“Any idea how you want to do this?” He knows as well as I do stealing a hybrid from its maker is like punching your fist straight into a hornet’s nest.

“One of the voodoo queens sent her granddaughter. She has the makings of a cure.”

“He won’t let us use it.”

Nodding, I study the tracks of the streetcar leading ahead of us. Shiny brass lines running through the asphalt streets. I hadn’t brought it up at lunch. I hadn’t wanted to frighten Melissa or curb the group’s optimism.

“We have to face him ourselves.” My voice is solemn, but we’ve been here before.

Stuart stretches with a laugh. “You’re giving me a workout this trip.”

“It’s what we do.”

His eyes level on mine, and we’re both serious. “Let me know when you’re ready.”

With a nod, I turn off toward Bourbon Street.

12

All of Me Melissa

Back in our hotel room, I’ve locked the doors and pulled the curtains. Thankfully, the windows have been replaced with sealed glass. Derek texted he’d meet me in the lobby in ten minutes, and after asking me fifty times if I would be okay, Elaine finally left to spend the night with Patrick.

It only gave me a few moments to touch up my makeup and smooth a brush through my hair. I changed into a thigh-high, silky black dress with a plunging back that goes all the way to my waist in a deep V. My hair is twisted up in a knot showing off the lines of my shoulder blades.

I’d blame the heat in the city, but the truth is in spite of everything happening around us, my heart thrums at the thought of seeing Derek again. I want to allure him. I want him to crave me. I want him counting the seconds until we’re alone again together… Just like I do.

My cheeks pink at these thoughts. We’ve only known each other a few days, but when I’m with him, I’m a swirling mix of bravery and nervous excitement. He doesn’t push—he doesn’t have to. My insides move to him, and his strength provides the most erotic sense of safety.

Waiting by my closed window, I try to remember him as a stranger to me. I can’t do it. We’ve shared too much. He knows everything I’m fighting, and he’s committed to helping me win.

Not only that, he’s the most extravagant lover I’ve ever had. He’s curious and exploring and dominant and surprisingly kinky. He puts me in control while at the same time taking control away, but I’m never afraid or intimidated.

Is it possible to fall in love so fast? I don’t know. I’ve always approached relationships slowly, deliberately. The uncertainty of my life caused me to take a chance with him that first night. I believed I didn’t have the luxury of time, but what started as a final, heavenly indulgence has grown into something much more. Still, even now I can’t allow myself to be caught up in dreams of a future with him.

Glancing at the clock, I see it’s time to go. Taking a moment, I smooth deep red lipstick over my lips. It’s a classic color that matches my complexion, but I don’t want to see blood on my lips. I grab a tissue and roughly wipe the color away. Instead I opt for a fleshy pink, which compliments my smoky eye makeup. I don’t want to be a vamp tonight. I want to be myself.

Riding in the elevator, I only briefly realize Derek still doesn’t know my room number or my last name. It’s incredible in view of all the things he does know about me. Tonight is the night we’ll remove every safety net. Throw caution to the wind.

The doors open, and as promised, he’s waiting for me in the lobby. My breath catches. He’s gorgeous in charcoal slacks, a thin black sweater, and a light blazer. His dark, wavy hair is smoothed back from his face, and when he turns, his sexy grin clenches my chest.

“You’re beautiful,” he says in that low voice.

“You’re amazing,” I say in response.

My former reticence is gone. I don’t feel the need to be guarded with him. Whether it’s because of my fatalistic outlook on life or how fast we’ve moved. Maybe it’s a testament to his ability to put me at ease. All I know is when we’re together, I’m not afraid or shy. Quite the opposite.

“Patrick said you were sick of him by the end of the afternoon.” A grin lifts the corners of his mouth.

Standing here, looking like a model, teasing me about the most devastating time of my life, I can’t resist. I clutch his forearm and rise on my toes to kiss his cheek.

“I guess we have to do another exchange.” I say the words in a pointed way, and it has the desired effect. His expression darkens.

“Dinner first. We have things to discuss.”

“Also, I’m hungry,” I wink. I’m so grateful to have one safe harbor in the middle of this storm.

He’s a hunter. If I’m safe anywhere, I’m safe with him. It’s the justification I give for the inexplicable way I feel when we’re together. I’m easy. I’m happy. He promised me last night he’d save me, and for whatever reason, my heart has decided to believe him. My body craves him, and when I take his arm, all my fear dissolves.

“Are you up for walking a few blocks to Bayona?”

“I’d love that!”

The upscale slow-food restaurant situated in a two hundred year-old French Quarter cottage is a luxury I’ve only had once. After my day of tense wandering through the market trying not to worry about him, it seems like the perfect setting to relax and get to know each other better.

The rain never came, and as we walk up Royal Street, I imagine us as a carefree couple strolling to dinner on a warm fall night. Only the tiniest flicker of anxiety manages to penetrate my mood. I look over my shoulder a few times, wondering if he might be there watching me. A touch of dread chills my insides at the thought of his cold blue eyes, but all I see are tourists looking in windows or running into bars.

His voice has been silent since this afternoon in the market. I don’t know if I somehow got closer to him or if Derek’s presence gives me the strength to block it out. Again, I’m handicapped by my ignorance of what’s happening to me and how fast the changes are taking place. Did my dose of shifter blood truly reset the clock or am I’m right back to where I was before I drank it?

“What are you thinking about so seriously?” Derek glances down, giving me that little smile that launches a thousand butterflies in my stomach.

My feelings for him haven’t distracted me from the fact I know so little about him, about his work. “Can you tell me what you did today?”

“Probably not. Let’s just say it was informative.”

We walk down the side streets, away from the main tourist lanes, and I feel closer to him, like we can share more intimately here.

“I worried about you today. I was afraid you might try to take matters into your own hands and be hurt.”

His smile tightens. “As much as I’d like to do that, my partners won’t let me. We’ll have it all planned out before we do anything.”

Taking a deep breath, I look up at the twilight sky. “I was thinking today how little we know about each other.”

“Me too,” he says.

We’re at the corner of Royal and Conti Streets. Two blocks north, and we’ll be at our destination. Before we resume our walk, however, he puts both hands on my waist, holding me steady in front of him.

“What would you like to know?” His steely eyes are utterly sincere, and I feel myself fall for him a little more.

“Everything?” A breathy laugh escapes with the word, and I’m embarrassed that I sound like a swoony teenager. “Where did you grow up?”

“Right here in this city.” He nods toward the streetlamps, taking my hand as we resume our walk. My heels make a soft clicking noise on the flagstones.