Page 28 of Midnight Serenade
I found them completely charming.
Grace was just fine until she figured out that getting food from the buffet tables was going to be difficult with just the one hand. Her other hand was swaddled in bandages, and she had been instructed not to use it or get it wet at all. She grumbled under her breath as she tried to maneuver everything.
“Would you like some help?”
“No, thank you.”
I rolled my lips in to keep from smiling, and went down the buffet line, picking up things that looked interesting. I’d already pulled a crew member aside requesting some A-, my favorite type of blood, to be delivered to our table.
Grace had discovered that if she set her plate down, and used the scoops and utensils one at a time, that she could manage to get what she wanted onto her plate. And this was how she went down the line. Set the plate down, use the scoop, pick the plate up, set the plate down, use the scoop, pick the plate up.
I wanted to laugh at her stubborn determination, but I didn’t dare not. Independence was obviously important to her. If sheneeded something, though, I hoped she would ask rather than suffer in silence as so many beings seemed to.
We picked a booth that looked out over the ocean, as both Grace and her mom seemed to prefer those, then we quietly dug into our food. I’d grabbed a green salad and some other types of salads on one plate. The potato salad here was always delicious. My second plate had an assortment of ribs and barbecue chicken with coleslaw. Unlike Grace, I had no qualms about eating heavier tonight. My body needed it. Between that and my glass of A-, I finally felt satiated.
Mama Liora quickly finished her food and kissed Grace’s cheek, excusing herself to their suite so she could clean up and get to bed.
“Good night, Mama Liora,” I said, dipping my head politely.
She reached over and patted my head like a dog, snickering as she moved off.
“I think your mom is trying to train me,” I said to Grace. For what, I hadn’t a clue.
She laughed and carefully scooped up some salad with her left hand. “I don’t doubt it. I tried to warn you. She’s a firecracker.”
I took another soothing sip of blood, and Grace’s eyes followed my movements.
“Do you ever drink from someone directly?” she asked.
I swallowed and hummed in the back of my throat. “Directly is best. It gives the most nutrients. But it’s also very... personal. Many vampires choose not to, unless it’s from their significant other.”
“Oh.” Her eyebrows beetled in concentration as she thought over what I’d said.
“Have you ever??”
I shook my head. “No. I’ve never felt the need.” I smiled. “Even though blood bottles and bags are the equivalent of fast food compared with the rich dining experience of direct blood.”
She snickered. “So, you’re basically a fast food addict. I’m glad I’ve found this out now, rather than later.”
I shrugged, smiling at her teasing. “I wouldn’t mind drinking from you, if you ever wanted to offer,” I said casually, but Grace’s head snapped up, and she dropped her fork onto her plate with aclang.
“You wouldn’t?”
I nodded, taking a sip of water to rinse my mouth out. “I would love to drink from you.”
She goggled at me for a moment or two, before she got control of her facial expressions, and tried to casually go back to eating. I could read the excitement in her gaze, though. Her expressions were the gateway to her inner thoughts and feelings. She seemed unable to hide most of what she felt, and I found this adorable as well.
Handy too, as it meant I rarely needed to guess, which I appreciated.
As I walked Grace to her suite, Kazi was waiting for her outside her suite like a father waiting for his baby girl to get home. She laughed and reassured him she was fine. He snuffled her hand a bit, snorting at the harsh chemicals and cleansers they’d used on her wound, and then he nosed me to say hello and went back inside.
“He’s protective of you. I really think he loves you.”
Her cheeks turned pink. She looked adorably bashful, but pleased.
I moved slowly forward, and Grace’s eyes went wide as I used my body to back her up gently against the door. When she could go no further, she made a small sound in her throat as she stared up at me. I could scent her feelings: shock, excitement, desire. Ileaned close to her lips, like I was going to kiss her. Instead, I moved slightly and nosed her neck, skimming up the length of it until I found the spot where her scent was the most saturated. I breathed the intoxicating aroma in deeply and laid a gentle kiss there.
Grace made another small noise while she gripped my tee shirt so tightly I thought she might tear the cloth. I hid my grin against her neck before I pulled away, completely straight-faced. I bowed at the waist. “Goodnight, Grace. I hope you sleep well.” As I walked away, I heard her collapse against the door with a groan of frustration.
