Bella Vita (28 page)

“Fine. You can come with
me.” I rolled my eyes at him and punched him in the arm lightly.
“I've missed you so much.”

We walked along in a peaceful silence. Just
having him next to me was like I regained a piece of what I had
been missing. When we reached the first town, Mike went inside one
of the stores and bought two hot cocoas.

“Here.” He handed it to me
and smiled.

“Thanks, I was seriously
missing this.” I sipped the sweet drink and enjoyed the thick
chocolatey taste.

“So tonight, we don't run
or anything. Do you wanna go out?” He looked down at his scuffed
boots.

“Are you asking me out on a
date? You know that we're both engaged right?” I laughed at
him.

“Yes, I'm asking you out on
a date. And I'm well aware that we're both engaged.” He held up his
left hand- on it sat a simple band, it was a
Claddagh
ring. I sighed.

“Well, we only live once,
right?” I tried to chuckle at him.

“Yes, we only live once.”
He reached over and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, his hand
lingered just a moment longer than it needed to.

“Since it seems I'm living
my last weekend, I agree. You can take me on a date.” I laughed, I
knew we were both being troublesome, but somehow it was okay- it
wouldn't change our future.

We walked back to the inn. Mike left me just
off the path to the actual building.

“We don't usually come this
far. I've made sure that I've covered my tracks, but I don't want
them to come over here. You don't smell like other vampires, but I
don't know if it's just enough to bring them or have them leave you
be. I don't want to take that chance.” He took my hand.

“Thank you, Mike. I'll see
you tonight.” I smiled at him, kissed him gently on the cheek and
pulled my hand out of his.

“See you.” He whispered as
I walked away.

The rest of the day passed with me on edge.
I didn't know what to expect. I made sure to message Dom and let
him know I was going out with Mike that night and so I would call
him in the morning instead. I got a text telling me to have fun. I
knew I was hurting him, but I needed to find my center before I was
able to be his and his alone. In the end, this week alone would be
nothing in our long lives together.

Moira wasn't feeling her best when evening
came so she locked up the inn and went to bed. I offered to get her
whatever she wanted but she said it wasn't necessary. She gave me a
spare key so I could come and go as I pleased.

I dug through my bags for something to wear
that was feminine. I pulled out my boots, a black pleated
miniskirt, I slipped on a black camisole and then my black velvet
jacket with lace trim and corset lacing in the back. I didn't have
any stocking, so my bare pale legs were showing. I felt a little
underdressed but it didn't matter. I fixed my hair into a French
twist and applied light makeup. When I checked myself in the
mirror, I looked like the girl I was in high school- only now I
appeared to have aged a little bit more. I checked the outfit over
once more. I decided it would do. I tucked the key into my bra and
left the house.

I walked over to where I had left Mike
earlier in the day, I made sure to blend into the shadows. He was
standing in the direct moonlight. His auburn hair looked black. He
was wearing all black. I had missed how perfectly he complimented
my attire with his own. I stepped out of the shadows behind him, as
silent as the night. I put my arms around him and breathed him in.
It was like coming home after a long break.

He reacted almost instantly. I was up
against a wall with his hand at my throat. His eyes were unfocused
and a low growl ripped from him.

Down boy
. I whispered into his mind.

His eyes focused and he let go
instantly.

“I'm so sorry, Em. You
can't go around sneaking up on people like that.” He let out a long
sigh.

“No harm, no foul. So where
are you taking me this glorious evening?” I laughed at
him.

“Well, first we're going to
the town where I have a car waiting. From there we'll be headed to
the city. And the rest is an adventure.” He took my hand and pulled
me into a hug that felt like a romantic embrace. When he pulled
away, his eyes had become softly unfocused.

“We have to run now, can
you the way you're dressed?” He looked me up and down the way one
might expect a fox to check out a chicken.

“Hey, wolf boy, I could out
run you any day.” I stuck my finger into his chest for
emphasis.

“Then, I guess I'll meet
you there.” He laughed as he sprinted away from me.

Cheating bastard.
I shouted at his mind.

It took me no time to catch up to him, and
eventually pass him. I was faster and lighter than he was. When we
got to the edge of the town I slowed down so he could catch up. We
walked into the town holding hands and laughing. There was a sleek
red Bentley waiting. I was momentarily stunned that Mike would
choose to drive such a posh car, but then I was lost in the beauty
of the machine.

“Okay, Cinderella, get in
your coach. Do I have to have you back by the stroke of midnight?”
He held the door open for me.

“You've got me as long as
you want me... tonight.” Somehow, I knew if I said the words
without the tonight then life would be just a little bit harder for
us.

“Then don't expect to be
home before dawn.” I smiled at him.

We sped off into the night. I took his hand
and held it tightly as we drove. I had never seen so much green
rushed by in the night, then suddenly we slowed just slightly as
the world began to be less rural. We reached a city, I didn't know
where we were and I didn't want to ask. I just wanted to enjoy. The
car stopped in front of a black building. Music pulsed into the
car. It wasn't what I would typically listen to, but I saw a mix of
people outside- including goths. Mike got out of the car and then
opened my door. There was a valet that he tossed the keys to. We
walked over to the red carpet area. There was a line around the
block. Mike said something to the doorman, and we were whisked
inside.

“How the devil did you do
that?” I asked once we had been led to a private booth.

“You've just got to know
the right people.” He winked at me, I realized that there was so
much to Mike that I didn't know anymore or maybe I didn't know in
the beginning. My heart fluttered in response.

“Let's have a drink and
then we can dance.” He left the booth and returned with two whiskey
shots, a Guinness for him, and a rum and coke for me.

We did the shots together. The whiskey
burned going down, but my body felt warm- like it did when I was
human. I looked at him wondering if he knew that I longed for the
days before our change. I sipped the coke as he took a slug from
the beer. I smiled at him, my cheeks were flushed from the
liquor.

“So let's dance.” He
bounced up from his seat, he was all energy and motion.

“Okay.” I stood and for the
first time since I had turned, I felt the slightest effect of
having alcohol. “Hey, was there something special about that
whiskey?”

“Yep. Special kind for
special people.” He winked at me and guided me out to the
floor.

I was giddy with the idea that I could
actually get drunk, it was an experience that I wasn't sure that I
wanted but I was excited that it was still possible. The music
flowed around us. Our motions were controlled blurs. It was hard
not to let go completely, but I still enjoyed every aspect of the
movements. I had never danced like it before. Mike countered
everything I put out there. We ordered another whiskey and then
went and sipped on our other drinks.

“Having a good time?” His
skin had rosed just a little around his cheeks.

“Yep. This is awesome.
Let's dance some more.” I pulled him back onto the
floor.

The music and lights flashed around us. I
felt myself losing some of my control. Just when I thought I was
about to be lost in a flash of movements, the music slowed. I
grabbed onto Mike. He held me close. Our bodies were pressed
against each other. We were no longer separate entities, but moved
and existed in one space. It was as though I had become part of
Mike and he me. My eyes locked onto his. We moved without breaking
eye contact.

I turned my head. The world seemed to speed
up and slow back down. I looked back to Mike. His eyes locked back
onto mine, but this time I found desire in his eyes. His lips were
on mine as quickly as I registered the want. My initial reaction
was to pull back. But soon my own want took over. My body heated
all over. His lips were forceful and powerful against mine. My body
shook with it. I broke away and pulled him towards our booth.

“I think we should leave.”
I bit into an ice cube. My body felt hot, too hot for me. My mind
was firing sparklers into the universe instead of
functioning.

Mike's lips were swollen. His eyes were
unfocused. He nodded his head. He threw down some money and grabbed
my hand. An urgency seemed to drive us both. The valet pulled the
car out for us. Mike handed the kid some money and helped me into
the car. We peeled out as we left. The world whirled by, I watched
him. My body yearned for his touch. He reached over and stroked my
thigh. I shuddered in my seat.

The car stopped behind a dark building. I
didn't understand what was going on. Mike got out of the car and
opened my door.

“Where are we?” I asked as
he led me up to a back door.

“My flat. I keep one here
for nights when I'm supposed to be hunting.” His smile faded and
his skinned paled.

Hunting...
I knew they had them out hunting us. I
sighed.

“Have you ever... you
know?” I asked.

“No. I'm a tracker by
nature. When I hunt, I gather information... never kill.” He sighed
as he opened the door.

The air smelled of him- only him- as we
walked in. This was his private space. Most of the doors were shut,
but the living room he brought me into was lavish. The room was
filled with beautifully carved wood pieces. I went and sat on a
hunter green futon couch.

“Can I get you something?”
He walked through a door. “Maybe some juice... or wine.”

“Do you have any root
beer?” I laughed because I hardly ever craved it.

“Yep. Barqs.” He came out
holding two cans, he sat next to me.

“Thanks.” I took the
can.

We sipped on them in silence. The effects of
the whiskey was still hot in my blood. He gently stroked my
cheek.

“I'm sorry, Em.” His eyes
were pleading with me to understand.

“Mike, I understand. There
are some things we've to do that we don't want to.” I smiled at him
and kissed his lips gently.

“I've missed you so, Emma.
I feel like the color has been sucked out of the world.” He nuzzled
my neck.

“I know what you mean. But
we have people back in our real lives. And we're destined to heal
our peoples.” I sighed.

“No, not tonight. Tonight,
there is just you and me.” He gripped my neck and pulled me towards
him.

Our lips met. I could feel the hunger
growing. My fangs slid down slightly. I accidentally nicked his
lip. His blood touched my tongue and I pulled back. At first I
thought I would surely be sick, but as soon I registered the blood-
I realized it tasted better than anything I had ever had before. I
closed my eyes and when I opened them again I knew my eyes were
clouded with want and desire.

Mike watched me silently. He realized what
happened as his licked the small cut with his tongue.

“They told you our blood
would hurt you, didn't they?” He growled in disgust.

“Why would they say such a
thing, your blood, it's like, I can't even explain it. It is so
good.” I sighed the words out at him.

He pulled me to him. Being so close to him
was like breathing in the most tempting food. He looked into my
eyes and slowly brought my mouth down to his throat.

“Bite me, Emma.” He
whispered the words in my ear.

My fangs moved down and I looked at him once
more before I sunk them in. I heard his initial gasp, but as soon
as I began to suck, I could feel him move with me in unison. I
pulled back to make sure I didn't hurt him. My body was shaking
with need and want. He opened his eyes and I could see he was
suffering from the same problem. I laid him back and climbed on top
of him. Our kisses became more frantic. The want was driving us. He
pulled my jacket off in one motion. I ripped his shirt off. I bit
his chest. Pleasure coursed through us.

I laid against his chest. I
wasn't drunk on his blood, and the effects of the whiskey were
burning out. My mind was clearing. My choices were clear. This was
where I would choose which path to walk down. I looked at Mike. He
smiled at me. His choice had been made.
Tonight is ours
. The words played in
my head. I made my choice. I kissed him slowly now. I didn't want
to rush tonight. This would be my first, and it felt right that it
would be with Mike.

He slowed his movements and spent time
caressing every part of my body. When I thought I couldn't stand
anymore, we made love.