“We’re actually doing the same with another historic house in Thorne Hill,” I tell them.
“That big white one in the woods?” Thomas asks excitedly.
“Yeah, it’s been a slow process since we’re trying to keep as much of it original or at least period appropriate.” I look at Lucas. “It helps that he lived through the time the house was built.”
“Can we ask how old you are?” Thomas asks, wincing at his words. “Or is that poor taste?”
“Slightly, but you can ask,” Lucas says. “And I was turned in the three hundreds.”
“So, you’re like…” Derek has to stop and do the math. “Sixteen… seventeen hundred?”
“Yes.”
“Wow.” Both vampires eye Lucas with awe. “We’d love to get to know you a little better,” Thomas says. “Would you like to go get a drink? The bar down the street serves bottled blood.”
“I don’t drink bottle blood,” Lucas shoots back, and I elbow him. He should go, warn these vamps to keep their distance and to find out for sure if the whole “Mindy told me your name” story checks out.
“Oh.” Derek’s eyes to go me, looking at the bite wounds on my neck. “I never caught your name,” he tells me, and I realize I never introduced myself. He holds out his hand.
“Callie,” I say, and I shake his hand. “And I think it would nice for you to get to know Lucas better. He’s pretty great, but I might be a little biased since I’m married to him.” I ignore the side-eye Lucas is giving me for suggesting he go socialize. “We just have to finish up here and then he can meet you.”
“Really?” Thomas asks, trying not to look excited. “You’re welcome to come too.”
“I have plans with friends, so it’s perfect.”
“We’re going to check out the darling decorations. Should we meet you back here?” Derek asks Lucas, who grumbles a yes in response. The vampires say bye and head down the street to the bar.
“And I thought you loved me,” Lucas says.
“Don’t be so dramatic,” I tell him and go back to the table. “Keep your friends close and enemies closer. We have no idea if the VC is trying to use them to get to you,” I whisper. “Having a drink—or not having drink in your case—is a good way to get info.”
“That doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
I laugh and pass out candy, giving out big handfuls now that we’re getting close to the end of the night. I send Betty home once trick-or-treating officially ends. Lucas helps me take everything inside, do a quick sweep of the store, and lock up for the night. We leave through the front, stopping to say our goodbyes before going in separate directions. Derek and Thomas are across the street, and wave before crossing.
“I’ll see you at home.” I stand on my toes and give Lucas a kiss, acting as if that pissed-off look on his face isn’t really there…and seeing him all moody and broody isn’t doing bad things to me. “Try to have fun.”
“You’re going to owe me for this,” he counters, locking his hands around my slender waist.
“I’m not taking it up the ass,” I deadpan.
“I was thinking more along the lines of you in a costume of my choice, you on your knees with your hair wrapped around my fingers and my cock in your mouth.”
Heat rushes through me as I visualize that, not caring that anyone around us more than likely heard what he said. Though I think it’s fair to say Lucas talking dirty can turn anyone on, even when his words are directed at me and me alone.
“Metal bikini again?” I sink my bottom teeth into my lip and step in closer, pressing my hips against his.
“I was thinking something more restrictive this time. I was always a fan of the corset, well, particularly in ripping them off.”
“I do like the thought of you tearing my clothes off.” I run my hands down his chest and hook my fingers through his belt loops.
“You better watch your mouth before I rip them off right here.”
“Did you all forget you were in public?” Ruby’s voice comes from a few feet behind us, and I turn from Lucas, seeing her on the sidewalk with an amused look on her face. And then she notices the vampires awkwardly standing to the side, waiting for Lucas to untangle himself from me so they can go get that drink.
“He has a way of doing that to me,” I laugh and force myself to let go of Lucas. “I though you left with the kids already.”
“Their parents were able to come at the last minute,” she tells me, still eyeing the vampires. “I’ll get a ride back with Professor Brown…whenever he gets his butt out of the bar. Which, judging by the way he was double-fisting beers, might be a while.”