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If looks could kill I’d be dead. On the spot. His mother would likely still be scowling over my dead body.
How am I going to fix this?
Their ethereal beauty renders me speechless. I can’t decide which is the more beautiful of the couple. His father stands at nearly the same height as David, around six-foot-two, with a strong muscular physique. He has thick, shoulder-length, nearly black hair with a hint of a wave just as David has. His eyes are dark, nearly matching his hair. While his outward appearance is that of a twenty something, his mannerisms and the way in which he speaks are of eras past.
David’s mother is a regal creature. The way she stands, exuding an air of confidence that screams don’t fuck with me. She too is tall, around five-foot-ten with long, billowy chestnut hair that pools around her waist. Natural curls that fall in ringlets. Her features scream goddess and I have the sudden urge to kneel in her presence. Her eyes are just as dark as Aurelio’s but it’s her high cheek bones that truly draw you in. She too is young in appearance, but her floor-length black gown has you wondering if she’s on her way to a ball. She catches me gawking and furls her lips, baring her fangs to me. David protectively draws me near him as a gasp escapes me.
Is this good? Or bad? Am I in danger?
His father motions for all of us to sit. He and Lourdes choose the couch while David and I are on the loveseat. David doesn’t release my hand and that is the only thing grounding me right now.
His father is first to break the awkward silence. “How’s school, David?”
“It’s going well. What brings you to the desert, unannounced?” That’s David for you, straight to the point.
“We thought a holiday visit was in order. It was your mother’s idea not to call first.” He shoots his wife a contemptuous leer that clearly says, We should have called first.
She ignores him, and continues shooting daggers at us.
“Mom, Dad, would you like a drink?” David asks them. I’m ready to get the hell out of here.
“That would be lovely. Thank you, son,” Aurelio replies.
There is no way in hell I’m letting David leave me here with them. I spring up and stay glued to him.
“David, this is not going well. I think I should leave.” I hope like hell he agrees.
He slides his arm around my waist and pulls me close. “Jess, when I asked you to move in with me, I opened my world to you. Even though you’ve not officially accepted my offer, I consider the fact that you not only stay here every night but that all your things are here as well as a yes, which makes this your home and no one will force you from it.” He cuts the tops of the blood bags and pours them into goblets. The coppery scent fills the air and I nearly gag.
We return and David hands them each a glass. They take a sip and cringe, then set the glasses on the table. “Jessica, will you be joining us for dinner?” his mother asks.
I look to David for guidance. “David, this is a peasant’s feast.” She gestures to the nearly full glasses. “Join us for a hunt.” Her blackened, dilated pupils hungrily eye me. Am I to be her meal?
“Mother, Jessica and I live together, here in this house. Out of respect for her, I choose not to hunt,” David says, though I wished he hadn’t. The anger in her eyes at his words has me cowering.
Well, if she wasn’t pissed before she sure as hell is now.
Aurelio places his hand on Lourdes’ forearm. Her jaw ticks with how tightly she has it closed. When she finally speaks, it’s through clenched teeth. “That’s so thoughtful of you, David.”
Great, not only have I pissed off a mother, but a vampire mother at that. How much worse can this truly get?
“How long will you be in town?” David asks.
“Until New Year’s Eve,” Lourdes replies.
Great.
“We assumed you had a guest room, but I think it’s best if we go to a hotel,” Aurelio says. My head bobs back and forth between the trio like I’m at a tennis match.
“We do have a guest room and you’re more than welcome to stay here,” David replies.
His parents accept and David and I go out to their car to bring in their luggage.
As soon as we are outside, I say, well, more like beg, “David, the dogs and I are going to a hotel.”
“No, I don’t want you driven from your home because she doesn’t agree with my choices. End of discussion, Jessica.” He loads up his arms with bags. There is no way they packed this much for just a week. Given the fact he just used my full name, I know he’s pissed.
“Will she even give me a chance?” I ask, though I know the answer.
