Kissing with Fangs (5 page)

He paused and she could sense his inner struggle. Maybe he was getting distracted too.

At last, he refocused on the book. “Green tea is gaining popularity in America. It is produced when tea leaves are heated or steamed right after being harvested. This halts the oxidation process, preserving the leaf's emerald hue and naturally occurring antioxidants and amino acids… Uh-oh. Here comes another one of those words. Theanine.”

He placed the book upside down on the table. “Why don't I just go through this with a highlighter and pick out the stuff we really need to know?”

“But I really want to—” Her protest was cut short when he picked her up and laid her on the sofa, then covered her body with his and kissed her.

She snaked her arms around his neck and back. As their tongues dueled, she grabbed a fistful of hair at the nape of his neck, intending to pull him away. She couldn't do it. Instead, she released her grip and combed her fingers through the hair covering his collar. Her other hand caressed his back. His cock grew and teased her in just the right spot. The flare of desire caused her to buck against him.

A sane thought finally broke through her lust-filled haze.
We
can't do this. Not yet.

Fortunately, Anthony's restraint seemed to kick in at the same time. Pushing himself to his feet, he said, “I'm sorry.”

She struggled to sit up. “Don't be. It's just Mother Nature's way of ensuring the human species continues.”

His brows shot up.

“Oh, no,” she quickly added. “I didn't mean that we should… You know…”

“Procreate?”

She giggled. “Sorry. This whole thing is a discussion for another time.”

“Maybe not.” He sat beside her. “I can't have children. You should know that in case you want one.”

“No! I mean, no. I have enough to deal with.”

“Yes. Right now you do. But you should know that for the future. If you were hoping for a family someday, it wouldn't be right for me to keep you from that goal.”

“Anthony, I'm not harboring secret dreams of white picket fences. The work staff and regulars were my family. I'm fine with keeping it that way.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.”

He sagged against the back of the sofa and stared at the ceiling. “I can't tell you how relieved I am.”

She was relieved too. The thought of caring for infants, then chasing toddlers around, and finally coping with teenagers scared her to pieces. As far as Claudia was concerned, this was just another indication that they belonged together.

***

Over the next two months, Anthony and Claudia studied the tea business in public places.

He used the excuse that they needed clear heads to discuss products, equipment, and staffing, and if they were alone in her apartment, he might not be able to keep his hands off her. That much was certainly true.

What he also needed was a way to keep Claudia safe from Ruxandra.

He thought he'd spotted his jealous ex-girlfriend following him one night. Fortunately, he was able to lose her—that time.

For now, he had to make his romantic relationship with Claudia appear as if it were strictly business. That was the opposite of what he wanted, but he needed time to deal with a certain dangerous vampiress. How to do that—short of killing Ruxandra—utterly mystified him.

Claudia seemed to understand his explanation of needing to put the business first and reluctantly agreed. She had her own work to do. The AA program had specific steps and she was taking them seriously. She admitted she wasn't looking forward to taking a moral inventory of herself, but Anthony couldn't imagine any of her actions being remotely immoral. If she only knew his history…her worst sin would pale in comparison to some of his
normal
behavior.

For now, she was attending meetings during the day and leaving her evenings free for him. If she kept to that schedule, he wouldn't have to worry about Ruxandra getting her alone in a dark alley.

His plan was working, at least temporarily. Each time they saw each other, they'd find a secluded table in the back and go over business decisions while waiting for their meals. Well, Claudia's meal. Anthony explained that he was on a special diet. Not untrue.

They tried really hard to keep their hands to themselves, but by the time dessert came, they were playing footsie, or if they had one of those padded-bench seats where they could sit side by side, they groped, kissed, and tried to stop short of getting thrown out for lewd behavior. Anthony didn't know how much longer he could postpone the inevitable.

He was going to sleep with Claudia. It wasn't a matter of if, but when.

“Have you considered my proposal?”

Her eyes rounded. “Your what?”

Whoa. Maybe I should have been more specific.
“My offer to give you the apartment over the shop? It's brand new, very chic—like you, and the commute can't be beat.”

“Oh.” She chuckled. “That. Yes, I've thought about it, but I won't take it rent free. I know you could get upward of three thousand a month for that place.”

“True, but I like to know who's living in my building.” He reached across the table and took her hand in his. “I'd like to know
you're
living in my building. I want you safe.”

“But I already owe you so much.”

“You earned every penny I paid you. Who else would work seven days a week without complaint?”

She smiled but kept her eyes down. “It's very generous of you, but it could be awkward if things don't work out between us.”

He let go of her hand and leaned back in his chair. “Why would you think that'll happen?”

“I don't. I mean…nobody does when the relationship is new. But things could change.”

“Would you quit your job?”

“Of course not.”

“Good. Then I don't foresee a problem.”

“I'd still feel better paying rent.”

Anthony sighed. “I'll work it into your new salary.”

“Oh, yeah. That's something we haven't discussed yet. I assume the tea shop won't make as much money as the bar, at least when it's brand new. I guess I'll have to take a pay cut.”

“No, you won't.”

“Huh? Anthony, we can adjust it as we go along, but I know how much it costs to run a place like that, and you probably won't break even for a while.”

“Don't worry about my money, Claudia. I can afford to pay you a good salary, and I will.”

She lifted her chin. “And what if I say it's too much?”

Anthony burst out laughing.

“Hey. That isn't funny.”

He dabbed at the corners of his eyes as he tried to wrestle the humor out of her refusal. “You're cute when you shoot yourself in the foot—or try to.”

Claudia folded her arms over her perfect chest. “I'm trying to keep you in business.”

He looked at her sternly. “Claudia, I'm a multimillionaire. I could run this business in the red for a hundred years, and I'd still have more money than I need.”

She rolled her eyes. “Well, since neither one of us will be around that long, I can't very well call you a liar, can I?”

Whew. She obviously has no idea what I am.
That was small comfort, considering he'd have to tell her eventually if things worked out—and he found himself desperately hoping they would.

“Not to change the subject, but how's the sobriety going?”

“Good. I'm enjoying the AA meetings. It's as if I've discovered a whole new set of close friends I didn't know I had.” She grinned.

An unexpected pang of jealousy hit him. He was genuinely happy for her, but part of him wondered if those friends would come between them at some point.

“I just got a sponsor,” she said.

“Oh? That's great. Tell me about him.” He tried to sound nonchalant. If he didn't tamp down the twinge of jealousy that had just stabbed his heart, he could threaten her sobriety. As much as he wanted to be her whole world, he wanted her health and happiness more.

“It's not a him. It's a her. Women sponsor women, and men sponsor men. It can get complicated otherwise.”

“I see.” He relaxed, trying not to let out the breath he'd been holding—for about ten minutes—in a big whoosh.

“I'm afraid I can't tell you anything about her. It's an anonymous program.”

“Sort of like Las Vegas? What happens in AA stays in AA?”

Claudia rolled her eyes. “Vegas got a lot of people into AA.”

He chuckled. “Well, you look happy. I'm glad to see you smiling again.”

After a brief hesitation she said, “You have a lot to do with that. Unfortunately, that brings up a new wrinkle.”

He lifted his eyebrows. “Wrinkle?”
That
doesn't sound good.

She fidgeted. “Newly sober singles are supposed to stay out of relationships for a year.”

Anthony's jaw dropped.
Oh, hell no.
“A year? But we've already waited five!”

“I know. I explained that to my sponsor. She said it was up to me, and that I should take into consideration your…influence. She was concerned because you owned a bar.”

Now he wanted to find this woman and throttle her. How dare she question his “influence”? Hadn't he decided to tailor his whole business to Claudia's needs?

She rubbed his leg. “I told her you were turning the bar into a tea room because I'm a teetotaler now.”

“Oh? And what did she say about that?”

“She wants to know if you have a brother.”

***

Mother Nature hummed as she worked in her indoor garden. The glass bubble over the top floor of the Boston office building provided plenty of light, especially since she could control the weather to her liking.

“Excuse me, Gaia.”

She whirled around. “Oh, it's you, Apollo. What do you want?”

“Balog is here to see you.”

She automatically balled her fists and tried not to curse.
So
much
for
relaxing.

She removed her dirty gloves and flung them onto the raised flower bed, narrowly missing a petunia. “What the frig does he want?”

Apollo shrugged.

Muttering about how useless and lazy gods were, Mother Nature strode to the bank of elevators where Mr. Balog was waiting.

She folded her arms and glared at him. “What?”

“I—uh, I thought you might want to know that the paranormal meeting place on Charles Street is reopening.”

Gaia's eyes grew wide. “You mean that vampire hasn't learned his lesson? The fire didn't show him how dangerous a place like that was?”

“Yes, ma'am—I mean Mother—I mean
Goddess
.”

Trying to remain calm, she took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. She counted to ten. Eventually, she slapped a hand over her eyes, gave up, and screamed. “
Gaaaaah!
”

Balog took a giant step back.

After her outburst, she felt better. An upholstered chair materialized under her butt and she plopped onto it. “Tell me everything you know.”

Balog smiled and said, “
Everything
I know? That might take a long time.”

Gaia rolled her eyes and mumbled, “I doubt it.”

Balog cleared his throat. “I'm sorry, Goddess. I was just trying to lighten the mood. Of course you meant everything I know about the tea room.”

“Tea room?”

“Yes. Anthony Cross rebuilt the first floor of his building as a tea parlor. It's quite fancy.”

Gaia's jaw dropped. Then it occurred to her that if Anthony was trying to reopen a front for a supernatural gathering place, a tea room was an odd choice. “So, is he no longer trying to gather paranormals for some kind of deranged peace talks?”

“Oh, no. He's up to his old tricks,” Balog continued with a smile. “I can't wait to see the werewolves trying to hold those tiny watercress sandwiches in their big, meaty fingers.” He laughed, but she wasn't amused.

“Are you sure your information is correct?”

“My intelligence-gathering has shown that the same customers who frequented the bar are interested in the grand opening of the tea parlor.”

Gaia was tempted to make a crack involving the word “intelligence,” but not even sarcasm would alleviate the worry invading her gut.

“So the paranormals are still planning to gather in a public place, increasing their risk of a slipup around humans. But it hasn't opened yet?”

“Correct. The grand opening is the day after tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. I could take my wife, but I'd stick out by myself.”

It sounded as if the human crowd would likely be female.
Observant, meddling, gossiping females.
Gaia bent over and covered her face with her hands. “This is such a bad idea.”

“I'll keep an eye on the place as always, Goddess. Reporting any problems to you immediately.”

“Well, do it from a distance. You can't help me if your cover is blown.”

“I managed to rent the third-floor apartment from Mr. Cross again. Because my family lived there before the building burned, he gave us a chance to rent it first.” Balog puffed up his chest. “Apparently he still doesn't know we're spying on him.”

She rose and the chair disappeared. “Good, but I want to see this place for myself. You're excused, Balog.”

She spun on her heel and marched over to her forest in the corner. “Now to create a hat that's fit for a tea party.”

***

Claudia sat next to her sponsor, Gaye. When it came time to introduce herself, she said what she knew she was supposed to say, but it still felt strange and difficult. “My name is Claudia, and I'm an alcoholic.”

Everyone said, “Hi, Claudia,” like she hadn't just confessed her worst secret…as if she'd just said, “I like ice cream.”