How to Discipline Your Vampire(83)

            I was really, really surprised at where this night was going, but I honestly didn’t mind. I thought I was going to have to use lame pickup lines and act all suave. Another plus was that I was able to drop the pretense of actually imbibing alcohol, and let Cerise order as she pleased.

            We talked for hours. Within another drink or two or three, we had dropped the Will and CeeCee personas and were just talking personally about our favorite shows, movies, books—everything we hadn’t gotten around to yet. I knew we’d be moving on to more intimate topics soon.

            A few more drinks in, and we were talking about things we truly love and things we hate. About our passions and our aspirations and the meaning of life.

            After yet another drink down, Cerise’s hand was creeping up my thigh. Her nose was in my ear and she was breathing heavy, passionate words. My hands were in her hair and then our bodies were in my car, zipping as fast as possible toward the Four Seasons.

            And a Corvette zips very, very fast.

            Her lips were on my neck in the elevator, and my hands were up her dress.

            If only I knew she wasn’t wearing underwear all night, I wouldn’t have worried so much about how she’d respond to me.

            She wanted tonight as much as I did.

            But I didn’t get too ahead of myself. I wanted to really connect with her, and even though she was interested in me now, what was to keep her from leaving me tomorrow, or next week?

            I wanted to take care of her, to have her open up to me, to just go with the flow.

            But right now, the flow seemed to be straight into bed.

            The elevator dinged, and we groped our way to the suite. And that was when I noticed Cerise stumbling. She held on to my arm desperately as we walked. I asked her if her shoes were bothering her, and her answer was slurred.

            Shit.

            I hadn’t noticed just how much Cerise had to drink tonight.

            And as aroused as we both were, I simply couldn’t take advantage of her drunk. How could I possibly avoid disaster tonight?

            I unlocked the door, and escorted Cerise chastely inside. I had to start cooling things down before she got mad.

            “Let me get you some water,” I said, and grabbed a bottle from the mini fridge and poured it into a glass for her.

            She took it gladly and gulped it down. “Thanks,” she panted, and sunk back on the couch. “Now get over here,” she said, words blurring together.

            I stood in front of her, obligingly, and she ran her hands down my chest. “Kiss me,” she demanded.

            I, of course, obeyed.

            Her mouth tasted sharp, and her tongue was thick and heavy, but it still thrilled me. I tried to slow the pace myself, and she complied. What began as a passionate, openmouthed kiss transformed into a tender embrace. Our mouths touched one last time as I scooped up her limp form and brought her to the bed.

            I lay down next to her and smoothed her curls away from her face. She was sweating. “I don’t feel well, William,” she said, her lovely tan complexion looking more green by the minute.

            I called room service and ordered ginger ale and saltine crackers, then returned to her side.

            Cerise’s eyes were glazed and far away, and she looked distraught.

            “You’ll feel better soon,” I said, cupping her face in my hands.

            “The cold feels good,” was all she could manage. I placed one palm on her forehead and she sighed with relief.