“A date.” I blurted.
“That’s too bad. Come back tomorrow so I can show you around.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes, come back tomorrow.”
“I don’t know. I work. I have to go to work.”
“You work in the daylight hours. You can play in the nighttime hours.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
His eyes scanned me up and down and then up again. He licked his lips in a sexy way that was alluring and unnerving.
“Chanel, here comes your date.” I looked back to see all six feet, two inches of Shawn walking toward us. “Hey.” Zand drew my attention back to him. He leaned in close and angled away from my lips and over to my ear. “He’s okay, but you can do better.”
I felt his breath on my earlobe and it sent sparks of carnal lust to my unused lady parts. My heartbeat skipped, but I still had my voice.
I batted my eyelashes and glared at him. “You think so?”Who was this flirty version of me?
“Tomorrow night, go to the front of the line and show them your I.D.”
I blinked once and then he was gone. He had slithered through the crowd like a human snake and disappeared like a ghost. I got my flustered face together, hoping Shawn wouldn’t see that I had been mesmerized by this other man.
Far too soon, Shawn was standing right in front of me. I looked up at him, hoping my eyes didn’t convey any signs of guilt. Looking at him, I could tell that Shawn and Zand were the same height.
“Who was that?” Shawn asked.
“I don’t know.”Why did I lie?I could’ve easily said Zand was my neighbor. He is actually my neighbor. That much was true. “Just some random guy.”
“I shouldn’t have left you alone.”
I forced a smile onto my face. “No sir, you shouldn’t.” I don’t know why I wanted to flee the scene like I committed a crime. I didn’t do anything wrong. Shawn hadn’t done anything wrong. It was Mr. Vampire that messed me up with his hypnotic eyes and luscious ass lips. I had a long list of famous White men I thought were fine. I’d never had this level of attraction for one in real life. I couldn’t understand why, but Zand was different. He was sexy without trying to be, and I felt a strong magnetism toward him. I had to snap out of it. I was being ridiculous. Zand wasn’t checking for me.
I looked down as Shawn took my hand in his. He led me to the bar and ordered drinks. Mine had to be alcohol free. I could do one more hour at the club. Then I would tell him I was tired. I was. That wasn’t a lie.
CHAPTER SIX
CHANEL
In true gentlemanly fashion, Shawn walked me to my car. He gave me a brief and tender kiss on the lips that I accepted gracefully. Although sweet, his kiss didn’t give me butterflies or even a slight tingle below the waist. I wished I felt something more for him. Shawn would be the easier choice, probably even the better choice.
Someone else had stolen his thunder and I couldn’t shake the giddy feeling I had when I thought about Zand. A kiss from him would be something to remember. I just knew it would be good for me. I wondered if the attraction I felt for Zand was mutual. I really didn’t know.
It took just a few minutes for me to drive home. My tank was close to empty, but it was too late to stop and get gas. I didn’t want to get kidnapped and murdered. My neighborhood seemed safe enough, but this was still Chicago and the reputation of this city was nothing to play with.
In minutes, I’d made it home safely. I hadn’t drunk enough booze to be stumbling around, but I still hurried from my car and dashed across the parking lot to the back door of my apartment complex.
I didn’t know why I checked it, but I did. I tilted the flowerpot with no valid expectations. I knew Zand was at The Castle. He was probably chatting up some supermodel looking chick. Or worse, deciding which Instagram starlet he would bring home with him. I was sure he wasn’t thinking about writing another silly note for a perfect stranger.
Stop! Drop! Open up shop!This time I was wrong. To my surprise, there was another note. Elation flooded my body from head to toe. I couldn’t wait until I was safe and sound in the confines of my apartment. I wanted to wait, but I had no chill. I needed to read the note right where I stood. Or a few steps from the doorway and into the hallway where it was warmer.
Dear Human Stalker, Hot Daywalker, and Firestarter,
Are you still stalking me? I think we both know the answer to that one. If I told you I was 200 years old, would you believe me? Have you ever considered the possibility that I am an actual vampire? I could have special powers. I may possess psychic abilities. I am incredibly strong. Maybe even immortal. I could pay another Daywalker to watch you remove this letter from under the flowerpot. Then I would know who you are and I could do bad things to you. That is, if I am a True Blood.
With an invitation, you should Let The Right One In.