One Immortal - Tia Louise Page 0,42
the vampire curse.
“He is, and you want me to call him here?” My best friend’s tone tells me she’s not at all worried about Mariska’s disappointment. I’m hastily replying to my text as she continues. “I guess you’re heading out to meet Derek. Will you even finish lunch?”
I’m finishing my text telling him where we are. “If Patrick’s coming here, I won’t be able to eat.”
Mariska is thoughtful again. “I’ll see if there’s an antidote to dull your vampire blood’s reaction to him.”
Her words almost make me feel embarrassed. “I’m so messed up,” I mutter.
At once my hand is in Elaine’s grip. “Don’t do that! I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen you happy. Hold onto that. Look how much progress we’ve made!”
A bustling at the entrance causes the three of us to turn. I immediately recognize the tall form of Derek silhouetted in the doorway, and a riot of butterflies swirls through my insides. Images of last night flood my brain, and when he smiles at me, my face heats along with my entire body. As he gets closer, however, I’m aware of a dull cramping in my stomach.
“Sorry I had to leave this morning.” The sound of his voice erases the pain, and I slide out of the booth to greet him.
He moves to kiss my cheek, and I see the reason for my discomfort. Patrick is right behind him, smiling curiously at me.
Elaine notices and touches my hand. “Are you okay?”
I pause a moment, waiting before I answer. “Just a slight irritation.”
Mariska evaluates the two males before hopping out of the booth. “You’ll want to sit by Elaine,” she says, touching Patrick’s arm.
He gives her a wink before scooting in beside my friend. Elaine glows like the sun as he drapes an arm over her shoulder and pulls her into his side.
“It’s not him,” Mariska says softly before turning to me. “You’re not having a reaction?”
“No,” I shake my head, glancing at Patrick and back at her. “A little discomfort, but not like before.”
Derek’s large hands move to the top of my shoulders. “What’s making you uncomfortable?”
I study the front of his golf shirt, stretched attractively across his chest. “Remember how I told you being around Patrick made me ill?”
“Hey!” His partner calls out, and I want to smile.
Derek’s brow quirks. “It’s not happening now.” The way he says it, I’m sure he’s putting the pieces together. My suspicion is confirmed when he leans down and says, “Were you okay last night… with me?”
“At first it burned some, but it went away fast.”
His eyes soften, and he reaches up to slide a thumb over my cheek. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“You’re forgetting what it felt like when we did it.”
“No, I’m not.” The sexy tone in his voice spreads heat through my lower stomach.
“You’re making me wet,” I whisper.
His eyes darken. “Should we visit the restroom?”
Elaine’s loud voice cuts the growing tension. “Are you two joining us?”
He leans back, and the look that passes between us could launch a rocket. “I suppose we should join them.”
Nodding, I follow him to the table. Elaine has introduced Mariska and explained her role in our situation.
Patrick greets me with a casual tease. “You’re the lady having vampire troubles?”
Even though it’s a joke, I can’t help feeling embarrassed. “I hate to pull complete strangers into my mess.”
Derek’s arm goes around my waist. “We’re not strangers.”
Blinking up at him, I manage a smile. “You’re not,” I say softly.
“I don’t feel like a stranger,” Mariska jumps in. “And I’m happy to help. It’s exciting!”
He looks at her. “And you are?”
“Mariska.” She’s on her feet. “My grandmother is Demeter. From Algiers?”
“The witch.” His eyebrows rise. “I know her by reputation.”
“Witch isn’t really an accurate term for what she does.”
“Sorry,” Derek nods. Then he turns to me. “Voodoo queen. What brought you two together?”
I gesture to my best friend. “Elaine used her psychic connections.”
He touches my nose. “Seems you don’t need me at all.”
“Oh, you’re wrong,” Mariska jumps in. “You’ve become a critical piece in the puzzle.”
“How so?” he looks at her amused.
“It seems your little…” She waves her hand between us. “Exchange last night uncovered a potential fix.”
Derek clears his throat, and glances down. “You told them?”
“Told us what?” Patrick looks up from where he and Elaine are sharing a private tête-à-tête consisting of smiles and soft laughter.
“My friend got a little hungry last night.” Elaine gives him a wink, but his expression turns fierce. If she weren’t blocking him, he’d be on