Suckers Bite Back (San Francisco Vampires #5) (Vampires of San Francisco series) (8 page)

“I can’t believe we’re going hiking,” she squeals. “I’ve been jonesing for the mountains.”

“We can’t have that. Come, grab your purse and take my hand.” I lead her into an alley and wave my hand, changing my clothes into hiking apparel. She shudders and laughs.

“Will I get used to this?” she asks me.

“I certainly hope not,” I answer. “Now be prepared. We are going to transmanifest. That’s my way of traveling. We are going to ride the winds but it will only take a couple of seconds. It can be disorienting the first time. As long as I have your hand you’re safe.” I look her in the eyes to make sure she understands.

“Okay.” She’s suddenly serious again.

“Take my hand, Manda.”

And with that we fly.

13 LILITH

Typical of Sebastian to come in here, make a declaration, kiss me silly and then walk out again. I’m left in a tight bundle, fingering Mark’s card. I want to scream. Instead, in defiance, I grab my iPad and bring up my Gmail account. I email Mark a small note to say hi and that it was one crazy night the other night.

I get a reply instantly.

Lily, I am so sorry to have caused you so much pain. I wasn’t thinking clearly when I let you use the brimstone. Had I been I would have never offered it to you. I was overcome by the idea of giving you a great time. You just seemed to need it so badly. I wasn’t thinking with my head :)

Again, please forgive me. I hope you are well.

Yours,

Mark

I am touched that his apology is so heartfelt. I don’t think he can be trusted to be around when I am out of control again, though, but maybe we can be friends. I email him back.

Mark,

I did really need to have a good time that night, but I think brimstone will ALWAYS be too much of a good time for me. :) How is your day going? I hope you are doing well too.

Lily

He instantly replies again.

Lily,

I’m doing the boring part of my job, paperwork. Your emails are a welcome distraction. I’ve really been worried about you and Diel wouldn’t tell me anything until today. I even went to You Belong to Me and Sebastian kicked me out LOL. I don’t blame him. So, I am doing much better now that I know that you are doing better.

Yours,

Mark

Bast would have enjoyed getting back at Mark in any way he could. Poor Mark. He must have been really worried. Mark shouldn’t have given me the crap in the first place, though.

Mark,

I’m sorry for Sebastian’s rudeness. Maybe I could buy you a coffee sometime to make up for it. My schedule’s recently started to fill up and I know you are busy, but I’m sure we could figure something out.

Lily

Dearest Lily,

Anytime, anywhere, I am available to you. You name the time and place and I will be there.

Yours,

Mark

Dearest eh? Hmmm. All I need is another complication, though I could use a friend. If I make that clear maybe we could navigate this. I pick up my phone and look at my schedule. Kick Boxing starts tomorrow night and my next counseling appointment isn’t for two days. I could meet him tonight or tomorrow during the day.

Mark,

I’m free tonight or tomorrow afternoon. How is your schedule? Which would you prefer?

Lily

Dearest Lily,

Sooner rather than later. I want to see with my own eyes that you are indeed okay. So tonight. Where and when? I could pick you up or we can meet.

Yours,

Mark

Eager much, but sweet.

Mark,

I’ll drive myself. I think you are still persona non grata here at the house. I know a small coffee house, I’ll text you the address and meet you there in thirty minutes?

Lily Dearest,

Eagerly awaiting your text. :)

Yours, Mark

I send him the address and then go into the bathroom to refresh my makeup, grab my purse and head downstairs.

I poke my head in the library and announce that I am going out for a coffee.

Every head pops up.

“I’m just getting coffee with a friend. I promise. Nothing more. I’m too exhausted for anything else,” I say looking Helena in the eye so she knows I’m talking about my session with Sophie.

“I think it’s okay, everyone. Give her some space. Who’s your friend, Lily?” Helena asks.

“Mark.” I throw my hands up before they all burst out in objections. “He wants to make sure I’m in one piece. That’s why I suggested a coffee house and why I’m driving myself. I plan on being home in an hour and a half.”

Helena nods and Julian sits back down but Bast is having none of it. He looks like he swallowed something sour.

“Even after what I just told you?” he asks softly, pain in his eyes.

“Especially after what you said. I need a friend and I’m hoping I find one tonight. Our friendship started off rocky, but I hope to rectify that,” I say.

Sebastian comes up to me and gently puts his hands on my shoulders. I shiver. It makes me feel so homesick for him. My eyes burn with the tears that will never come.

“Lily, cherie, I don’t know if he will ever see you as just a friend. I worry for you.”

I put my hand on his chest and he sighs and covers it with his own large hand. “I know you do,” I whisper sob.

“Oh, cherie,” he says and pulls me into a hug. I let my head rest on his chest and forget our troubles for a minute before I pull back. I look at him, pleading with my eyes.

“Go, make a new friend. But be vigilant. Be strong and call me if anything goes wrong, cherie, I will be there,” he says, his brows crease.

“I will, Bast.” I straighten my hair and turn and face the room. “Ciao.”

“Ciao, Lily,” Helena says.

I leave the manse, taking my car, and head to the coffee house. Parking is easy to find this time of night. I pick a table near a window to watch for Mark but I don’t wait long. He arrives before my drink is ready.

He leans in and kisses my cheek. He smells wonderful.

“The Devil it’s good to see you in one piece and healthy,” he says, smiling down at me. He lets one finger trace my cheek, lingering for a second. This feels too good. Get a grip, Lily.

“Hello, Mark. I really am fine now. Why don’t you order a drink and we’ll talk,” I say trying to keep the conversation neutral.

He kisses my cheek again and leaves for the counter to place his order. I can see the barista flirting madly with him. He’s oblivious to her. Hmmm… That’s not the Mark I’ve heard about. The ladies’ man everyone talks about. I really hope he hasn’t set his sights on me. I need a friend badly, not another love interest. Though if I am honest I do know he is a notorious womanizer. He seems to care though. Maybe I am so desperate that that is what I see.

“I picked up your order while I was there. Here you are.” He gently sits the super grande toffee mocha in front of me. Ooohh, I can feel the warmth coming off of it. I can’t wait to wrap my hands around it. As I do just that, Mark takes the seat across from me.

“How do you feel, or I should say how did you feel when you woke up?” he asks me.

“Like I had the mother of all headaches. But it went away eventually. And I freaked out when I realized I had lost three days. Honestly I was really depressed I had sunk so low,” I say lowering my voice and head.

“Hey,” he says softly. “Look at me, Lily.” He tips my face up gently. “You have nothing to be ashamed of. You took a tumble and now you have to get back up on your feet. Don’t forget I gave you the brimstone. You have no idea how sorry about that I am.”

“You know someone else said something similar to me today,” I say thinking of Sophie. “Why did you give me the brimstone when you knew how bad it could be for a vampire?”

“That person must be incredibly smart and handsome too.” He grins.

“Oh now you’re just fishing. And you didn’t answer my question.”

“Well, yes.” I laugh at him, sip my mocha and relish the warm toffee chocolate coffee flavor moving down my throat. He puts his hand over mine.

“Mark, umm… I really need a friend right now. I’m not looking for anything more at the moment. I’m sorry,” I say.

He moves his hand back.

“Understood. Lily, I would love to be your friend and have your friendship in return. I’d lie if I say I wasn’t hoping for more but I will take what I can get and be thankful for it. I gave you the brimstone because I wanted to give you a new experience. I told you I have vamp friends that have used it with very enlightening experiences. I had no idea it would affect you the way it did. I shouldn’t have taken the risk.”

“Thank you. It means a lot to me that you are honest. I can’t say I trust your judgment completely, though.” I cross my legs and watch Mark stare. He sees he’s been caught and laughs.

“Damn, this is going to be difficult. You’re gorgeous and I’m appreciative.”

“As long as we have an understanding. If this gets too difficult for you tell me and we can just stay away from each other,” I say.

“No!” he says adamantly.

“Okaaay.”

“It’s only that I don’t want to jeopardize our budding friendship, please.”

“Let’s start with the basics… How was your day? What did you do today?” I ask.

“I got up about seven and went for a run, then I had a meeting with Diel to go over some demon stuff. Went into the club and started working on paperwork. It’s the end of the quarter and I handle the books so there is a lot to do to get ready for the accountant.”

“Is that the only part of the club business you handle?” I ask. I’m interested in this unexpected side of the big bad demon.

“I also do the hiring and firing. Watch the floor when a manager is on vacation or calls in sick. Otherwise I stick to the books. They tell the story of the business. You read the health of the club by the books,” he explains.

I wonder if Sebastian looks at his club the same way. He never talks about business with me. I think he doesn’t think I have a head for it. Or maybe that’s being unkind. He might just think it would bore me. I must make an effort to talk to him about his day more. It’s always been about me when we talk, I realize. I shake my head and tune back into Mark.

“You zoned out for a minute. A lot on your mind?” he asks.

“Yes, a lot of reflecting.”

“I’m listening. This goes both ways,” he says and he waves his hand back and forth between us. I nod, not sure where to start. It takes me some moments to find a starting place. He’s quiet, waits patiently.

“I’ve realized much of my life I wanted what was best for mankind. To make a difference, contribute to humanity. It’s why I worked at the Suicide Hotline. But when I break down my life I find I was very self-centered. Not in a purposely selfish way but more…” I twist my hands searching for the words. “More like I was immature and was not really aware of how deep life ran around me.”

“I could never see you being purposely selfish,” Mark says quietly. “I can understand naiveté. It’s one of the alluring things about you. But you are right, one day we must wake up and resonate with the rest of the world.”

“Exactly.” He gets it.

Just then I get a text message.

You’ve been gone an hour and a half. Are you okay?

Sebastian

I used to feel suffocated by this. Then I realize that is not how I really feel. I feel treasured that Sebastian would want to take care of me.

“Mark, this has been an enlightening conversation…”

“But…”

“But I have to go now.”

“Can we meet again soon? How about tomorrow for dinner? I know you don’t eat but I have to,” he says and grins.

“I can’t. I’m starting a kick boxing class tomorrow night, unless we make it a late dinner?”

“It’s a deal. Email or text me the time. I’ll probably be at the club anyway. It seems I live there half the time.”

“I’ll email you tomorrow with the details and then text you later when I’m done. We can meet up somewhere,” I suggest.

“I insist on picking you up.” Hmmm… why do I feel uneasy about this?

“That might not be a good idea. Sebastian wants to rip your head off. Julian too, for that matter.”

“It doesn’t sit well with me having you driving by yourself late at night. I’ll text you when I get there, that way I don’t have to come in.” Overprotective much? Why do I keep finding these alpha males?