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Chapter 14

After having a drink with Kira, Mick returned to his place to continue his research. When closing time came, Kira made the rounds of her club, checking locked doors and setting the security alarms. She paused by the bar to take a final glance around before shutting off the lights. Kira enjoyed the ritual of putting her establishment to bed and stood for a moment with her hand on the switch, enjoying the moment. In her fifteen year absence she had almost forgotten how much this first club meant to her. During the years she was gone Kira had missed her friendship with Mick and if she were to be really honest, she had missed being around Josef. His presence in her life was far more than just being her sire.

Humming happily, she turned off the lights and went back to her office. The minute she entered the room and inhaled, she quickly recognized Josef's scent. He had been in the room moments earlier. A smile played over her lips, loving how he liked surprising her since he had told her he had a meeting he could not miss tonight. Quickly she hurried up the spiral staircase, eager to see him.

"Josef?" she called out as she stepped into her comfortable apartment. Candles were flickering throughout the room and a good bottle of red wine sat open on the coffee table with two crystal goblets beside it. She walked further into the room. Josef appeared in the darkened doorway of her bedroom, an ivory, satin negligee dangling from his fingertips before him. Barefoot and wearing only grey dress slacks and an unbuttoned burgundy shirt, there was a devilish glint in his brown eyes.

"I'm thinking I would like to see you in this. Why don't you slip this on and then we can have a drink." He advanced until they met just behind the couch. "And then we can discuss what you and Mick were up to earlier." He pressed the gown into her hands. "I could smell him all over the office," he whispered as he kissed her forehead.

Kira placed one hand on Josef's shoulder and pushed him away from her.

"You had better be teasing Josef Kostan or I want you out of here right now," she growled as anger sparked in her eyes.

"Hey sweetheart, I was only teasing," Josef said in surprise, quickly reaching out for her. "I didn't mean anything by it. Please don't tear that," he cautioned as he took her hands that were clenched around the fragile material, in his. "I'm sorry Kira."

Green eyes glowed at him sternly.

"Do…..not….ever tease me about my friendship with Mick," she scolded. "Josef, you know very well that I don't love him. Do not make him the elephant in the room, my darling."

"I am not sure Mick would appreciate being referred to as an elephant," Josef quipped and then paused when Kira didn't smile. "Honest my girl, I was only joking. I will admit I'm curious about the reason for his visit but I am not jealous."

"I do not care for your teasing Josef," Kira said seriously. "Not about this."

Josef sighed and very gently drew her closer, pulling her against him. She remained stiff, holding on to her indignation.

"Baby, I'm sorry. I confess I harbor some ambivalent feelings about your time with Mick. I know it was a long time ago but I can't help thinking I was a fool to push you towards him," Josef said quietly. "Kira forgive me."

Kira melted at his words. She had no doubt he was sincere and she slipped her arms around him, holding him close.

"I'm yours Josef, I always have been," she whispered, afraid to say more. Confessing her love at this moment might change the mood. It was enough right now that she knew Josef cared for her.

He leaned back just enough to bring his mouth down on hers.

"You are mine Kira and I have no plans to share you," he said roughly. His hands clipped down her body to encase her waist. "Please forgive my foolish words. I did not intend to anger you." His lips travelled from her mouth, down her neck to her collarbone. Kira felt her knees weakening as his mouth made her insides melt and she clung to him. Any annoyance she had felt about his teasing vanished as he continued his assault on her senses.

Slowly Josef raised his head and stared into her eyes.

"Please put that lovely gown on for me," he requested softly. "I'll pour the wine."

"As you wish," Kira said huskily and disappeared into her bedroom. Minutes later she reappeared, the satin molded to her curves and the shining material gleaming in the candlelight. As she approached Josef, he held out a glass to her as he smiled in appreciation.

"I am finding it difficult to choose a favorite among your recent purchases," he said licking his lips.

"The beauty of it is that you don't have to choose a favorite," Kira said as she accepted the glass. "And I happen to like them all."

Josef leaned in to kiss her neck.

"Careful, red wine will ruin this satin," Kira warned lightly. She sat down and reached out with her free hand. "Come sit," she invited. Once he sat, she took a sip of her wine and then set the glass aside. Leaning over she kissed his cheek. "Perhaps we need to settle one little matter before this goes further. Mick stopped by to yell at me for talking to Beth about biting. Our "Blondie" as you like to call her decided to confront our reluctant friend."

Delighted laughter burst forth from Josef.

"I am sorry I missed it. Good for her," he commented and set his glass next to hers. "Now my pet no more talk about Mick and Beth. This is our time," he said with a low growl as he pressed her into the cushions, his mouth closing over hers.

*M*M*

Tuesday afternoon Beth collapsed in her cubicle, glad to get off her feet and relax. She was exhausted after the long night followed by a busy day of chasing down interviews with people who knew Tammi Montgomery. It turned out she had only been employed at the shoe store for about eight months and her boss didn't know her very well. One co-worker was close to Tammi and agreed to talk to Beth. All she could tell Beth was that Tammi came to work a little more than two months ago all giddy about an acting job she had just landed. She had dropped a few hints; it was a horror film and it might go straight to DVD but it was a start. A trip to speak to Tammi's landlady had given her nothing since the woman had only met the girl when she had rented the place. She could only report to Beth that a bank transfer had paid the last two months rent. Getting the money had been her only concern.

She began putting her notes into the computer and looking forward to meeting Mick later. He had called earlier to suggest she stop by his place around seven. It had been so sweet how he had stumbled over the suggestion that she might want to bring some "things" along in case it got late again. A warm glow came over her at the thought of spending the night at Mick's and she had every intention of running home and packing a bag, picking up some takeout and going over to his place.

Before she finished her final entry, Ben showed up at her cubicle door.

"Beth, here's some information I got when I spoke to Ms Montgomery's parents," he said handing Beth a sheet of paper. She could see the strain that had settled around his eyes and mouth. "I hate making those calls," he muttered.

Beth felt a flash of sympathy for the man, she knew that death notifications were never easy to make. Her opinion of the man rose some knowing he hadn't been required to make the call himself.

"I'm sure they appreciated that you called," she told him.

"They didn't seem surprised to get the news. They did not approve of her decision to move here and there had been a big fight the day she left. I'm afraid they've been expecting bad news ever since she left," he sighed and shook his head. "They didn't have much to tell me about what she was involved in."

"Those poor people," Beth commiserated. "I'll add their comments to my report. I haven't learned much yet but I'll keep digging," she added. Ben nodded and left her to her work.

*M*M*

Mick's day had been much like Beth's. He had gone down Chuck Boyer's list of people who knew Christa and generally got nothing but reports of how well liked the girl was. No one had a clue as to what acting role she might have gotten until he spoke to one of her co-workers at the diner. The girl told Mick that Christa had sworn her to secrecy but that mentioned she was going to be the new "scream queen" in a horror movie.

So now Mick decided he needed to talk to Josef and see what vampires were involved in the film industry. He also planned to put Logan on this but thought he'd see what Josef knew first. It might save him some cash.

Stepping out of the elevator, Mick had to admire how much of the rebuilding of Josef's office had been finished. Money certainly could deliver wonders and Josef had plenty of that. It was a pleasant surprise to find Kira relaxing on a sofa, thumbing through an art catalogue as Josef leaned over her shoulder, pointing out various items.

"Well, look at you two, isn't this domestic? Is Kira your new decorator now?" Mick greeted them.

"She has better taste than those idiots I was working with," Josef replied. He straightened up and grinned at his friend. "So what brings you here? Are you looking for a second round of "bitegate"?"

Mick closed eyes and shook his head. When he opened them, Kira was laughing in delight.

"You had to tell him," he grumbled. "As if this isn't humiliating enough…..you had to report to Josef."

End chapter.

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