The Moon Rises (27 page)

“Do you miss her?”

Simon shook his head, his face a mask of
indifference. “I stopped loving her around the forty year mark and didn’t care
for her at all the last decade. I would have sent her away earlier, but I became
distracted and never got around to it. She’s happier now. I know this because
she sends me daily emails explaining how happy she is.”

“She likes to vomit her feelings on you, doesn’t
she?”

Simon smiled. “I knew you would get smarter.”

“I read a dictionary. It made a big difference.”

Laughing, Simon waved over the waiter who was
standing anxiously nearby. Once the food was served, Simon glanced at Gigi.

“If you become a Vamp, you couldn’t eat solids.
You are a chef, so I have no doubt you could design an array of interesting soups.”

Gigi frowned, disliking how she might have to
give up steak. The steak on her plate looked especially wonderful. Simon sensed
her question and smiled.

“The restaurant serves human food because some Vamps
bring their humans to dinner. It’s a way to build stronger relationships. It’s
also a good way to keep up the human’s strength. Lots of protein and all.”

“I would have to eat people if I became a Vamp?”
Gigi balked.

Simon laughed loudly which drew the attention of
the restaurant. The other Vamps immediately turned away, afraid to draw Simon’s
attention in return. Gigi didn’t think it was funny though. Someone might have
eaten Sara and Gigi didn’t want to eat anyone.

“Vamps drink blood. We don’t eat anything. It’s
why the food is in liquid form.”

“Oh, yeah, sorry,” she mumbled, suddenly unsure
about agreeing to the date.

“Eat your food before it gets cold,” Simon said
quietly while sipping his soup.

“Would you boss me around a lot if I was your
bride?”

Simon smiled slightly. “Yes, probably. I boss
everyone around.”

“Where would I get the blood?”

“From me initially. Young vampires don’t control
themselves well. I can’t have my bride killing her human suppliers. When you
were older, you would have human servants to feed from. They would be willing,
of course. These days, it’s so easy to find agreeable blood donors. What with
the economy and the dumbing down of education in this country.”

“I wouldn’t hurt anyone then?”

“I doubt it. If a Vamp is very aggressive or
cruel before the change, they tend to be the same way afterward. Those types of
Vamps are disposed of these days. There is presently a sort of truce between Vamps
and humans. If some Vamps went rogue and killed at will, the truce would end.
Humans can’t defeat all the magical creatures, but they could kill enough Vamps
to make it inconvenient. While you seem rather gentle, some of this might be a
result of the tampering with your mind. I suspect you were not always as naïve
as you seem.”

Saying nothing, Gigi ate her steak. She didn’t
want to be a Vamp, but she didn’t want to be alone either.

“Sixty years is a long time,” Gigi said once she
was finished eating.

Simon smiled and ran his tongue over his top
teeth. “You would last much longer than sixty years. I had a bride who lasted
over a hundred years and she wasn’t nearly as intriguing as you.”

“But I’m not human. Nolan said so.”

“Oh, he doesn’t have a clue what you are. I
couldn’t change you if you were a Were, but I could change a witch. Whatever
you are must be closer to a witch than a Were, so I’m sure it would work.”

“I’m not sure if I want to be a Vamp. I wish
there was a way to test it out first.”

“Like a Vamp intern?”

Gigi smiled. “You’re making fun of me.”

“A little.”

“I like you, but I’m not sure what I should do.”

“There’s no hurry. I dated Sara for several
months before she said no. I could wait a very long time for your answer. Don’t
rush yourself.”

“Thank you.”

Simon studied her and his eyes grew darker this
time. “I would like to join you at your apartment this evening.”

Gigi studied him in return and she smiled when
she realized studying people was fun. Maybe that’s why everyone was always
studying her?

“I’m not supposed to invite Vamps into my
apartment. If you freak out during a surge, you could eat me.”

“Drink you,” Simon corrected with a faint grin,
“and I’m a Master Vamp. I don’t freak out.”

Gigi knew he was teasing her and she liked when
he teased. The look in his eyes was devious, but in a good way.

“Okay, you can come to my apartment. If you try
to bite me though, I’m going to be mad.”

Simon laughed. “Very scary.”

“Somehow I killed the monster in the alley and it
could fly, so I think maybe it was scarier than you.”

“You killed it?” Simon asked with a frown on his
handsome face. “Interesting. Does anyone else know this?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Good. Do not tell anyone especially the witches.
They already want to harvest you.”

“Mira said she wants to read me. I want to say
yes now because I want to know what I am.”

Simon’s frown darkened. “Witches,” he sighed.
“They are a scourge which coming from a vampire should tell you something.”

“I shouldn’t go?”

Simon sighed again and looked deep in thought.
“It might be nice to know what you are, but I suggest you take Dahlia along.
The ginger Were too. The witches are troublemakers, but they might behave if
they know you have allies.”

“Are you my ally?”

“The best one you can have, young Gigi.”

While Simon watched her warily, Gigi reached out
and touched his cheek. His skin was warmer than she thought it would be.
Returning her hand to the table, she frowned.

“Are you dead?”

“No. I’m just not human anymore. During the
change, the human part dies. That’s where the undead thing comes from.”

“Why do you want to come to my apartment?”

“I would like to do things to you which aren’t
appropriate in a public place.”

“Sex things?”

“Most definitely.”

“If you start and I don’t like it, will you
stop?”

“Of course. I’m seducing you. Being a brute isn’t
very seductive.”

Smiling, Gigi reached out to touch his face
again. She moved slowly so he wouldn’t feel spooked. Once she caressed his
face, she noticed a few Vamps watching and she turned to stare at them. They
stared back, but she held their gazes. Gigi wasn’t talented at much, but so far
she hadn’t met anyone who could outstare her. When the Vamps’ gazes faltered,
Gigi smiled then looked at Simon who was grinning.

“A very impressive bride indeed,” he said softly.

“I’d rule them with an iron fist.”

While they both laughed, Gigi wasn’t kidding. She
didn’t like the stuck up Vamps with their black clothes, too pale skin, crotch
dancing, and dismissive glances. If she had power over them, she would make
them fear her. It made no sense not to.

Once they arrived at Gigi’s apartment, she
offered him a drink, but Simon seemed more interested in testing out her soft dress.
His lips barely touched hers then returned for a tender kiss. While he kissed
her, Simon kept her hands pinned behind her. His grasp was gentle, but Gigi
felt a bit trapped like she had in the alley when the monster shoved her
against the wall.

Before she might panic, Simon slipped behind her
so Gigi’s hands were free. Running his fingers along her bare shoulders, he
pushed aside her hair to expose her throat. Simon’s fingers danced across her
flesh of her neck and she shivered even though she felt more hot than cold.

His lips soon took the place of his fingers while
his hands pulled her against him. He felt warm, though not warm like a Were.
When his lips sucked gently on her throat, Gigi’s head leaned back against his
shoulder and she closed her eyes.  It felt so good she could barely stand.

“Do you trust me?” Simon whispered in her ear.

“Yes,” Gigi moaned, even though she didn’t trust
him. Simon wanted her to though and she wanted to give him what he wanted.

Simon’s fingers slid down her shoulders and
across her breasts, teasing her nipples through her dress. Gigi squirmed with
pleasure and she wanted to touch him, but he had his Vamp rules. All she could
do was grip at his soft slacks.

No matter how good his lips sucking on her neck
felt, Gigi remembered Sara’s warning.

“Don’t bite me,” Gigi said in a voice heavy with
desire.

“Shhh, this is our very first date. Biting is
something for down the road, sweet Gigi. Please relax.”

Gigi didn’t want to lose herself to Simon’s
needs, but his touch felt too good and she only wanted more. She wondered if
she would still be capable of telling him no soon.

Swimming in pleasure, Gigi barely noticed the
lights dim or how her dress was pulled up around her waist. She thought she
heard a ripping sound and suspected her panties were no longer attached to her,
but she didn’t care. Nothing mattered as long as Simon was happy.

As the pleasure built, his fingers slid between
her legs and her knees gave out. Simon held her up with one arm around her
waist while his other hand made delicious little movements between her thighs.
At her throat, he sucked and licked softly. All the pleasure surged to a crazy need
as Gigi pressed down on his fingers, seeking more and finding a jolt of relief.
Overwhelmed, Gigi ached to hold Simon as her moans eased into heated sighs.

Simon’s fingers lingered a few more minutes then
he slid them between his lips and tasted her. Gigi was ready to give him anything
at that moment. He only tilted her head back and kissed her, soft and slow.

“Do you trust me?” he asked again.

This time when she said yes, Gigi wasn’t lying. Simon
smiled slow and seductive as he still held her around the waist. His other hand
slid the dress straps off her shoulders. While he tasted her skin, setting it
on fire, Simon pushed her dress down until it hung around her waist, barely
clinging to her hips.

“Trust is very important to Vamps,” Simon
whispered. “It’s what all the rules regarding hands are about. I want very much
to trust you.”

“I would never hurt you,” she said and she believed
her words. “I want to touch you.”

“I know you do, but it’s too soon for such a
level of intimacy.”

Some part of Gigi’s brain realized the oddity of
his statement. She was essentially naked and his hands and mouth were exploring
her at will. She also heard his zipper sliding down and was fairly certain what
would happen next based on the book Sara gave her about sex. Yet no matter what
he did to her, Simon kept her arms trapped downward so she could only reach his
thighs.

Even knowing how the Vamp rules were pretty one
sided and maybe worrying over Sara’s assertion of Simon being a liar, Gigi
couldn’t make the situation stop. She didn’t want to be bitten, maybe didn’t
even want him inside her. While Gigi didn’t want to tell him no, she wasn’t
sure if she should say yes either.

A crashing sound startled Gigi and Simon hissed.
Following his gaze, she saw a gaping hole in the window and glass on the floor.
In the mess on the ground, she noticed a large rock.

“Stupid dog,” Simon muttered, releasing her
slowly as if to ensure she could stand on her own. Once she was upright, he
zipped up his pants and prowled towards the window.

“They broke my window,” Gigi said, pulling her
dress back on. “You think it was a Were?”

“Your doggie fan club annoys me,” Simon said, shutting
the curtains.

“They were watching us?”

“One of them. Any more than one and the bastards
would be howling at the moon. They’re idiots that way.”

Simon said his insults without raising his voice
and he seemed more annoyed than angry. Gigi was just upset her window was
broken since she didn’t know how to fix it.

“I feel like I’ve done something wrong,” Gigi
muttered, sitting on the couch and wondering where her panties were.

“Guilt is a quality useful to humans, less so for
Vamps,” Simon said, pulling her up and into his arms. Simon still keep her
hands pinned safely behind her back.

“But I’m not a Vamp.”

“Not yet,” Simon whispered before his lips found
hers.

Gigi liked Simon’s kisses and the pleasure he
created between her legs was still sending out happy little tingles. Even with
all the good that came from time with him, she was uncertain now. Maybe she was
just embarrassed to have one of the Weres, especially Anton, see her so exposed.

“You’re in a poor mood now, aren’t you?” Simon
asked quietly.

“Maybe. My window’s broken.”

“I’ll have it fixed.”

“But you didn’t break it.”

“Yes, but the dumb dog wouldn’t have broken it if
I hadn’t provoked him by wading into his territory. To ensure we don’t suffer
any interruptions next time, I think you should visit me at my house.”