CHAPTER 14
"Alex! Let him go! Leeds and I werent doing anything." I tried grabbing Alexs arm but it was like solid steel. Now this was a man that worked out every day. Why that thought came to me in the middle of him killing Leeds was freaking strange.
"It looks like he was rubbing your back, and you were sitting on his lap with nothing on but his shirt! Leeds you a*shole, I told you on the phone that she was mine."
"First of all Alex, Im not yours. I am my own person. No one owns me and second Leeds is my friend. I was comforting him.
"Well technically sugar lips, you were crying and I was comforting you."
Leeds must have been playing Alex because he took a hold of the arm Alex had around his throat and with ease removed it. Alex looked surprised and rubbed his arm.
I decided to ignore their manly posturing. "What are doing here Alex? Is Janel with you?"
"No. Janel is on her way to Italy."
"What? Why is she going to Italy? She cant go to Italy without me!" I shouted.
"Roberto sent her to his estate in Italy until he thinks its safe. I came here right after she left to make sure you were okay."
Unexpectedly, Alex pulled me into his arms and kissed me softly on the lips and stiffened. He sniffed my neck and said in a voice filled with anger, "Youve been with Roberto."
Roberto chose that moment to enter. "I suggest you get your hands off of her Alexander or I will."
Alex swung towards Roberto. "You bastard. You did this on purpose. Why? Why would you do this Roberto and risk everything?"
Roberto gave Alex an annoyed look. "This is none
105 of your concern Alexander. You will keep your mouth shut!"
I didnt like the way that Roberto was sneering at Alex. I couldnt reconcile this Roberto to the Roberto I had been with these last few days. He seemed different, not gentle like he was with me.
Alex looked like he wanted to argue farther but he looked at my face, where Im sure he could see that I was scared. "I will keep my mouth shut for now, but this isnt over Roberto. What youre doing is wrong and you know it."
I had enough. "Enough of this crap. I want you both to know I make my own decisions. Youre arguing over me like Im a piece of meat and not a person with feelings."
Roberto finally looked at me. "Of course, you are correct Piccolina. Please forgive me. Vampire politics can be quite archaic. Why dont you and I go for a walk? I have already fed. I went out when I heard you and Leeds talking earlier. I hadnt expected Alexander to show up here this evening." He gave Alex another annoyed look.
"Alex, how did you get here? Its just getting dark now?" I asked with confusion.
"We have ways of traveling if the need is urgent. Its not easy. But it was only a few hours ride so it wasnt too bad."
"How do you do it?" I questioned. Being close to vampires these last few days hasnt given me much knowledge about this new world in which I find Im now a part of.
"Well, were put into a body bag by some of our most trusted employees while we are "sleeping", and with some good timing, youre at your destination by the time you awake."
"But how do you get a body bag out of your hotel?" I wondered.
"Very carefully." Alex replied again with an easy
106 smile that made me want to smile back. Roberto cleared his throat and asked me, "Are you ready for that walk?"
"Sure." I replied but asked, "Shouldnt we be heading to Buffalo now?"
"We will get started shortly. Alex and I have to regroup after he feeds so that we can re-strategize now that he has joined us."
Leeds who had been quiet until now said, "Yeah, well while you all go off on your little errands, Ill go hunt for some game to make Olivia a decent meal before she leaves. Olivia, do you like duck? There are a lot of duck around here and I have some great ways to prepare them that I know youll love."
"Mmmm I love duck. Thank you so much Leeds, you are the best." I went over and stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.
Alex and Roberto looked at each other with raised eyebrows but didnt say anything.
Leeds growled at the two men. "What? A*sholes. You dont know how to treat a lady."
I smiled, "You are so right Leeds my love, they dont know how to treat a lady. Now excuse me gentleman, Im going to shower quickly and dress properly in the clothes that Leeds bought for me today. Roberto, I will see you in fifteen minutes."
I sauntered, yes sauntered, from the room so proud of my calm demeanor singing, "Puff the magic dragon that lived by the sea."
"Leeds! You no good, whore-mongering scoundrel. Im going to kill you!" I screamed while looking in the mirror.
When I got back to the room I had barely glanced at the pile of clothes on the dresser. I had run down the hall to the bathroom, stripped off Leeds borrowed shirt and hopped in the shower. When I came back with a towel wrapped around me and picked up the clothing I almost had
107 a heart attack. There was no way I was wearing these clothes. I looked around for my old clothes but couldnt find them anywhere. Short of going naked I had no choice. I groaned out loud when I saw the underwear he had left. A red thong and matching see through lace bra. Cursing, I put them on. It seemed the only thing Leeds had done right was the sizes, as they fit remarkably well. I pulled on the black satin pants with no great ease. The black blouse was easier to put on but was very low cut and off the shoulder. To complete my lovely new ensemble was four-inch red stilettos.
As I stood looking in the mirror, shaking my head I did the only thing I could do, held my head high and walked out of the bedroom singing, "You better watch out cuz I need a man who can keep me satisfied."
I found Roberto waiting for me outside, leaning against the side of the house. He looked up when he heard my approach and I swear his eyes bugged out like a cartoon characters when he saw what I was wearing.
"Ummmm, interesting outfit. You said Leeds picked this out for you?"
I nodded my head in misery, "Yeah, I dont think well be able to go for a walk." I held up my leg for him to see my red stilettos.
"Dont worry Piccolina, we dont need to walk. I noticed there is a swing around the back of the house. We can sit there and talk. We really havent talked much have we? Circumstances have thrown a lot of things at us in the last few days."
We walked around to the back of the house and much to my surprise there was a splendid flower garden and in the middle sat an old oak tree with a wooden swing hanging from it.
"Our friend Leeds is full of surprises isnt he?" I marveled as I sat.
Roberto raised an eyebrow, "Our friend? You seem
108 to have grown close to him in a few short hours."
"He grows on you; I think hes really lonely. And despite buying me these atrocious clothes, hes been very kind to me. Has he ever told you about his childhood?"
"No, we dont have that kind of relationship. Our paths sometimes have crossed over the years. Ive helped him with a few business dealings, and he let me stay here when I was out hunting."
"He shared some things with me tonight. He is a lost soul Roberto, and I want to be his friend."
"The two of you seemed pretty cozy back there. Are you sure your not letting your Sensay feelings cloud your judgment?"
"Are you serious? Im a grown woman. Stop treating me as if I were a child who doesnt know my own mind. I may not know crap about being a Sensay but I know a lot about being a friend. Speaking of which why did you send Janel to Italy?"
"I am sorry. Im only trying to guide you with your newly found abilities. I dont want to see you overwhelmed with something you cant handle. Of course I trust your judgment. You are a very intelligent woman. On the subject of Janel you must trust my judgment. I vowed to you that I would keep you and your friend safe and Im sure that by now the Guardians have marked your friend to get to you. She would not be safe here. Alexander put her on a plane to my estate in Italy. There she will be protected by my brother Cristoforo."
I laughed. "And who is going to protect your brother?"
Roberto smiled. "Yes she is quite a handful, that one. I dont think Ive ever seen Alexander flustered before. Your Janel gave him a run for his money. Speaking of Alexander, I think we need to discuss that situation."
I didnt really want to discuss this. I was confused. Both Alex and Roberto made my heart race when they were
109 near. But with Roberto it was different. Roberto made me feel safe and protected. I thought back to last night when I had confessed my love to him, thankful he had been sleeping. It would take me a while to get up the nerve to tell him face to face. Maybe it would be easier after he met my parents. He could stay a few days with us in Buffalo.
"Sure, I think we need to discuss what were going to tell my parents when we get to Buffalo."
He looked confused. "Tell your parents about what?"
"Well, first about me being a Sensay, of course and then about us and you being a vampire."
Roberto stopped the swing and turned to look at me. "Your parents also have been marked by the Guardians. They will need to be relocated as quickly as possible. I think it best to tell them as little as possible until they are safe." I thought about what he said and it made sense. I surely didnt want to put my parents in any more danger.
Roberto put the swing in motion once again, "I really want to talk about Alexander." I started to say that Alex and I were just friends but instead looked at the ground in shame.
"Olivia I know you felt something with Alexander. Remember I witnessed it. Its absolutely normal if youre attracted to someone to have a physical reaction to certain stimulating circumstances.
Of course, with you being a Sensay, those reactions are magnified a thousand times. I dont think you will have these reactions to every man. Alexander is a charismatic man. Ive seen women melt at a glance from him. So you see, its only natural for you to feel the way you do."
"Why dont I feel an attraction to Leeds. God know hes a sexy, attractive man. And he has an ....errr...abundance of male assets."
Roberto frowned, "Well despite his "assets" you arent really attracted to him. No chemistry, as they say. I
110 think you and Alexander have chemistry, but I think you and I have a stronger chemistry."
He took my hand in his, "Olivia, I know that we just recently met and the situation we find ourselves in is rather bizarre but you are important to me. When I said a few days ago that you will forever be in my protection, it is the truth. I will always protect you."
Even though they werent exactly words of undying love, I was sure that was where we were heading. I leaned into him and said, "Kiss me Roberto, I feel so...."
His eyes darkened. "I know when you are feeling the heat run through your veins; it shows in your eyes. They glow with gold specks. It is sexy as hell. It shows your need and makes me wild"
"Shut up and kiss me. Now!" I implored.
Roberto kissed me, his hot mouth covering mine. Electrical currents ran through my body to every nerve ending. I needed to learn control myself soon or I would send the both of us up in flames. His tongue slipped into my mouth and started a wild dance with mine. I was breathless and on fire. I could feel the wetness gathering between my legs.
Roberto moaned, "Dio Olivia, I can smell your arousal. I want to lick every drop from you. Mmmm" He kissed a trail down the side of my neck. "Your passion makes me lose control. We should go to our room. We are not private out here."
I stood up on shaky legs and forgot I had those damn shoes on and nearly fell. Thankfully Roberto reached out to steady me. I did have one question that I had been wondering about, "Roberto, can I ask you a question about Alex?" Roberto sighed but nodded in the affirmative.
"Back at the Platza you and Alex looked like you were arguing. What were you guys arguing about?"
He looked surprised by the question but answered easily enough, "Politics to be more specific, vampire
111 politics."
I couldnt help but laugh. "Youre pulling my leg right? Vampire politics? Do you have elections and campaigns and things like that? Ohhh, I bet I know what slogan you guys use Ill take a bite out of crime, literally."
"Ha ha, a comedian you are not. Actually, its more traditions than politics. There are some of us, myself included, that dont want to change the way things are. In the world of vampires, hierarchy is how we rule; the oldest vampires have the most power.
But there are some like Alexander who want change, who would like to see changes in the traditions that we have followed for a thousand years."
"Ohhh, I didnt know that I was sleeping with such an old stodgy vampire. Next youll want to have sex with the lights out, fully clothed with no sounds." I teased him.
"You are going to pay for that Ms. Sherman."
"Ohhh, now Im scared. What are you going to do me Mr. Valente?" I asked as I wrapped my arms around him and pressed my body close.
He whispered in my ear. "I am going to make you come so hot and so hard that you will scream my name over and over again. I love the sounds you make. The breathless plea for more kisses." Roberto pressed his lips to mine and traced my lips with his satiny tongue and then slipped inside to tangle with mine until I was breathless. "The moans when my hands rub your nipples." Robertos hands ran lightly over my suddenly aching breasts and my nipples came to attention. With a little groan of his own he pulled on a pebbled nipple and I moaned. "But best of all are the groans you make when I slip into your hot, wet p-ssy" His hand moved between my thighs and rubbed until I groaned "Stop...youre very close to making me come."
Now it was his turn to groan and grabbing my hand he pulled me towards the house. We got as far as the living
112 room when Leeds came out of the kitchen and said that dinner was ready. At least thats what I thought he said. It more or less came out, "Dinner is, holy shit Olivia! You look so good. I knew you would look hot in those clothes."
Alex came in from outside, took one look at me and knelt in front of me and said, "Ohhhh Sandy! Let me guess. Leeds bought you the outfit."
I laughed. "Yeah, I feel ridiculous."
Alex stood up and spun me around. "You look great. Maybe we can do a number together later. I can be Danny."
Roberto looked annoyed at everyone and turned to Leeds, "Did you say, oh for heavens sakes." Alex and I turned to look at Leeds who was rubbing the front of his pants. We both erupted in a fit of laughter. Roberto looked like he wanted to murder someone so I took pity on him and said, "Leeds, the food smells great. Lets go eat" I grabbed a hold of Leeds arm and led him into the kitchen. We talked as we ate. "We wont have enough time to drive straight through now. How far will we get if we leave at midnight?" I asked.
Roberto glanced at his watch. "It will probably be more like one am. We will need to get to the car, which is a couple of miles away from here. Luckily Leeds stocked it with some supplies so we wont have to waste time on that."
"Leeds, please tell me you got some other clothes for me in that car." Leeds looked sheepish, "Yeah, they are even sexier than these though." I groaned. Roberto sighed and Alex wagged his eyebrows.
"Leeds, its a good thing that I like you or you would be so dead."
Leeds smiled and I was once again struck by his gorgeous face. "You like me. Would you like to go for a ride?"
I laughed. "No thanks Leeds I have to get ready to
113 leave. Will you be coming with us to the car?"
"Yes, I want to make sure these vampires get you safely there."
A half hour later we were in Leeds boat traversing the murky swamp. It was really dark as clouds were obscuring the moon. For some reason I had an uneasy feeling. I shrugged it away. Why wouldnt I be uneasy? Crossing a swamp with two vampires and the Jersey Devil would be enough for Ann Rice to feel uneasy.
When we came to the shore, Leeds jumped out and tied up the boat. Before Roberto had a chance, Alex scooped me up and jumped from the boat landing in the tall grass with ease. Roberto growled and made a move to take me when a shot rang out. All hell broke loose. Roberto shouted, "Alexander, go! Get her out of here!" As Alex began to run I glanced back and saw Leeds peeling his shirt off and his wings unfurling, he leapt into the air and took to the sky. Robertos face was a mask of fury. His fangs were out and his long dark hair was blowing in the wind.
He glanced my way and Im sure that he saw the shiver that went through my body at his appearance. This was a vampire in his natural state and it scared the crap out of me. Alex was running at full speed. Everything had happened so fast. Now things seemed to turn in slow motion when I felt a warm wetness against my chest. I looked down to see a blood stain spreading on my blouse.