We had just finished having mind blowing group sex when the ground shook and everything around us stopped. Sam texts Steven that we are
headed back to the car.
We talk as we walk. I ask, “What was that?”
Smugly Vincent inquires, “The sex or after?”
I sigh and roll my eyes, “After, God, ego much!”
But a blush does creep over my cheeks as I remember just what all we did just moments ago.
Eric, always the rational one of the bunch, says, “Well the ground shook.”
“Then everything stopped,” I add.
“But us,” Sam finishes my thought.
“Does this mean we could learn to temporarily stop time?” I ask.
“Or at least slow it,” Vincent says.
“We need to ask Steven and Katie if they felt the tremors or not,” I state but part of me is dreading it. However, Eric nodded in agreement. Is it possible to die of embarrassment? I guess I'm about to find out.
As soon as we arrive at the car and get in, I ask Kaite, “I got a question, Katie.” I'm just going to get straight to the point.
“What?” she asks.
“Did you feel the ground shake at all?”
She laughs, “No but apparently you did.”
I sigh, “No, seriously did you feel anything?”
She grins and says, “All you,” as I flush with yet more embarrassment.
“You walked into that one,” Vincent said as he chuckled.
I'm not sure that I want Katie to know our latest unexpected power so I tell Vincent, “Pick a sturdier area next time.”
“Enough bickering! I know you're hungry Eva. I'll stop soon,” Sam bellows.
I put my music back on. It settles on a rock block. Mostly for the guitar solos and drums. Metallica Unforgiven Too and Enter Sandman play. Followed by Nine Inch Nails Head Like a Hole and Freak On a Leash by Korn. We finally get food and eat as we are driving. The vampires abstain, shocker I know. Katie and I giggle because the diva block starts playing. We belt out Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood and the guys just look at me.
I laugh, “Well I think you already know not to cross me. I might be merciful but I can be a vengeful goddess too.”
“Now Victor will know,” Katie says as a wicked smile dawns on her lips.
Sam reaches over and squeezes my hand, “Well you'll never have to worry about a wolf once they commit. We are serial monogamists.”
“Gran informed me,” I tell him. She did through a bit of thought that I was able to hear.
Sam smiles, “I bet she did. She liked you before she knew you were the White Wolf.”
“But I'm not her,” I somehow know that I'm not and could never be.
Sam tries to explain, “No, you're you, but since you shift as a white wolf, are an Alpha in your own right, and possess additional abilities unbeknownst to wolves so my kind will see you as the White Wolf.”
“It makes sense, Eva,” Katie says as if she can sense my inner turmoil.
I sigh, “Fine whatever.”
“Too plain a name for you, Snow White,” Sam teases.
I laugh, “No it's fine.”
“We are making good time,” Sam says to change the subject.
“Only one detour so far,” I point out.
Vincent warns, “Just limit the sexy songs and dancing.”
I just can't help myself, “You know what's sexy? A sense of human. A taste for
adventure. A healthy glow with hips to grab onto. Openness, confidence,
intuition, appetite, smartass comebacks, presence, quick wit, dirty jokes told by an innocent face. A woman who realizes how beautiful she is. -Courtney E Martin”
Eric looks at me, “You just described yourself, Eva.”
“Girl!” Katie yells.
I facepalm, “So wasn't my intention. It was just the first relevant thing that popped into my head.”
Vincent catches my gaze, “You know you are, you just aren't ready to admit it to yourself. Same reason you took forever to admit where home is.”
He has a point, but I'm not ready to admit it yet.
“Ok we are here, where do I park?” Sam asks.
I point, “The space marked with the black rose. What? I'm Midnight Rose, what did you expect?”
We park and go into the building. We take the elevator up. It opens…
I say as we enter, “Welcome to Stranger Things.” The music in the
office changes. It's now playing
Living La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin
“You owe me a dance lady,” Derek says.
Derek Wells is a fellow journalist. He's also very open and funny. I have a brotherly bond with him. He's average height and weight, with piercing hazel eyes and short brown hair.
Derek grabs my hand and pulls me to the center of the office. We start dancing salsa. It's a very heated salsa. My guys are staring like crazed animals that have been starved for weeks and they've just
been given a juicy steak. I'm an okay dancer and Derek is a great partner. He could make a donkey look good.
I hear Katie trying to reassure my guys.
“Boys this is normal. Don't kill the guy,” she tells them.
“He's pawing her,” Vincent growls.
She puts a hand on his shoulder, “It's dancing, it's harmless. Now when Brandon shows lookout. He's had the hots for Eva since she started here.”
We conclude our dance. Derek bows and I curtesy. Then we bust out laughing and hug.
I pay Derek on his back, “You got your dance, you happy now?”
He smiles, “Yep, long overdue.”
“Just been a few weeks,” I remind him.
“A few too long,” Rick says.
“Well I'm here now,” I huff.
“Girl who's the hotness with you and your girl Katie?” Kia asks.
Kia King is our layout expert. She's around my age, single, and very flirtatious. She's a lovely African-American woman who I always thought should be a model.
I decided not to reveal my guys yet. So I ask, “Rick, does everyone know the situation?”
Ricks nods and I ask, “Where's Brandon?”
Derek shrugs, “He should be up shortly.”
“What did she owe you for, Derek?” Katie asks.
He points to my desk there. Right in front of my keyboard is an award. It's the Golden Quill. I won it for most read article of the year. It was about werewolves and vampires, stating how we aren't alone. I sigh, maybe the guys are right that I should believe in what I write.
“You won another award, Eva!” Katie squeals.
I shrug, “I didn't think I stood a chance
but Derek did.”
“Girl we all did but you,” Kia says.
“What was it on?” Eric asks Katie because she is closest to it.
“Says werewolves and vampires,” she reads.
Eric raises his eyebrow at me, “Imagine that! I actually have the edition that the article was featured in.”
I cock my head at him, “I bet you do.”
Just then, in walks Brandon Reed. He's a tall, well-built tattooed guy and also our photographer. His arrogance has always annoyed me.
“Why are there so many people crammed in here?” Brandon asks.
“About time you showed up to work today, Brandon!” I snipe at him.
“Eva!” Rick warns.
I roll my eyes, “We need to get started.”
“Alright everyone let's do some brief introductions and then start this meeting,” Rick announces.
So everyone introduces themselves. The guys push extra close to me as Brandon came closer to our group. Derek looked at me and raised an eyebrow. Kia was beaming because she so wanted the dish on what I'd been up to. Or more rather who'd I been getting up to dirty things with.
“You all know about the loan,” Rick says.
“I need to see it to be sure,” I tell him so he provides me a copy. “My name isn't on them, so it's a fake!”
“Why would your name be on it?” Brandon inquires.
“Because on January first of this year, I became a co-owner. We never announced it. This loan was drafted after,” I say.
Rick smiles, “I’m sorry, I had forgotten.”
Vincent smiles at me before speaking, “Well a legal contract like that would require both of your signatures. Since this took place after Eva became a co-owner, the contract would be able to be proven to be a fake. You do have legal proof of the date she became a co-
owner, correct?”
“Yes, I gave it to the lawyer you sent,” Rock tells Vincent.
“In that case, do you wish to press charges?” Eric asks as he looks at me.
I grin, “Do you even need to ask, Eric?”
He chuckles, “I was being polite.”
“Do you think they are doing this to others?” Rick asks.
I nod, “Yes, why I want to press charges. Let's bring their crimes from the shadows into the light.”
Sam grins wickedly, “I'd bet on it!”
“As would I,” Vincent says with a smirk.
“Rick and everyone, we will handle it. Between our contacts, everything should be fine,” Eric reassures us.
“You owe the jar, Eric!” Katie yells.
“What project jar now?” Kia asks.
I laugh, “The everything is fine jar.”
Katie adds, “It's super pretty too!”
Vincent grumbles, “And ruined my carpet.”
“Pfft,” Katie says as she waves him off.
I look at Vincent, “I'll get the glitter and glitter glue out.”
“Why are you both staying with……Vincent was it?” Brandon asks with a sneer.
I feel Vincent tense. I quickly put my
hand on his chest. I whisper, “Not worth it.”
I smile sweetly as I explain to the group, “Victor showed up. So my boyfriend was kind enough to let us both move in.” That should shut Brandon up!
“You know you both could've stayed with one of us,” Derek says.
“Too risky. Victor could easily follow you home. He never travels alone and doesn't play fair,” I say.
“Let's just say, I'm very familiar with combat. So they're quite safe with me,” Vincent adds.
I kiss his cheek but feel Brandon's glare and animosity increase. Is he just upset that I have a boyfriend or is it something more?