Fratelli: The Awakening (The Vampire Cartel #1)

21. His DateMate?

Chapter 21

His Date or Mate?

H ouse of Draca - New Orleans, LA

April 14, 2018

(8 Days Before Death)

Lucio, seated in his chair, faced the atrium of his mansion. Behind him, wall-to-wall windows filtered the incoming sunlight of the new day, and he relished the feeling of the heat, even if only slightly.

The black marble floor stretched from the front of the house through the halls on either side. The walls from room to room were dark or scarlet red and filled with masculine energy. He only felt at home when he had the comfort of a woman, even if it was fleeting. Now, that feeling, with her, had morphed into something even more needful.

In the silence, he contemplated his fate. Would delving into the darkness alongside Dolly and her guardian draw forth the lifeblood she gifted him before to be used for good? Or would it endanger Dolly—a risk he was unwilling to face with her life a second time? How was it Dolly never knew her inner strength? Why did she not care to know?

Lucio checked his watch. They had just under an hour to get to their flight and keep to his schedule. Still, he waited patiently for her like a groom for his bride. And it paid off. Dolly Young, also known to him as the temptress Darlene Brown, walked straight out of his fantasy into his reality.

The sight of her transformation rendered him speechless. Dolly’s beauty, which was always present, had blossomed. She wore a mahogany brown silk minidress with a single shoulder sleeve; the garment embraced her figure like a second skin. The dark fabric sparkled with amber flecks, making her shimmer as she approached him in red bottom heels, a presentation of sophistication he would come to prefer from that moment further. Minus her glasses, her hair, styled in loose curls, was neatly tucked behind one ear, flowing over the left side of her face. The style was complemented by the sparkle of Cartier diamond studs he had gifted her.

Lucio stood, as a gentleman always does, when a lady approached. He clasped his hands before him and let his eyes do the talking.

“So? What’s the verdict?” she asked. “You like it? Everyone said it’s your preference.”

“I… do. Very much.”

“This dress isn’t exactly me. And my hair, well, I like it, but it’s difficult to maintain this way cause I don’t wear weaves or wigs. Did you think this was me? You didn’t meet me like this.”

“I had my idea of what you might desire,” he replied.

“Could you ask, next time? You’d be surprised by the things I like, and don’t,” she said, clearly irritated.

“Noted,” he said, unable to keep a smile from his lips.

“For instance, those diamond teeth of yours turn me on, but what if they didn’t? I wouldn’t make you cover them up,” she huffed.

“You’re upset,” he said with concern.

“Just frustrated,” she sighed.

“But you said my teeth turn you on,” he gave her a sly smile and lifted the side of his mouth to reveal a diamond canine.

She paused, and her anger melted. She stepped closer. “Real bad.”

“Mmm, most women find them scary,” he said with raised brows.

“Not me. I like the way they taste when we kiss.” She lifted on her toes in her heeled shoes and kissed him. Her hand to his face while his hand rested on her left buttcheek. The kiss was mutual and just like the first. The kiss ended too soon for him, but he didn’t force it.

From that moment on, he’d take his time with her and not push too hard. Still, he had one more surprise. He slipped his hand up to the center of her back to pull her in closer. The gift he had for her was in his other hand, behind his back, and suddenly he felt shy about presenting it. His reluctance stemmed not from a belief that she was undeserving, but from a conviction that adding to such perfection with jewelry would dishonor both the designer’s work and her inherent femininity.

“What’s behind your back?” she teased.

“My heart,” he replied.

“Let me see it,” she said.

He revealed a necklace box, strands of diamonds on black velvet.

“Wow, that is… amazing.”

“Can I put it on you?”

“Why?”

“Because it’s for you,” he said.

“But why? You’re scaring me, Lucio. I don’t want you to think I’m one of those kinds of women. I mean, I know I asked you for a job after we had sex, but I am not the kind of woman that, I dunno, is looking, geesh, I can’t even say it.” She dropped her head. “Seriously, this is too much. What if I lose it?”

“I’m the man that most people believe has everything. This only means something to me if you accept it. If not, it’s just a bunch of shiny rocks, I can put in my teeth,” he half-joked.

“Does that make sense?” he asked. “You can wear it, you can toss it in the trash, you can return it or leave it behind. Whatever you want. It’s already yours.”

He removed the strand of diamonds and carefully draped it around her neck. Being so close, her scent enveloped him. When excited, her pheromones released the most pleasing affair of scents that reminded him of wildflowers in the spring. It was far more intoxicating than any perfume. He breathed her in deeply.

“This is so nice. So pretty. Thank you.”

He kissed her bare shoulder. He needed the dress this way. The style gave a full view of her arm, shoulder, and throat. Dolly did not know what spell she had cast over him. She could face him and see the real him, the man behind the extravagance. She put her arms around his neck and pushed her body up against his, and it restored his confidence.

“Before we go, I want you to know the gifts stop now. I have clothes, diamonds, and you. I’m good. Okay?” she asked.

He nodded like an obedient student.

“I have to know. What do you want?” she asked. “What can I give you?”

“Never ask that question. Never think about it. I’ve already said?—.”

“Stop speaking in the words you think I want to hear. Tell me the truth. What do you want Lucio?”

Lucio took down a deep breath and let go of a slow exhale. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Why? Why wouldn’t I? If it’s the truth, I’ll know.”

“Because the truth is very complicated. And you simply view things differently. I am flying to Vegas to meet with my family.I typically hate these trips. After last night, I thought about Vegas differently. If you could come into my home and make me, feel alive, I have to know what else you could bring into my life.”

“That’s pretty. Those words. I guess I would believe them if we had known each other for over forty-eight hours.”

“That’s fair. So come with me to Vegas. Get to know me more.” He ran his hands up her back and then down to take the fullness of her ass, which he gripped with both hands. He squeezed.

“Have you ever made love in the sky?” he asked.

“No. Have you?” Dolly asked.

“Not with you,” he said and kissed her brow. “Not yet.”

He took her hand and led her out of the House of Draca . She held tight to his hand, prepared for whatever came next.