Waiting (23 page)

“Sam likes to do the extreme. This
is definitely not my cup of tea
though I do love seeing you dressed up in that sexy little dress.”
 
His breath tickled my neck as he whispered into my ear.

I'm glad he liked it but
I wasn't so happy about the attention he received from every woman in this place. They mostly looked me up and down, didn't find me a threat, then boldly made their way toward him before seeming to change their mind at the looks he was giving them, or whatever he was saying under his breath since I caught his lips moving a time or two.

I couldn't blame them. He was incredibly attractive and drew women to him like moths to a flame.

The waitress reappeared, dropping off four drinks, two of which were apparently for me. I downed the first without taking a breath, needing some liquid courage to reassure myself that I deserved to be by Parker's side. The sec
ond I took big drinks, pacing
myself more.

Parker drank out of a small martini glass that obviously contained blood. Before I was done with my second drink, another was plopped in front of me, ordered before she'd left the last time apparently.

There must've been alcohol in my drinks since I was already feeling th
e effects. The
only
thing I could
taste
was
grapefruit juice.

Sam was the first to come back and join us, happier than before.

“He was yummy, don't you think?” I just smiled and giggled, pretty sure it was a rhetorical question. “Wana dance? Promise not to bite.” Her eyes sparkled as she stood, her hand extended out to me before meeting Parker's gaze. “You can join us too if you're so worried about her.”

I stood and Sam kept ahold of my hand as
I
downed the rest of my drink with my other. Parker seemed to be contemplating what he should do before nodding and staying in the booth, Francis joining him before we made our way to the more crowded section of the club, but stayed within eye sight of the table.

Sam was playing the part of the dude, twirling me in circles before holding me close and moving to the music, growling at any guy who came close to us. I'd never danced
so intimate with a girl before
but still felt relaxed enough to enjoy it.

Her sparkly silver dress coincided with mine, though hers had deep v's in the front
and
back, her breasts once again jiggling close to my face or smooshed against my back.

After only a few minutes Parker joined us, pressing me against his chest and swaying to the bumping music, Sam closing in on my back, effectively making me the meat of the
sandwich
.

Parker was good at everything
so no wonder dancing wouldn't be any different. I was turned on the moment he drew me into his arms. When the beat changed to a new song I told him I had to use the ladies room where he escorted me, then Sam came with me to act as my body guard, though there wasn't anyone else in here. That whole not needing to go to the bathroom thing was another plus on being a vampire.

“Are you having fun?” She made small talk while I used a stall.

“Yeah. It's new and exciting, and since I've got three protectors I don't need to worry much.” She chuckled as I came out of the stall. “Are
you
having fun?”

“Of course. If I wasn't then we would've left by now.” She applied another layer of lipstick while I washed my hands. “Let's get you another drink then back out to the dance
floor. Parker loves the way you move. Have you learned to read his eyes yet?”

“A little, but I'm sure it's easier for you sin
ce you've known him for so long.  P
lus that whole enhanced senses thing since you're a vampire.”

“That
is
a benefit.
I'm not even really sure what human senses are like anymore. Parker turned me over a hundred and fifty years ago and human
memories
fade with time.”

I kn
ew Parker and Sam went way back
but what I didn't know was that Parker turned her. That seeme
d way too personal to me.
I tried not to let my thoughts show on my face.

“Turned you?” I played at nonchalance while reapplying some lip gloss and playing with my hair in the mirror.

“Yeah. Did he not tell you how we met?” She gave an exasperated cluck of her tongue when
I
shook my head. “What
has
he told you? Apparently nothing important.”

I turned to face her, showing too much interest
.  H
er lips twitch
ed
.

“He hasn't been around much and I guess I haven't been asking the right questions.”

“Well, we met in eighteen fifty two
when I was nineteen and a slave, since I was born to one. After watching my mother being beat to death from a closet, I snuck out and ran away. I was living in the woods, sneaking into people's homes at night to steal food when I was caught by an especially large male who decided to punish me with rape.” I gasped out loud but she dismissed
it. “He didn't get to of course.
Park
er had already been in
their
home and rescued me. He turned me less than a week later and taught me to live and take car
e of myself. If it weren't for
 
him I would've been dead a long time ago.”

Her tone was full of gratitude. He'd saved her life and given her a brand ne
w one, chalked full of benefits
such as never dying.

“Did he kill him? The man who was going to...”

“Yes. He deserved it.” No argument here.
 
“That was the only human I ever saw Parker kill on purpose.”

“On purpose?”

“Th
ere was an accident once.
I wasn't around to see it. Apparently it tore him up pretty good.”

The bathroom door swun
g open and Francis stood there
 
with a determined look.

“Making sure you were still alive. Come on then, let's get back to having fun. Parker's waiting at the table.”

I wanted to know more about this accident but Francis held the door waiting for us. Sam looped her arm through mine and led the way to the table where I finished off another drink before all four of us made our way back to the dance
floor.

Sam ordered drinks that were apparently a mixture of blood and alcohol, getting just as tipsy as me while the men remained coherent enough to notice when it was getting late and suggested we head home. Late was a matter of opinion since it was now two in the morning, but the
club
remained open until dawn.

We were all giggles and smiles, seeming to decide going to Brian's house would be a good idea at this hour. Parker put up a weak argument but Sam easily shot him down, all of us landing on his front lawn less than ten minutes later. I presumed it was his fron
t lawn
since I didn't know where he lived, but apparently they did.

Sam rang the doorbell
nonstop
until lights started turning on and he came to the door with only some boxer shorts on, revealing a pretty nice stomach, cut, though hairier than
I
would've expected.

“What...oh, hello.”

He tried to adjust himself and look
presentable which made
me laugh before I pushed past him and told him I needed to go to the bathroom. I was beyond pleasantries and he didn't seem to mind.
Everyone else followed me in, not waiting for an invitation.

Wait? No invitation?
My gaze silently questioned Parker before deciding to let it go for now before my bladder released everywhere.

When I came back out they were all sitting in his living room and he'd donned a plain white shirt.

“Sorry about dropping in on you.”

“I don't mind.” Sam and I burst out laughing, remembering why we came here in the first place. “What?” Now he looked nervous.

“Nothing handsome. I just came fo
r a late night quickie.
I only do willing patrons.” She trailed her finger down his chest to the elastic on his underwear. “Are you willing or should I leave with my friends?”

Parker and Franc
is rolled their eyes,
expect
ing
this kind of behavior from her.

“Um, well yes.” Bri
an was startled. I’m sure
he wouldn't regret his decision. Sam was hot. “Are you going to...” He turned his gaze to me.

“We're leaving. Sam won't hurt you.” I gave him a hug then leaped into Parker's waiting arms, immediately springing my hormones to life. “Bye. Have a good time.”

Sam kissed my cheek then
shooed
us all out, shutting the door behind us.

“She won't hurt him, right?”

“Of course not,
” Parker a
ssured me.
Francis seemed to disappear
altogether
. “You h
ad quite a bit to drink tonight.
I think I should soak you in my hot tub, make you sweat it out before putting you to bed.”

The twinkle in his eye let me know he was intending to take care of me to the fullest extent.

“I had so much fun tonight. I love Sam.” He chuckled. “I mean, I really thought I'd hate her, but I actually like her.”

“Why would you hate her?” He really didn't expect me to say that.

“Because you sle
pt with her.” As drunk as I was
I still felt his muscles tense beneath my firm grasp.
“I know it was a long time ago
but she's gorgeous and I was just really planning on hating her no matter what, but I can't.”

“I'm glad you two are getting along.” He landed outside the log cabin and we stood there finishing our conversation. “I heard her telling you about how we met. I'm sorry I d
idn't tell you I turned her.  I
t never really seemed relevant.”

“It's fine.” Wait. “Should I be upset? What do you have to do to change someone?”

“You have to be drained of almost all your blood, just on the brink of death, then be filled with the blood of a vampire before your light completely goe
s out.” He explained it in simple
terms, easy for me to understand.

“How many have you created, and what exactly does it mean?”

“Thirty, but only
seventeen
are still alive. I am their maker, therefore technically their master. They come when I call, can sense it when I need them if I want them to, and since my maker is dead, that makes me Master, head of my line so anyone that my vampires make are under me as well. Also anyone I have first rights over. They are protected by me and we act as a sort of family. No
one can touch a member of my line without us having the choice of dealing out penalties.”

“Couldn't you have called your 'family members' to help you when you were locked in that cage?” That would've been the first thing on my list.

“I tried, but the cell our cages were being held in were lined with silver, depleting our power and energy even more. We had no strength to lift our heads. Sam bursting through those doors and dragging us out saved our lives.” He held my gaze and ran his fingers lightly up my bare back. “Your image kept popping up in my head whenever I was conscious. I'm forever indebted to Sam for bringing me back to you.”

Our lips met lightly, brushing against
each other’s. I moaned
on contact
, a little too drunk and wanting
. His tongue teased mine, gen
tly caressing and massaging
before escaping back into his own mouth. Fingers danced along my
vertebrae
, making me shudder and clutch to his shoulders to stay upright. I broke off the kiss to breath
e
, his lips continuing a path down my neck to the base where he'd bitten me before.

“You always know how to shut me up.” He chuckled then nipped at me, his fangs now extended and scraping against my sensitive skin. “Where's Francis?”

My dress and barely there bra were ripped from my body, exposing me to the crisp night air and leaving me in just my panties.

“Not here.”

That's all it took to let down my guard completely before ripping away Parker's clothes, which he helpfully tore at to make it faster. We were both naked and pressed up against each
other when I pushed his chest, gently fell on top of him as he
laid
on the ground instead of falling, then savored every inch of him.