Chapter 14
“Do you need a hat or scarf?” Rummaging through the basket of knit winter wear, I glance over my shoulder at Luc.
He slips on his jacket and digs in the pocket. Keys jingle in his hand when he pulls them free. “I thought we’d take my truck.”
Grabbing a green scarf, I shove the basket back on the shelf.
Alice, an older orc female and a regular at the spa, knits in her spare time, so there’s no shortage of hats, scarves, mittens, and socks in my home.
“That’s cute.” Stepping up to him, I loop the thick wool over his head and tug him close.
“You’re on my turf now, big guy. In the city, we walk whenever possible.
Traffic is horrible, and parking is even worse. ”
“Bossy little thing, aren’t ya?” he grumbles, but doesn’t take off the scarf. Wrapping it around his neck, he tucks the ends into his coat before zipping it up.
I chuckle while putting on my hat and stuffing some gloves in my pockets. Being a vampire, I’m mostly immune to the cold, but I don’t want to take any chances after being sick. Plus, a puffy winter coat with matching accessories is too cute to pass up.
Tossing my keys into my purse, I sling the strap over my shoulder. “Okay, I’m ready!”
Like a true gentleman, Luc opens the front door for me. Two puncture marks on the outside draw my attention. Upon further inspection, the frame is splintered and the deadbolt is nowhere to be found. Eyes doubling in size, I turn toward Luc. “What happened to my door?”
He clears his throat, eyes falling anywhere but on me. “You see... The thing is…”
“Did you break the door down to get in?” My belly swoops.
“Ya weren’t answering! And I was worried! What if you were hurt or—”
My fingers wrap around the smooth keratin of his horn, and I pull his big head down until his lips fuse with mine. “I don’t think anyone has ever done anything so romantic for me before,” I mumble against his mouth.
Almost hesitant at first, the kiss is light and soft, until my tongue trails along the seam of his mouth. Luc’s chest rumbles as he lets my tongue in to swipe against his. Massive hands wrap around my hips, boosting me up until my legs circle his waist.
Spinning us, the broken door slams into the wall as he braces my back against it. Not even the cold snap of wind gushing through the opening can extinguish the inferno growing between us.
Mouths dueling for dominance.
Hands trailing and groping.
Bodies writhing together.
My soft moans and his deep groans only add fuel to the need blooming deep in my core.
Need that Luc is clearly feeling too as he rocks his hips forward and the hard ridge in his pants drags along my center, sending sparks of pleasure surging through me.
“We should stop,” he murmurs, trailing his lips along my jaw.
“Otherwise, I’ll fuck you right here, right now.
I’ll have you screaming my name for everyone to hear while you soak my cock. ”
My head thunks against the wood, and I close my eyes. “That sounds like a good plan to me.” The words are slurred, and all I can focus on is the caress of his mouth on my throat.
Abruptly, he pulls back, and I whimper. “You’re irresistible, Ness. We’re taking this slow, remember?”
“Spoilsport.” Pushing my bottom lip out, I glare at him.
“Food and talking first. Then fucking… if you’re good.” His lips land on my forehead before he sets me back on my feet.
I cross my arms and cock a hip. “I’m always good.”
“Then there will be lots of fucking… later.” He bops my nose with his pointer finger.
“Fine,” I say, following him out the door into the brisk winter night. It’s my favorite time of day because the sun has set, meaning my sensitive vampire skin is safe. Stars twinkle against the deep navy canvas overhead and stray flakes of diamond snow float through the air.
I inhale a crisp lungful.
Contrary to every urban legend and tale told to children, vampires don’t burn to a crisp in the sun. Although it isn’t pleasant. Stinging and itching my flesh, similar to a bad sunburn, it won’t kill me, but it’s best to cover up or avoid direct sunlight when possible.
After some wiggling and brute force, Luc gets the door closed, and I’m able to use my key to lock the handle. “I swear, I’ll replace it tomorrow. Once the hardware store opens.”
I slip my hand into his, soaking up the warmth of his palm against mine, and we set off in the direction of my favorite diner.
Behind him, Luc’s tail flicks through the air, sort of like a happy puppy. A really big puppy. Cute. The subtle motion makes me smile.
I squeeze his fingers in mine. “I believe you. And thank you…”
When he stops, my feet halt, too, and I turn toward him. He cups my cheek and unleashes the full weight of his stare on me. “I’ll always come for you. No matter what, mon soleil.”
There goes my heart again, threatening to beat out of my damn chest. Not to mention, the constant somersaults my stomach has been doing since I woke up and found this surly minotaur on my couch.
Although, I’m starting to believe his curmudgeonly coating was a survival tactic to keep his heart safe. One I have every intention of protecting from now on.
“You said you wanted to know me… Now’s your chance.” His fork clatters against his plate as he sets it down and leans back in the bright pink vinyl booth.
After leaving my place, we walked the few blocks to Cream Me Up, a retro outer space-themed diner in the heart of the city.
Frequented by monsters and humans from all walks of life, you never know who you’ll find.
Plus, the menu is designed to accommodate even the most monstrous of needs, like my usual blood latte.
Steam swirls in the air in front of me, wafting off the mug of hot chocolate I ordered. Sans blood, since Luc’s seems to be all my body can tolerate.
Tapping my chin, I hum. “Okay. What’s your last name?”
“Thoreau. And yours is Bielski.”
“That was too easy.” While I think of my next question, I take a bite of my omelet. The fluffy eggs practically melt on my tongue. Setting my fork down, I focus on Luc as he swallows a mouthful of his cinnamon roll. “Favorite color?”
“Whatever color your panties are.” Straight-faced, his answer is rapid, not missing a beat.
My eyes widen, and I bite my tongue to stop the laugh from bursting free. “Ooh, you’re slick.” I wave a finger at him. “Does that line usually work?”
He shrugs. “I guess you’ll find out later… when I’ve got your panties on the floor.”
My jaw hits the floor. Is this the same grumpy minotaur I was snowed in with?
Looking oh-so smug, he leans back in the booth again and spreads his arms wide. The grin that stretches across his lips is downright devilish.
“I like this side of you. Playful. Flirty.”
Then, with an audacity I didn’t know he possessed, he winks. Curmudgeon Jean-Luc fucking winks! “You bring it out of me, mon soleil.”
Well, fuck me sideways. Words escape me and my cheeks flame, so I lift my mug to my lips and take a sip of my drink. How does he keep catching me so off guard? I’m the smooth one. The flirty one. I don’t get tongue-tied.
“Vanessa!” The soft voice has my head swinging to the left. “I was hoping you’d stop in soon!” Maria, one of the owners of Cream Me Up, flutters on translucent purple wings over to our booth. “The face cream you recommended has done wonders for my dry skin. Just like you said it would.”
That feedback has my insides warming. I love when a client—or in this case a friend—gets the results they’re looking for from my recommendation. “I’m so glad. You always look radiant, but you’re practically glowing.”
Twin patches of pink darken her tan cheeks. “Thank you. I’ll be in next week for another bottle. Enjoy your evening!” Before she flits off again, her eyes swing to Luc, then back to me, and she wiggles her eyebrows.
Shaking my head, I roll my lips and ignore her insinuation.
Once she’s gone, I glance across the table to find Luc with one eyebrow arched.
I take another bite of my food. “What?”
“You. The way your face just lit up.”
I shrug. “I love seeing my work pay off.”
Luc hums, sitting forward to wrap his hands around his mug. “Your spa. Urban…”
“Oasis.” Finishing for him, I smile.
He snaps his fingers. “That’s right. You mentioned it the other day.” Blue eyes flare with heat, like he’s remembering every moment of our snowed-in tryst. Blinking away the memory, his gaze cools, and he adds, “How did you end up there?”
Putting my fork down, I push my plate to the side.
My stomach is comfortably full, with no signs of nausea now that Luc’s blood flows through my system.
“Long story short, I got a business degree to appease my dad, but that wasn’t what my heart wanted.
I’ve always loved all things health, beauty, and fashion.
I guess I’m a bit of a cliché.” I roll my eyes. “A girly girl.”
A heavy hand lands on top of mine, stopping my fingers from twirling in the napkin. “Nothing wrong with liking what you like, mon soleil. Never apologize for being your true self. Everyone deserves to be passionate about something.”
“Thank you.” I smile and continue. “After I finished business school, I bounced from corporate job to corporate job, hating them all. So I took night classes at the local cosmetology school and read every book I could find, along with some self-experimentation. I accidentally turned my skin blue once by making my own face cream.”
Luc’s deep chuckle joins my laughter as I recall the memory.
“Viktor still gives me shit for it. But when I found the abandoned cathedral for sale in the heart of the city, everything clicked. And now, Urban Oasis is thriving. I’m even thinking of opening a second location, but I haven’t figured out the details yet. ”
His eyes are glassy as they assess my face. A look of calm washes over his features, making his lips tip into a serene smile. “You’re amazing. You’ve built a successful business around something you truly love. Not many people can say the same.”