Succubus Blues CHAPTER 7

I fel aced and saw Roman seated over in a corner of the small lobby. He looked hitting in a deep green turtleneck, his dark hair napped away from his face. He smiled at me when I caught his eye, and I walked over to hinge on near him.Jesus, you really are a stalker.Well, well. Arent you presumptuous. I just came for my come on.Ah. I blushed, feeling foolish. How long discombobulate you been waiting?Not too long. I actually tried the bookstore first, sound offing that might be a little less stalker- ish.Its my day stumble. I looked down at the ebulliently colored blossoms in my arms. Thanks for the flowers. You didnt need to bring them to get your coat fundament.Roman shrugged, those blue-green eyes wreaking havoc with me. True, scarce I judge they might induce you to go out for a drink tonight.So he did have ano(prenominal)her motive. Not this again Hey, if youd sine qua noned to repeal this, you shouldnt have lured me in last night. Now its too late. You might as wel l avoid the long, drawn-out pain and get it over with quickly. shed light on of desire taking off a Band-Aid. Or cutting off a limb.Wow. Who says in that respects no romance left over(p) in the world? In spite of my sarcasm, I found Romans easy repartee a smart change from the halting atmosphere with Seth.So, what? Does that mean you finally concede, general? Truly, youve fought a worthy battle in eluding me thus far.I dont have a go at it. You showed up at my home. I apparently didnt do that much eluding. When he only waited expectantly, my smile faded. I sighed, studying him and trying to figure out his motivations. Roman, you await like a nice guy and everything He groaned. No. Dont excoriation that with me. Its never a good sign when a woman says youre a nice guy It means shes getting ready to let you down easy.I shook my head. Im just non interested in getting honest with anyone right now, thats all.Whoa, get serious? Slow down there, sister. Im not asking you to fo llow me or anything. I just want to go out with you sometime, possibly catch a movie, have dinner and drinks, thats it. Kiss at the give the sack of the night if Im lucky. Hell, if that still nut cases you out, well just shake commits.I leaned my head back against the wall, and we stayed like that a moment, each of us sizing up the other. I knew it was perfectly possible for men and women to go out on dates without voluntary sex, further my dates generally didnt work that way. My instincts drove me to seek sex out, and spirit at him, I realized that urge might be warm independent of any sort of succubus need to feed. I want the way he looked, the way he dressed, and the way he smelled. I especially liked his goofy attempt at courtship. Unfortunately, I couldnt turn off the destructive succubus absorption, even if I wanted to. It would notice of its own volition, probably strongly with him. Even the kiss he joked just round would still steal some of his life away.I dont k now anything about you, I said finally, realizing Id been quiet too long.He smiled lazily. What do you want to know?Well I dont know. What do you like to do? Do you even have a job? You must have lax hours to be able to hang around me all the time.All the time, huh? Youre creation presumptuous again, but yes, I do work. I teach a couple of community college linguistics classes. Short of when Im there, I get to strike my own hours with grading and stuff.Okay. Whats your last name?Smith.No way.Way.That hardly goes with Duke Roman. I tried to think of another appropriate screening item. How long have you lived in Seattle?A few years.Hobbies?Ive got some. He paused and cocked his head toward me when no much questions came. Anything else you want to know? Should I dig out my college transcripts perhaps? A full curriculum vitae and background check?I waved a hand of dismissal. I have no use for inconsequential information like that. I only need to know the really important stuff. alik e?Like whats your favorite song?The question obviously caught him by surprise, but he recovered immediately, just as he had last night. I loved that. The last half of the Beatles Abbey Road. The last half of Abbey Road?Yeah, there are a bunch of songs, but they sort of blend into one song I cut him off with a quick gesture. Yeah, yeah, I know the album.So?So, thats a pretty good answer. I tugged at my ponytail, wondering how best to navigate this. He nearly had me. I no. Im sorry. I cant. Its just too complicated. Even the one date. Itll turn into a second date, then another, then You really do jump ahead. What if I gave the super-secret Boy Scout promise to never bother you again after(prenominal) one date?Youd agree to that? I asked skeptically.Sure, if thats what you want. But I dont think you will once youve spent an evening with me.A suggestive spectre in his voice did something to my stomach I hadnt felt in a very long time. Before I could fully process this, my cell b ring forward rang.Sorry, I apologized, digging it out of my purse. Glancing at the Caller ID display, I recognized Codys number. Yeah?Hey, Georgina. Something weird happened tonightLord. That could mean anything from another shoemakers last to beak shaving his head. Hang on a second.I stood up and looked at Roman, juggling the vase of flowers as I did. He rose with me, expression concerned. Is everything okay?Yeah, I mean, no. I mean, I dont know. Look Roman, I need to go upstairs and take this call. I appreciate the flowers, but I just cant get involved right now. Im sorry. Its not you, its me. Honestly.He took a few steps toward me as I started to walk away. Wait. He dug in his pockets, pulled out a pen and piece of paper. in haste he scrawled something and handed it to me. I looked down and saw a phone number.For when you change your mind.I wont.He simply smiled, inclined his head slightly, and left the lobby. I watched him only a moment before heading upstairs, queasy to he ar Codys news. Once inside, I set the flowers on my counter and shake off the phone back to my ear.Still there?Yeah. Whos Roman and whyd you use the doddering its not you, its me line on him?Never mind. Whats tone ending on? Is person else dead?No no. Its just, something happened, and motherfucker doesnt think its a king-sized deal. Hugh said you position there might be more going on than we think.Tell me what happened.I think we were followed last night.Cody related how, not long after leaving my place, hed kept hearing footsteps following him and Peter on the street. Whenever hed turned around, no one was there. Peter had written the way out off, as they had thoughtd no other being present.Maybe you dont know what a vampire hunter feels like.Id still have felt something. And Peter certainly would have. Maybe hes right, and I was imagining things. Or maybe it was just a regular mortal, wanting to mug us or something.I doubted that. We couldnt sense mortals the same way we could sense immortals, but one would be hard put to sneak up on a vampire.Thanks for telling me. You did the right thing.What should I do now?A strange, anxious feeling contend through me as I thought about some freak stalking Peter and Cody. Dysfunctional they might have been, but I loved them. They were the closest I had to family anymore. I couldnt let anything happen to them.What Jerome said. Be careful. Stay with others. Let me know immediately if anything happens.What about you?I thought of Erik. Im going to clear things up, once and for all.