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“Acari Drew. ” That voice, a sultry rasp. That hair and those eyes, black and gleaming like a panther’s.
I sat upright. My hands trembled with the adrenaline dump I experienced whenever he appeared like this, and I folded them primly in my lap. “Master Alcántara. ”
“Why have you come?”
Good question. He’d know that, with his office just upstairs, I’d pretty much thrown myself in his path simply by being there. I’d wanted to find out more about our mission, but did I have other questions, too? That he might have a flirtation with Masha was just too intriguing. That many girls had special relationships with vampires, too compelling.
So why seek him out privately, instead of in a classroom setting? Was it that I wanted to bring our relationship to some sort of a head? And if so, was it really because I wanted it, or did I just want to best Masha?
There was no way in hell I was sharing any of that wacko stream of consciousness, so I went with a half-truth instead. I flashed the spine of my book. “I came to study. Brushing up on my business protocol, just like you asked. ”
“But so near me. ” He was unwilling to drop it; yet he still managed to look bored, unconcerned, and vaguely put out as he glided across the room to sprawl in the chair opposite me. Alcántara might have been a fourteenth-century royal mathematician, but his hot indie rocker impression was spot-on. “Was encountering me your intention?”
I neither agreed nor denied. “This is my favorite place on campus. ”
“Surely you knew you’d run into me. ” He stretched, and his black boots came to rest perilously close to mine.
He was bringing his A-game, and what else had I thought would happen? I was just a stupid, stupid girl, playing with fire.
I laughed nervously. “That’s pretty direct. ”
“Do I have reason not to be?” A teasing smile spread across his face. “Is there something you’d have me avoid?”
I was squirming, and clearly the guy was enjoying it. “No, direct is good. …” Scrambling to change the subject, I began riffling through my book and practically felt a cartoon lightbulb flash over my head. I pointed with authority at one of the passages. “Just like they say in this manual here. See, Germans value directness. To the point of discomfort. ”
That bored demeanor of his shattered with an explosive laugh. “You have done your homework. ”
“Always. ” I couldn’t help but feel pleased at his praise. But—crap—did that prove I had sought him out? Was I seeking his approval?
“Truly, you are as quick-witted and as versatile as we’d hoped. ” He concentrated on my face, and it made me nervous. What was he looking for…or finding? “Tell me, young Acari—what else have you learned?”
That to have flirty banter with a vampire was to be outmatched?
Obviously, I gave a different reply, rattling off some of what I’d gathered from my reading. “German businessmen value structure. Hierarchy, formality, and titles are important. Oh, and punctuality, above all things. ”
A slow smile spread across his face—it was the same smile that always kicked my heart rate into panic gear. “It sounds as if you describe those of us who are Vampire. ”
I paused, needing to get this just right. I imagined the first time I inadvertently insulted a vampire might be my last. “Yes, you’re right. It’s reminiscent of life on this island. All the best aspects of traditional culture. ” I gave myself a ginormous pat on the back for that little gem.
He leaned forward, elbows on knees. “As with vampires, traditional German businessmen have many rules. Is that not so?”
Hella rules. Though obviously I phrased it differently. “Yes, in a typical meeting, there are many conventions to be followed. ”
“Such as?”
“You must already know. ”
“Amuse me. ”
I rattled them out rapid-fire, figuring it was an easier topic than why I’d chosen the sciences building as a hangout. “Men enter a room before women. ” I was sure the vamps must’ve loved that one. “Use a formal greeting and a quick, firm handshake. Stand until you’re asked to sit. Confrontation, exaggeration, and emotion are to be avoided. ”
He stopped me with a raised hand. “That will suffice. ”
“Why do I need to know all this, anyway? Are we going to Germany for our mission?”
He laughed, and it was a little on the patronizing side. “No, querida. We are not going to Germany for our mission. In time, you will learn all you need to know. For now, you have sufficiently grasped this aspect of your preparations. Trainee Joshua did well. ”
Actually I did well—all Josh did was give me a book. But credit where credit was due and all, so I said, “Yes, he gave me a good book to read. ”
