Page 14 of Bitten By Desire

“I am aware. But I do love to hear it.” My humble vampire said, leading me toward his vamp mobile.

I stopped, gaping at it. “How did you manage?—”

That matte black sports car seemed to appear out of thin air sometimes. Not to mention the fact I’d seen it crushed and then pristine the next day. We’d taken Lorraine’s limo from the Louvre the prior night, yet here it was, waiting.

Julian winked as he opened the passenger door for me.

“Seriously,” I said as he climbed in the driver’s seat. “You have a fleet of them, don’t you?”

“Just the one. It was…quite expensive, but well worth it, don’t you think?”

Flabbergasted that such magic existed, I smoothed my skirt and stared out the window as the city came into view. Who had that kind of power? Perhaps it was better I didn’t ask.

“I want you to know, Charlotte,” Julian said after we’d been silent for some time, “if you ever wish to find a home somewhere and stop pursuing this lifestyle, I will gladly make that happen. I have a bit of a nest egg saved for us.”

“Why, Julian, are you asking me to settle down and have tiny vampires?” I teased.

“Vampires do not procreate as humans do,” he said seriously, looking me in the eye and ignoring the road as was his habit.

“Watch where you’re going. Driving on the left already makes me nervous. And I am aware. It was a joke.”

His hands tightened on the wheel. I’d seen him dent it and even destroy it in the past, and it might happen again now, based on the creaking sound. “I should have realized. You want children. You should have them. I will not stan?—”

“Shut up, Julian.” I touched his arm. “I want you. I’ve never been the maternal type. Though if we ever find Em, maybe I’d give it a try.”

Julian pulled into a spot that I thought was much too small and helped me from the car. Bustling crowds of vibrant people filled the sidewalk, which was dotted with small outdoor cafes, bakeries, and boutiques. The whole scene was a colorful explosion of life. I thought of our small village on the island and missed the Rusty Shifter pub and all the little shops that I always wanted to visit and never had the chance.

I’d been too busy being attacked and solving murders.

“Here we are,” Julian announced, opening a whimsical gate and ushering me into one of the tiny cafes where a hostess seated us in the shade between a gurgling fountain and a planter overflowing with multi-colored pansies.

“It’s lovely,” I said, taking the menu she offered, though I knew I wouldn’t be able to read any of it.

“Merci,” she said, smiling before walking off.

Julian plucked the menu from my hands and set it aside. “I’ll order for us if you don’t mind.”

“I’ll allow it.” I crossed my legs and found his with my foot.

“You do know how to keep me distracted,” he said with a dangerous glint in his eye.

“I try.”

The server came. Hearing Julian speak in his native tongue was sexier than…well, than Binx. Even though I was certain the nuances and accent had changed over the last five hundred years, Julian had kept up and learned quite a few more languages to boot. When the blushing young lady left with a giggle, I raised my foot higher beneath the table.

“That was a long order,” I commented.

Julian smirked. “She wanted to know where I’m from since she couldn’t place my particular dialect.”

“I see, and what did you tell her?”

“That I’m from the country and my father was Greek, so my accent is different. I thought it wise to refrain from the whole vampire subject. Distasteful to ruin a nice breakfast with talk of blood, don’t you think?”

I laughed. Was this what it would be like to be on an actual date with Julian? I realized with a start that our time was filled with either murder investigations or sex.

“What’s wrong, love?” He leaned across the table to take my hand.

“I just… I’m enjoying being with you, that’s all.” I dropped the white linen napkin in my lap as the young woman returned with coffee and fixings. I would have smiled at her if she’d taken her eyes off my companion for two seconds.

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