TIME WELL SPENT II:
Mr. Lane's more than just flirtatious, he's extremely forward holding me to tightly and too closely. His scent's heady and I avert my gaze, least he sees the desire in my eyes. Lifting my chin, he forces me to look at him, and what I see in his causes the vampiric in me to slowly subside. Angry, his lips part to say something, but then closes suddenly. He desires me but despises my true nature, my essence.
His thoughts bring me to shame, "leech, parasite", and an involuntary hiss escapes my lips. "You have to be careful with your emotions, or you'll scare the humans with your rapid eye color changes." He says in reference to the hurtful slurs, that caused my vampiric side to come forth. My eyes still reflecting my wounded pride, he leans into me, inhaling my scent, and does the unthinkable nuzzling my neck.
If I could have done anything besides being paralyzed with yearning, I would have slapped him silly. Do I want this? I'd be lying if I said no, but in public... no this can't be tolerated. "I do have a reputation to protect." I manage, moving away from his embrace. The man's a dream come true, honoring me with a devilish smile. "I assure you, my intentions are honorable. I won't do anything that you don't want me to do." If only he knew what I wanted him to do... The dance ends and taking my hand in his, he applies a light kiss, holding on longer than necessary. I'm reluctant to remove my hand from his, but William appears out of nowhere, whisking me away at a pace just above what's supposed to be normal. Promptly depositing me in the carriage, I'm faced with an enraged William. I've never seen him so upset, he's watching me menacingly from the door, as I try to read him and pull blanks.
"Do you not care for me?" I'm not without feelings for him, but it isn't love. "Of course you don't love me, that's not what I asked!" His voice echoing off of the walls causes me to cringe. "You're my maker, I... I care for you." I state.
"Only because I am your maker?"
"Can we not talk about this now?"
"I need to know where I stand."
I see him as my sire, he made me what I am, and I don't want to hurt him. "Honesty is always the best policy." He says, through clenched teeth. "I am attracted to you, a physical attraction, that I think that I shouldn't act upon."
"If the beast wouldn't have interrupted us, you would have."
"It was a confusing moment, that still has me confused."
"Would it be less confusing if he wasn't a factor anymore?"
"What do you mean?" I ask, worried that I already know what he means. "Take her directly to the house." He informs the driver. "What do you mean by that? I ask, afraid for Mr. Lane, now that William won't be seeing me to the Coven. Slamming the door, I see him making a quick departure back into the gathering, as the carriage pulls off. It's a steady beat of hooves and the occasional crack of the whip, as I try to keep my wits about me. David won't let him attack Mr. Lane, he won't allow it. It's a social affair, too many witnesses. What am I thinking, he'll challenge him and they'll battle it out somewhere privately.
A frightened shout from the driver, followed by a loud thump, and the carriage comes to a halt. Peering out into the darkness, I smell it, or rather him. Mr. Lane in his wolf form, a small smile and I exit the carriage. I can see the lights of another carriage as it emerges into view, a single human driver.