chapter SEVEN
The bouncer barely even looked at me as I passed him. I stopped at the top of the stairs to ensure my composure was firmly in place and found Vittorio deep in conversation with another man. I glanced at the crowd; the way they drooled over Vittorio, male and female alike, made me sick. He was only human, after all. Right, I’d have to remember that. Only human. I had to remember why I was here - to find a woman’s runaway daughter, not to lust after some Italian hot-body. My gaze drifted back to Vittorio and stopped there. I realized I was no better than anyone else besotted by him.
As if he heard my thoughts, Vittorio looked over to me. He stood in one liquid movement and glided toward me.
My heart raced. Crap.
“Elena. How long have you been standing there?”
“Only a minute.” I shifted from one foot to the other, uncomfortable with my fluttering heart.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Samuel and I were talking business.”
“I don’t want to interrupt,” I said.
“Please do. He’s a dreadful bore. Please, come sit with me.” He took my hand and led me back to the love seat. Samuel stood, nodded toward me, and left.
“Bryn said you were here early tonight.”
“Yes, business. It’s a convenient meeting place for Samuel and me, as we have a shared office up here.” He gestured to the room in the back. “But he doesn’t know when to stop. He’s all work, no play.”
“Why do you have an office here?”
“I co-own this establishment, along with Samuel. I mainly provide the finances; he handles the business side of things.”
“Oh,” I said, picking at the skin around my nails, then mentally kicking myself for being so unintelligible.
“You look radiant tonight, Elena,” Vittorio said, changing the subject. Again he kissed the back of my hand, but thankfully without the rest of the touch on my arm this time. “Did you sleep well last night?”
“Well enough, aside from some interesting dreams.” Now why did I say that?
Vittorio raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“I don’t really remember them,” I lied. “They were very active dreams, though. The kind that leave you more tired when you wake up than when you went to sleep.”
“Ah yes, I know exactly the type. I am sorry you did not sleep well.” His brow furrowed.
“It’s not your fault.” At least not directly. Or so I thought. “I slept well enough, it just wasn’t restful. But I had nothing to do today anyway, so it’s alright.”
“What do you do with your time?”
“Read, mostly. I jog a couple miles every day.” That much was true. “I suppose I should get a job eventually.”
“What do you want to do?” He took a sip of wine.
I shrugged. “Maybe apply at a bookstore. I do love books.”
“And hanging out at Goth clubs alone. Surely you have a boyfriend who could escort you?” The words were casual, but his carefully neutral face showed he worried the answer would be yes.
“No. I don’t date much. What about you? Tell me about yourself.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Anything. Do you work outside of The Chapel? What do you like to do besides come here?” I was surprised to find myself genuinely interested in him.
“I work with Samuel at Porter Enterprises. I am the Vice President of Human Resources. His father owns the company. When I’m not here or working, I, too, like to read. You should come see my library sometime.”
“Maybe when I know you a little better.” If I rarely dated, I went to strange men’s homes even less. “What else?”
“I also enjoy bird watching.”
“Bird watching?”
“Yes, is that so unbelievable?” He leaned toward me.
“No, it’s just not a common hobby. At least not with anyone I know.” Unthinking, I leaned slightly toward him.
“But you know me.” He took my hand in his.
“Well, now I do, but I don’t, really. I’m merely acquainted with you.” I stumbled over my words, trying to maintain my composure.
“You are particular.” He wiped a bead of sweat from his temple. I hadn’t thought the balcony wasn’t that warm. “We’ll have to do something about changing that, will we not?” His words held a hundred meanings, but as he touched my face, my body only recognized one.
I stood clumsily. “I need to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.” I hated being rude, but couldn’t help myself. I had to get away, even if just for a few minutes.
I was thankful to find the restroom unoccupied. Sitting on the cool porcelain lid of the toilet, I held my head in my hands. What the hell was wrong with me? Why did I react to Vittorio this strongly? I wanted to slap myself, but a handprint on my face wouldn’t be becoming. I had a job to do, I reminded myself yet again. I tried to shut my hormones down, but settled for my heartbeat slowing just a bit.
The waitress dropped off a cranberry and tonic just as I returned. “You looked like you needed a drink. Do not worry, no alcohol. I did not forget,” he said.
“Thanks.” I sniffed the drink to be sure, half wishing he lied.
“Now where were we?” His voice held promise of things I didn’t want to contemplate.
“Bird watching,” I said hoarsely.
“Ah yes. You were surprised at my hobby. Have you ever watched a bird?”
“Not really.”
“You should sometime. They are fascinating creatures. Not so fascinating as some, however.” He stared intently into my eyes as he said this.
I swallowed hard.
“Quite beautiful, too. Would you care to join me sometime?”
I couldn’t think straight. What was he asking me? I didn’t know, but said yes anyway, immediately regretting it.
“Wonderful. How about the day after tomorrow then?”
“So soon?” I couldn’t make sense of the conversation.
“Why not?”
Why not indeed? I couldn’t come up with an answer. “Um.” Surely I had some excuse why not. I couldn’t even make one up though. My brain was mush. “Okay.” I had to get out of there.
“Shall I pick you up at 6:00 then? Bird-watching is best done early in the morning.”
He already haunted my dreams. I didn’t want him haunting me in wakefulness. But didn’t guys usually pick girls up for a first date? I gave him my address and he tapped it into his phone.
“Now, it is getting late. May I walk you to your car?”
I didn’t want to be rude, so accepted.
He stood with catlike grace, and held out his hand to help me up. He bent his arm at his side, and I looped mine through his, feeling very old fashioned.
The instant I did, I wished I hadn’t. The world swam. It was the most contact we had shared, the length of his body pressed lightly to mine. The warmth of his touch overwhelmed me. It was as if his aura tried to meld with mine.
“Are you alright, Elena?”
I shook my head and took a few deep breaths. “Yes, I’m just tired. And I think I’ve had too much cranberry juice the past few days. It messes with my body if I drink too much of it.” That was the most pathetic excuse I’d ever made.
He didn’t press the issue, simply looked thoughtful.
The dizziness passed as he loosened his grasp on my arm, putting a few inches between us, and we started for the stairs.
Tired, my body not working with my brain, I welcomed the cool night air I otherwise would have shivered against. I felt weak, and hoped I wasn’t getting sick. That would be a bad way to start an investigation, but if I could blame all this on being sick, I’d almost prefer that over the alternative.
“Do you believe in magic?” I blurted before I could make sense of my thoughts.
“The world is full of mysterious things. Why do you ask?” It wasn’t really an answer, but at least he hadn’t ridiculed my silly question.
“No reason, forget it. I’m just tired.”
“I shall see you the day after tomorrow at six then?” Vittorio asked for confirmation.
“Yes.”
He stroked my cheek, and oh so gently tipped my chin up. His lips brushed against mine, the barest of kisses, so light I might have imagined it.
Feeling my legs about to give out, I sat down in my car, thankful I had already opened the door, hoping he hadn’t noticed my weakness. “See you then.”
“I will be counting the hours.” He bowed slightly from the waist, then walked away.
Was this guy for real? Unfortunately for me, he was.