She waved a hand, “That’s all fine, and I’d like that, if only to get to know you both. Give me, ten minutes?”

  I nodded, “Sounds perfect, I’ll be done with this coffee by then.”

  Lianne giggled.

  Cerise got up and headed into the back of the apartment.

  I took a sip.

  Lianne mouthed, “She’s gorgeous and so sexy,” because vampires have very sharp ears.

  I nodded in agreement, and then gave her a warm kiss.

  “We’ll have a couple days before I can pick up the processor and see if I’ve wasted my time there. Plenty of time to get to know her, look over the database, and have her review my plans and progress. So, did you want to take her out tonight?”

  Lianne nodded, “I’d like to get to know her a little bit at least, before we… you know.”

  Yeah, that was a good idea. Not that it would matter, the blood part, the bite, was a lot of pleasure on its own, and it’d put us past any awkwardness. It was why blood and sex were so closely linked with vampires, they literally had to fuck when they drank. Not always the donor though, they could drink and hook up with another vampire for instance, directly afterwards. A lover or friend with benefits. A lot of vampires did that, hunted in teams. The ones in a kiss, anyway.

  Rogue vampires didn’t really get a choice, but I already got the impression she’d be happy to put the empty hookups behind her, and at least have a steady supply and familiar intimacy.

  “How about a private beach, so we can chat and get to know each other.”

  Lianne nodded, “We can go dancing another time, and it’s impossible to get to know someone in a loud club, and food’s out, obviously. A quiet beach for three sounds perfect in the late afternoon sun.”

  Cerise said loudly, “Hell, yes. Tell me you bought me a bikini. I’ve never worn one… for obvious reasons,” her warm giggle reached our ears. She was obviously excited.

  Lianne giggled, “Two, a white and black one, mostly because we weren’t sure what you’d look like, so we bought clothes that would work with any skin tone or hair color.”

  I asked, “Do you have any jewelry you wouldn’t mind wearing daily?”

  A brief pause, then Cerise answered, “Yes, a pair of platinum bracelets. I prefer necklaces and earrings to fit the clothes and occasion, but those will work with anything. They also take an act of god to get off my wrists, I’d hate to fry in the sun because an earring fell out.”

  That was a really good point.

  She came in, dropped them in front of me, and raced back out. They were double banded, and they both had five settings with two one quarter karat diamonds on the outer two each way, and in the middle was a one karat. Platinum and diamonds would go with anything. They were quite lovely, and both would take two spells with the double bands. So just to be certain given how deadly sunlight was to vampires, I cast both charm spells on both bracelets making her bullet and sun proof twice over.

  Lianne turned my head, and then kissed me gently. Her warm doe eyes were mesmerizing, and she was excited too. Shallowly attracted to our new vampire employee and soon to be lover, and the first impression had gone well on all sides. She looked adoring, and I was quite sure I looked enthralled. We broke the intensely intimate gaze when Cerise came back into the room with two big suitcases.

  She winked, “Vampires move fast.”

  Lianne laughed, “Do you need to lock up?”

  She blinked, “Right.”

  She quickly moved to the door and latched and chained it, then was back by the time I was at the sink and rinsing out the mugs.

  I teleported her straight to the guest room with a red and red oak theme, since she’d had a lot of red in her own apartment, I thought she’d be most comfortable in that room. It had a red oak queen sized bed with a bright red comforter, and even red silk sheets and pillowcases. The dresser and nightstands were red oak as well, and the floor was a white carpet. The curtains were dark red and pink, and the bathroom itself was pink and white tile on the floor, and white counters, with a pink shower curtain and slightly darker pink wall tiles. It was very feminine.

  She looked around and smiled, “I love it,” as she sensually and casually took the bracelets I held out and slipped them onto her wrists.

  Lianne said, “Your bikinis are in the second right side draw. When you’re ready we’ll be downstairs. They’ll be a little big, but I’ll tailor them to your body as soon as you get down there.”

  Cerise sighed, “This… thank you, for the opportunity of a lifetime, even one of my length. Both to do real work again and to get to know you. The last few years has been difficult for me, I will admit. I know it’s impolitic to the times to admit or suggest, but I’ve missed having a strong man around and female company. I can do life on my own and in my own terms, but I’d rather not. I was far happier and at peace taking my lead from a man and watching out for his and our interests.

  “The time I was born in has indelibly stamped itself on me in that way, but it’s more than that, I think. I think my time was more natural to our natures as men and women. Women are more independent now, but they are also less happy in those roles. When I’m on my own I worry too much about everything, and I forget to enjoy life. That you’ve clearly gone to lengths to look out for my interests already, means a great deal to me. So, thank you.”

  That was more than just a hand extended, she was pretty much saying she was submissive and wanted my guidance. Much like Lianne did, though not in a repressive way. Gentle guidance and care toward their needs, in all things, was the meaning of cherishing and responsibility. It also told me she hoped for the deeper things too, the personal side beyond the contract agreement, and for it not to just be business.

  Lianne grinned, “I had the same problem, when he pulled me in. I kept wondering if I was dreaming.”

  Cerise smiled alluringly, “I won’t disappoint you, Liam, or you, Lianne.”

  I chuckled, “You’re very welcome, and I have no doubt that’s true.”

  Lianne and I left to let her unpack and get ready, while we got changed too. I threw on some swimming trunks, and Lianne looked absolutely delectable in a red bikini. Despite having a lot more to do, Cerise was right behind us as we got down to the living room. Vampire speed was a thing.

  Once Lianne cast the spell to size it right, Cerise looked amazing in a white bikini, a good contrast to her medium tanned skin, light gray eyes, and wavy light reddish-brown hair. Her body was mouthwatering, not an inch of fat anywhere except her generously rounded and succulent C cups and her lusciously bubbled ass.

  Lianne said, “That was quick. You drink?”

  Vampires could do liquids, even foods though it didn’t do anything for them past enjoying the taste, except alcohol.

  Cerise nodded, “Wine if you have it, beer if you don’t.”

  Lianne replied, “White zinfandel?”

  Cerise smiled, “That’ll be great.”

  Lianne left for the kitchen.

  “You look fantastic.”

  She smiled, “Most vampires do, but a girl likes to hear it, so thank you. Your, Lianne’s, mansion is lovely. Have you been together long?”

  I smiled, “Actually, about a day and a half. I still have a lot to get to know about her too, so we’ll all get to know each other tonight a bit. We were kind of set up by Sara, the youngest fate.”

  She replied, “That… is a surprise, you act like an old married couple.”

  I chuckled, “I’ll take that as a good thing. We pretty much jumped in with both feet, in loyalty and faith. Tomorrow we’ll get you a sign in of your own, but later tonight you can just use my login. We only have read access to the whole database. Besides that, and reviewing my business plans, we can set up your direct deposit. How so, an old married couple I mean?”

  She said, “Holding hands, and the way you orbit each other subconsciously. It was meant to be a compliment. Whose idea was this?”

  “My idea, I needed an assistant I could count on, and she’s always with me so that wouldn’t work. But it was her timing, she’s the one that decided we were ready to add a third. She’s my lover, advisor, mutual bodyguard, and a beautiful and amazing distraction.”

  She giggled, “It is important to enjoy life, and for an immortal god that never sleeps, time enough for both. She is quite lovely, and you’re almost too good looking. And in charge.”

  “I am with weight to her words and at her consideration. I’ll treat you the same.”

  She said warmly, “I can’t wait to find out if that’s true.”

  Lianne came back out, with a few large towels, an ice bucket, a bottle of wine, and a few glasses. I rushed forward to take the first two items.

  “We ready?”

  Lianne nodded, “If we forgot something, you can do that summoning spell.”

  I laughed, “True enough.”

  I teleported us to a tropical island beach. It was pretty small, so it remained undeveloped. I put down the ice bucket in the sand, then laid out our towels, but mostly was really enjoying the look of shocked and thrilled awe of Cerise, who was blinking tears as she stood in the sunlight for the first time in over four hundred years.

  She looked a little overwhelmed, so neither of us disturbed her as we sat on the towels and Lianne started pouring us all a glass of wine.

  Cerise shook her head suddenly, her seductive voice a whisper, “For this alone I’d do anything you ask, you must know this.”

  I chuckled, “I can admit it is a bribe to tempt you to stay, because you won’t find anyone else able to do this for you. But to hold it as leverage within our relationship would be… contemptable. It also makes you more useful to me in your position, I’ll need you in some daytime meetings with Lianne and I on occasion, and I’d prefer you were on our schedule.”

  Cerise said, “You are too kind.”

  I replied, “Or you underestimate your value. I have no doubt you’ll prove worthy of every benefit and moment of time invested.”

  Cerise blushed, momentarily at a loss for words.

  Lianne said, “Yes, he’s that confident, all the time. Come sit, drink, enjoy the breeze. I’m a first wave goddess by the way, been here sixty-four years. Not four hundred granted, but I’ve been around the block a few times, and there’s no one like him. He was a shifter before gaining his power, and his rebirth is recent, likes to talk about cherishing and responsibility that goes with being in charge, but then he also does it.”

  Cerise smiled as she came over and folded her legs gracefully before reaching out to take the wine glass. She was elegantly sensual and seductive even in the simple things.

  “I knew the shifter part, I could scent it. His immortal body still contains his wolf, even if he can shift to anything now on his own. I was born a simple village girl, though a noble one. My father was knight and landowner, and in authority over that village. Leo, my old kiss master, was a rogue that arrived in town, impersonating an earl,” she looked at me, “He was shadow to you, but he had the same confidence and surety, and back then I was a simple village girl.

  “He swept me off my feet, and we had an affair. Of course, he was feeding from me the whole time too, and I didn’t know it. When my father began to question things about him, he moved on, and he took me with him. We were together four hundred years.

  “I’m not stupid, he used money and charm to keep me on a short leash, but he also made me happy, and we lived in luxury. He wasn’t abusive, and he would almost never deny me. And back then women weren’t allowed to own anything, anyway. It was… a good life.”

  She smiled, “What I’m getting at is that I see him and more in Liam. Everything, without the leash,” she looked at Lianne, “He told me you are new to being as one, that you both jumped in with both feet in trust and loyalty. I told you all that so you can understand me, and understand why, when I say I’d like to do the same. No promises, all we have is first impressions, hopes, dreams, and a job contract. But I’d like to start it out assuming we can make it work, all of it, and if things don’t work out, well there will still be work worthy of me, blood and sex with two steady lovers, and living in luxury once more. That’s far better than what I had before, and far better than most ever achieve.”

  Lianne giggled, “I think I understand, he represents everything you lost and more, and more than you dreamed you’d ever have again.”

  Cerise replied, “Exactly. Men willing to truly lead a family are rare these days, as are men with great ambition. I do not want to miss this opportunity, on either level, personal or business. Am I being foolish?”

  Lianne shook her head, “I don’t think so. I even tested him.”

  I raised an eyebrow, “You did?”

  Lianne giggled, “Totally, sir.”

  I smirked, “Your objections?”

  Lianne nodded, and turned to Cerise, “I challenged him when he suggested he was in charge, and the decisions were his, but that he’d take my advice with true weight. You know how some men like to pretend they’re in charge, but will bend and backpedal to get inside the skirts?”

  Cerise nodded.

  Lianne shrugged, “He’d have walked rather than compromise on that, despite me telling him over and over again this wasn’t the nineteen or eighteen sixties.”

  Cerise snickered, “I see. You wished to make sure he was worthy to lead you.”

  Lianne nodded, “That was part of it, yes. The other part is I was born in this century. I’ve always wanted a strong loyal man, but society is constantly telling me that’s wrong. Anyway, if you’re being foolish than so am I, because I’d love it if you only used your room for clothes storage and showers, and you joined us in the master bedroom.”

  Cerise looked to me.

  I nodded, “I already told you that was my hope, I have no issue at all with jumping in with both feet.”

  Lianne interjected, “I wouldn’t have offered if he wasn’t.”

  I asked, “Do you enjoy food?”

  Cerise tilted her head, “I do, the flavors and the experience. But I rarely treat myself, because it means finding fresh blood earlier. Every day or two, instead of every three to four.”

  “Well, that won’t be a problem. If you feed on us every other night, that’s every night for you.”

  Cerise’s lips twitched, “You got the part where I already said yes to all of it, right?”

  I chuckled in a low tone, “Get used to it.”

  Cerise said, “Being spoiled?”

  Lianne smirked, “Yes, but you’ll also be kept in line.”

  I snickered at Cerise’s warm look at that comment.

  “It’s not like I won’t be getting something out of it as well. Your lovely company at meals for one. Then there’s all that extra pleasure involved.”

  Cerise nodded, “If I drink blood that often I won’t need to sleep more than two hours a night either, so I’ll be more productive.”

  “Any hobbies,” I asked.

  Cerise tilted her head, “I’m well-travelled, and I like physically demanding activities,” she giggled at my look, “That too, but besides the obvious, outdoor activities. Tennis, handball, rock climbing, bungie jumping, sky diving, snow skiing, a pre-dawn run.”

  “We might not be very competitive for you, on tennis and handball.”

  She giggled, “I play with humans often, it is simple enough to limit myself to human speed, or whatever speed you’re capable of. It makes it… interesting.”

  “So, you’re competitive.”

  She smiled, “I am a vampire, and we are super predators, even if we respect human life and laws. In a lot of ways, competitive sports or games are a good way to… satisfy those instincts so they don’t overwhelm us or frustrate us.

  “So, do you two always touch?” she asked.

  I raised my hand, “Shifter.”

  Lianne raised her hand, “Cuddle slut and attention whore.”

  I chuckled, and Cerise giggled.

  Lianne asked, “How about you?”

  Cerise nodded, “Yes, I’m resisting it now, actually. Ever since we arrived her on the beach. To get to know you both a little better before taking that two-foot plunge we promised. I’m a cuddler, and a toucher when I can’t be the first. That was one of the things Leo and I fought over often, he… grew tired of my presence and touch.

  “I don’t begrudge solitude though, when it comes to work, but when we are together, I will be demonstrative as well. If that is acceptable.”

  “More than, I’d prefer it and won’t turn you away.”

  Cerise looked really happy with that answer. Like it’d meant more to her than being able to feed on us every night in rotation and eat food again regularly. Which was good, because I really did prefer it, I’d hate having a woman that didn’t want and welcome my touch outside of specified intimate activities.

  Lianne smiled, “I’d like that too. I’m not, I haven’t, but I’m looking forward to it. I mean, you’re really stunning, Cerise, and I’m getting good vibes from you.”

  Cerise asked, “You too, on the vibes and especially the stunning. You’ve been sexually active for over forty-five years, and you’ve never been with a woman?”

  Lianne shrugged, “I’ve always been attracted to the female form. Bi, I guess you’d call it. But I need a man too much to consider exclusively dating a woman, so it really just never came up in my focus. I’ve never been part of a triad before, polyamory triangle.”

  Cerise raised an eyebrow, “And Liam here is the first man to ask you for that?”

  Lianne laughed, “Hell no, but the rest of them let me shut them down, and it was less… laudatory in nature. More asking for an empty threesome, than a committed triad.”

  I said, “On the other subject, Lianne and I are all about outdoor sports, and we have several in common. I’ve never played tennis, but I suppose we could give it a try.”

  Cerise bit her lip, “Just say the word.”

  She was definitely a submissive, in the family sense of the word, perhaps even more than Lianne was. I wondered if she’d be the same in bed, or like Leanne more… aggressive there in comparison to our family life. A wild give and take, where she loved to be dominated or be in charge in equal measure. I was betting she was a wild thing. She was controlled, ladylike, demure and elegantly seductive in public, so behind closed doors… yeah, I’d find out soon enough. I mean, there was a predator inside of her, and she had to let it out at some point, which is where that guess was coming from.