ABIGAIL

Working with Glen was a pleasant change to the usually boring days Abigail had spent at the office. At his request, she had to stay late and help him with planning the new assignments for the Editorial Department. As he stared out the window at the twinkling lights of the city, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. He seemed too good to be true. During lunch, he even brought her a cup of coffee, just as she liked it. She had no idea how he figured out how she drank her coffee, but it wasn’t without effort.

He checked his watch. “It is getting late. We should finish up here.”

Abigail saved the work files on her computer. “I’m sure Jennifer would be happy with the new plan if she didn’t have to run off to another meeting.”

“Is that what you really think?” he asked, edging closer.

“Yeah. You’ve impressed everyone at the office with your—” She was about to say sexiness but stopped.

“My what?”

Abigail blushed and rose from her seat. “Oh, come on, you know you’ve got all the women in the office drooling over you. Are you being coy, Mr Wilson?”

“Am I?” He shrugged. “I will tone it down and be direct instead. Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”

Her jaw nearly met with the navy carpet beneath her leather boots. “Sorry?”

“Is that a no to dinner?”

“I—I… Hold on, are you asking me out on a date?” Her eyes narrowed. “Or is this a work related thing?”

Glen chuckled, bringing back his dimples that made her stomach flip. “Which one of those options would make you agree?”

“Why are you answering my questions with more questions?”

He stopped in front of her and slotted his hands into his trousers pockets. “Why are you?”

They both laughed. She couldn’t help it. He brought out her nerves and anticipation for what was to come. Other than Alexander, no one until now managed to stir her heart. And Glen Wilson could be the perfect distraction she needed to take her mind off the sharp pang her chest had suffered when Alexander dumped a mountain of money into her account.

That selfish, arrogant…

“Abigail?” Glen nudged her on the shoulder and drew her back to reality. “If you’re uncomfortable with this arrangement—”

“No, no. I’m ready for a pint or two. I know this great pub around the corner. They serve dinner till late.”

He smiled and waved for her to lead the way. “It would be nice to have something other than hotel food. I’m sick of free cookies and tea.”

She snorted. “Anyone would be. Do you like live music?”

“Yes, I am interested in learning more about the local culture. It would help me produce a more suitable plan of strategy for the newspaper. If you would be my guide for the weekend, I would be grateful.”

Abigail licked her lips. He seemed interested in spending more time with her outside of work, and, this time around, the man asking her out didn’t own a motorbike and wasn’t covered in tattoos.

“I’ll see how you fare after two pints.” She winked.

On their way out of the office building, she stopped dead in her tracks. Alexander was leaning against the wall with his hands in his coat’s pockets and a stern expression marring his handsome features. Seeing him glaring her way made her feel like she was cheating on him, even though they were nowhere near having a relationship, of any kind.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded, squaring her shoulders.

Alexander ignored her and eyed the man standing by her side. “Glen, what are you playing at here?”

Her boss ran his hand through his sandy hair. “What does it look like? I am taking a lady to dinner. Why are you here?”

Alexander’s eyes began to glow with molten silver. “She’s not someone you can play around with. She’s under my protection.”

“Since when did you increase your pool of friends? Last time I checked, you were invested in no one.”

Abigail lifted her hands, stopping their confusing exchange. “Hold on guys, do you two know each other?”

“Yes,” Alexander said.

“Somewhat,” Glen added.

She observed both men and took a step back from her boss. “And?”

Alexander raised a brow. “And what? Are you going to sleep with him?”

“Excuse me?” Abigail’s voice jumped an octave.

Glen stepped in front of her, blocking her glare in Alexander’s direction with his powerful back. “If you have no claim on her, I suggest you leave us be. After all, I believe you have some distasteful matters to take care of.”

“How did you find out?” Alexander asked, his eyes widening.

“I can smell a ghoul on you. I would never have pegged you for someone who would engage in being around one long enough to have their stench on your clothes,” Glen retorted.

“And I didn’t think you were someone eager to drain the life force of a co-worker.”

Pouting, Abigail pushed past Glen and eyed him. “What is he saying? Are you…not human?”

“He’s an incubus,” Alexander said.

Glen folded his arms. “It is against the treaty to tell mortals of our identity, or have you forgotten?”

Alexander took a menacing step forward, and she pressed her hands to his chest to stop him. Meeting her gaze, he sighed. “Come with me.” He captured her hand and strode towards the road where his Mercedes was parked with the hazard lights blinking.

“Call me if you need to be saved from that man,” Glen shouted after her and chuckled. “He certainly will bring you much more pain than pleasure.”

A deep-set frown formed on her brow as she was pushed into the passenger seat. Alexander slammed the door and climbed into the driver’s seat. A few minutes later, he was cruising through the city with what seemed to be no destination in mind.

“Can you please explain to me what just happened?” she asked.

Alexander rubbed his eyes and stole a glance at her. “He’s bad news. That is all you need to know.”

“In what way? Is he also only good for a one-night stand like you?”

He flexed his jaw. “We have agreed on one night together.”

She crossed her arms. “I’m aware of that.”

“Good.”

“Great!”

Alexander stopped at the traffic lights and faced her. “He charms women using his abilities and then takes their life force while they have close physical contact. I simply do not want you to get hurt. I promised Jennifer that I would look after you.”

“What?”

“I shouldn’t have said that…”

Her heavy heart sank into the pit of emptiness as his words settled in her mind. He never did find her attractive. All along, he was doing Jennifer a favour by keeping an eye on her. Neither he nor her boss had any right to toy with her freedom like that. She got out of the car, dodging the waiting cars, and started walking away.

Alexander honked the horn, but she ignored him. He couldn’t abandon his car in the middle of the road. She knew it and went on ahead of him without looking back.

After almost two minutes, he grabbed her by the elbow and turned her around. “Where are you going?”

She gaped at him. “Your car—”

“I parked it. I will probably get clamped, but I don’t care. Answer me.”

“Don’t put your filthy hands on me!” she yelled, trying to shake him off.

His mouth formed a thin line as if he was refraining from saying what was on his mind. It only served to tick her off more. She kicked him in the shin, which caused him to grunt in pain, but he didn’t release her.

“You know, I’ll scream if you don’t let me go,” she threatened.

He finally set her free. “Let us get back to my car, Abby.”

“No.” She balled her hands, unwilling to budge.

Alexander visibly struggled with the words that came out next. “Please. Let us talk somewhere more…private.”

“I’m perfectly fine talking here, in the middle of the God damned street where you can’t bite or kill me.”

He sucked in a lengthy breath. “If you won’t move, then I guess I will have to move you.”

Before she knew what was happening, her mouth was covered and the world around her blurred. He moved faster than a motorcycle through the streets of Dublin. When darkness enveloped them both, her back was pressed against something solid, which she assumed was a wall of a building. She scanned her surroundings past his shoulder. Even if she screamed here, no one was going to get to her in time to save her if he wanted to hurt her. She swallowed.

“Now that we are alone, I need to know one thing. Why did you give away the money I sent you?” he asked, his face hidden by the shadows.

She pointed her chin in defiance. “I asked you not to do it. You didn’t listen.”

“It was for your father’s sake. You need the money!”

“I will get the money myself.”

He pressed her further into the wall and rested his hands on her shoulders. “Don’t be a fool, Abby.”

“Stop calling me that!”

“Why does it bother you so much?”

His grip on her shoulders started to hurt slightly, and she couldn’t avoid her bottled up emotions any longer. Her tears spilt over, leaving wet trails on her cheeks. “My mother used to call me that while she was alive. Ever since she died, I don’t like people using that name…”

He gently wiped away a stray tear with his thumb. “I’m sorry. I did not know.”

“No, but you kept on pushing me,” she mumbled, sniffling.

Alexander cupped her cheek and his soft lips pressed to hers. There was no hunger or frustration in this kiss that was usually present. The moment they shared was tender as if he was afraid that she would break.

She snaked her arms around his neck, bringing him closer. His touch, although cool, made her skin tingle all over. With everything that happened: her mother’s death, her father’s diagnosis, meeting this strange man who managed to capture her fenced off heart, she was right where she wanted to be—in Alexander’s embrace.

He broke the kiss but didn’t let go of her. “You drive me to the brink of madness, young lady.”

She snorted. “I’m sure you’re the one who has the ability to make me want to burn down a property or two.”

Alexander’s hands shifted to her lower back. He left another kiss on her lips. This one was much more demanding than the last. Everywhere he touched, her body resonated. She wanted him to take her there and then, but knew better than to strip in someone’s back yard in the middle of September.

“Come over to my place?” she asked.

“Alright, but not for long.”

ALEXANDER

When they arrived at her apartment, Alexander struggled to keep his thoughts gentlemanly. He wanted her naked between the sheets or riding him as he bit into her neck, yet he kept his dirty ideas to himself. There was a strange attraction between them since the day they met. She was like a lantern in the dark, full of life and bright as day, attracting the creatures of the night to it. He had to clear his mind to not act on instinct as he sat down on her sofa and crossed his legs.

He patiently watched her slipping out of her coat and dropping her bag on an armchair nearby.

“Want something to drink?” she asked.

“No, I am fine.”

“Would you mind if I take a shower first?”

He swallowed, managing a cheeky smile. “Shall I help you with that?”

Abigail blushed and walked around to stand in front of him. She bent down and kissed him on the lips before pulling away. “Maybe next time.”

He groaned when she sashayed out of the living room, moving her hips in such a way that made his trousers become uncomfortable. After a minute, he heard the shower being turned on. A nervous chuckle erupted from him. Even during his first time with Katharine, he wasn’t this anxious. Whatever Abigail was, he couldn’t stay away any longer. She had captured his attention and desire. As of that moment, he knew he was fighting a losing battle.

Slipping out of his suit jacket, he strolled into her bedroom. He pulled the curtains together and settled on the bed with his back resting against the headboard. From the bathroom, he heard her humming a song he wasn’t familiar with. He closed his eyes, enjoying the slow melody as it lulled him to peaceful sleep.

ABIGAIL

Abigail dried her body with a towel. She couldn’t stop thinking of how he felt inside of her and how she wanted him in her bed one more time. Alexander was a complex man, but it certainly didn’t take away from his sexual skills. She didn’t even care if he was a vampire, mainly because she had no idea what it actually entailed other than drinking blood occasionally. Not like she could believe Bram Stoker’s stories of Dracula and accept them as gospel.

She left the bathroom with a cloud of steam floating out behind her. When she found Alexander, sleeping peacefully on her bed, she smiled. For a man who never seemed to let his guard down, he had dropped it today. Even his biting words no longer affected her as she climbed in bed next to him and draped her arm around his stomach. He smelled of cigarettes and expensive alcohol. Whatever was weighing on his mind, she wanted to know of his troubles. But, for now, she was going to let him rest.