NightFall: Book One: Bloodlust Is the Cure for the Immortal Soul (24 page)

Imagine what it would b
e like when I make love to you,
Saldivar wished he could tell her.

“……but I could tell you kept a secure hold over yourself.
Almost if you were worried about hurting me.
I’m not a China doll, Saldivar. And I don’t think you’d ever harm me.” Indea said with conviction that tugged at Saldivar’s heart.

“You are right. I would never hurt you for anything.”

Indea smiled and leaned closer to Saldivar as they made their way home.

CHAPTER XI

Van kissed Simone affectionately at the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, my sweet.”

Simone nodded and waved before stepping into the Skys’ home.

What a wonderful day,
Simone thought happily to
herself
as she made her way to her room. She had so much fun with Van. He was smart and he made her laugh. He was sexy and he knew his way around a pair of lips.

It’s not fair,
she pouted inwardly. Here she was, having the time of her life and she was due back in Alabama in nine days. She wanted to ge
t to know Van even better and ni
ne days wasn’t going to cut it. She wanted to share more stories with him. She wanted him to make love to her.
Wild and passionate love.
Given how he kissed her, she could only imagine how he would be in bed.

Her head would probably explode. Along with the rest of her heated body. She had to take a deep breath just thinking about it.

She walked into her room, opened her laptop and sat down to read her e-mails and to catch up on some writing.

Just two.
Both from Mr. Brant.

“‘Dear Simone,’”
the e-mail read. ““I’m so glad you’re having fun. You deserve it.
‘Club Paradox’ sounds fascinating. It’s great that you’re having an excellent time.
Which brings me to the point.
An international piece for our newspaper would bring in a wider range of readers. So, I’m sure you’ll be elated to hear that you will need to stay in Paris for a few weeks.’”

Simone’s breath caught in her throat. It was all she could do not to jump on the ceiling. More time in Paris! She could barely contain herself as she read Mr. Brant’s other e-mail.

“‘Dear Simone: I hope
things are going well for you in Paris. It sounds to me like
Van and Saldivar are your two new best friends.

“‘Since they run the club and it has gotten rave reviews, I want you to do an in-depth piece on each of them. They sound like a great couple of guys to know.

“‘I can’t wait to read about them.

“‘Take care. Be safe. And have fun!’”

Simone would be more than happy to write about her two new found friends. She was ecstatic that Mr. Brant took a genuine interest in them. They
were
important to her.

She elected to e-mail an attachment immediately while the thought was still fresh in her mind.

She would e-mail Mr. Brant first. She read out loud as she typed:

“Dear Mr. Brant: Yes. I am having the time of my life. Thank you for asking.
I
wish
you were here to soak up some of the fun I’m experiencing. I’m glad to at least paint you a picture with my stories.

“You’re right. Van and Saldivar are just awesome. They are wonderful to get to know. I hope that one day you’ll be able to meet them.

“I’ll be more than happy to write a look into their lives. They’re simply charming. Van and I seemed to have grown closer. Saldivar and Indea are out now as I write to you. They’ve really hit it off. And I think, so have Van and I.

“I really do appreciate you letting me stay longer. And I appreciate you always being there for me and looking out for me. You’re like a father to me. You’re the best.

“I’m sending you my story via attachment. Hope you like it.”

Simone signed off and closed her computer for the night.

*

Mr. Brant felt a huge stab of guilt pierce his heart as he read Simone’s e-mail. Her last statement about him being a father to him nearly sliced
his heart in two. He felt like such a heel.

How he hated deceiving her.
Using her to get information on Van Pirone and Saldivar.

What could he do? Mr.
Hobbs was paying him rather handsomely for doing this. It didn’t ease the utter shame he felt though. But he couldn’t help but wonder why Mr. Hobbs wanted to know about a couple of guys who owned a club in Paris. And, also, who was Mr. Hobbs’ source? Why was he paying all this money to get it? Was it even his money to spend?

Deep in his gut, Mr. Davis Brant knew this couldn’t be on the up-and-up. People who usually paid a boat load of money for what seemed like simple information and were desperate to keep it a secret had more sinister things in mind.

Mr. Brant didn’t like the smell of things around here.
Too fishy.

Yeah, maybe he was getting paid and maybe he felt lower than dirt but before he gave Mr. Hobbs the information, he would read the stories and do a little investigating on the down low of his own.

Simone was like a daughter to him. He didn’t want to let her down. She’ll probably find out what he was up to eventually. She was too smart for her own good. He could only hope forgiveness for lying to her and using her like the creep he was right now. He was positive he could amend things. Maybe, just maybe, he could turn things around before he was too deep in the hole. He was already wading knee deep in the crapper as it was.

The fact that Simone had already grown close to Van made it worse. He must really be something. She hadn’t been in Paris that long. He certainly didn’t want to ruin their chance at happiness.

Right now, the only choice he had was to wait. Wait and hope for the best outcome.

*

The days seemed to fly by as both couples learned
more and more about each other. Sometimes, they all went out together and other times, they preferred to just be alone with each other. Mainly to kiss and neck when no one was around.

Indea found it harder and harder to restrain herself from Saldivar. She knew for a fact he wanted her but he kept her at arms length when it came to love making. The skill in which he molded his hands over her body, it was as if he were sculpting her, wanting to leave the impressions of her body in his mind and on his hands.

Oh, yeah, he wanted her. His eyes caressed her and she could swear she could feel his actual hands touching her all over even though not a hand was near her.
Peculiar.

Perhaps it was just wishful thinking on her part. But his kisses spoke volumes. He made love to her mind and her mouth but not her body. It was becoming a tad more than frustrating.

If Indea was grinding her teeth over her pred
icament, Simone had already worn
hers down.

Not m
aking
love to Van wasn’t Simone’s only issue, however. Though he told her plenty of things she would later weave into a story, he was a bit secretive about other things. She loved mystery but how much was too much?

Simone also began to notice the pattern to which they went out. Why was it always after dusk? Why not enjoy a leisurely breakfast on a patio while the morning rays danced on your skin?

That and another thing bothered her.
Breakfast.
Well, not breakfast,
per se
, but the whole act of eating. With a body like Van’s he would have to eat a good amount to keep up his strength.

The entire time she’s known Van, she has yet to see him eat anything.

Usually, it was the woman who picked around food in the earliest stages of dating.

The whole situation confounded her. Why? What was going on here? Maybe she should ask Indea if Saldivar is doing the same thing.
If his pattern also mirrored Van’s.

Would Indea think she’d gone off her deep end?

Probably so.

No. It was most likely her writer’s curiosity again. The investigative reporter in her sometimes sparked to life over the most trivial of puzzles.

There was a reasonable explanation for Van’s nightly hours, she was sure of it.

All she had to do was ask.

*

After brunch the next morning, Simone and Indea decided to stay in and play a few hands of Rummy.

The weather looked grim and a little questionable today any way. There was no chance of going out on a day like this one.

The sun had decided to play peek-a-boo with the clouds earlier that morning. Eventually, the clouds won out and the sun stayed permanently behind the ever darkening puffs.

The wind had continued to pick up considerably during the morning and by half past noon, Simone and the Skys’ heard the familiar rat-a-tat of rain. It had grown into a steady down pour, beating down relentlessly on the roof top.

It gave Simone the perfect chance to discuss some crucial matters that have been weighing heavily on her mind.

An hour, and a convincing talk later, Simone felt relieved with her conversation with Indea.

Since the rain had not let up its onslaught, Simone decided to take a cat nap. She loved the hypnotic tattoo of the rain.
Perfect for a rest.
She went into the closed in porch and settled on a lounge chair. The rain quickly lulled her to sleep.

*

Raven sensed him before she saw him.

Now what was up his butt this time?
She thought, exasperated.

“I heard that,”
Zane commented snidely.

Raven turned on her heel and looked him dead in the eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Good.
Because I meant for you to………….
daddy.
”
She let out a mocking snort.

Zane leaped forward, leering down at her in contempt. “Don’t call me that.”

“What?”
she
asked with feigned innocence. “Call you daddy? Well, you are, are you not?”

Zane’s nostrils flared as his eyes glowed fire. “Yes, I’m sad to admit. You only do it to further anger me. Do you like being humiliated and beaten, half breed?”

Raven lifted her chin defiantly. “Does it matter? You would still do it regardless of what I say or do and if I still obeyed your every psychotic demand.”

Zane smiled menacingly. “Yes. And you will continue to do so or it will be back to Wilsbrook for you.” At her wince, he laughed. “So, you
do
remember that hospital for experimental procedures?”

Raven broke eye contact and Zane knew he had her. She thought on it any way. Which was worse? Doing all of Zane’s dirty work?
Something that cou
ld possibly end her existence if
she kept on doing it?
Or back to Wilsbrook?

Raven li
fted her head and said evenly,
“You are far worse than Wilsbrook,
” but
she only half meant it.

“Really?”
Zane crossed the room to the phone sitting on the end table.