Prima

Chapter Nineteen

Daedalus parked in front of the entrance to a brick building on Main Street. Small lights twinkled in the darkened windows like a starry night sky. A red awning sheltered the entrance where the valet opened Sugar’s door and assisted her to exit the sports car.

Her stilettos clicked on the pavement as she wobbled. Using her cane with an expert's ease, she caught her balance. It had been ages since she’d worn heels. She’d borrowed these from Clementine. She’d also lent Sugar a dress, but her generous curves filled it indecently and drew the valet's gaze. The clothes she’d packed were more utilitarian and boring for a second first-date with her vampire warrior.

Daedalus strode around the vehicle and tossed the keys to the valet. They bounced off his chest. “Eyes forward, boy.”

She set her left hand onto the arm Daedalus offered. His black dress jacket felt soft and silky under her palm. She didn’t recall him packing it in Chicago. It must be part of the corporate life he’d left behind. Daedalus didn’t appear awkward in his tailored suit like some large men, but even formally dressed, he still moved like a predator.

He hesitated by the entrance and stared at her hand. “You haven’t worn your engagement ring in a long while.”

Anticipation fluttered in her chest. The diamond sparkled even in the dim light. “I lost a lot of weight while in the hospital. It would have fallen off.” But she’d always kept the ring with her even though her future had been stripped away. Daedalus had returned this future back to her. She could now think about marrying him once more.

“Resizing it wouldn’t have been difficult.” Not for him, but for her this ring symbolized who he’d fallen in love with, and it hadn’t fit anymore. Both of those versions of her were gone, yet he somehow managed to care for each no matter the differences.

She leaned her head against his shoulder. “It fits now.” Becoming a vampire had changed her, just like the attack had. Those things were out of her control. What she did with her life after these events wasn’t. She saw that now.

After the attack, she’d felt like her life was over, so she didn’t bother living. Funny how it took dying for her to see that mistake. She wouldn’t let this second chance go to waste.

He tapped the cane she still carried. “You shouldn’t need this anymore.”

She glanced at it with a sad smile. “Call it a comfort. I used it for so long it felt strange leaving it behind.”

Daedalus opened the door for her and followed close behind with a possessive hand on her waist.

The interior’s dim lighting cast the room in shadows. Unlike human restaurants, tables didn’t fill the space. Couches lined the walls, some with curtains drawn, others not.

She swallowed, her mouthwatering as the scent of blood drifted around her. Without realizing, she took a few steps toward the smell until Daedalus’s strong hold stopped her.

“I reserved a private dining room.” He spoke with the hostess.

“Name?” She opened her book.

“Daedalus Pal Robi.” He stepped into better lighting.

Her eyes went wide. “Th-this way please.”

Thick carpet softened Sugar’s steps. She held Daedalus’s arm for balance. Hunger burned in her gut like glowing coals. Living off a diet of dead cells had left her starved.

They passed a couple sitting on a lounge chair in the public room. A man dressed in a collarless white shirt sat between them as the female vampire fed from his neck. Sugar’s legs stalled. The donor’s eyes closed and he sighed. She half-expected the male vampire to tear out his throat, but he ran his hand over the female’s leg, watching with earnest interest. Nothing erotic, just intimate.

“Shhh,” Daedalus crooned by her ear, his hand caressing the back of her neck and easing the tension building there. “We’ll take this slow.”

“I don’t know if I can manage that.” Prying her gaze from the feeding took all her willpower.

“We’ll get an appetizer to start. It will ease your hunger and then you can take your time feeding.” He pulled her toward the back of the restaurant where the hostess waited by a door.

She handed him a menu. “Your waitress will be with you soon.”

“Does Nick still work here?”

She nodded.

Daedalus returned the menu. “We won’t need this then.” He gestured for Sugar to enter the room.

A set of lounge chairs faced the door that matched the restaurant’s ambiance. The burgundy wallpaper absorbed the dim lighting and softened the edges of the room. Fresh flower bouquets decorated the side table next to a glass pitcher of ice-cold water. She ran her fingertip over the wet condensation on the outside of the vessel. “Who’s Nick?”

“A career donor.” Daedalus undid the buttons on his jacket and settled on the closest sedan. He patted his lap. “Let me do the ordering tonight. Eventually you’ll learn what flavors you like.”

She set her cane against the wall and approached him, but the urge to pace kept her from accepting his invitation to sit upon his lap. “People have flavors?”

“Sure. Their lifestyle makes them taste differently. Innocence, drugged, athletic, promiscuous…” He shrugged. “You know my favorite.”

“Bad guys.” She grimaced. “I imagine they’re bitter.”

“Depends on how much fear and adrenaline is pumping in their system.” He grinned, flashing his full, long fangs. The smile of a devil. Her devil. “It’s an acquired taste.”

“How did you acquire it?” She plucked a flower from the vase, inhaling its sweet scent.

He pursed his lips and stared at the wall. “I think my kind is programmed to like it.”

“How?” She set the flower back.

He watched her and rubbed his chin, as if trying to decide something. The silence grew thicker in the room. “From the time we awaken as vampire, Nosferatu fledglings are tossed into a camp. The training is brutal, and so is the feeding. No watermelons for us.” A small, wistful smile played on his lips. “They send humans into the camps when it’s time to feed but they make sure there’s never enough to go around. Hunger makes you sharp.”

“That’s awful.” She hurried to his side. He rarely shared anything of his past, and she didn’t want to end this small miracle, but she sensed his guilt. Tonight wasn’t about hurting each other. She wanted them to find a connection to bind them together forever.

“So when you are fed a strict diet of fear-drenched blood it becomes an…addiction.”

She stroked his head. “Why choose Nick?” Did he want her to share his tastes? Fear wasn’t something she wanted to inspire in anyone.

Daedalus ran his hand over her leg until his fingertips reached just under her mid-thigh hem. “He’s a masochist.”

The hairs on the back of her neck rose. “What kind of kink do you think I’m into?” She bopped him on the forehead. “A few days with fangs and you think I’m ready for BDSM?”

He blinked with a bemused smile. “It’s not like that. Though there are a few places where we could find that if you ever change your mind.” He gestured at their surroundings. “Babe, this is a respectable restaurant with a wonderful reputation. It’s where vampire couples can come have a romantic dinner.” Lacing his fingers with hers, he pulled her onto his lap. “Relax.”

“Then why do we need someone like Nick?” She pictured black leather and metal studs. If her heart could race, it would.

“I’ll do my best to teach you to feed gently.” His hand slid between her knees and crawled higher as he spoke quietly by her ear. “But Nick won’t mind if it hurts.”

Her breathing grew ragged from both his touch and the thought of finally sinking her teeth into someone. “I’m too hungry. I don’t like feeling out of control.”

“You don’t seem to mind it when I make you lose it in bed.”

“That’s different.”

“Not really. Feeding for a vampire is still passionate.” He gripped her thigh. “But it doesn’t have to be sex.”

“You’ll stay with me?”

“Fuck, yes. I’m not leaving you alone in a room with Nick. I’d have to kill him after.” He pressed a tender kiss under her ear. “Someone’s coming.” He lifted her from his lap and set her next to him.

A young woman in the same professional uniform as the hostess entered. “I’m Rosaline, and I’ll be your service attendant tonight. Can I get you something from the bar?”

“Bring us a bottle of Sassicaia mixed with your freshest bottled donor. Once we’re done with that, you can send for Nick.”

She pulled out a list and frowned. “He serves only private clientele, and I don’t see you on his list.”

“I’ve been away. Tell him it’s me. He’ll come.”

She hesitated in the doorway, her eyes darting to Daedalus’s features, and Sugar could see Rosaline mentally tallying that something was different about him than other vampires. She nodded and left.

“You sound very sure of yourself.” It was something she’d been learning to mimic yet still had trouble implementing.

“I’m Prime. These young girls didn’t work here when I was a regular.” He winked. “It won’t take long for word to spread that I’m back.”

She pouted and touched his face. “It must have been terrible for you to rough it in Chicago.” Her sarcasm wasn’t wasted on him.

He grabbed her ass. “I found compensation.”

An older gentleman arrived with their bottle of wine/blood. “Sorry for the inconvenience, Master Pal Robi. So glad to be of service to you again.”

Her eyes went wide. Nick wasn’t what she’d imagined.

“Sugar, this is the manager, Antonio.” A twinkle of amusement lit Daedalus’s eyes. He knew that she’d assumed this was Nick. “I’d like to add Sugar to my account.”

“Very good, sir and miss.” Antonio poured two glasses and handed them out. “Just ring when you are ready for Nick.” He closed the door behind him.

“Your account?”

Daedalus gave her a secretive smile. “Your wine will cool.”

She sipped and allowed the smooth, warm liquid to roll down her throat. “Different.” She could taste the blood, but it was thinned by the wine. The flavors mixed well. “I like it.” She took a larger gulp.

“It’s an excellent brand.” He read the bottle. “And year.” Then he filled her glass once again.

“You’re not drinking.” Her hunger flared. She hated how it made her hands shake.

“The bottle is for you.” He cupped her trembling glass and brought it to her lips. “Wine will ease your anxiety, and the blood will curb your hunger.”

She drank, taking gulps, and Daedalus kept her glass full. “You’re going to have to carry me out of here.”

He chuckled. “We have the room until dawn, so there’s no hurry to return.” Lounging back on the sedan, he set one leg behind her, bending his knee.

“You shouldn’t have ignored your duties to your people, you know.” She pointed at him, but her finger weaved with poor aim.

Giving her a small, crooked smile, he set the full glass back in her hand. “I’m not ignoring them, babe. Time works differently for creatures like us. A few years are nothing. The only thing that dragged me back here were those idiots thinking they could kill me.” He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, and the light in his eyes faded. “I failed to protect you.”

“Here or Chicago, something would have eventually happened.” She continued to drink but with less of a frat boy’s enthusiasm. “I’m surrounded by shifters and vampires. You’re not the most peaceful lot to live amongst, and I’m collateral damage.”

Downcast, his gaze stayed fixed on the floor. “I know.”

“Spice is happy you turned me. It will be one less thing for her to worry about.” She kicked off one of her heels and slid her toes along his calf.

He continued to stare at the floor, not reacting to her touch.

“D?”

“Can you ever be happy?” Daedalus’s question came out so quiet she wasn’t sure if she’d heard right.

“It’s not a matter of happiness, sweetie.” She crawled into his arms. “As long as I’m with you that’ll never be an issue. The adjustment will take time though, and I’m not thrilled with how it came about.”

He continued avoiding her gaze but twirled her engagement ring around her finger. “You’ll still marry me?”

She lifted his chin and pressed him into the lounger with a kiss. Lips crushed against his, she pinned his hands by his head. Taking advantage of his surprise, she slipped her tongue inside his half-open mouth and plundered him like the harlot.

He moaned and pulled her against him until her legs straddled his hips. A hard bulge thrust against her panties. Why had she worn those?

In her passion-fueled hurry, she nicked his bottom lip. He tasted very different from the bottled blood, like electricity in liquid form. The flavor sent a jolt straight to her core, and she ground against him.

With his hands on her shoulders, he pushed her back on his lap and held up a finger. “Hold that thought, because once we start, I doubt I can stop for your meal.” He pointed to the now-empty bottle.

She rocked her hips one more time. “I’m feeling very naughty.”

He groaned and threw his head against the lounger. “It’s taking all my willpower not to seize you now.” With a smirk, he gave her a smoldering glance. “Don’t think you’ll get away afterwards though.”