Page 65 of Bloody Temptations

Fuck. My cheeks burn with embarrassment over my behaviour last morning, but I’m too dehydrated to blush properly.

“Ugh, I’m so sorry about everything. About last nightand—”

“Do not even think of it. You know what nosey beasts us beings are. Considering the usual dramatics stirred up, a lover’s quarrel is nothing but an appetiser.” Matteus waves a hand, turning so one knee is resting on the bed. “Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk of more important things. I hope you don’t mind the intrusion, young Finn, but I took the liberty of looking into your situation.”

Matteus is so effortlessly calm and casual about, well, everything, but I am still reeling and my stomach lurches horribly at the new direction of our conversation.

“What do you mean?” I ask hesitantly.

“We can discuss everything when you are feeling well. I just wanted to ensure you were alright.” He pats my leg again and I look at the spot. This isn’t the most confused I’ve ever been in my life but it’s definitely in the top five. “Finish your blood and freshen yourself up. I will meet you back here in fifteen minutes.”

And then he leaves.

I’m still in my clothes from last night, and sleep hasn't refreshed them, so I do the best that I can, cleaning myself up in the bathroom with the luxury toiletries provided.

Exactly fifteen minutes later there is another knock on the door. I actually open it this time, and I kind of regret it when I see his broad smile. It feels uncomfortable and wrong to be smiled at when I feel so thoroughly awful.

“Excellent, you’re ready. Come with me.”

Thank the Gods he doesn’t expect any small talk. I follow him numbly to the staircase. But instead of going down, we go up.

“I think this conversation may require more privacy than your presence in the common areas will allow," he says when I hesitate at the bottom step, ushering me on.

The magic of the ward protecting the entry into the private areas prickles as I pass.

At the top of the stairs is a hallway, completely bare except for the glowing sconces and matching doors at either end. Matteus heads left.

“Those are the owner's rooms,” he says simply when I stare too long at the other door.

I can only grunt in response. I’m too numb to care.

Matteus’s rooms are decorated in the same traditional style as downstairs, only more cosy. Unlike the uncomfortable damask silk antique lounges and spindly furniture in the common areas, his furniture is chunky and sturdy. His couches are over stuffed and soft looking with plenty of cushions and throws, in varying soft beiges and creams I could never keep clean. Lamps, piles of books, and vases filled with cream flowers clutter every available surface.

We don’t stop though, walking through the living area to the double doors that open out onto the manager’s private rooftop garden.

Dimly, I wonder if he is responsible for the courtyard downstairs in the club, as the same fragrant night blooms are here. They probably have staff here for that, though.

“Please take a seat.” He waves to one of the wicker arm chairs at the small table.

With no other option, or care factor to think of one, I sit, folding my hands in my lap and staring blankly. Once I’m settled, Matteus hums his approval and disappears again, leaving me confused in his pretty garden for several minutes before he returns with more blood and a leather portfolio.

“My apologies, Finn. I know you had a rather upsetting morning, and I am truly sorry.” I don’t answer and he gives me a grim smile. “Yes, well, as I said, I did have a look into you during the day. We examineall members, for many things like character and ability to pay fees, etcetera. But your application obviously had extra… flags we wished to address, and so I had my daytime assistants look into the matter.”

“Okay...” I draw the word out, not really sure where this is heading. I mean, I don’t even know if I can afford the membership yet. And honestly, after last night, I’m not even sure I want to come back.

Right now, all I want to do is go home and charge my phone and try to fix my monumental fuck up with Kai. He has—had?—feelings for me.Realfeelings. And I threw them back in his face.

“I understand that you know nothing about your maker, except for their name. And I understand that at the present time, you may not wish to know anything further about them. But I feel like perhaps, without some context, everything I’m about to say may not make sense.”

His ‘customer service’ mask is entirely gone now, replaced with an aura of vulnerability that’s more than a little daunting considering what he’s just said. Despite his efforts to reassure me—well, Ithinkhe’s trying to reassure me—I’m feeling even more nervous.

“Um, okay. I guess?” I say again, even though I’m even less sure than I sound.

“You see, Finn, I believe I knew your maker.”

“I’m sorry,what?”

Matteus takes pity on me, nudging one of the bottles on the small table towards me. I accept it gratefully, suddenly desperately in need of the blood. The glugging sound as I choke down half the bottle fills the garden, while Matteus waits patiently for me to recollect myself.

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