First & Forever (The Crescent Chronicles Book 4) (7 page)

“You have to be the hardest girl to read.”

She laughed. “I can’t be that hard to read.”

I laid it all out there. “We have a girl with a few months before leaving for college and instead of staying home to enjoy time with her friends, either bumming around or working some silly part time job, you drive across the country to work at a hotel for a dad who has been here all of one day since you arrived.”

“Get to the point.” She eyed me suspiciously.

“Either this is all an elaborate effort to get away from your ex, or you’re running from something else.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not running from anything.”

Defensive mannerism. I was getting close. “So it’s all Toby?”

“No, it’s not.”

“Okay, so what is it?” Something in me needed to know. I needed to know what made this beautiful, infuriating woman tick.

“Can’t there be a third choice? I wanted to try something new.”

“Isn’t college trying something new already?” It was definitely a big change from high school, especially if you went away from home.

“Yes, but that’s different.”

“Different?” I sipped my coffee.

“Yeah, I don’t know, it just seemed like an adventure.”

“An adventure? You’re looking for an adventure, huh? Where do I sign up?” I wriggled an eyebrow at her. Now we were talking. If she wanted adventure, she’d come to the right place. Owen’s warning words flooded my head, but I ignored them. This felt right. I was showing her my true self. If she wanted to run, she might as well get it over with before I fell harder. Was that possible? Was it possible to want a girl more than I already wanted her?

She laughed. “Stop. I just mean no one would ever expect me to spend a summer in New Orleans. It’s different and it was so last minute. I actually quit another job at the last second so I could come here.”

I feigned shock. “What? How could you?”

“Well, I guess it wasn’t quitting because I didn’t quite start, but I was supposed to be a lifeguard at a local beach. I changed my mind when my dad called to invite me down.”

“Then I propose a toast.” I lifted my cup.

“A toast? With coffee?”

“You can toast with any beverage.”

“Sure, why not?” She raised her cup. “But what are we toasting?”

“To Allie’s great adventure.”

She laughed again as our cups touched and her eyes finally got that twinkle back. I put my cup to my lips and drank the last of my coffee like I was taking a shot. That got her smiling.

Her phone rang. I hoped it wasn’t that Toby kid again.

“It’s Jess. Do you mind if I get this?”

“No, not a problem.” Jess I could handle. Besides, maybe if they talked, Allie would feel better about things. I wanted her in a good mood for the rest of the night.

She answered. “Hey, are you home?”

I listened in to the other end of the conversation. I couldn’t catch every word, but I caught enough. “Yeah, I got in about ten minutes ago. I wanted to apologize.”

“It’s okay. I completely understand.”

Allie glanced at the door. Another group of customers poured in. They were a rowdy bunch of tourists wearing beads they must have purchased at a store. Why people would spend money on those crappy pieces of plastic I’d never understood.

“Hey, where are you?” Jess must have heard the crowd.

“Out getting coffee.” Allie smiled.

“With who?”

“Umm, can I call you later?” She looked down at the table.

Allie pushed the phone tighter against her ear. I tried to hear but the only thing I caught was my name.

She played with her coffee cup. “Maybe.”

I stopped trying to listen. I’d heard what I needed to. She disconnected and sat up enough to slide her phone in her back pocket. I realized she hadn’t brought a purse with her that night.

“Jess made it back?” I decided to pretend I hadn’t heard the conversation for myself.

“Yeah, she just got home.”

“Anything else going on?”

“Nope.”

“Exciting.”

She flipped her hair back. “Isn’t it?”

“How’s the coffee?” I made conversation but really I was planning things out in my head. If I was ready to reveal myself, I had to show her. Telling her would probably just leave her thinking I was crazy or just making it up as a joke. Showing her would be easy enough, but how was I going to handle the fall out if she didn’t take it well? Should I give her some space to think about it, or force her to face it head on? I’d be willing to give her space, although I really hoped she’d shock me and accept what I was without a problem. It was a delusional thought, but I clung to it.

We talked about traveling and other random stuff for a while, and it was only a little before nine thirty when she finished her coffee. She set down her empty cup. “This was actually fun. Thanks, I needed it.”

“My pleasure. See, giving me a chance wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“Hey, don’t read too much into it. We had coffee. End of story.”

“Does it have to be the end?” I looked her straight in the eye.

“What else do you have in mind?”

“Want to meet up with my friends? I bet Hailey will come if she knows you are. I think she has a girl crush on you.” Hailey had asked about her at least five times that week. She’d even texted me. That had given Jared a laugh and Owen a heart attack. He was always afraid Hailey would push me too far. I didn’t care.

“A girl crush? What are you, like three?”

“No… it’s just funny. She talks about you almost as much as I do.” Had I said that out loud? I guess telling her I talked about her wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. She already knew how I felt.

“I think she’s pretty cool too. Definitely different from my other friends.”

“Different is good, right?” If she liked different, I might be okay.

“It can be.”

“Are you up for hanging out more?” I asked it as a question, but I wasn’t taking no for an answer. Now that I’d built up the anticipation, I couldn’t back down.

“Yeah, okay.”

I led her through the French Quarter, watching her reaction to everything. She might be used to city life, but New Orleans was something altogether different. Although touristy, the Quarter was still a special place, and I was glad she seemed interested in it. If things were going to work between us, she’d have to start calling New Orleans home. Leaving wasn’t an option for me. I was crown prince, and the throne was in the basement of the Crescent City Hotel.

She stopped short in front of a dark bar on the corner. I smiled when I saw what got her attention.

“Wow, are those people seriously dressed up as vampires?” Her eyes were glued on a couple of humans who were holding up a chalice and pretending to drink blood.

I laughed. “If you think those people are weird, you’d be freaked out by the real thing.”

“The real thing? Very funny.” She started walking again.

“What, you don’t think vampires are real?” Here it was. How much did she believe in the legends already?

“No, and I’m glad they aren’t.”

“Why? Do they scare you?” I stopped and took her arm so I could turn her to look at me.

“Does the thought of blood sucking monsters scare me? Hell yes. Who wouldn’t be scared of that?”

I laughed again. Allie was in for one hell of a surprise. “Trust me, sweetheart, in New Orleans, vampires are the least of your worries.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m really glad you asked that.”

Her face paled slightly. “What are you talking about?”

“You’ll have to wait and see.”

“Okay, listen, scaring me isn’t a good way to get me interested, so if you have any weird tricks up your sleeve. just shelve them.” She balled her hands into fists. I could tell it wasn’t anger, but nerves that prompted the action.

“No tricks, hon.” I pulled out my phone and texted Owen. It was still early, but I hoped they’d made it downtown already. The plan was to meet them on my own if things didn’t go anywhere with Allie and to bring her if they did. The part of the plan they didn’t know yet was that I wasn’t waiting.

You there yet?

Yeah. Hailey tagged along too. Is it just you?

No. We’re both coming.

Cool.

I’m doing it.
There, I’d said it.

You’re crazy.

Don’t act surprised.

I pocketed my phone. “We’re meeting everyone over at Club 360.”

“What’s that?”

“The lounge on the top of the World Trade Center down by the river.”

“Okay, is it a cool view?”

“Yeah, it’s got a good view.” I laughed again. She had no idea how good of a view she was about to see.

“You promise you aren’t luring me into some trap?”

“A trap? No. Let’s just call it a new experience.” The first wave of nerves hit me. Was I really doing this? Was I really taking the chance? Yes. There was no backing down.

We walked in a comfortable silence, and I held open the door when we arrived. There was a short wait for an elevator, but it was empty when we stepped in. I watched her, trying to hide my nerves.

The elevator doors opened on the top floor, dumping us out right at the club. I led her through the crowd, noticing that she kept checking out her outfit.

“Don’t worry, we won’t be here long.” Not that she had to care about being underdressed.

“Why are we here at all then?”

“Do you ever stop asking questions?” To handle my nerves, I decided to give her a hard time. That usually worked for both of us.

“I only ask this many questions when I fear for my well-being.”

“I assure you that you are in good hands.” I put an arm around her waist, needing her close to me. Her touch reminded me of how important this was. I needed her to know what I really was. She had to accept I wasn’t human, and hopefully she’d like the perks that came with it. I had more to offer her than she could imagine. I spotted my friends. “I see them.”

The three of them were seated at a small window table. Only Jared had a drink. Owen and Hailey were looking around the room nervously.

“Allie! I’m so glad you came!” Hailey jumped out of her seat and hugged her. Allie beamed. It seems that the girl crush went both ways.

Allie smoothed out her tank top, bringing my attention to her stomach. I was sure it was toned and smooth. Picturing her skin helped relax me. “Yeah, I needed a night out.”

“Where’s your friend?” Jared asked casually.

“My friend? You mean Jess? She’s back in New York, thanks to you.”

I was right. It was about Jared.

Jared gave me a confused look. “She left? What does that have to do with me?”

“Nothing. Forget I said anything.” Allie slipped into the empty seat next to Hailey.

“Okay…” Jared shrugged.

She gazed out the window, and once again, I wanted to know what she was thinking. Was she still upset about Jess? Was she just enjoying the view? The only view I cared about was her.

My friends watched me carefully. They were trying to see if I was going to chicken out. I still could. I could just ask Allie to dance and then take her home. Theoretically, I could just do it another night, but I wasn’t a quitter. Just like I wasn’t giving up on getting her, I wasn’t backing down on my plans. Hailey asked me the silent question, and I nodded.

“All right, are you guys ready to go?” Hailey asked.

Allie turned away from the window. “What, already? I haven’t even had a chance to enjoy the view.”

I leaned over close to her. “You think this is a good view? Oh, just you wait.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You sure about this, Levi? You know there is no turning back, right?” Owen looked at me, trying to avoid catching Allie’s eye.

“Absolutely.” I smiled.

Jared pushed out his chair. “Well, then, let’s get going. It’s supposed to rain later tonight.”

“Why does the rain matter?” Allie’s face appeared to be a mix of nerves and excitement. I really hoped the excitement won over.

“Are you ready to find out just how far the rabbit hole goes, sweetheart?” I reached out a hand to her. She needed to come with me willingly.

“Rabbit hole?” She seemed to hesitate. “Umm, sure?”

She put her hand in my mine. I led her through the crowd, and past the elevators. Jared took the lead, and we walked into the stairwell. She turned to look at me once more before starting up the stairs.

We were about halfway up when she finally questioned our destination. “Okay, why are we going to the roof?”

She was frightened, and I wanted to fix everything for her. The problem was I couldn’t give her any easy answers. “No more questions.” I tried to calm both of us.

“But—”

I gently pressed the palm of my hand into her back, hoping it had an effect on her. Touching her in anyway set me simultaneously on fire and put me at ease. “No more questions.”

“It’s all right. We’re not taking you up there to kill you.” Hailey laughed. Great. Because that didn’t sound creepy.

Allie let out a deep breath. “Fine.”

We walked up the remaining stairs and into the muggy night. The lights of the city reflected off the water. This was it. No turning back. I used her moment of distraction to pull off my shirt. My friends did the same. Hailey pulled off her sweater so she was just in a tank top.

I moved behind Allie and wrapped my arms around her waist.

She struggled against me so I loosened my hold. I let out a slow deep breath.

“What the hell…” she trailed off as she backed away from me. Her eyes widened.

I tried to keep my voice as soothing as possible. “Now don’t freak out. I promised you I wouldn’t hurt you, and I always keep my promises.”

“Are you guys in a cult or something? Because if you are, I’m really not interested. I won’t tell anyone anything, but if you don’t mind, I’m leaving.” She crossed her arms protectively.

“Chill out!” Jared yelled as his eyes changed to black. He was already transforming. He was the one who needed to stay calm.

I glared at him. “Don’t talk to her like that.”

He nodded, understanding the warning in my command. His eyes slowly returned to normal.

Hailey took a few steps toward Allie. I let her. Maybe a female would put her more at ease. “We’re not a cult. It’s more like a very special society.” That was probably a good way to put it.