A/N: Takes place at various times leading up to and following Guy Talk chapter 20, A Little Romance.
Beth had moved into Mick's penthouse and was unpacking. She realized there was one more advantage to having a vampire boyfriend. As long as he was careful not to be seen, Mick could easily lift her furniture and didn't mind standing around moving it as she changed her mind. Beth preferred most of Mick's furniture so she only used her stuff for the master bedroom and her office/sitting room.
While going through closets she found a guitar case containing a beautiful old acoustic guitar. When they were finished for the day and enjoying their first evening living together, Beth brought out the guitar: "I know you were in a band. Will you play for me?"
"I haven't played for years," Mick groaned. "I've forgotten too much." But instinctively he began tightening strings and tuning. He strummed a little, getting the feel of the instrument again before playing and singing John Lennon's 'Woman' which he had heard Beth mention she liked.
"You remembered," she said when he finished.
Mick nodded. "John and Yoko should have had a lot more time together. And think of what Lennon might have done musically."
"One more please?"
"You like the Beatles or just Lennon?"
"I like the Beatles together or separately."
Mick went into 'Long and Winding Road.'
"You're very good," Beth told him. "Why didn't you keep up with your music?"
"I was good but not great. I might have stayed with it for my own enjoyment but I couldn't handle it right after I was turned and later it was a reminder of how Coraline and I met so I let it go. Besides, a couple of the other guys did most of the writing."
"Why don't you keep the guitar out? You might like to try it again."
"Maybe. But right now I'd like to try the bed. I haven't had one for decades."
Josef and Sandrina were together again. They had sleepovers often but not tonight. Sandrina was seeing patients all evening and catching up on paperwork. Josef would go to her house tomorrow night. He wanted to show that he appreciated her giving him another chance. He had something in mind but needed advice.
The freshie wing was separated from the main house by wide double doors. Josef never invaded their privacy. When he wanted to feed he called and they came to him. He knocked and waited, hearing music and the murmur of voices. Jackie opened the door, surprised to see him, wondering if they had missed a call.
Several girls were in the common area. Josef was glad to see a couple of them doing their nails. "Ladies, I want a new career. I'm thinking of opening a nail salon but I need skills."
They caught on right away. "You want to give Sandrina a manicure?"
"And a pedicure if you can teach me."
With his 400 years of experience, there wasn't much they could teach Josef so they were delighted at this opportunity. Josef spent a couple of hours learning their tips and tricks. The freshies liked Sandrina. At first they hadn't thought she would last any longer than the others. But Josef seemed different since the breakup and reconciliation. He had always been attentive to his girlfriends but he'd never done anything like this before.
"What color will you use?" Ellie asked.
Josef looked blank. He had been so focused on the technical details that he forgot aesthetics.
"You know there are places where you can have perfume custom made?"
Josef nodded. Sandrina had created her personal scent years ago. It was one of her few expensive indulgences.
"Well, there's a place you can create a custom shade of polish. And I know you can afford it since a bad economy hasn't affected your finances for decades," she teased.
It was true. Josef didn't actually lose money during a downturn. He just didn't make as much. "Thank you," he said sincerely. He kissed each girl's hand before he left. "I don't think I've seen this side of your wrists before."
At the polish shop the next day he spent a long time choosing the color. Something subtle and not too dark. He didn't want anything garish against Sandy's pale skin.
"Some shimmer perhaps?" the woman helping him suggested. "We can achieve a lovely iridescent effect with gold dust and crushed opals."
This was exactly the kind of extravagance that appealed to Josef. He had to stop his eyes from glowing. Two small bottles were ridiculously expensive. Josef left the shop well satisfied.
Sandrina was truly surprised and pleased that night. She didn't know yet that in the years ahead she would become accustomed to such gestures from him.
Josef made the mani-pedi process very erotic. They were more than ready for each other when it was done. But Sandrina was practical and wouldn't ruin Josef's work. "We'll have to wait a while," she said, waving her hands.
"Oh, crap. I forgot about the drying time."
Mick was standing at the bathroom mirror shaving. Beth was in the tub enjoying a long bath. He caught her eye in the mirror. "Are you looking at my butt?" he asked.
"No, I'm admiring your jammies. They fit very well ... over your butt."
Suddenly Mick's mouth went dry as she reached for her razor. He was almost embarrassed by his body's instant reaction. "Let me do that," he said.
"What, shave my legs? Really?" Beth looked intrigued.
Mick lathered her legs and shaved carefully. Long smooth strokes along her calves and thighs. Slow easy flicks around ankles and knees. He was intent. His fangs extended a little.
"You're really enjoying this," Beth said. His excitement was inflaming her as well.
They were both out of control by the time he finished. Beth reached for Mick's pants and he reached for the drain release so the water wouldn't overflow when he got in.
"What are you thinking?" Beth asked later.
"We need a bigger tub."
"I'm comfortable."
"You're on top of me."
"And you're pretty comfy," she replied. "Do you have any other fetishes I should know about? Want to watch me floss?"
"Pass. But I have something in mind for your hair."
Sandrina was lying on her back propped against pillows. Josef lay at a right angle with his head on her stomach and a book in his hand. The recessed lighting in the freezer room was dim but plenty bright enough for a vampire to read by. Sandy played with his hair.
Josef had a good voice for recitation, especially the romantic poets. Maybe because he knew them, she thought. And probably slept with them too. But she wasn't jealous. They both had history with others. And she was sleeping with him now. Or she would be. She wondered how soon she could make a move. She loved listening to him read Byron and she especially loved what it inevitably led to.
Mick headed upstairs with Travis after Josef dropped them off from the vet. He had the evening planned but it required some set up before Beth got home. When she arrived everything was ready on the balcony. Two tubs: One empty and one with hot water cooling to warm. A lounger for Beth to lie on. A stack of towels. The air was clear for LA. Perfect weather. Mick poured a pitcher of water to wet Beth's hair then massaged in shampoo. Rinse and repeat with conditioner. It was soothing and sensual and Mick took his time doing it just right.
"Do you and Josef have a competition going? Not that Sandrina and I mind. You seem to outdo yourselves each time." Beth told Mick what Josef had planned for Sandrina that night.
"You know he played you?" Mick asked.
"Of course. But you know Josef, I couldn't resist. Besides, I wanted to do it."
Josef was in the pool when Sandrina got home, floating on a small raft anchored at the shallow end.
"Josef?" Sandy asked when she came in the house. They didn't have to shout to hear each other.
"Pool," he replied.
"I'll be right out."
She appeared a few minutes later in a one piece suit almost the color of her skin so that at first glance she seemed naked.
"No straps," Josef noted approvingly. "That will make it easier to get you out of it." In fact he wasn't sure how the suit was staying up and he watched with interest as she dived into the deep end and swam to him. But it was still in place as she got on the raft. Josef untied and pushed away from the edge. He presented Sandy with a bowl from a cooler. Her fangs peeked out when she saw the contents.
"Have you been slaving in the kitchen all evening?"
"Damn near." Josef had flash frozen fresh blood in melon scoop molds to form bite-sized balls. They fed each other.
"Is this one Beth?" Sandrina asked with surprise.
Josef nodded smugly.
"Did you ask her for blood?"
"Of course not. I may have mentioned my plans, knowing she would offer. I only took enough for two bites."
"You're shameless. I can't take you anywhere."
"I'd rather be home alone with you anyway."
Sandy fed Josef the other blood ball from Beth.
"She's a tasty morsel," Josef said. "Beth more than makes up for Mick's bad judgment over Coraline."
"We both slept with Coraline," Sandy reminded him.
"That was sex," Josef replied dismissively. "Mick thought he was in love."
"And yet Coraline provided you with a best friend for eternity."
"I'm glad about that but it doesn't justify her methods. She could have made him want to be turned but she wouldn't take the time to do it right."
When they finished their snack Sandrina said "We have a decision to make. Continue here or go to the room freezer."
"Why limit our options? We can start here and finish there." Josef rolled into the water taking Sandy with him where he proceeded to peel her like a banana. She had a little trouble removing his trunks. By then a part of his anatomy was very much in the way.
"Ow," Logan said for the third time. He studied the problem then snipped the heads off the roses and threw away the stems. The thorn pricks didn't really hurt and they healed instantly but Logan's ouch reflex for minor injuries was still strong, maybe because he didn't get into situations where damage was likely to be major.
He knew what he was planning was a cliché but Logan didn't have great imagination when it came to romantic gestures. But he figured he should mark the occasion which was an anniversary of sorts. It was a year since he and Kali acknowledged they were more than fuck buddies, that they were in fact 'Seeing each other.' He hoped Kali wouldn't think his idea was too cheesy.
Logan had gone shopping for new sheets. It took a while to pick the color. White was too innocent, red was too obvious, pink was too ... pink. He settled on a pale gold satin called champagne which seemed appropriate. But the rejected colors were just right for the roses and the red, white and pink made a nice mixture.
He saw Kali on the security monitor and heard her enter the outer door. Showtime. Logan hurried up the stairs and began strewing rose petals down the steps and across to the bed.
