Draven's Crossing: Tempestuous Crossings (20 page)

Draven trembled and decided to switch the subject. “Anything to report?”

“Nope, nothing. Which I’ll take as good news for now. I’m considering a few of my options. Jagger is skulking about as usual, turning a few stones over, pissing off a few people. I’ll know more soon. Jackal is on his way, but he’s stopping off to help out a friend down in Baltimore. Once he hits town, I expect the sky to start shitting itself. Other than that, it’s all quiet. The people aren’t restless, just pissed. I’d say as soon as we find this serial killer, they’ll want to get in a few punches for putting them through this.” Torger gave him an evil smile filled with malice.

Draven took a sip of the coffee and winced. “I’m so glad you’re on our side. Although, your taste in coffee is horrible. What is this? Motor oil? This could clean the dirt off my hubcaps.”

He
put the cup down and pushed it far away from him. Torger shrugged, grabbed it, and downed the whole thing in one gulp.

“Jesus! Slow down.” Draven admonished. “You know I could have the flu or something.”

“My werewolf antibodies would take care of that in an instant, so no worries on that front, and I need all the fuel I can get. I promised Isadora an update.” Torger made a face, and Draven had to stop himself from laughing.

“Whoring yourself to the media? Didn’t think you did that,” he teased.

Torger shrugged again. “Got to keep the public updated, and it’s an election year. I like my job. Free doughnuts and all.”

Draven snickered. His office door opened, and his harried P.A. walked in. “Sir, these need your signature.” He put a large pile of files and papers on his desk and stepped back.

“Thanks, Vince. Can you get me some real coffee? Torger’s brand of java can burn a hole through my stomach.” Draven grinned.

“Wuss.” He stood and smoothed the shirt over his stomach. “I’ll update you if I have anything.”

Once Torger left, Draven got back to work. He was so immersed in filling out paperwork, approving requests and looking over files that the time flew by. When he looked up again, it was almost time for dinner with Rose and Sabrina. He stretched his arms over his head and yawned. After placing a quick phone call to his friend, Ben, a local writer to confirm dinner with the ladies, he headed home to get ready. Despite his eagerness, he felt nervous, like a teenager before the big dance. After a quick shower, he got dressed, unable to shake his nerves.

“It’s not like we haven’t seen each other in ages,” he mumbled. “We talked last night. It was a good talk.”

He spent the next few seconds trying to tie a simple Windsor knot, only to fail. With long strides across his bedroom, he went to call Ross, but stopped short by the door. “Why the hell am I wearing a tie?”

Pulling the silk accessory from around his neck, he threw it on a nearby dresser and began to tuck his wallet and cell phone into his jacket when the phone vibrated. With a sigh, he answered it.

“This better be good,” he growled into the phone, praying it wasn’t news of another body.

“Uh, Drav? It’s Ben. Sorry, man. I know I said I could make it to dinner, but I can’t. Dena has gone into full labor and Max isn’t around. I’m the only one she’s got, since mom isn’t in the area—”

There was a loud scream followed by a harried female voice yelling that Ben should get back there this instant.

“Shit, I gotta go. I’m so sorry. There are some mysteries in the universe I didn’t need, and childbirth is one of ‘em.” Another yell for Ben, and Draven winced.

“It’s okay, Ben, we’ll talk later.” He wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or nervous. “Great, now I’m going to be alone with them. It’s going to be a tag team, with Sabrina taking the lead. That much I do know.”

With another sigh, he slipped his phone back in his pocket and headed out, partly thankful it wasn’t news of another body. When he made it to the restaurant, his first thought was that they wouldn’t come. Pacing in front of the doors, he tried to calm down and get his head on straight. By the time peace had descended, he felt he could face anything Sabrina would throw at him.

“Sorry we’re late; traffic was hell. There’s some sort of construction going on at the end of the street.” Rose lifted up on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss on the lips before pulling back. “This is Sabrina.”

She gestured to a tall, curvy woman dressed in jeans, a T-shirt and a leather jacket. Her expression was open, but he felt as if she was wary of him. Holding out his hand, he waited for her to accept the offering. She surprised him by taking a step forward and hugging him.

“You can call me, Sabs. I think we’re going to be good friends. Come on.” She grabbed both their hands and pulled them into the restaurant.

He glanced over at Rose, who was grinning. After they hung up their coats, she took him aside.

“Sabrina can’t stay long. She got a call from back home that there’s a family thing going on, and she’s needed there. Is that okay?” Worry flickered through her eyes. Cupping her face, he leaned down and gave her a full kiss on the lips, allowing the touch to linger longer than a peck.

Having this moment set him at ease. He felt more confident. When he pulled away, he brushed her hair from her face. He frowned when he realized she’d straightened it. It now hung in long layers framing her face. As usual, her makeup was natural, with only a hint of color around the eyes and cheeks and a deep pink gloss on her lips that was now muted.

“I like your hair.” Running his fingers through the softness, he watched her eyelids flutter shut as she let out a sigh.

“I’ve missed your touch. I’ve missed you,” she whispered. Rose leaned into him. He wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes.

“I’ve missed you, too.” Any lingering anxiety he felt about the possible interrogation melted away under the press of her body. Placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head, he exhaled and breathed in the soothing perfume of vanilla and cinnamon with a hint of her desire. He slid his hands down her back to cup her buttocks, giving each cheek a squeeze. She groaned and buried her face in his chest.

“Not now.” Her voice was muffled by fabric.

He chuckled. “The bathroom is right—”

“No. Dinner. Tomorrow night I’ll go home with you. Can’t tonight. Have to help Sabs pack.”

Tilting her head back, she gazed up at him with passion darkened eyes. He watched her as need unfurled in his stomach. Draven held back a groan and glanced up to find Sabrina watching them, her expression thoughtful.

“Let’s go before your friend starts getting interesting ideas.” He pulled away, but kept an arm around her waist as he guided her back to the coat check area.

Rose laughed. “She already has ideas, and wicked, naughty ones, but we’ll talk about that later.”

Draven said nothing. His mind was focused on his own sinful thoughts, all having to do with sex in the bathroom or coat check room.

“Wipe the smile off your face and prepare to be interrogated,” Sabrina declared as he pulled out her chair for her.

Clearing his throat, he went to Rose and pulled out her chair before taking a seat himself. The minutes ticked by as they looked over the menu. A quick glance showed an evil smile on Sabrina’s face.

She knows exactly what she’s doing.
A look over at Rose showed the same expression. Draven sighed inwardly.
Yup, being double teamed.
After ordering and the wine poured, Sabrina pounced.

“Okay, first off how old are you, fang man?” She took a sip of wine and settled back in her chair.

“Sabs!” Rose admonished.

“It’s okay.” He moved his chair closer and placed an arm on the back of Rose’s chair. “I’m five hundred and fifty years old.”

Awe showed on both Rose and Sabrina’s face.

“Wow, I’ve never met a vampire as old as you, and normally the older the vamp the more they stay close to Europe. Why is that?” Sabrina leaned forward and placed her elbows on the table, her expression open and filled with curiosity.

He took a sip of wine. “Well, it’s where most of them were born. As this world progresses into new technology and such, it can be very scary to some vampires. Older ones go home to Europe to be closer to tradition. A sort of reminder of where they came from.”

“Would you like to go home?” This came from Rose.

He looked at her, reached over and brushed her hair back so he could see her face. “Home is here. Although mother and father want me to visit them in Europe.”

He sealed that declaration with a soft touch of his lips to hers. Smiling, he rested his back against the chair and waited for the next question. He picked up his glass and took another sip.

“Obviously, you like Rose for more than a bed buddy—”

Draven sputtered. The wine burned at the back of his throat and went down his windpipe. Rose slapped him on the back as his eyes watered. It took a moment before he could breathe properly. The waiter came over, concern clear on his face. “Is everything okay, sir?”

Draven nodded. “Fine,” he rasped out. “I’m okay. The wine went down the wrong pipe.”

“I’ll get you some water.” The waiter moved away, but not before Draven caught a look of worry on his face. “I’m okay, really.”

“Oops, sorry about that. Should have warned you. I can be very blunt. You okay?” Sabrina handed him her napkin, which he declined.

“Fine, really, I am. Ask the next question.” Rose stroked his back and moved her chair a bit closer.

“Okay. Are you serious about my friend? I’m looking at you and wondering if this is a true attraction or are you just bored?” Sabrina’s features became hard with an unreadable glint in her eyes.

For a moment, he wondered if Sabrina had been hurt by a vampire before. With a deep breath, he glanced at Rose, who looked vulnerable and open. Giving her arm a squeeze, he answered, “I am falling in love with her. She’s everything I want and more. I adore her. She’s never far from my thoughts. I can’t think of a day ending where I haven’t spoken to her. I’m serious about having her in my life as my lover, and significant other.”

He waited for a reaction, anything from either woman. This was the second time he’d laid it out on the line with Rose. She’d believed him the first time. Draven couldn’t help but wonder if having her friend here had put doubts into her head. The soft touch and warmth of her hand on his thigh sent a jolt through him. It heated up his stomach. His shaft hardened as his heartbeat sped. Shifting in his chair, he pushed back the growing tide of desire and ignored the painful pulse of his fangs wanting to distend. Rose didn’t help things by moving her hand closer to his groin. Sucking in a breath, he tried to cover his growing lust with another sip of wine and found his glass empty.
Shit.
He spotted the wine in the bucket of ice beside their table and poured himself more.

“Looks like I made the big, bad vampire nervous.” Sabrina’s chuckle was full and robust, which made him smile in response.

“Yes, I’ll admit to being nervous. What else do you want to ask me?” Draven took a sip of his wine, this time savoring the crisp, dry taste with a hint of floral, citrus flavor. He watched questions flit across Sabrina’s face.

“Well, with the time we have, and since I’m hungry, I’ll keep it to one question and a warning. First the warning. Don’t hurt her, or I will hunt you down and make you watch hours of Barney the Dinosaur. And now for the question. Are you going to hog the wine all night, or can we have some, too?” She held up her empty glass and raised an eyebrow at him.

Laughing, he refilled her glass. “Point taken.”

Their meal arrived, and the conversation turned light as Rose and Sabrina recounted their experiences in the town. He especially appreciated Sabrina highlighting all the things she liked and the ones she disliked.

“I figured you’d like to know, for when you launch that new ad campaign to get out-of-towners to vacation here. Although my opinion could change once I move here.” She dug into her brownie and ice cream.