Page 17 of My Road Trip with a Vampire: Season One
“It’s probably best if you don’t tempt me, Bea,” he says, his voice dripping with an emotion I can’t quite place. “I’m hungry. We’re co-workers. Things can sour quickly if we’re not careful.”
Blood drains from my cheeks, and I’m more than happy to get out of the car.
He comes around to help me with my stuff.
“The night is young,” he says cooly. “I’m sure you can find something fun to do without me if you want.”
I catch the insinuation, but I’m too caught up with another question to think about it.
“And what are you going to do? How are you going to eat?”
There’s that smile again.
“Nosy thing. I have a couple friends meeting me here,” he says, rolling my bag into the lobby. I’m in awe of the grandeur, the expansive marble floors, and the high ceiling with a sparkly chandelier dangling from the center. He checks us in quickly, and I follow him to the elevator where he hands me my key.
“Well, goodnight then,” Dennis says. “You'll need to adjust to a vampire-friendly schedule soon, but for tonight, rest. I’ll be in the next room if you need me.”
My room is nothing less than luxurious, but I’m mostly drawn to the big fluffy bed near the windows. I flop myself down on it, thinking about what he said. I guess I have to become a creature of the night too, up to bad things at all hours. I doze off a little, but laughter from the next room wakes me up.
Dennis is laughing, and I strain to hear the other voice.
“I’ve missed you, Dennis,” a man says loudly.
I sit up. I should have asked how he gets his blood, but it sounds like whoever is providing it is willing. The headboard hits the wall and the bed creaks.
Willing and having a great time from the sound of it. I can’t help but feel like the bed is too big for just me, and that maybe I feel a little rejected. What was I thinking, coming on to Dennis like that after the shit he pulled?
I press my pillow over my face. I can’t believe I hosted Bob’s brunch special this morning, and now I’m in Philly listening to a vampire railing some dude he’s going to drink from.
I should get some sleep, but I’m already kind of a night owl anyways. It should only take me a few days of stretching my bedtime out a little later to get used to the new schedule without triggering a migraine.
Besides, I’m feeling squirmy and restless listening to the shenanigans next door.
I step out of bed. I didn’t bring much of my stuff, and I’m a little pissed I don’t have something sexier to slip into. A swipe of mascara and some lipgloss will have to do.
I head downstairs to the hotel bar, sliding into a barstool. I have the credit card Dennis gave me. It doesn’t look like I’ll need it because I catch a few flirty eyes before I even get a chance to talk to the bartender.
There’s a horny vibe in the air tonight, for sure.
“Hello,” a man says, leaning on the bar beside me. I didn’t see him approaching, but I’m happy he’s here because he’s smoking hot.
I’m guessing he’s in his mid-thirties. He’s dressed in a nice suit and has great features—thick and wavy blonde hair and blue eyes. His accent sounds…Swedish, maybe? But his cologne smells amazing, and he’s tall, and charm radiates off of him in that confident way that either means he’s an asshole or one of those devil-may-care guys.
“What are you drinking?” he asks.
“Nothing yet, but I would love a raspberry cosmo,” I laugh, propping my elbow on the bar so I can lean my head on my hand. I usually order the frilliest drinks around guys I don't know. If they have something condescending to say about it, then it’s a hard pass from me. I see too many fun-haters at Bob’s bar.
He smiles.
“That sounds good. I think I’ll get one of those too.” He orders our drinks and takes the seat next to me.
“So, come here often?” I ask. It feels nice to get a turn to be a little cheesy. I’m far enough from home that I can relax, and the fatigue is making me goofy.
“From time to time,” he says. “My name is Rune.”
“Beatrice,” I murmur, taking a sip from my cosmo. He’s not being subtle with how he looks at me. He’s definitely here to get laid tonight, and I’m kind of into it. Lofi music is pumping in the background, and the bass feels like a heartbeat.
For a second it feels like we’re alone despite the crowd.
