Page 7 of Violet Moon
“Just pies.”He started bouncing on the balls of his feet.“Please,” he added.“I always need to say ‘please.’”
Sera’s gaze followed his back to the table where his mother gave him two thumbs up for a job well done.He beamed as he collected his change and the purple boxed lunch.Watching him walk away, she sagged in on herself and picked out a custard tartlet in the case she’d take home later to make herself feel better.
It had never been like this before Jo came.
three
“Whydoyoualwaysinsist on meeting here?We could try somewhere closer to where we live.”Seraphine huffed with no real bite when she saw Hugh at their regular table near the back of the heavenly-scented, dark, but cozy cafe.No matter how her day was going, visits with Hugh always made it better.“Not that I don’t love supporting our friendly neighborhood feline shifters, but we both travel across town to get here when you literally work in a coffee shop across the street from our bakery.”
Hugh raised an eyebrow as he closed his book.“I don’t work at the shop.I am co-owner of that very successful shop.”
The vampire was striking in appearance, like firm, steady mahogany, both in complexion and personality.He preferred to use as few words as possible to get his point across, though he did have a flair for the dramatic.His playful side only came out with those he trusted.
“And how many co-owners are there?”Sera teased.
“Four, but glad to see you’re as cheeky as ever.”
“You wouldn't have it any other way.”
“And to answer your question for the millionth time, you know we meet here because I cannot stand the idea of running into any of the younger members of our coven when I direly need a break from wrangling them and all their baser instincts.”
“Your numbers do grow more often than ours.”
Hugh rubbed at his temples as if vampires could have headaches.“There is no need to remind me.”
He cleared his throat, sitting up straighter.“We are blessed with a Lord whose transfigurative powers are unparalleled in the region.It is only natural that he adds worthy members to our ranks regularly.I would expect nothing less from my dear Clemente.”
“Spoken like a very fine, upstanding member of your coven and Clemente’s very good boy.”She smirked.
“As though you’re one to talk,mon lou lou.”
“I fear mylou loudays are quite far behind me.Much too old for something so childish.”
“To me, you are still a little sprout popping up from the fertile soil.And I’d warrant that today you were still quite the rule following, upstanding little representative of your pack that you’ve always been.”
“Naturally, of course.”Sera replied with an air of dignity.“Why would I do anything to harm the pack’s reputation?”
“At least where people can see.”
“Yes, away from prying eyes things can get a little, well, grayer.”
“But never in front of your Alpha,” Hugh finished, looking smug.
“You’re no different.I doubt you’ve ever done anything around your dear Clemente that he wouldn't approve of.”
“Good thing his list of things he disapproves of is so short,” Hugh added with a salacious tone.“There’s plenty of room to partake in a dalliance of decadent delights in the dark.Together.Separately.You know how we are.We don’t bother with unnecessary boundaries.”
“I wish I didn’t know what you mean, but we’ve been friends for long enough that my mind is filled with things I’ve tried to forget.”
Hugh puffed out a laugh.“I’ll get you to loosen up one way or another.Or maybe I could get you to help that Alpha of yours loosen up a little.”
“Choose your next words carefully, Hugh.”
“What’s with the warning, my dear?I’m the innocent party here, just sitting by watching two obviously in love —”
“Hugh.”
“Obviously attracted to one —”
