“Well, I probably need to get her back home. I don‟t exactly think she would enjoy the celebration party,” Casey said.
“Why? What happens? Please don‟t tell me you go out and drink human blood,” I tossed out.
Adrianna looked and Casey then to me. “Well, some of them have what they call groupies. We usually don‟t participate and leave early. We have a few glasses of wine and celebrate at home.”
“Will all of you leave?” My question was mainly interested in whether Richard was going to participate in the group activities.
My question was not answered as Richard and Nathaniel were walking up. I loved to watch him walk. He had the sexiest walk I have ever seen. It was something about the way his legs moved, his back and shoulders straight, he walked proudly, like he was a great ruler from a time long past. Casey left my side and went to Nathaniel. Richard moved closer to me. He shot a quick glance to Adrianna and smiled.
“So, have they invited you to our home for the winner‟s party?” he asked as his eyes trailed to me.
My heart started that rapid beating again. I wondered if he was thinking I would be a part of his groupies. I cleared my throat as I considered the visions of vampires feeding off young women, and passing them around like whores.
“Well,” I wrinkled my nose. “I‟m not into the group thing.” I watched as his eyebrows rose and realized I may have said the wrong thing. I always manage to say the wrong thing to him. “I mean a groupie. Group. The group thing … I mean.” Oh, I realized I was making it worse. My face burned as the blood rushed to the surface.
Richard chuckled lightly. “Oh, I see. Well, neither am I. We basically head back home and have a few glasses of wine to celebrate. I am sure I have a type of wine that would satisfy your taste buds.” He smiled.
My heart stopped suddenly and began again. I wasn‟t sure how to take his offer. I glanced at Casey. She only smiled and turned her head away from me to face Nathaniel.
Adrianna was the only one who came to my rescue.
“Yes, that is a good idea. Richard owns a vineyard in France. He has an exquisite wine collection.”
“I would be honored if you joined me, Julie.” He voice was velvety smooth and alluring.
“Well, sure, why not.” I spat out.
“Great. You can ride back with me. I need to change, so don‟t disappear on me.” He said as he walked off and slapped Nathaniel on the arm.
Nathaniel shot me a warm glance and smiled as he trailed off behind Richard.
Casey‟s eyes twinkled with a humor that made me uncomfortable. I know she wanted to say something, and I was very proud of her as she kept her thoughts to herself. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but at least it had pulled me out of the dark hole I had been sucked into.
“Come on, Julie, let‟s get you changed.” Adrianna said now taking me by the hand.
The thoughts traveled through my mind how different these people were from the snobbish family I was used to. The change of pace was refreshing as I could see why Casey enjoyed being with Nathaniel. Most of my life, I was raised around social events and high priced dinner parties. Rarely did our families go to a race, even though we lived so close to the track. My father‟s hunting outings with Thomas consisted of killing werewolves. Here, I saw the vampires live a more relaxed and enjoyable life than the rich and uppity Lycans.
I changed clothes and joined Casey and Adrianna outside the trailer. We were discussing the periling moments of the race when Richard pulled up in his black mustang. The driver‟s side door opened and Richard eased out of the car. We all watched as he walked smoothly around the front of the car to the passenger side and opened the door. I couldn‟t help from taking notice of how nice he looked. He wore a pair of dark blue jeans, with a black dress shirt un-tucked and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair was still damp, and he had it combed straight back revealing a clearly defined widow‟s peak. His sandy brown hair looked darker wet, giving a more surreal appearance to the mysterious vampire he really was.
Taking a deep breath to prepare myself, I turned to Casey and Adrianna. “Okay guys, I‟ll see you back at the house.” Raising my eyebrows, I turned and walked to the mustang that waited.
Once seated inside the incredible man-car, I couldn‟t help from getting goose bumps on my arms as I heard the engine rumble as the car took off. My old mustang was nothing compared to this horse. I smiled to myself as I realized the car fit Richard. It was stylish, but masculine, power behind a sleek appearance and muscular underneath a hard exterior. Yes, that would pretty much describe Richard.
I sat quietly, watching him pull out onto the main road. Slowly he leaned over, reaching for the stereo controls. He paused for a moment and glanced over to me.
“What kind of music do you prefer?”
For a moment, I couldn‟t even remember as my gaze lingered on those lips that had kissed me so passionately less than an hour ago. Tightly I closed my eyes and concentrated hard.
“I like almost everything. What about you?”
“It depends on my mood.” A sly grin crossed his face as he pushed a couple of buttons. His hand returned to the steering wheel and a smooth jazz song came.
“Feeling mellow?” I asked smiling.
He glanced at me and smiled. “Somewhat.”
A smile crossed my face as I turned my head and looked out the window. Funny, I imagined Richard more of a gothic rock fan. However, I enjoyed the soft and soothing sound of jazz. I leaned back against the leather seat and relaxed.
“So, did you have a good time tonight?” His voice was so smooth it sounded as if he almost purred.
“Yes.” I nodded feeling the beat of the music. “I had a very good time. I loved being in the middle of the action. Watching the monitor with Adrianna and Casey. Not to mention listening to Leona. She‟s awesome. Especially, when you ran through that smoke. We all froze while watching you. I‟m surprised you didn‟t hear us all cheering.” I rambled on in an excited voice.
He chuckled lightly. “I
did
hear you,” he said motioning to his ear.
“Oh. You have extended range hearing.” I said nodding my head. Of course, I thought, he was a vampire.
“So how exactly did you manage to start racing cars?”
Richard relaxed back in the seat and dropped his right hand down across his leg. I didn‟t realize at first that he was tense.
“I guess you would say I have always had an interest in cars. Ever since Ford began.” He looked at me and smiled then turned his attention back to the road. “A few of us got together and went to the car races at night back when racing began. Soon, there were more of our kind joining in with us. There was no way we would be able to compete with humans without exposing ourselves. So we just decided one night we would get some cars and have our own race. Over the last few years, we have developed quite nicely.”
“So you just race twice a year?”
He nodded.
“How can you stand it? If it was me, I would want to be out there every weekend.”
“So you are a groupie?” He glanced toward me with a wicked grin and then he laughed lightly.
The vision returned of those young girls.
“No! You know what I mean. It‟s just exciting.”
“Yes, but it‟s even more exciting when you wait. Sometimes the waiting makes the win so much sweeter.” His right eyebrow rose, and a wicked grin crossed his beautiful face.
For a moment, I wondered if we were talking about the same thing. Apparently, my mind went in another direction as my face became hot. It was a good thing the inside of the car was dark so he could not see the red glowing on my checks.
“So how many wins have you had?” I managed to recoup.
“A few.”
“How many is a few?”
“Five in the last twenty years, none in the last five years. Like I said you brought me luck tonight.”
“So it was a sweet win tonight then?” I teased.
“Very sweet.” He smiled broadly, and I could see his brilliantly white teeth shining through the dark.
I turned back and stared out the window as I listened to the music. The rest of the ride was quiet as we turned down a paved road and headed deep into the wooded area.
It reminded me of my driveway. Secluded. Soon we arrived at a large two-story home.
We pulled around to the garage where he parked the car. Before I had a chance to open my door, Richard was already standing beside my door opening it for me. He held his hand out for me as I stepped out of the car.
We walked into the huge living room where Richard picked up a remote control and turned the stereo system on. A different type of music played. I listened carefully and noticed it was gothic rock. I laughed a little as he turned to me.
“What?” He asked looking at me in surprise.
“Nothing.”
“If you do not like it, I can change it.”
“No, no it‟s fine.”
“I will be right back,” he said as he dashed off.
A few seconds he returned with a glass of white wine. He handed it to me proudly.
“This is from my vineyard in France. It reminds me of you.”
I took the glass and inhaled the fragrance.
“A light fragrance. Floral and fruity.” I took a sip and let it settle on my tongue for a moment. “It is excellent.”
A huge smile crossed his face. “Yes, it is Le Croux De Grave„. One of my favorite rum wines.”
“I didn‟t think vampires could eat or drink.” I said taking another sip.
“Actually, we do not eat human food. However, I have not lost my taste for a good wine, and do indulge in it every now and then. The other‟s usually made a cocktail mixture with the wine to make it more palatable for them to consume.”
“Palatable?”
“Well, we will just say it gives a new meaning to a Bloody Mary.”
I gasped as I set the wine glass down.
“Oh,” he said in surprise. “I am sorry. I did not mean that your wine was spiked.
Your glass is fresh from the bottle.”
My eyebrows rose. “I„m only joking. Your wine is very delightful.” I said as my lips curled into a smile.
We both turned as I heard the door opened and Casey and Nathaniel appeared.
Leona and Lance followed them into the room. I looked for Adrianna and Raphael, but didn‟t see them.
“Adrianna and Raphael are coming a little later. They need to hunt first,” Casey stated as she walked toward me.
“Anyone up for a drink?” Nathaniel shot out.
“Two!” Lance yelled out grabbing the control from Richard.
“Let‟s get this party started, brother!” he said, changing the music to a sultry Latin salsa.
Leona walked over to Lance bringing him two shot glasses of a red substance; I didn‟t dare ask. I glanced to Richard, and he rolled his eyes and smiled. They downed the drink together as Leona moved with Lance dancing around the large room.
“Here you go.” Nathaniel handed Casey a glass of what I was guessing was a red wine cocktail mixture.
I watched as she took a sip, then turned the glass up and finished its contents. She stood and held her hand out for Nathaniel. He finished off his glass and set it down on the coffee table beside hers. I watched as they strolled off to the middle of the floor. I forgot Casey knew how to salsa.
“Do you salsa?” Richard asked.
I frowned slightly as I watched the four of them on the floor. Pursing my lips together, I looked up to him and smiled. “Not very well.”
“Come on. I am a very good teacher.” He held his hand out.
I took his hand and we headed out to join the rest of them. Slowly, I turned to face him as I glanced around at Casey and Nathaniel. A cool finger under my chin directed my attention to him.
“Stay focused,” he cautioned as his hand slipped around my waist and he took my free hand in his.
I kept my eyes locked onto his. Richard moved on the beat of the music. He stepped to me, and I took a step back. We did it again. Soon, his cold hands slid around my hips as he moved me, guided me, more fluidly with him. I wasn‟t sure if it was his cold hands that sent the shiver up my spine, or my own desire for him. Concentrating on the movements, it wasn‟t long before I caught on. He smiled as his hand returned to mine, and he pulled me closer to his body. It almost felt like we were doing a mixture of a salsa and a tango, the way Richard moved me. He let me out on a spin. When I returned, I could feel his knee between my legs, and he moved me against his body. He was an awesome dancer; I gave him that. Not to mention, I loved a man who could take the lead.
After my initial shock was over, I had the hang of it and we were dancing. Our bodies moved together in a beautiful rhythm, sultry and seductive. What else would I have expected from Richard, a waltz? No, not Richard, he had style and finesse in everything he did. He was a model of perfection and definitely too good to be true. The muscles in his arms flexed against my fingers. He moved me gently, with ease, pulling me closer to his cool body, my hot body melting into his. Our hips met, closely and tightly we moved together as one to the rhythm of the music.
I had begun to let go and have fun. Casey and I even switched with Richard and Nathaniel a couple of times on a spin. We laughed as we switched back partners. It wasn‟t long before Richard appeared to keep me on a tighter lead. He spun me out and pulled me back to him as we kept dancing. His hand pressed flat against my stomach holding me close to him as we moved together. My hands instinctively went up over my head, feeling his fingers trace up my side to my hand. He gave me a little shove, and pulled me back to face him.
The world I knew spun around me as his hand gripped the back of my neck. My body pressed tightly to his as we moved together. I felt his leg slip between mine again as he pulled me backwards in a dip in his hand. He then, with one hand resting on the small of my back, pulled my body up along his leg. My breath caught for a second in my throat, and then I exhaled when he pulled me tight against him. It was a feeling that made the blood suddenly rush through my veins. His hand cupped the back of my neck and pulled my face only inches from his as we kept moving to the rhythm of the music.