Chapter Two #3
“Luis,” Luis said, taking his hand so he wouldn’t be rude. He didn’t understand what was happening.
“Karim,” came a growl from across the table. Karim was now glaring Eric down.
Eric’s gaze slid Karim’s way just for a moment, and Luis saw him make the quick assessment.
It wasn’t difficult to clock Karim as a vampire, especially in a vampire bar.
There was a certain vibe that vampires gave off that made humans aware when they were in their presence.
Luis imagined it was the same thing humans felt being in the presence of a lion or tiger.
Some animal sense that there was a predator nearby, and you should keep your eye on it.
“Nice to meet you,” Eric said, a touch too dry. Then he, surprisingly, discarded Karim entirely and turned back to Luis. “I know you’re here with friends, but I was hoping that maybe you were single,” Eric said. His teeth were white and blocky and perfectly symmetrical.
Luis stared at him. He’d been coming out with Julien and Karim for so long, but this was the first time he’d ever been approached by anyone. Usually, the presence of two vampires scared people off.
Then Luis remembered what was different tonight–the shirt. The damn shirt.
Luis had had a few illicit experiences with random guys in college, but that was the extent of his experience being hit on or dating. Until a year ago he’d been living with his mother, and bringing a guy home there… hell fucking no.
So, he didn’t know what to do with this here and now.
“Oh. Uh. Yeah, I am. Single.” Luis eventually managed to get out.
Eric’s smile widened. Wow, those were some perfect teeth. Who had a smile like that?
Eric leaned closer. “Great. Do you think I could get your number?”
“He’s here with us,” Karim interjected, voice so cold Luis felt it shiver up his spine.
“I’m the DD,” Luis said quickly to clarify. He wasn’t sure if it was an apology or an excuse. He didn’t know how to feel about what was happening.
But Eric only nodded, as though Karim’s rudeness hadn’t at all phased him.
“Yeah, of course. Hey, I don’t want to mess up a good night out, I know how it is.
I just saw you across the bar and knew I had to at least take a shot.
Here.” Out of his pocket, Eric pulled a cocktail napkin.
On it was a clearly written phone number.
“For when you’re off the clock.” Eric paired this with a wink. Luis flushed harder.
“Oh. Okay. Thanks,” Luis said awkwardly, he could feel Karim’s frosty stare.
Then Eric was getting up, easy as anything. “Have a good evening, Luis. I look forward to hearing from you.”
“You too!” Luis managed to get out before Eric disappeared back into the bar crowd. Then he let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.
“Fucking hipster,” Karim said, then started to reach across the table for the napkin. Luis snatched it first and slid it into his back pocket where Karim couldn't get it.
The vampire glared at him. “Don’t tell me you’re going to text that lame-looking asshole.”
Luis grabbed the new drink and took a long sip. It was fresh and cold and perfect for his jittery nerves. “So, what if I do?” He said after. “It’s none of your business what I do in my free time.”
Karim snorted. “You could do better than that. I could practically smell the douchebag on him.” Karim’s eyes went down to the drink and then back up to Luis. “Probably spiked that drink.”
Luis rolled his eyes. “Seriously? You really think—” Then the doubt wiggled in. He took another sip. “Tastes totally fine.”
He wasn’t sure why, but he pushed the glass across to Karim anyway. Karim brought it to his nose and sniffed a moment before taking a sip. He shrugged. “Wouldn’t put it past a guy like that.”
Luis took his drink back with an eyeroll. “So not drugged then? Do you always expect the worst from people?”
Karim glowered. “Only because they usually deliver on it.”
“Maybe that’s just because you’re the asshole first,” Luis said.
Karim pulled back, as if the comment had actually offended him. “That guy was a dickwad, guaranteed,” Karim said with heat. “Nobody decent would pull that shit.”
Now Luis was actually getting irritated. He could feel it hot in his palms. His body was so used to arguing with Karim that it was like second nature. “Pull what shit? How is coming over asking for my number offensive?”
Karim bristled. “It is when you’re here with us. It’s inappropriate.”
That was funny. Julien cared a lot about decorum, about politeness and social rules, but Karim had illustrated countless times that he didn’t give a fuck about appropriateness.
“Suddenly you care about propriety?” Luis spit back. “Give me a break.”
“I own your time here,” Karim said cooly, “so hipster fucks should mind their own business.”
The words came like a slap. What the fuck was that supposed to mean? Anger swelled in Luis’s mouth, his lungs heaving to get the words out, “If you really think–”
He was cut off by a sudden figure, very tall and elegant, appearing beside the table.
“Is everything okay?” Julien asked, his even, measured tone sucking all the air out of the room.