Note: I edited the last couple lines of the last chapter. It really did suck. A lot. Like, more than a hooker. The entire last part of the last chapter was just horribly jumbled and moved too fast for this story to proceed in, but I'm going to work with it any way I can. I guess it's better this way. We're almost to chapter ten and you haven't even met the reason the Lockett family has a curse. wink.

Anyway, I'm sorry it took so long to update. It's the end of the school year here and I'm just coasting along. This story is going to become top priority again starting now. Reviews will make that last sentence concrete. D

Chapter 8 – Offers

Morning light filtered through the window's glass. When I awoke the following morning, the fresh rose and the vase was sitting on my nightstand instead of in the kitchen where I was sure was left last night. I didn't let this fact bother me; in fact, I was flattered just as much as confused. I knew who had put it there and since I had awoke very alive and human, I knew he hadn't and wouldn't do anything if he hadn't by now. What I was disordered about was why. Today would be the fifth day I'd met the vampire Luke, and if he didn't want me for food by now, I wasn't sure what he wanted.

I touched the soft red petals of the rose, then withdrew back into my blanket. Clenching the warm material to my chest, I thought about what Luke had offered me. To go to him for answers...or to forget all about my investigation. Well, my first impulse was to go to him, naturally. I'd been at this investigation for three years and found out so much. I wasn't about to drop my unhealthy obsession. But I was stubborn in the sense after I'd decided I would not back out, I hesitated to go to his mansion. So much had happened in just the last week alone. I needed time to wrap my head around my entire situation before I plunged into the fast lane known as Luke.

"Hopefully you make the smarter decision." What did he mean? Did he want me to come to him or did he want me to go away forever? I couldn't figure him out; one moment he kissed my forehead tenderly, the next he pushed me away. Either he was an enigma or a confused immortal.

Gracefully I arose from my bed and strode to my bathroom and touched the place on my forehead where his lips touched. I glanced over myself quickly, sapphire eyes sharp and alert even though it was early, then enjoyed the morning shower before checking my planner for today. Rooftop shoot, 10am sharp for Vera Wang's spring line, then 3pm for a small swimsuit ad a local company wanted shot at the studio... My day would fly by just fine.

And the next three did as well.

In the four days, I had not seen one sight of Luke. I checked records, he had no new shoots, no interviews, not a peep into the human world. I could only guess this was his technique to drawing me to him. Like a sample or teaser; you always wanted more after tasting a tiny bit. He left evidence of his lingering existence, though. Every morning there would always be a fresh rose in the vase. It would be the first thing I saw when I awoke, whether I liked it or not. The thought occurred to me to get rid of the vase completely, but I couldn't will myself to do it. I had almost gotten used to the fact a vampire broke into my apartment every night to leave a cliché sentimental.

Almost.

My cursed dreams that always seemed to have him in them. The more dreams I had, the more questions I thought of, meaning more answers I wasn't getting. That seer from had provoked more inquiries after I'd visited her; such as special abilities vampires had. What were Luke's and was he using them on me? The vampire's total mask of secrecy was slowly driving me insane and making me rather impatient. I couldn't build myself up to go to his mansion; to walk into his territory and submit in his presence. Often I tried to guess where he would pop up next, but I realized he wasn't going to pop up until I went to him. The consequences of that action was hazy but not positive and very very real when I finally would go to him. I knew that fate by day one.

But aside from vampires, the recent development of Daniel and Lucy served me well. They were preoccupied with one another so much, trying to bud into my personal life wasn't even on the agenda for them. Lucy came to me (during work hours) for gossip, girl-to-girl chitchats, simple things I didn't mind sharing with Lucy on the occasional basis; I rather enjoyed just being a tiny bit social like the old Allison was, but I would never admit it to her.

As for the wolf dilemma, from what I read, the animal was not captured or ever found even though the slaughterings had stopped for a few nights. The threats of wolf attacks from the rare gray canine still remained. Even more ridiculous, rumors were flying around in the city that the creature was werewolf related; since it killed humans and only hunted at night and didn't have a trace otherwise. I guess the only way someone could get the idea of a werewolf out of that was because the nights no wolf attacks were reported, the sky was too cloudy for moonlight to show, if you want to believe in the magical full moons out of those Hollywood legends. I suppose I shouldn't have thought the idea of a werewolf was ridiculous because I was the one who was interested in vampires.

Unluckily for me, a missing model was a smaller story compared to the string of slaughterings the wolf had produced. Nothing new on Felicia had come up in those days; I had almost given up on the public ever finding out about her murder because of the cover up the vampires had pulled. And since her disappearance had become yesterday's news thanks to the wolf deal, it was safe to assume the vampire society had become less pissed at me for the posters, if they ever knew I had made them at all. I checked the posters each night; over the four days they had all been removed, by the city or other people, or maybe even Luke or the murderer himself.

I didn't try to pull a stunt to exposes vampires again, at least, not yet. Friday rolled around faster than I expected, and before I knew it, I was staring at the day on the calendar the night before and wondering where the time went. And on that fateful T.G.I.F morning, I had answered my cellphone and had Lucy's energetic voice sing me awake.

"Aren't you excited?!" she asked me after I offered a tired greeting. I had another dream, I was walking up Luke's mansion and I knew everything I wanted to know was inside... And Lucy had interrupted the dream right as my fingers were clasped on the brass handle of the door. Her question had finally registered and my irritation passed into my voice.

"About what?" I snapped, rubbing my eyes open.

"Geez, grouch. Don't tell me you forgot about Daniel and I's date tonight? You can't let me go alone, you said you would double date with us!"

I jumped awake. "What?! No I did-"

"Great! We're going out after seven. Drive-in movie. Dress warm." Her settlement ignored what I was going on about.

"-and I don't even have a date!" I finished, hoping she heard some of my rejecting rant.

"I'll find you one by tonight! A nice hot blind date. Just pleeease, Ally. Please come! It'll make things so much less awkward. Please come for me?"

Looks like everyone wanted me for something now. I could imagine her sparkling aqua puppy-eyes, even through the phone. Hearing her whimper broke my resistance. "Alright, dammit."

She cheered, reminded me of the time and where to meet her before hanging up. I stood, stretched and groaned loudly. I needed a drink, I thought soberly. I think the last week's events and this morning qualified me for that. But after remembering I had work, I groaned again and hoped I was working late so I could have a liable excuse and not have to go.

By six that evening, I had reorganized all of my paperwork, the next day's work and cleaned my equipment and everything else possibly left to do at my desk before realizing I was trapped into going.

Ally Lovett was not social, did not like to party, and most of all did not date. Allison Lockett did those things, and right now I was not her. I tried to make myself feel better on the walk home by thinking there were worser things than going on a night out you weren't in the mood for. As my feet halted on the sidewalk suddenly and I looked up, I realized he was one of those things.

Luke's architecturally gorgeous and misplaced mansion washed over my gaze. My breath hitched as I realized my feet had worked on their own, again, and brought me here. My hands clasped around the black iron of the fence surrounding the property. I was thinking about walking inside and accepting his offer; I wanted to go forth. I silently cursed my feet, then Luke, then his estate. I dismissed the thought as soon as I saw a curtain move on the second story. He was watching me, and I knew it.

Quickly I shoved off back to my apartment to dress warm for that double-blind-date I was suddenly enthused for, if it meant putting Luke off for even a few more hours. I had realized by the first night he made the offer I was going to return to him, that's the Lockett blood speaking, but I could try and prolong that conclusion for as long as I could, the Lovett cover dominated.

Within the hour I had returned to my apartment to change, make myself presentable to a stranger and then met Lucy and Daniel by the coffee shop she'd told me. The nighttime stars could be seen tonight as the clouds from nights before had dispersed, but the biting cold-front chill remained. Passing a closing news stand on the way, the man was warning all to stay inside in case the werewolf was going to attack tonight under the moonlight. I rolled my eyes at how silly that assumption sounded and the thoughts completely left my mind as I saw Lucy and Daniel sitting inside the coffee shop together, getting rather comfy and close before I arrived.

I smiled as I watched for a brief moment outside, feeling a certain longing after watching Daniel whisper a secret in Lucy's ear and place a quick kiss on her blushing cheek. Awkward my bum, quote Daniel, I thought. The smile and longing died after I recognized the man who strolled up so smoothly to their table and Lucy greeted in bright acknowledgment. No, dear lord, she wouldn't. She wouldn't set me up a blind date with him, now of all times to reappear back in my life.

I rushed out of the cold into the warm shop and was rather winded-looking when I approached the table. He wore casual clothes and a scarf to make him seem appropriate for the weather, his light hair was wind blown from the run here, most likely. His skin wasn't as pale as normal, I could sense a pulse on his body as I came closer to him; he might have just fed prior to arriving. A thin smirk was pressed on the man's lips as I sighed dramatically and Lucy made my arrival known. "Ally! Perfect timing. I know you've met Luke before so I invited him to come along with us tonight."

Frozen blue eyes met mine as I glanced down at the vampire sitting across from the couple, his hands folded under his chin. "I had nothing more interesting to do." he added in almost a seductive growl. I unzipped my jacket and tore my eyes away from him, looking at Lucy with wide eyes. I was sure she saw the fury behind them because she smiled widely. I grabbed her arm and pulled her away abruptly; needed to vent before I really did pull my hair out. Daniel and Luke were left in a staring contest between males.

"What the hell, Lucy." I managed to spit out once we were a safe distance away, but I knew Luke could still hear our entire conversation.

"You were worried about being the third wheel. You're single and gorgeous, he's single and gorgeous. It's more perfect then you realize."

My emotions were boiling over in my blood. I sighed, long and deep before laying my hands on Lucy's shoulders and looking her straight in the eyes. "Your persistence is infuriating."

She smiled and tried to look cute. "I know. And you'll get over it after you give up and give it a chance tonight." She succeeded.

"Give what a chance? Him?" I really wished I could tell her why I was so against spending any time with him. But I couldn't.

"You promised me you'd at least come. If you really don't like like him, endure for three hours, and I'll leave you and him alone after tonight."

Her offer was simple. Endure the movie. It was much easier to accept than his was. "Fine. I'll hold you to it, though. Never again after tonight."

"If you don't like him, after tonight."

Trust me, I won't. I thought toward her as she turned and dragged me back over to the table.

Daniel obviously lost the staring contest and was rather flustered when we returned. I was slightly amused when thinking he might be intimidated by Luke's presence possibly stealing Lucy's attention away from him; it was confirmed after the chocolate-haired male took the blonde's hand possessively after standing. The amusing thought passed as Luke rose and came toward me, that never ending smirk painting his lips. He flashed his fangs to me when observing I was staring at his mouth. I caught my gasp in my mouth by biting my lip, he chuckled and offered his arm out for me to take and follow the other two outside. They noticed nothing, and I felt a feeling quite the opposite of butterflies in my stomach as I took his arm.

"Blind dates aren't really my style, but I'm rather glad I accepted the proposal now." he told me under his breath, maintaining a safe distance from Lucy and Daniel ahead of us. I tried to speed his pace to walk with the couple, so they could keep an eye on Luke around me, but his steel hold on my arm and perfect and slower pace did not let us advance.

I thought of several bitter things to say in return to him, but when Lucy glanced back and gave me a tempting look, the look that I couldn't say no to, I knew she wanted me to be nice and pretend to enjoy myself. However difficult that was.

"I'm flattered." I said simply, remembering my manners taught to me from so long ago.

He seemed to be laughing to himself, though his expression did not change. There was a slight pause between us as Lucy and Daniel hailed a cab. I continued to look over him, afraid of what would happen if I took my eyes off of him for even a moment. I swallowed hard when his gaze returned mine and we spent a moment reading each other. He was dangerous, tempting, cold and seductive all in one look. How did I get mixed up with him of all vampires?

"My offer still remains." he told me sincerely. My breath stopped; was it obvious I was thinking of that or could he read my mind?

"But we can discuss it another time," he continued. "Tonight, let's enjoy our double-date, as I hear it's called."

I sneered at how he acted so old fashioned, though very gentleman-like. Lucy and Daniel called to us as a cab pulled up. Luke politely let me inside before squeezing himself in and shutting the door. Four of us crammed into a three passenger backseat, some laps had to be sat on. Lucy thankfully found a seat comfortably on Daniels, so a sigh of relief spent over me as I sat close to but not on top of the vampire.

My hands were tucked tightly in my lap, but Luke's hand settled fondly on my knee as the cab driver drove to the address Daniel gave him. How unnerving that was, I couldn't explain. Even though I did my best to mask my discomfort, Luke noticed and no one else, of course. He unwrapped the scarf around his neck and wrapped it gently around mine. "It's vampire-proof." his whispered teasingly in my ear. I shivered and tightened the scarf once he pulled my hair out of it. "Relax." was his next command.

"Oh yes, I'll do that just fine sitting next to a predator of my kind for the next three hours." I shot back under my breath. Lucy questioned what we were discussing in whispers.

"I was wondering why we're taking a cab to a drive-in movie. Isn't the point to... drive in?" I asked quickly, hoping she'd buy it.

I think she did, because she smiled and hit Daniel playfully when he groped her side. "Danny here is an idiot who didn't get his own vehicle, just parked it at the empty lot the movie is going to be in this morning and made us tab a cab tonight."

I silently scolded the chocolate headed male for not taking responsibility for his first date with Lucy. Again, my attention was stolen by Luke when he laughed right next to my ear. It wasn't teasing, or cold, but it wasn't quite genuine either. Daniel shrugged. "It wouldn't fit the four of us anyway. Two seater."

Lucy giggled when he tickled her side. I had to admit, I was feel fairly uncomfortable and slightly pressured by now. I mentally rejoiced when the cab parked at our destination and we could exit the car. Luke, being the gentleman he was, was first out and helped the ladies out by the hand while holding the door open. Again, Daniel felt intimidated, but I hit his shoulder when he frowned and his jolly mood returned. "I gotta find the loo..." he said as we walked through the gates with our tickets. "Luce, the truck is in the third row. Hit the alarm button if you can't find it." he told her, and handed her the keys.

I rolled my eyes as how ridiculous Daniel could be, leaving his date to find his car all on her own, in a large crowd of other cars, while he relieved himself. I shook my head, which Luke raised a brow at and touched my hand.

Instantly, images of memories involuntarily flashed across my mind. Daniel hobbling away to the bathrooms, the phone conversation between Lucy and I this morning, the conversation Daniel and I had about him and Lucy "snogging" in a bathroom at my birthday party...He and Lucy blackmailing me to come to my own party...

When his contact broke, my head felt dizzy and I limped into his grasp. "What the-..." my voice slurred as my vision swirled and then focused on two blue eyes; Luke held me tight in his arms, looking at me with a genuine concern.

What was that?

My mouth opened to form the question, but a truck alarm filled the air around us as Lucy had hit the alarm button on the electronic lock for Daniel's car. "Found it!" she shouted when laying her hand on a crimson colored ford truck. People around us shot her odd looks. When she glanced back at me, I clung to Luke's limbs for support and his arm held me up by the waist, she got the entire wrong idea and grinned broadly.

Flustered and confused, but less dizzy than a moment before, I balanced myself and pushed away from Luke. By his consent to let me go, I knew he understood exactly what had just happened to me, and that wasn't the first time that had happened. But what had he done?

I turned to him to demand him to tell me, but Daniel walked between us and caught my attention temporarily. He was muttering under his breath as he returned. "Bloody hell, the loo around here was downright grotty. I thought something was going to jump out and bite off my-"

I was shocked at what I knew he was about to say. "Daniel! Stop! If you really want to impress Lucy tonight you'll need to clean yourself up a little." I told him. He ran his hands through his hair a few times, combing out the curly mess. "No, not like that. Your attitude, your speech, your actions. Be a little more classier than...snogging in a bathroom."

I narrowed my eyes back to Luke, who had his own sharp gaze centered on me. Daniel glanced at both of us and realized he had interrupted something. The lights in the lot dimmed and the large screen at the front lit up, starting the opening credits for the film we came to see. Daniel continued back over to Lucy, who made herself comfortable in the bed of the truck. When I glanced her direction, she motioned for Luke and I to join them.

I complied, though not as enthusiastically as I promised I'd be, and Luke and I climbed into the truck bed. Daniel had pillows and blankets for our comfort, and Luke took the care to cover himself slightly though he didn't need it. It was just little things like that which made him seem human-like around other people. I noticed, however. Luke sat in front of me as I retreated to a corner of the bed; I didn't trust or feel comfortable with a vampire behind me, out of my sight. Lucy and Daniel nestled together under one blanket on the other side of us; I had no intentions to mimic their style.

And I honestly was in no mood to watch the movie that was playing on the screen. I didn't even know what it was, and right now I didn't care. Luke was unnaturally still for the first few minutes. I noticed he didn't particularly care for the film either because he looked up every now and then at small disturbances around the other cars and people walking by. Watching him intently, I brooded over what I wanted to ask him first.

And the more I thought, sure enough the more I wanted the answer.

"I'm going to grab popcorn. Want anything?" I asked the two next to me.

"Soda please." Lucy answered politely, and Daniel shook his head. "Take your time." he added with a large smirk. I ignored a moment I would have usually rolled my eyes at him.

"Alright." I rose carefully from the truck bed and jumped over the edge. I glanced at Luke and he was already standing next to me; apparently he got the message. I wanted him alone just as much as he did, besides, Lucy and Daniel could use some alone time.

I headed for the concession stand, but quickly my direction changed with Luke right on my heals. I walked fast and discreetly into a passage made by two walls, that was somewhat private, but still had a view to the outside for people to see or hear me if needed.

I stopped and abruptly turned, Luke never missing a beat and meeting my gaze without a moment wasted.

"What was that?" I snapped, pointing the direction we'd come.

"That" what?" he jerked back just as fiercely.

"You, making me see things against my will. In my dreams, when you want to know something. How are you doing it? Why are you doing it? What are you even doing!" My voice grew louder each question.

He stepped unbearably close to my face, "You're not asking any of the right questions." he replied simply in a deep, and completely stimulating tone.

My breath hitched as his cold breath teased the few strands of hair hanging over my forehead. "What do you want from me? What do you want from me." I repeated the phrase as a certain rage and need built within me, passing to Luke through our locked gazes. I had enough nerve to touch Luke and attempt to push him, to try and rough him up a bit so he'd talk, like in those interrogation scenes in the movies. I honestly didn't know how my mind came to that conclusion.

The result of just touching Luke's body when such an intensity was being passed from me to him was heart stopping. He deflected the push I had coming for him and instead picked me up off my toes and set my back against the wall. Instantly I gasped and my arms darted around his neck for support; though I had plenty of support from him as his hard arms held me up by my thighs. His body felt perfect as he pressed me against the wall.

My mouth was agape with surprise, with resistance, but that all faded just a second later. One moment I was sucking in a gasp, the next his strong, cold lips pressed into my full, warm alive ones. My lips were parted perfectly for his advantage, which he took without hesitation and pressed his cool tongue unto mine. A commanding growl erupted from his throat and into my body when I tried to fight it, instantly I submitted with a shallow moan. His grip tightened, his body pressed harder, and he showed no signs of releasing.

There was a powerful hunger and intense drive behind the kiss. It wasn't soft or chaste or gentle. It was suffocating, demanding, and most of all passionate. My hands fisted in his hair, either trying to pull him from me or secure his position on me, I couldn't decide and it mattered little. I was lost in him. I'd forgotten what he was and who I was.

There was a revolting realization when he tore away suddenly, leaving me gasping for air, my heart pounding and mouth hanging open. Another growl echoed into me, but this time it wasn't Luke. It was another creature at the end of the passage, with a menacing sound that struck fear into my being. I saw the movement of shadows and a moment later Luke was pressed against me no longer; gone.