9. Oh Brother

Chapter 9

Oh Brother

A s soon as I said I would pay for the coffee, he looked like he wanted to argue but something in my face must have held him back. Because, in the end, he simply nodded and held his arm out as if to prompt me to start walking.

"Erm… do you know a place?" I asked, feeling a bit foolish saying we should go for coffee and not knowing anywhere. I mean, right now I didn't even know where ‘here' was, other than somewhere to the north in the huge sprawling 843 acres of Central Park.

At this question, I received another devastating smirk before he offered me his hand, something I looked at like it was going to bite me.

"Give me your hand, Vanessa," he ordered in a sterner voice because, clearly, he was a man used to getting his own way and, well, I seemed powerless to stop myself. So, I placed my hand in his and let him lead me along the path. Those strong fingers once more enveloped my own and made me feel tiny compared to him.

But I also needed to question the timing of this. How was it possible that in the span of twenty-four hours I had come into contact with two devastatingly handsome men who seemed to take an interest in me? Was it really a coincidence? Okay, so there was a bit of a difference, seeing as one of them I had witnessed murdering a man, turning into a Vampire, biting me, then kidnapping me. Oh, and not to mention, a man I was still psychotically obsessing over.

Maybe I had hit the jackpot this time, because instead of just running from one scary motherfucker, this time I had run straight into the arms of another who had then saved me. Although what he had been doing in the park, I didn't know, making me ask,

"What were you doing here in the park this time of night?"

He looked down at me as we passed by the fountain, headed back the way I had first come.

"I could ask you the same, could I not?" This was his answer, and I guess he had a point. But what could I say? That some weird feeling had overtaken me and I had felt compelled by some unknown force to come here. Yeah, Nessa, that would go down well and not sound weird at all.

"I suppose you could," I replied, giving nothing away, just like him, and again making him grin down at me. After this, neither of us pressed the other for an answer on why we were in the park, instead we walked in comfortable silence. That was until he asked the question,

"Tell me, do you live near here?" I snorted a laugh, a very unladylike sound that made me blush.

"Did I say something funny?" he asked gently.

"No… yes… I mean, to imagine that I could afford to live next to Central Park is… oh… erm… you live here, don't you?" I guessed after I saw him wince.

"Guilty as charged," he stated in that easy voice of his. Like with me, he was purposely trying to tone down its harshness and calm the threatening deep voice I had heard him using when dealing with the thief.

I laughed nervously because of course he lived near here, I mean, the price of his suit most likely cost a year's rent. I was way out of my league here, making me wish I had never agreed to coffee.

"What is it?" he asked softly. He was obviously observant enough to notice I was now doubting what we were doing.

"Look, I really appreciate what you did for me back there, but we don't have to get coffee, I would be fine just…" I didn't finish before he stopped me, something easily done seeing as he hadn't yet let go of my hand.

"Vanessa, look at me," he ordered gently, and I forced myself to do as he asked.

The setting couldn't have been any more romantic. We were both standing next to a lake with the gentle glow of lights illuminating us both. Oh, how different it looked now I was standing with him, admittedly feeling the safest I have ever felt before.

"If I had my way, I would be taking you to dinner, and that wish hasn't changed just because I now know that you don't have a view of the park… Understand?" he asked, making me release a sigh.

"But you don't know me," I argued, shamefully wishing I was one of those super confident girls who acted like I actually deserved to go to dinner with a man like Victor. Even his name made me want to release a sexual sigh.

"Then let's rectify that, should we?" he said, raising a hand to my face and running the backs of his fingers down my cheek.

My eyes widened slightly at the romantic gesture, making me blush again with the intense way he was looking at me. In the end, all I had the ability to do was nod slightly, which was enough for him to do the same before we started walking once more.

"I have a car waiting," he told me as we made it to the street where, just like magic, a sleek back car was illegally parked. A man in a suit got out and opened the back door, nodding a greeting to us both. I couldn't help but swallow hard, knowing I was putting a lot of trust into someone I had just met by getting into the back of that car with him.

Especially when he reminded me of what happened by pulling the gun from beneath his jacket, but he quickly passed it to his driver and told him without explanation,

"Get rid of it."

The man looked like he was about to say something, but Victor shook his head briefly, likely thinking I hadn't noticed.

"Vanessa and I wish to go to a coffee shop nearby."

"I know a place," his driver replied.

Victor nodded before turning back to me and prompting me to get inside by saying, "After you."

I must have looked unsure, because as I lingered by the door, looking around the street, he noticed. He nodded to his driver, no doubt subtly telling him to get back in the car because up until now he had still been holding open the door, waiting for me to move. Then as soon as he was out of sight, Victor was once again taking control.

"I know you don't know me, but be assured that above all else I am a man of honor, which means that my word is my vow…"

Again the sound I made was a nervous one before I said, "I know but I don't know if…"

Again, I didn't finish because his pointed look cut off my words of protest, along with the way he took an intimidating step into me. A move that forced my head to fall right back just to keep eye contact with him so he could finish what he was saying.

"Therefore, I swear to you, no harm will come to you with me… for tonight, it is only coffee."

I swallowed hard at this because the way he said it made it seem as if he had plans for so much more in the days to come. He also spoke in such a unique way, as if he were much older than the early thirties he looked to be. It was as if he should have been born in a different era or something. Even his accent didn't make him sound as if he was from the States.

"So, what say you, Vanessa? Will you trust me and do me the honor of gracing me with your company?" he asked after I still hadn't moved to get in the car.

I mean, what could I say to all that? And besides, the guy had just put himself in harm's way to save me, the least I could do was have coffee with him. So, without another thought, I nodded before folding myself into the luxury car and getting a taste of how the other world lived. I also didn't miss his response to this.

"Good girl," he said as if to himself, and the sexual shiver trickled down my spine as he fed the flames of my fantasy.

Then my eyes snapped open, forcing me to let it go as Victor followed me by folding his much larger frame next to mine. Then he closed the door and the car soon pulled away to join traffic.

"You never did tell me where in the city you lived?" he asked, breaking the silence.

"I live in Lower Manhattan," I told him, and he looked thoughtful for a moment, as if he were filing away this information.

"Alone?" he asked, and that deep timber was back, as if he hated the idea that I had a boyfriend at home. Was that the reason for the sternness that slipped back in and coated that single word? The idea that he wanted me to be single nearly made me giggle with happiness.

"No," I told him, trying not to smirk myself, not yet giving him what he wanted and wondering if he would press further. I wasn't disappointed.

"And tell me, what would your boyfriend say now if he knew you were about to have coffee with me?" he asked, and as we passed the lights of the city, I could just see the hard set of his jaw, as if he struggled with the idea that I may have a boyfriend. So, I tried not to smile and instead turned to him, before telling him,

"I don't know, but I can imagine he wouldn't like it… that was if he existed. My roommate, however, well, she would most likely berate me for not having dinner with you."

At this he visibly relaxed before allowing himself to grin.

"Then I believe that I will like this roommate of yours," he said, and I couldn't help but laugh at that, a sound he seemed to like if the intense look he gave me was anything to go by.

God, it was like he was watching my every movement, taking note or something. Was he really that interested in me? It was hard to believe, but I also knew that thanks to my last disastrous relationship, trusting the sincerity of people was hard for me. And well, someone this good looking, it also brought out the worst in me. My lack of self-confidence was like a cloud that loomed over me and sitting here now… it was thundering like a storm.

"We are here," he said, because I had failed to notice that we had stopped, too lost in my bitter self-loathing. So, I tried to shake myself free of it and exited the car, opening the door just as the driver was coming to do it for me.

"Oh, sorry, I'm not used to having the door opened for me," I told him, making the driver nod his head but not speak a word. However, Victor had heard this and commented once more, again doing so as if he was speaking to himself.

"Well, that is about to change … shall we?" he said as we walked to the door.

The view beyond the glass door was warm, inviting, and looked more like some trendy living room than a place of business. Of course, Victor made a move to open the door for me but at the same time I reached for the handle, getting there just before him. I turned just in time to see him gritting his teeth, that tick in his jawline jumping.

"Oh sorry… I just…" I didn't finish because he hummed down at me, getting close to my ear, and sending another delicious shiver down my spine for the tenth time tonight.

"Ssshh now, sweet Vanessa."

I swear I nearly stumbled to the floor, tripping over my own feet, and I was forced to right myself when I took a clumsy step inside. Jesus, what was it this man was doing to me?

I just hoped he hadn't noticed it. He hadn't started laughing or anything, so maybe I got away with it. I really envied those graceful women that seemed to have the ability to glide into a room with such sexy confidence, you just knew that they belonged. Like they simply commanded the space around them and forged it into whatever they desired.

Oh, to be that woman.

"Hi, what can I get you?" a pretty redhead said behind the counter. She was wearing a head scarf that matched the flowery pattern of her top, paired with flared jeans.

"I will have a mocha please… oh no, erm… oh, to froth or not to froth…" I hummed to myself, making Victor chuckle behind me. I knew one look at that devastating smile of his and I would be lost for words again, so I purposely ignored it.

"Sorry, can I have a vanilla latte, double shot of espresso but with extra foam please?" I asked, making her tap it into the till. Then I turned to find Victor smirking down at me as if he found my order amusing.

"And for you, sir?" the woman asked.

Without taking his eyes from me, he told her, "Black, Americano."

Of course, he would take it black. I didn't see him being a fancy coffee type of guy anyway.

"That will be 9.75 please," the woman asked, and I turned to rummage through my bag for my wallet, when I heard the peep of a machine. I looked back to see that he had already tapped his card to the reader, making me shoot him a look.

"But I said I would pay," I complained, something he grinned at, and it was one of those rare, full ones that had me near breathless.

"Must have slipped my mind," he teased in a playful tone.

I opened my mouth to say something, although what that would be, I didn't know. Thankfully, the woman behind the counter saved me the embarrassment.

"Take a seat and I will bring them over," the barista said, smirking as she witnessed our exchange.

"Shall we?" Victor said, again like a perfect gentleman, letting me pick our seats.

I decided to opt for one of the booths in the corner. I started to unzip my jacket but before I could shrug it off, his hands were suddenly at my shoulders making me freeze at the contact.

"Here, allow me," he said, the rumble of words spoken close to my ear again.

This time, with his hands on me, there was no way he was missing my shiver, and I wondered if I turned suddenly, would I find a knowing smirk on his lips? In the end, I was simply left needing to clear my throat before offering him a small,

"Thank you."

"You're very welcome, Vanessa," he said in a way as if he knew exactly what it was that he did to me.

I decided that I definitely needed to put space between us, especially if I was to get through this with some dignity intact. So, I stepped away and slid into the seat against the wall as he folded up my jacket and draped it over one of the spare chairs. However, if it was space I wanted, then I didn't get it.

Victor had other ideas and he slid in next to me instead of taking the seat opposite, like I thought he would.

I nearly asked him what he was doing but I think it was obvious, so I saved myself the embarrassment this time. No instead I reminded him,

"Honestly, you can call me Nessa if you want, all my friends do."

He grinned before asking boldly, "And if I wish to be more, what should I call you then?"

I choked on my own saliva and again cursed my inability to be cool. He chuckled before rubbing my back until I calmed. Jesus, his hand felt huge! Praying for calm was a joke around this man. Holy shit, I didn't need coffee, I needed a shot of whiskey!

"Although I am yet to know your last name," he said, and I had to say, I was thankful I had something to say now because I certainly didn't know how to answer his previous question.

"Cadell, my last name is Cadell," I told him, and he scoffed a slight laugh making me give him a quizzical look in return.

"Know many Cadells', do you?" I asked, guessing this was the reason for his reaction.

"There is only one I want to know, but forgive my reaction, it is just the meaning that amused me."

I tried not to blush at this, instead focusing on my next question.

"The meaning?" I asked, turning a little to put a bit more space between us, so my back was to the corner of the curved seat.

"Cadell is derived from an old Welsh word and means battle."

My eyes widened, surprised by not only the knowledge of its meaning but more because he knew this. In fact, I would have commented, but in that moment two things happened. The first being the coffees that were put down in front of us, and the second was the sound of Victor's phone ringing.

Something he answered by looking right at me and saying two words, that for some reason felt significant…

"Hello, Brother…"