Page 20 of Dear Mr. Vampire

“No, seriously?” She questioned. There was something cute about her disbelief.

“Yes, seriously.”

“No, bullshit?”

“No, bullshit.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Her eyes beckoned me to be truthful.

“It’s better to show than tell. I didn’t want to look like an asshole. Saying certain things too quickly can make you look like an asshole.”

“How is that?”

“I can’t really say, hey neighbor, I own a nightclub. I can get you in for free. Sounds like a total lie.”

“No, it wouldn’t. It doesn’t. Not coming from you. I get— I tell the truth vibes from you.”

“I believe that is a compliment.”

Chanel smiled. “It is. Your place, the club, is nice, really nice.”

“Thank you. The employees keep it that way. I have a great team of people that are good at their jobs.”

“Why do you live in the basement apartment and not here?”

“The law, Chicago law. This area, this block and this building are commercial property and not residential. Basically, it’s against the law to take up residency. I live close by. I can walk over and be here anytime I need to be.”

“Do you think it’s wise to walk the streets at night alone?”

“I do okay. I know how to scream and run.”

She giggled. “Yeah, that’s good. Not very effective on the streets of Chicago.”

“Were you applying to be my bodyguard?”

“No, no, I only know how to scream and run, too.”

This time, I had to smile. Her words, her phrases, her sentences were charming.

Our conversation flowed without any awkward silences. We enjoyed a few hours together. We had a few drinks, and we even danced together on the crowded dance floor. I could dance, but I didn’t dance. I wanted to please her. Whatever she wanted, I was obliged to give her. Seeing her happy produced a tingle inside my body. It was more than the twitch in my cock. I couldn’t ignore it.

We left together in her car. She didn’t want me to walk home alone, and I thought her protective nature was adorable. She was a decent human being. I envied her.

She parked, and we both walked toward the back door of the apartment. She was going to have to go upstairs to her apartment. I was going to have to go downstairs to my apartment. I didn’t want this to end. But I didn’t want to come on too strong. I had to think fast. When we stepped into the apartment building, I had to say something.

“Chanel, do you want to come over for a drink?”

She paused. “Yeah, sure.”

I couldn’t contain my smile. So I turned to hide my face. Iturned to the stairwell and started walking down. Chanel was right behind me. I moved slowly because I knew she was in high heels.

I put my key in the door and opened it wide enough for Chanel to walk through first. I entered behind her and switched on the light. I watched her as she looked around the open living area. I kept a clean and neat living space. It was a habit I inherited from my father.

“So, this is your place on the inside?”

“You look like you disapprove.”

“No, no. I don’t know what I expected. Your door is black.”

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