Lust Bites (11 page)

The rattle of crockery woke her.

'Hey, sleepy-head ... Ready for breakfast?'

Her eyes fluttered open.

The heavy net curtains were still drawn but the room was light. It was daytime – with a dullish-looking sky, but perfectly normal.

And Zack, in a soft dark-blue casual shirt and jeans, looked perfectly normal too.

Teresa fought the urge to shrink back against the pillows. Her mind's eye overlaid Zack's pale but fresh-faced appearance with the terrifying modifications from her dream.

Surreptitiously, she fished around under the covers and found her pyjama jacket chastely buttoned and her trousers right where they should be. Even so, the sensations of the night were still vivid.

She'd been blindfolded, but somehow still able to see. And she'd blushed with furious embarrassment on exposing herself to Zack, and masturbating at his command.

But, oh, that hadn't been the most extreme thing.

Those last seconds; Zack's eyes red and burning – and his teeth.

Oh dear God, his teeth! Her vampire fantasies had invaded her dream now, and with bared fangs, Zack had been hell bent on biting her!

'Are you OK?'

Clear blue eyes regarded her with concern. White, even, but perfectly un-pointed teeth glinted in a smile.

He was holding a tray, set for breakfast for one, tempting and indulgent with eggs and bacon, toast and jam, and fragrant coffee.

Am I OK? Teresa wondered.

The juxtaposition between dream and reality still made her head feel vaguely woozy, and right at the edge of perception, she detected just the edge of a slight, peculiar hum. Tinnitus, possibly? She'd have to get that checked out when they got back.

'I'm fine ... thanks, Zack,' she lied, but, even as she spoke, the sumptuous aroma of a full English breakfast were setting the world and her thoughts straight again. 'It's just that I had a
really
weird dream ... I think it's sleeping in a strange bed though.' The silvery hum had disappeared, and she smiled back at him, and sat up straight. 'But I'm all right now. And this lot smells heavenly!' She patted her lap and Zack set the tray carefully in place on its folding legs.

'You're spoiling me! This is fab,' she mumbled a moment or two later through a mouthful of sublime savoury bacon. 'I haven't had breakfast in bed for years.'

'We'll have to rectify that when we get home. You need a decent breakfast at least once a week. A piece of toast and a mouthful of coffee as you run out of the door just isn't enough. You need more than that to see you through the day.'

Teresa's heart turned over. He was so thoughtful. But she suspected they both knew it wouldn't happen. There was no going back to their harmonious state of house buddies now. The thought of that cut like a knife, but there was no reason to spoil the next couple of days by dwelling on it. She returned her attention to mopping up egg yolk with fried bread.

And yet, as she munched and sighed with pleasure, she found herself watching Zack where he sat in an armchair, calmly sipping
his
breakfast while he read the paper.

What is that stuff?

When something looked like blood and smelt like blood, did that mean it actually was blood?

No, vampires are fiction. Dracula and Buffy aren't real. They're just stories.

He doesn't go out in sunlight, but he claims that because of his allergies.

Stop it.

He appeared to be in his mid- to late-twenties, but who was to say that was how old he really was. She hadn't known him long enough to tell.

Stop it.

But weren't vampires possessed of unnatural speed and strength?

Teresa's fork clattered on the plate, and Zack looked up from his paper. 'Something wrong with the bacon?'

'No, it's scrummy, thanks.' She applied herself to the plate again, even though her throat was suddenly too tight to eat.

Zack could move like lightning and lift her as if she weighed nothing.

No, don't be silly. You don't believe in ghosts, spoon-bending or Ouija boards ... why on earth should you suddenly start believing in vampires?

And yet still she pondered. Scoping him surreptitiously over the rim of her coffee cup as he turned another page of his paper, he looked just like a normal man to her. He was handsome as the devil and had rather pale skin, but there was nothing more sinister.

Mirrors! That was it! Had she ever actually seen Zack reflected in a mirror?

She sipped her coffee and wracked her brain.

No, she couldn't ever remember seeing Zack's reflection. But what did that mean? She'd never
looked
for it.

And she wasn't going to start looking now, she decided, carefully avoiding looking in the direction of the dressing table.

By eleven thirty, vampires were the last thing on Teresa's mind.

Ahead of them was a lunch, preceded by cocktails for guests who'd arrived early, as they had. And all her so-called friends would be there, the ones who'd been so solicitous – and slyly gloating – when Steve had dumped her. And everyone would have a significant other in tow.

It would have been a pure nightmare if it hadn't been for Zack.

When she emerged from the bathroom, fluffing at her hair and hoping her little silk two-piece wouldn't make her bottom look too big, she found him sitting on the bed, waiting for her.

If anything, he looked even more fabulous than ever.

She wasn't sure how many suits he had in his suit carrier, but this one was dark blue, lightweight and pure fluid elegance, just like him. His shirt was blue silk too, a couple of shades lighter, and he was frowning over a pair of toning ties.

Teresa's heart lurched. Why did life have to be so complicated? If Zack didn't have these mysterious issues of his, she could be straddling him on the bed right now, gorgeous outfit and vampire fantasies notwithstanding.

'You might not need a tie. I think it's quite informal'

Zack whipped around, ties still fluttering from his fingers.

'Are you sure?' His head tipped to one side, light glinting on his dark curly hair, now immaculately groomed again. 'I don't want to stand out by being too casual.'

You'll always stand out because you're gorgeous, she couldn't stop herself thinking.

Teresa curved her fingers against her skirt to stop herself grabbing him. 'That's a beautiful suit ... you look terrific.'

'And so do you.'

Suddenly, he was in front of her, looking down into her eyes. He lifted a hand, gently smoothing her hair where it flicked around her face. Teresa almost groaned at the effort of not turning and pressing her lips against his palm.

'Thanks ...' She drew a quick breath, almost a gasp. His sweet cologne made her feel as if she was going to faint. 'Shall we get down there? I think it's probably started.'

She darted away for her bag and their key card, knowing that, if she stayed close to him, she'd do something stupid.

The perfect escort, Zack escorted her down the stairs, his hand lightly on her arm as they nodded and said 'hello' to fellow guests. In the busy reception area, a gilt-edged board, studded with plastic letters announced that the wedding cocktail party was in the Walcott Room. People shaking umbrellas indicated it was raining outside, which made things easier for Zack as the party would stay inside.

Vampire's luck? she thought, then gritted her teeth, squishing the idea.

The Walcott Room was large and airy, decorated in a sub rococo style with a lot more gilt, and ornate antique furniture lovingly polished. Brilliant light glittered from a magnificent chandelier. She was just about to gather up her nerves and lead the way in, when Zack's fingers tightened on her arm and he drew her quickly to one side.

'How do you want to play this?' he said,
sotto voce.
'I'll do whatever you want –' his blue eyes twinkled'– but it'd be fun if we could give them something to speculate about, eh?'

I don't know what you are but you could just be an angel! Teresa thought.

The urge to hug and kiss him for real, never mind as an act, bubbled up again like one of the ornamental fountains outside, but she held it in check and just grinned. 'Yeah, why not?'

At least for a little while, she'd have a bona fide excuse to touch him and hang on to him.

The room's grand beauty faded into the background at the sight of the mass of assembled guests. They all seemed to swivel round to watch the arrival of Teresa, the recently dumped.

A strong arm slid around her waist, and she felt a soft kiss like thistledown settle on her hair. Obviously, Zack was going for the 'new lovers, can't keep their hands off one another' gambit. My, how the gloaters would be taken aback at how quickly she appeared to be back in the saddle.

'Look, there's the bride-to-be.' Teresa pointed to Lisa, between the clumps of chattering, drinking well-wishers. The bride's smile was already looking pretty set and strained as she kept glancing around to make sure everything was going all right. 'Let's go and say "hello".'

'Right ho.' Zack's voice dropped to a whisper. 'And don't worry ... it'll all be fine. I'm right beside you.'

Doubt drained out of her like water through a sieve. Teresa smiled up into his face, her heart light and overflowing.

He might not actually
be
her boyfriend but, for the moment, he was the next best thing. He was a rock, and he looked utterly magnificent. And she could already see that most of the women in the room were openly ogling him.

Go on, drool, you lot, Teresa couldn't help thinking. He's mine! Well ... sort of ...

Even the bride seemed impressed. As they approached, Lisa eyed Zack with a degree of interest that set her frazzled fiancé frowning.

'Hi, Teresa! I'm so glad you could make it. Isn't this place fab?'

It was obvious Lisa was fit to bursting with curiosity about Zack. The minute she released Teresa from their hug, her eyes skittered immediately to the tall dark presence at her side.

'Lisa ... Tom ... This is Zachary Trevelyan,' she announced proudly, 'Zack, this is Lisa and Tom, the bride and groom ... obviously.'

The greetings went smoothly, but both Lisa's and Tom's eyebrows shot up when they shook Zack's hand. Looking down at his fingers, he shrugged and smiled. 'It's a circulation thing.'

Lisa and Tom just smiled, but Teresa's brain whirled back into its former groove. That was another thing. Wasn't cold skin another vampire characteristic?

Leave it. Just stop thinking about it.

'So ... you and Teresa? Have you ... er ... are you ...'

Lisa's questions petered out, and Teresa's brain went blank again. That was the big problem with play-acting.

'Together?' Zack's voice was soft, almost sultry, and his arm slid back around her waist. Teresa stole a glance at his wickedly smiling face, and for a fraction of second, she half imagined that he winked. But just like so often with him, it was done so quickly that she couldn't be sure she'd seen it.

'Um ... yes ...' Lisa obviously hadn't been expecting such a straight answer. 'I know you're Teresa's landlord but I didn't realise you were a couple. Well, I thought...' Teresa followed her friend's tracking scan of the busy room, bracing herself for the sight of Steve.

'What better way to get to know one another than by living together.' It was as if Zack was gently explaining the ways of the world to someone very young and naïve. 'I've been biding my time ... waiting until Teresa was free of commitments–' he paused delicately '–and for the moment when it would be honourable to ask her to be my lover.'

'Er ... yes ... right. That's great.'

Teresa hid a smile. Lisa couldn't seem to hide the fact she was desperately smitten despite the presence of her soon-to-be husband beside her.

I don't blame you, Lise, she thought.

Far more smitten, Teresa gasped inside when Zack pressed a light, but meaningful, kiss against her cheek.

'Shall we circulate, my dear? Other guests are waiting to meet the happy couple.'

They made way for members of Tom's family, and Teresa felt as if she was floating as they wove across the room, took a couple of drinks and found themselves a corner.

'Everything all right?'

Zack's eyes were twinkling. He was having fun.

Teresa twinkled back at him. It
was
fun being the envy of all her female friends. Especially the ones who'd expected a fine opportunity to pity her.

Here she was with the most handsome intriguing man in the room, whose presence beside her made her turn to jelly with longing. And on top of that there were all the exquisite little shows of affection – the kisses, the touches on the arm, the light guiding contact of his hand on her waist. They were part of a deception, of course, but that didn't diminish the pleasure.

Sipping her champagne, she watched Zack scanning the room, his keen eyes darting from person to person and from couple to couple as if he was an anthropologist studying a brand new tribe for a paper. Maybe it
was
something like that? She knew he wrote historical studies and treatises. Perhaps he was turning his hand to fiction, or pop psychology, and he was doing a little people watching?

Whatever it was, she had the oddest feeling that a gathering like this was entirely new to him.

'Have you been to many weddings?'

Zack swivelled round and smiled. 'No, this is my first wedding, would you believe?' He put his lips to his glass of mineral water and took the minutest sip. It was the only thing she'd ever seen him ingest so far, apart from his health shakes.

'Really?'

Unease crawled up and down Teresa's spine, and thoughts, conclusions and too many bizarre coincidences jostled and brayed at her. Focusing on the room, and its festive normality, she attempted to silence them.

'What do you think of it all then?'

'Fascinating. It's supposed to celebrate the welfare and happiness of the bride and groom, but, underneath, it's a hotbed of rivalry and envy and one-upmanship ... it's like a Roman arena full of designer lions.'

'I've never looked at it that way.'

And she hadn't. But Zack's beautiful blue eyes were clear and acute. He wasn't accusing anybody of anything, just enlightening her with his deadly accurate observations.