Page 3 of Tempting the Dhampir

With a final peek in the mirror, I check my teeth, fluff my curtain bangs, and give my raspberry-pink lips a quick smack before I slip on some appropriate footwear and follow my punctual sister out of our hotel room.

Tonight is going to be memorable. I can feel it in my soul.

Chapter two

Sadie

Cece and I make our way down to the dock, our shoes clopping along the wooden slats jutting out over the water.

“Isn’t this magnificent?” Cece whispers, her steps slowing to a stop.

I take in the view and my jaw goes slack. We’re both momentarily rendered speechless as we gaze out at the Caribbean Sea.

The wind is barely stirring today, making the water appear almost lazy with its tranquil waves lapping gently against the shore. The cerulean-blue water is beckoning us to board our boat and venture farther out, to where the sunset is sure to paint the most picturesque scene of pinks and oranges dancing on its sparkly surface. Around the bay, palm trees bend toward the sea, leaning down, straining, as if they want to answer the ocean’s call.

Tonight I feel like one of those palm trees. There’s something stirring in my gut, calling me, drawing me to the horizon, promising something magical.

“Look, that must be them,” I say to Cece once I wrench my eyes away from the view.

I point at a group of women standing on the dock, excitedly chatting with each other, right in front of a fancy-looking boat. The varying styles and colors of their outfits are a feast to my eyes, and I grab Cece’s arm to speed us toward them.

With each step closer to our hosts, my pulse races faster, my hips already swaying to the beat coming from the boat.

Iris is the first to notice us. “Florence, Sadie, we’re so happy you could make it.” She takes turns to wrap us in hugs. “You two are looking gorgeous, don’t you think, Lenny?”

Helena steps away from the conversation she was in and is quick to hug us too. “Thank you for coming,” she says with a relaxed smile as she steps back. “You both look beautiful.”

Helena’s eyes are gleaming with a brightness that was absent the last time I saw her. This trip seems to be the healing experience she needed.

I squeeze her hand. “No way we would’ve missed it. I’ve been looking forward to tonight since you told us about it. And by the way, violet is definitely your color.”

Shifting my gaze to Iris, I flick my finger up and down, indicating her outfit, and nod my approval. “Lady, that emerald green is magic on you.”

Iris spreads her arms and does a little twirl. “We chose our outfits based on the mini color analysis you did for us at the bar. Sadie, you’ve missed your calling. Maybe you should consider a career change.” She lets the words hang and quirks an eyebrow.

I swallow around a sudden lump in my throat. She has no idea how close that hits.

I force my lips into a smile and bring the focus back to our hosts. “How did you meet all the women you’ve invited? Same as us—right place, right time?” I ask, gesturing to the women lucky enough to be included in such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Iris nods and explains, “Once we got the contact for the chartering company, we looked at the yachts they had to offer. I wanted to go big for one last celebration. However, it felt weird to have such an extravagant yacht for just the two of us. We decided that if we met anyone throughout the week—particularly women, because right now we need some distance from men—and if we clicked with them, we would invite them along.”

With a practiced ease of friends used to finishing each other’s sentences, Helena continues, “You would think it would be hard, but it all happened very organically. We met them at a restaurant”—she gestures to two women—“and lay next to those three on the beach.” She waves at a group of three girls around my age. “And Cordelia we met at our hotel,” she tacks on while pointing to a leggy blonde.

Iris picks up Helena’s thread again. “Everyone is super keen for a ladies’ night and helping me get my bestie into a new, to-be-defined era. She’s officially done with her loser-boyfriend era.” She raises her volume on the final sentence, and a bunch of whoops follow from the girls.

Cece lays a hand on Iris’s arm. “We are so grateful to be included.”

With a warm smile, Iris says, “Honestly, it feels like the universe was working in our favor. Nothing has ever gone so smoothly with my planning.”

“No, no, no.” Helena jumps forward and playfully places a hand over Iris’s mouth. “We don’t say things like that. It’s like you’re inviting trouble. Just quietly thank the universe, or fate, or whatever you want, but we’re not here to lay down any kinds of challenges.”

All the women within earshot start laughing, but some laughs sound a bit strained.

I won’t let any negativity enter my mind tonight. This good feeling I’ve had all day is still bubbling in my chest, and I’m going to focus on that.

“Here, come meet some of the women.” Iris leads Cece and me to two of the women she pointed to earlier. “Natalie, Diana, this is Sadie and Florence. You ladies chat while I go check on the boat.”

“This is the coolest shit that has ever happened to me. How about you guys? Get invited onto yachts on the regular?” Natalie asks, cherry-red lips curled into a smile.

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