anton and me together. For example last night, she and I had made plans. We were going to have a girl’s night, as much of a girl’s night that a vampire and her half-and-half daughter could, but it was time together. Never the less I had been ‘working’ so much we had barely seen each other. Anton made an appearance and suddenly she forgot something she was supposed to do with someone that she couldn’t remember. God help her, the woman couldn’t lie to save her life. I finally made an excuse that I was tired at nine o’clock, just to get away. I spent the remainder of the evening in my room in bed staring at the ceiling unmoving just so no pesky vampire ears could hear me and believe I was awake.

  “Shawn!” I spat with embarrassment.

  “What? After what you told me the other night, I’m surprised you haven’t already jumped his bones.” I ignored him, while putting the finishing touches on my makeup. “Oh come on, Gaby. I’m sorry.” I turned and glared raising one eyebrow. Shawn put on the cutest puppy dog face. He knew it got me every time.

  I sighed rolling my eyes. “It’s not that I don’t want to, I’m just worried what’ll happen if I lose control.” I paused, taking in a deep breath letting myself relax. My fangs slipped out and my eyes turned a honey green.

  “Wow! You do look a little on the spooky side,” he mumbled. Pulling back my fangs, which were like any other muscle, I threw a pillow at Shawn’s head.

  “Says the man that turns into a dog once a month,” I shouted, and then frowned. “You see why I can’t. Not without him knowing what I am.”

  He crinkled his nose, “Yeah that would definitely be a shocker if it happened in bed.” He paused thinking on it for a moment. “Maybe you should do it with the lights off.” He ducked as another pillow came flying at his head.

  Forty-five minutes later found me standing outside Grayson’s apartment. I looked up at the sleek building. It was tall, but it was nowhere near what you’d call a skyscraper, not by Manhattan standards. I half expected to see glass walls like I had in Grayson’s apartment the other night, but the building was very traditional from the ground level. It was made of gray stone bricks with traditional looking windows. I looked up the length of the building to where I assumed Grayson’s apartment was, but at this angle, it looked no different than the rest of the building even with my enhanced vision. The doorman didn’t hesitate when he saw me. He went straight to the elevator and summoned it for me. I thanked the man as I entered the elevator. He reached in and pressed the floor for me. I was almost positive he had known I was coming. I also assumed Grayson had let him know to send me up. I exited the elevator and made my way to the same door I had the other night. I stood there in a little more conservative looking gray dress. It was loose fitting. At my hips it flared out slightly, but wasn’t poofed out. It had a square neck line with short sleeves that stopped just past my shoulder. I wore gray heels to match. My hair was done in two French braids, courtesy of Shawn, that were twisted and pinned the ends making a sort of bun at the nape of my neck.

  Taking a deep breath, I knocked. Listening closely, I heard Grayson in the kitchen, hurrying to the door. He then paused for a moment, so it didn’t seem like he rushed, which, of course, I knew he had. A smile broke across my face at the realization just before the door opened then it was replaced with yearning as I took in the sight of him. He wore dark colored, loose fit jeans and a black cotton tee that showed his defined chest marvelously. It made me want to run my fingers over every inch of him.

  “Hi,” I beamed at him, my gray clutch in my hand.

  “Hi. Come on in,” he held the door open. “Make yourself at home. Dinner will be ready in ten.” I nodded. Grayson hurried past me to the kitchen. I slowly followed him, my heels clicking against his hardwood floor. The kitchen was off to the right of the living room. It was very neat and clean. Stainless steel covered all the appliances. Dark wood for the cabinets that lined the walls under the dark granite counters. The cabinets above matched but with glass door instead of solid wood. There was a hall that opened into the living room and as I walked past it towards the kitchen, I peeked down it and saw it led to Grayson’s bedroom. I smiled to myself at the images that came to mind.

  The food smelled amazing. I could hear the soft sizzling sound coming from the oven releasing the heavenly aroma. He had bar stools lining his granite counter top, so I climbed on to one. Setting my clutch down on the counter next to me I watched Grayson finish dinner. He turned smiling crookedly in my direction while trying to focus on his task. “You know the couch is more comfortable?”

  “I know, but the view is better from here,” I said letting my eyes graze over him. He chuckled softly. I shrugged off his amusement. “I can’t cook. So I thought I’d watch and see how it’s done.”

  He grinned shaking his head. “Well there isn’t much you’re going to see. It’s just about done. But if you like maybe one night I can show you? We could make dinner together.”

  I grinned, beaming at him, “I’d love that.”

  Grayson looked completely comfortable in the kitchen. He made our plates, which was all I really got to see of his kitchen skills, besides him tasting everything to see if it’s done, but he still looked at ease. “You wanna eat here or the dining room?”

  “Here would be fine.”

  He set the plates down. Before taking the spot next to me he headed back to the kitchen to grab some wine.

  The meal was exquisite. Roasted chicken with herb rice and red potatoes. There was barely a word spoken during the meal, both of us just enjoying the cuisine and each other’s company. It was nice that we could just sit with each other without worrying about filling the silence. Afterward, we made our way to his mini home theatre, that he called a living room.

  “You like vampire movies?” He asked, sorting through his collection of Blu-rays.

  I choked on a sip of wine. Vampires? “Uh... Not really.” I actually did. I found it amusing watching some of the perpetuated myths that were completely outrageous. Like reflection. I mean, seriously, if you can see an inanimate object like a dresser or a shelf, why wouldn’t you be able to see a vampire? Soulless or not, they still have a physical form.