Cryptic Cravings(25)

I obliged and took a seat.

"What can I do for you?" he asked intently. If Jagger wasn't so nefarious and creepyandAlexander's onetime enemy, he would actually have been sexy. His white hair was jagged and edgy, and his mismatched eyes were intense and mesmerizing.And there was something attractive about the word "Possess" that was emblazoned across his upper arm.

"I'd like to help youwithyour club."

"Really. . . ," he said ina tone that revealed he was clearlyas surprised as he was suspicious.

"I'm great at decorating. Icanhelp find funthings around town."

I realized I might be treading on his ego. After all, he did run the Coffin Club. Who was I to tell him he needed help to design a successful club?

"Of course, Iknow youare reallygood at it, too," I continued.

Jagger sized me up. "Icould use anextra hand," he finally said. "But what about your boyfriend?"

"I'm not sure he'll want to help."

"Yes, I guessed that. But will he mind us working so closelytogether?" Jagger whisked back his white locks confidently. "What if youwind up preferring mycompany?" He grinned, his fangs catching the light of the flickering candelabra and his blue and green eyes piercing through me.

But I wasn't interested in his romantic inferences. "I don't think that will happen, and he's not the jealous type."

"I imagine he knows about the Crypt?"

"Uh. . . yes."

"And what does he think of the idea? He didn't seem keenonit whenIbrought it up to him and Sebastianat his party."

"I don't think he likes it any more now than he did then."

"But you do?"

"I love the Coffin Club," I gushed. "And I want a place where I can hang out here in Dullsville."

Jagger beamed. His pale skin radiated with the glow of my compliments. He rose, taking in his surrounding as if he was imagining the new club.

"But there's that whole thing about . . . vampires," I said.

"That bothers you?" He leaned over me, his hair hanging sexily over his eyes.

"Yes." I did my best to confront him. "I think this club should be for mortals only."

"I thought that a vampire club would be up your alley."

Is tood up. "Uh. . . it is," I said sincerely.

"You want to be one," he said, stepping incloser.

"I know," I said, determined.

"You are in love withone," he said witha mischievous grin.

"Iknow, but he's different."

"From me?" Jagger brushed myhair awayfrom myneck.

Istepped back, bumping into mychair. "From the typical vampire," I said sharply.

Jagger laughed, having funwithhis little game. "Well . . . youseemed to blend inwiththe Dungeon," he said,confronting me again. "And that Phoenixguy."