to be made a human servant. Very few go beyond servants to become bonded mates.
Olivia preens from the attention she’s receiving. I’m proud when I see her straighten to stand a little taller. She’s beautiful but needed a little renewed shot of confidence when surrounded by a bunch of gorgeous predators. Her eyes scan the room, avoiding the stool where Antonio sits.
Antonio rises, turning his body towards her, silently offering her a place next to him at the bar with his action. Nice to see he can be gallant when it suits him. He looks like he’s trying to catch her eye, but God forbid, doesn’t want to call her name out and show too much interest. Silly boy. He should have tried; I might let him off easier.
Olivia takes my instructions to avoid Antonio. She walks with grace toward the corner booth where Drew sits. He’s the only other person seated alone in the bar, so joining him is a good choice. His warm, open expression leaves no doubt he’s impressed with her beauty and thrilled she’s heading his way.
The timing is perfect to project to Antonio the first scene Rafe and I created. I push my memories out to the swarthy, sexy vampire. He sees Olivia bent at her waist with her delightful bottom brushing up against his front. I watch Antonio as he looks down and then back up, a trifle confused. Before he has a chance to piece together what he has seen, the illusion is gone and Olivia arrives at Drew’s table.
“Is this seat taken? I was hoping to relax and enjoy a drink with someone to talk to.”
Bravo! If I could clap out loud, I would. The unsure woman who first called me on the phone to find out if she should wear red tonight doesn’t appear to be the same vivacious, blond creature I see before me now. Incredible what some great clothes, fabulous hair, and sexy makeup can do for you. Not to mention the feel good vibes I sent her all evening. Like I said, a woman who feels sexy is sexy.
“I would be honored if you’d share my table.” Drew rises half-way from his seat while she slides into the corner booth. The young woman makes her way around the curved bench to sit in the middle, closer to Drew.
He motions to the bar with his hand, in the age-old request of come hither a customer directs toward the wait staff. I smile before sending Rafe over to get their drink orders; Drew adapts well in his role, to say the least. He’s staring at Olivia like he hasn’t had a meal in weeks, and I know from our records he fed two days ago.
Out of courtesy, most vampires don’t eavesdrop on each other. Conversations are pitched low and a sense of intimacy prevails. In actuality, any vampire here can listen to any conversation with a little bit of focus. Hearing Drew and Olivia’s entire interchange would prove an easy feat for any interested party in the room. I observe Antonio to see what he’ll do.
He looks a bit disappointed that she walked in the direction she did, but since they never made eye contact, I don’t think he could say it was deliberate. Shrugging it off, he sits back down to focus on his drink. We have a large mirror over the bar and patrons seated at the stools can see everything going on behind them in the room.
I notice Antonio peers toward the mirror in the direction of the couple’s table while picking up his drink. It seems he’s not as unaffected by the vision I sent as his outward appearance would lead one to believe. I decide to stir it up as best I can.
“Isn’t that woman from your seethe?” I ask with innocence in my voice.
“Yes, you knew her name. You must have met her earlier.” He replies a bit snappish.
Hmm…perhaps he is affected.
“She and I made an appointment for tea in the morning. It’s always nice to get a chance to spend time with our guests.”
Rafe heads back to the bar to fill Drew and Olivia’s drink requests while I push to Antonio the feel he had of Olivia’s bottom nuzzling the front of his zipper again. He fumbles his drink, places it down and reaches to adjust himself under the bar. This is going to be fun. I love teasing poor bastards like him all night.
You are evil, my little minx.
I laugh back in