Almost as soon as the sun dipped below the horizon, my phone started ringing.
I looked at the caller, not sure who knew my new phone number. I had barely owned the phone a week.
“Andre?” I read the caller ID out loud. How was his number saved onto my phone? Because I didn’t add it. And I definitely didn’t add the two emoticon hearts next to his name.
I debated whether or not I should answer.
Thinking about the Andre I read about earlier, I clicked “Accept.”
“Hello?” I put the phone to my ear.
“I was convinced you weren’t going to answer,” he said. “How long did you stare at my number before picking up?”
“I thought you were a vampire, not a psychic.” How did he know?
I heard the smile in his voice when he responded. “What made you change your mind and pick up?”
“Don’t flatter yourself; I was bored. Why are you calling me?”
I could tell he was amused. “I wanted to see how your first day went.”
Oh. He was wondering whether I munched on anyone.
He corrected himself. “Actually, I wanted to see how you were. There are a lot of supremacist morons at Peel, and I figured your first day might’ve been rough.”
I cleared my throat. “It was fine,” I lied.
“Good. Put on something sexy. Tonight will be your first lesson on being a vampire.”
***
Andre drove us up to the front of the club, leaving the idling car for the valets to pick up. Even though it was a Monday, there was still a long line snaking down the street.
The screaming began as fans caught sight of Andre. The sight of so many excited woman—and men—shocked me until I remembered he was an international celebrity.
He waved and smiled, looking cool and collected. The screaming escalated, some women even rushing out of line to get closer. Bodyguards materialized just in time, holding Andre’s eager fans back.
Andre came over to where I stood teetering in my uncomfortable heels, and he draped an arm around my waist. I stared at where his hand rested. That was awfully presumptuous of him. I grabbed his hand to peel it away from my waist and cameras went off.
Instead of letting me remove his hand, his fingers curled around my own, and he leaned into me, murmuring, “Just go with it. They want a show.”
I bared my teeth at the cameras, trying to fake a grin.
We walked inside, and the thrum of music pounded my ears. Now that we were away from the gawkers, I pushed his hand away, “Just because I came out with you does not mean I’m your date,” I yelled over the music.
He gave me a devil-may-care grin. “Fine. Follow me.”
We wove in and out of dancers, drunk club goers, and more fans. He led me upstairs. More bodyguards stood by the entrance to what I assumed was the VIP section. Seeing Andre, they opened the doors.
I followed him into a room full of curtained alcoves, where swanky-looking groups of people chatted over their drinks. An entire side of the room was made up of one-way mirrors, so VIP members could look out onto the club without themselves being seen.
He broke away from me and walked over to a table, probably schmoozing with his high-end customers. I walked over to the one-way mirror, and watched as couples danced and friends laughed.
I pushed my wavy hair away from my eyes, and fidgeted with a ring I was wearing. Why was I here? So far I hadn’t learned anything remotely vampire-ish, and frankly, this VIP crowd made me uncomfortable.
“We meet again.”
I looked up to see Theodore, the Scottish vampire who had laid me out the day before, standing next to me.
“You still owe me an apology.” What I had meant to say was hey, but even a bad day couldn’t completely wipe out my attitude.
“Saucy minx.” He laughed and twirled his glass of wine—or some other dark fluid I wasn’t willing to dwell on. “No wonder Andre’s pursuing you. He so does love the chase.”
His words put me in an even fouler mood. “For your information, Theodore, Andre is not pursuing me. He’s giving me my first lesson on being a vampire.” My explanation sounded weak, even to me, and I briefly considered whether Andre did have an ulterior motive. But I wouldn’t let Theodore see any of my personal misgivings. “It’s none of your business anyway.”
He smiled at me. “That’s where you are wrong, tootsie.” I gashed my teeth together at his idea of an endearment. “I am Andre’s right-hand man. It’s my business to know these things. And if Andre’s interested in you, it’s my job to make sure you are not a threat.”
I was shocked.
“Me?” I asked incredulously. “A threat?”
Andre appeared behind us. “Ready?” He looked at me.
“For what?” I asked, momentarily distracted.
“I have more to show you.” He turned to Theodore, who was still gazing intensely at me. “Theodore, I’ll meet back up with you later tonight.”
Theodore nodded and reluctantly left.
“Theodore sucks,” I said. “… Pun unintended.”