"HE'S A MOTHER FUCKING ASSHOLE AND I HOPE LUCIFER COMES UP FROM THE PITS OF FUCKING HELL TO CLAIM HIS SOUL! Oh, why am I hoping? I WILL CALL LUCIFER MY DAMN MOTHER FUCKING SELF!"
It was eleven at night and Alexander had closed the bar early just for me after I called him and literally burst into tears of utter frustration. I hadn't been so pissed in years and that was more than enough reason for him to tell the few customers in the bar on that Monday night he had an emergency to attend to. So there I was, sitting at the bar, drinking my anger away with wine, thankful that it was free and unlimited. The benefits of having a best friend that owned a bar: an endless supply of alcohol.
"Sia baby, I know you're angry, but your screaming will break my windows and that comes out of my paycheck," Alexander whined.
"I WILL FUCKING PAY FOR IT!" I screamed.
"At least don't be so loud around Pixie,” he pointed out. I narrowed my eyes at him and he lifted his hands in defense, a wine glass in his right hand and a dry cloth in his left.
"Meow." Pixie used his tiny paw to tap my thigh. I slowly looked down at his adorable light blue eyes that reminded me of the sky and his mixed fur; a good portion of him was pure white while the tips of his paws, ears, and tail were black.
He hopped onto my lap, wagging his tail excitingly now that he'd gotten my attention and lifted his front paws for me to hold him.
"Damn you and your cuteness," I scolded him.
"Meow?" Pix opened his eyes wide with such intense sadness I felt like I had just told him to go home and never come back here. I cursed, lowering my fourth glass of wine to pick the little guy up. "Why are you so cute? It’s a curse," I mumbled.
"Meow," Pix replied, leaning his head to lick my nose.
"He's trying to calm you down because he doesn't like when you yell," Alexander pointed out. I gave him a look. He shrugged. "I speak cat."
"Bullshit," I replied. He grinned, placing the dried glass in the cupboard. I grumbled, giving up on being too mad at Pix who was purring quietly while I held him with one arm and stroked his soft fur with my free right hand.
"Are you done now?" Alexander asked.
"Fucking NO!" I huffed.
"It couldn't have been that bad," Alexander suggested. He poured me another glass of rosé before quickly whipping up a drink for himself. When he finished, he walked around to sit at the bar with me. I thanked him as he placed the full glass in front of me. Pix hopped out of my hold and onto Alexander’s lap, staring at him with those cute eyes of his.
Alexander groaned. "Can't I give you your wine later?" he complained, staring at Pixie who remained silent. I watched with amusement as Pix jumped onto the counter, sitting right next to Alexander's drink. He looked directly at Alexander while his paw slowly and deliberately lifted up and back, ready to knock the poor glass off the counter.
"Ah! Don't you dare," Alexander scolded. Pix paused, lifting his paw slightly higher.
"Pix!”
*Stare*
I snickered. "Go get him his wine or you’re going to have to clean up a mess and make yourself a new drink."
Alexander groaned, but got off his stool and headed for the mini fridge. Pixie lowered his paw and made his way over to where my full glass of wine was. He sat patiently and I smiled, reaching out my hand to pet him.
"I have to admit you’re really amusing. If you ever wanna live with us, you can. Okay, Pixie?" I offered.
"Meow," he replied before he began to purr at my slow stroking motion. Alexander returned with a tiny bottle of cat wine, the clear liquid proving he did get white wine for Pix. He placed the little silver bowl to my right, knowing Pix would rather sit with me when I was here than next to Alexander.
He opened the bottle, pouring out a small amount. Pix didn't wait, already pushing his face past Alexander’s hand, trying to get started drinking away. I smirked and tried to relax; my whole body ached but the wine was helping me.
Alexander returned and sat down, giving me his full attention. "Talk to me, sweetie."
"Today was horrible," I began.
"You didn't sound upset or anything when you replied to my text,” he pointed out.
"That was before I met Mr. Smith or should I say, Liam. No. I'll do Mr. Smith for when he's a cocky fucking asshole! Liam is his sexy name," I commented, reaching out for my other glass of wine I hadn't finished yet, chugging the remaining contents. I was ready to slam the glass back onto the counter but Alexander caught my wrist.
"What did we talk about with you breaking my glasses?” he asked in a serious tone.
I pouted at him. "One broken glass equals a crate of blinged glasses in return," I mumbled. I wouldn’t hide the fact I’d broken a few of his glasses in the past. He’d made me promise if I broke a glass, I’d have to buy a crate of super expensive wine glasses.
He nodded. "Do you want to pay me ten thousand dollars for those?"
"No," I replied, glancing away.
"Good. Now gentle,” he instructed.
I sighed, lowering the glass gently onto the counter with his assistance. I noticed Pix eyeing the empty glass and grinned. Pix, get my revenge. I knew he couldn't hear my silent plea, but it would have been amusing to watch if he had.
"Now, you said his name was Liam Smith?" Alexander asked.
I returned my attention to him, nodding slowly. "Yes. Liam. Ugh. Everything started out well...weird and hot?" I tried to describe the encounter in a way that made sense but I just didn't know how to explain without going through everything that happened.
"Weird and hot?" Please don't tell me you kissed your boss," Alexander questioned. I was silent, slowly diverting my eyes and picking up my full glass of wine, deciding I should drink a good half of it so I didn't sound like a desperate succubus who couldn't get laid.
"I can't believe it. You KISSED HIM?!" Alexander exclaimed. I continued drinking my wine, knowing I'd need it and Alexander would just have to wait. He groaned, taking a large swig of his drink. I reached the halfway point and lowered the glass gently to the counter, turning my head to face him.
"Long story short, he figured out I was a succubus and I got permission with a signed piece of paper as proof that I could use my powers on him and he wouldn't fire me," I summarized.
Alexander stared at me like I speaking a completely different language. "What?! He gave you permission to do whatever you want? Oh please do not tell me you stripped him down and made him do some silly dancing shit on his desk," Alexander declared, rolling his eyes.
I giggled. "Is that what all succubi do? Sounds pretty boring to me and not everyone knows how to shake their booty in a sexy manner anyway."
"It happens all the time. They use the videos for blackmail," Alexander revealed.
"Well damn, didn't think of that part," I realized.
"Wait, if you didn't make him dance naked, what did you do?" Alexander questioned. I blushed, my hand going to the spot on my neck which was concealed thanks to the collar of my dress shirt. Alexander followed my movement and frowned.
I couldn't even stop him when he reached out and moved my collar slightly to see the prominent hickey on my nape.
"You made him give you a hickey?!" he exclaimed. I glanced away, feeling a little embarrassed when he said it out loud.
"It seemed like a good idea at the time," I muttered.
"That's because your hormones were talking. Ugh. Please tell me that’s all you did,” he asked hopefully. I slowly met his gaze and several seconds passed in silence before he sighed, removing his hand from my collar to pinch his nose as he closed his eyes. "I need divine intervention for you and your succubus ways. Don't tell me you had sex."
"We didn't have sex!" I defended immediately. He opened his eyes and raised an eyebrow at me. I crossed my arms, standing my ground. "We didn't."
"Why don't I believe you?" he countered.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Alexander Jackson. We didn't have sex. First off we couldn't because his werewolf secretary was a bitch and I bet was listening like a hawk for some type of sound to come from his office the entire time I was in there and after our coffee break when I had to sign contracts and shit. Secondly, I would have ruined the outfit you picked and you know how frizzy my hair gets when I get all freaky in the sheets!"
"You can't say freaky in the sheets when you only make out with a person,” he reminded. I glared at him. "Alright, my bad. You didn't have sex, BUT you did something."
"I told him to kiss me," I mumbled, calming down from my defensive rant.
"You kissed your boss."
"Yes...but it wasn't all my fault," I argued.
"Why is that, my Sia?" he questioned. I paused in my argument to take a moment to enjoy the sound of my nickname flowing from his lips. I honestly couldn't tell if he was upset with me that I kissed Liam or if he was just extremely amused.
"Okay, hear me out," I began, pointing to him. He nodded in approval before I continued. "When I walked into his office, it was all Fifty Shades of Grey and shit. Like he was in the perfect tailored outfit and his hair didn't even have a strand out of place and his muscles, and cologne...and well, his backside was hot. OH, HIS ASS-"
"Can we fast forward, sweetie? I get it, he's smoking hot. Not as hot as me, but I'll assume he's at my level for the benefit of this scenario," Alexander interrupted.
I pouted at him. "Fine. Anyways, he was hot, but there was like an instant connection. It was weird, Alexander. Like, him getting close to me caused a thrill of excitement and made goosebumps appear on my arms and legs. It was as if I’d known him for years but we'd only just met. It was just really hard to resist but I did pull away. But he kissed me back. I wanted to push him away, yet I couldn't. Not because he was stopping me from doing so, though. It was because I actually wanted it which sounds crazy for me because I'M the succubus and he's a vampire, but...it was like a drug that you try out for the first time and you don't want to stop," I explained, hoping that made sense to him.
Alexander looked deep in thought and I noticed for a split second that sadness seemed to flicker in his facial expression, but it was gone just as quickly. He sighed, picking his drink up and gulping it down like water.
"It's bad, isn't it?" I questioned.
"Hmm. You have dealt with worse scenarios."
"Then what are you thinking?" I pressed, wanting to know what he was thinking. Or should I say predicting?
"He could be mate compatible?" Alexander suggested.
I groaned. "I fucking knew it." I put my head on the counter in distress.
"You're so overdramatic. What's wrong with that? You were just saying he was hot, sexy, and you wanted him which is a very different turn of events for a succubus like yourself."
"Alexander, he’s the devil. No...WORSE than the devil! The moment we got back and I signed the contract, it was like a switch turned in his head and he became some fucking WORKAHOLIC BEAST!" I raised my arms for added effect.
Alexander sighed. "What did you have to do?"
"EVERYTHING! I swear if it wasn't against the human rights act, I bet he'd even make me clean that damn sexy ass of his! I don't know what the fuck Lesley was doing, but she's a shitty organizer. I had to fix the whole damn system to work for me and then had to schedule the next month of appointments because she didn't do it! He drinks like five fucking coffees a day with his six sugars, five creams, no foam, Venti Latte bullshit. Even the temperature has to be right or he won't drink it. Then while he was in business meetings for the afternoon, I had to call all these different employees to make sure they did their shit, or we're fucked and ugh! Do not get me started with Annie." I realized I needed more wine just for that topic.
"Annie?"
"The biggest klutz I've ever seen. Like I bet on her life insurance there's an extra policy on there just to protect her from any injuries sustained by her even taking a breath," I stressed.
"Now you're really being overdramatic," Alexander insisted.
"Nope, I'm serious. She sneezed and the force was so strong that she lost her balance and crashed into the water machine of the breakroom, and managed to drench all the paperwork for Mr. Smith’s meeting which was happening in ten minutes. TEN! I've never run so fucking fast, Alexander. I actually had to use my damn vampire speed. I have blisters ON my already swollen blisters!"
"So, to sum it all up, today sucked and you’re not going back?" he concluded. I reached out to grab my glass and drank down the rest of my wine, feeling like I needed to reward myself, both for enduring and then having to explain my horrendous day.
I lowered the glass and sighed. "No, I'm going back."
"You're not serious?! You absolutely hated it," Alexander pointed out.
"Yes, I dreaded every damn moment, but I'm not letting him win! He wants me to quit. I bet it would give him great damn satisfaction if I didn't show up tomorrow, but nope! He's not going to be the last one laughing. My ass will be there bright and early in a really nice outfit just to tease him! I'll make Mr. Smith regret being a jerk during work hours!" I vowed.
"And after work hours?" Alexander questioned, looking amused.
I grinned maliciously. "I'll purposely get all in his space and then leave him hanging," I concluded proudly.
Alexander laughed. "You are the biggest tease in NYC. Unbelievable."
I smirked. "I think that's one of my best qualities." I flicked my short locks.
"I'll find you something nice to wear but we should head back home if you're going to be up in a few hours. Don't complain in the morning when I wake you up,” he warned.
I frowned at him. "But sleep is so nice," I whined.
"Sleep versus revenge? Which one is sweeter?" Alexander proposed.
"Revenge," I mumbled; my shoulder sank with sadness.
"Exactly. You'll thank me later. Let's get ready to leave," he suggested. I looked at Pix who was curled up on the counter, fast asleep.
"Are we bringing Pix? I think he's a goner."
Alexander looked at the little cat and sighed. "Might as well. Before he wakes up and tries to break everything."
I reached out and petted him, wondering about Liam. The moment the shift was over, he had returned to that somewhat kind person and this stupid mate shit blood thing was getting in the way of me giving him shit for being the worst boss I'd ever had.
Even though he'd pushed me to my limits, he'd scheduled a luxurious car to take me home and silly ointment for my blisters after he noticed them during my sprinting spree when I was getting all his papers in check after the water incident. Fucking Annie!
"By the way, are you sure Mr. Smith's name is Liam? It showed something else online,” Alexander inquired.
"Yup, I'm sure. Remember, shifters don't like putting their real names on websites nowadays. It's too risky after that incident where that stalker girl followed that guy for a year and found out he was a werewolf, which led to her death," I reminded.
Even though some humans knew about our existence, if they wouldn’t agree to keep their mouths shut, it usually resulted in their death, unless there was a mage around who could wipe their memory.
"Hmm...I guess. Just making sure. Even when he signs documents?"
"Alexander, we aren't detectives where we have to prove someone's identity based on their shitty handwriting. Like, you scribble your name, so it looks more like ‘Alex-and-ra’ than your actual name. But you don’t see anyone saying you're a girl," I pointed out.
"Fine, fine. I'm just being paranoid as usual,” he huffed. I smiled, sliding off my stool. He got off his and moved to face me. "Just be careful,” he whispered.
"I'm always careful. Unless I'm really drunk," I admitted.
"Agreed. Give me five minutes to set everything up for tomorrow."
"Okay." I smiled and he gave me a quick hug before taking out glasses.
"Ah, that reminds me, make sure you take your blood tablet this week."
"Did you order more? I thought we ran out?" I questioned.
"We did run out, yes, so I ordered some. I'll put one in your purse tomorrow. Just make sure you take it. If this guy is your mate or whatever, you may require more blood down the road," Alexander explained.
I groaned. "Splendid. I'm gonna die from the number of werewolf shifters there."
"He's a vampire though," Alexander acknowledged.
"Yes. I've never seen a vampire work so easily with werewolves. They respect him too. Totally weird. At least Annie doesn't really smell like one, unlike that silly receptionist. Ugh, she reeks!"
"Your poor sensitive nose," he teased.
"You're heartless," I complained.
"I was trying to comfort you." He laughed.
"Comfort, my ass. Let's go home and you can cuddle with me. That's comforting," I suggested.
He looked over his shoulder to grin at me. "Your mate may not like that."
I took a deep breath. "We aren't together."
"Alright, bestie. I want a wedding invitation and Pix gets to come too,” he joked.
"Whatever." I walked over and picked Pix up carefully in order not to wake him up. I smiled at his little sleeping form, stroking his fur while I thought about the days ahead.
I really hope I can do this. 89 days left.