2. Roderick
Roderick
I laid in bed, naked, with my arm behind my head. I couldn't stop thinking about her. In all my years, I've never come across anyone who has captivated my attention the way she did. Her scent, her stubbornness, her lack of trust. All of it drew me in in ways that I never thought were possible.
I could hear her down in the lobby, rummaging around in her bags.
"This is ridiculous," she groaned.
I smiled. I knew where this was heading.
I could hear the match light, the fire crack.
She spoke softly, but still loud enough for me to hear.
"Darcie!" her grandfather exclaimed.
"Hi granddad."
"What's wrong darlin'?"
"Besides you being dead?"
He chuckled.
"I see you are in the Wickes House Hotel! How do you like it? Lots of charm."
"Granddad, this place needs a ton of work to update it."
"I have faith in you. Have you, uh, met Roderick?"
"The vampire living on the fifth floor? Yeah, we've met. I need to know about your contract with him."
"Ah, that. It's real. All verbal. I agreed to let him live at the Wickes House. I mean, it's dark, and he's been living here on and off for centuries."
I smiled. It's true. When the Wickes House Hotel first opened, I was one of the first residents.
See, the hotel wasn't like normal hotels.
Sure, there were guest rooms for people staying a few days or a week, but there were other rooms. Mainly the four up here and the entire fourth floor were all for long-term residents.
Those who needed a place to stay that wasn't a full-out apartment.
Even better, they were all supernatural.
"Centuries? So why not give it to him?"
"Because you are my granddaughter. You deserve to bring this place back to its former glory. Look, he's a good guy once you get to know him. Give him a chance, okay?"
"Fine, I'll try."
"Also, check the hidden suite on the first floor down the hall. You might find some interesting stuff in there."
"Granddad? Granddad! Why do you have to do that to me?"
I didn't hear him, which meant his time was up, and he was back to just watching over.
For a moment or two, I didn't hear anything. Then I heard her shuffling down a hall. She was going to his suite.
I helped him build it. We took a few rooms that weren't needed anymore and turned them into a suite on the first floor. One hidden from any guests that would show up, and a place where he could stay close. He loved it here, as did I.
I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds of Darcie walking around.
* * *
I woke almost as soon as the sun went down. I could feel the moonlight itching to come through the windows.
I zipped downstairs, still in my sweats.
"Frustrated?" I asked her.
She turned to face me from the pile of papers sitting on the floor of the lobby.
"This is insane. What am I supposed to do with all of this crap?"
"Toss it out? Make a fire?"
"Do you have any real suggestions?"
"I might know someone who is a bit extra with paperwork and may be able to come organize it all for you. For a fee, of course."
She stood up and turned to face me; her cheeks went pink, and I could hear her heart start to race.
"Fine, I just can't focus on this right now."
I nodded. I scanned her body. Her jeans clung to her body in ways I've never noticed before. Her tank top flowed down, showing her tattoos and just a taste of breasts.
My throat burned slightly; my eyes felt warm.
"You okay?" She questioned.
"I'm good. Listen, did you eat yet?"
"No, but I don't drink blood."
"Yeah, not where I was going with that. There is a great Chinese place down the road. How about I pick us up some dinner, and we'll go upstairs and eat while we figure out the reno shit."
I could tell she was trying to come up with an excuse not to, but ultimately she nodded.
"Great." I changed my shirt, tossed on my boots, and was back down in the lobby in seconds. Darcie barely had time to grab her purse.
"What's that?" I asked.
"It's this thing women carry around sometimes. Holds important stuff."
"Yeah, I wasn't born yesterday. I'm wondering why you are bringing it."
"To pay for dinner."
"Nope. It's on me. Besides, they won't take your money if you are with me."
She pulled a hoodie on over her tank top as we walked out of the hotel.
"What's so special about your money there?"
"I don't pay. I do some handy work for them so they don't have to pay someone a bunch of money, and they give me dinner for free whenever I'm up there."
"That's you. Not me."
"No, but they never deny my guests free dinner."
She stood in her tracks and turned to face me.
"This place will not be a hook up spot nor a booty call nightclub."
I laughed so hard I was sure I choked on the air.
"No one calls it that, and they aren't. I never said it was women. Just guests."
"Alright."
The wait to get food didn't take nearly as long as usual; they seemed overjoyed that I brought a woman in. Even more so when we explained that she was the granddaughter to Mr. Carrington.
Darcie told them she was planning to renovate the hotel and bring it back to life. You would have assumed that we told her they were winning the lottery. I understood, though. All of those people meant more business for them.
When Darcie and I got back to the Wickes House, we went right upstairs to the suite with the cleanest living room. It had the most space cleared to eat.
"Why take over several suites?"
"Just easier. Got to spread out a bit, and your grandfather gave me this whole floor to do as I pleased. He offered to let me knock down walls and such, but honestly, I couldn't do that."
"So which one was yours when you stayed here while it was still profitable?"
"The one that I sleep in. It's been my home for so long. It's where I feel safe."
"So do you want to keep that one then?"
"I do. You are going to let me stay?"
"Only if you promise to not get in my way."
"I'm not entirely sure I can promise that."
I turned to face her now that our meal was done.
"What?" she asked.
Don't freak out. I thought.
I couldn't hold back my hunger anymore. Every piece of me wanted her. I wanted to feel her, to taste her.
I pulled her into a kiss. I got mostly dinner, but a slight hint of peach mango.
She pulled back and just stared like she was unsure what happened.
Darcie leaned forward, her lips on mine again. My body instantly began to get excited. Every part of me.
I leaned back into the couch, pulling her on top of me, her legs on either side of me.
I pulled her tank top off over her body, her maroon bra staring back at me. It wasn't anything sexy or special, but it looked great holding her breasts in.
I reached behind her back, unhooking the three hooks with one quick motion. The bra fell with gravity, and I helped it off completely.
Her bare breasts were now exposed. I reminded myself several times not to bite. Not yet at least.
I ran my fingers over her breasts and nipple. She flinched slightly, but it seemed to make her more into it.
I slowly pushed her back a little, taking her nipple into my mouth. Her moans escaped almost immediately.