It’s not long before Bodin’s home and we’re cozied up around their kitchen table, Tilly’s chair dragged flush against her husband’s as we enjoy a delicious steak and roast potato dinner.
We’re halfway through when Bodin stills and tilts his head toward the open window facing the front garden. “Arran’s here.”
I crane my neck. “I didn’t hear anything.”
Tilly sighs forlornly. “Human senses suck sometimes.” Turning toward Bodin, she says, “Please invite him inside. He’s here to help Audrey carry her things to the castle and I don’t want him awkwardly waiting in the garden again.”
When Bodin gets up, Tilly’s whisper is laden with innuendo, “Such a gentleman, and punctual too.”
“Behave yourself,” I scold lightly, fighting the color that wants to rise to my cheeks.
“Why?” Tilly asks, wiggling her eyebrows. “It’s much more fun this way.”
There’s only one person in the world I will allow to give me shit like this, and that is Tilly. And only because I’ve given her worse shit over the years. Knowing someone always has your back, no matter what level of fuckery you find yourself in, is a gift from the universe I don’t take lightly.
Whether we’re going through heavy things or making a couple of youthful mistakes, we’ve been by each other’s side through it all. I mean, she’s the only person in ten lifetimes whose childrenI’d even consider babysitting. They’re going to need their fun aunt to teach them all the ways to get away with some of the crap Tilly and I pulled when we were young, and I can’t wait for that.
The two males enter the kitchen, Arran looking awkward as fuck as he hovers by the entryway, shifting from foot to foot.
“Good evening, Tilly, Audrey,” Arran says formally like he’s just joined an old-timey ball and not simply popped into his friend’s kitchen.
Where’s the guy I was flirting with this morning? I’ve seen glimpses of Arran’s awkwardness, but is this his standard mode when he’s around other creatures? What other secrets is he hiding?
Something tells me there are many more layers to this vampire that perhaps not even his group of friends are aware of. I kind of want to make it my mission to peel them back one by one, because what I saw earlier, I liked. A lot.
I pat the seat next to me. “Come sit with us.”
Hesitantly, Arran approaches and slides onto the wooden chair. “Thank you. I hope I’m not disturbing your meal.”
“Not at all,” I answer, loading my fork with a little bit of everything on my plate. “I’m not well-versed in vampire biology or etiquette, but do you eat food? Would you like to try some?” I hold my fork up in a question.
Arran frowns down at it. “Oh, I uh, uhm…”
“Vampires don’t eatourtype of food,” Tilly answers neutrally on his behalf.
Would it be rude to ask if Arran eats pussy? Curious minds want to know. If he does, perhaps I could suggest myself as dessert at the castle later?
Nah, too soon.
Arran rubs a hand over his short hair and clears his throat. “Though I don’t require human food for sustenance, I do indulge myself with a pint of beer from time to time.”
Consider me intrigued. “So you’re just particular with the type of things you put in your mouth?”
Arran’s eyes zero in on my tongue licking at the corner of my mouth. “You can say that.”
Bodin leads the conversation into safer territory when he asks, “So, Audrey, how was your first full day in Starry Hill?”
I welcome the change in subject before I turn this conversation as filthy as I want it to get. I can always do that later when Arran and I are alone.
“Good. Busy. Grabbed breakfast from The Flowering Teapot, got my nails done at The Horned Pearl, browsed clothing at The Crowned Boot, and picked up my book for smut club from The Dancing Daisy. Basically, it was a pretty perfect first day of vacation.”
“Didn’t you also stop by The Bandaged Heart?” Bodin asks, clearly unaware of the daggers that Tilly is shooting at the side of his head while he demolishes his steak.
Jaw clenched, I manage a semipolite, “Yup.”
Arran’s head turns toward me, a question marring his brow, while Tilly and I have a silent conversation across the table. Her eyes widen, imploring me to tell Arran, but I deny her request with a subtle shake of my head.
I’m not having a medical history debrief on my first night in the castle. If I have it my way, it won’t even come up in conversation.
