Underneath the expensive suit and trappings of modernity is a knight itching to get his battle plan finalized.
I sit up and rub my eyes. My memories of the previous evening's events add to the sense of unreality that fills me – the walk along the waterfront was the last moment when I felt truly myself. After that, it was as if I've been transported to a different world – Julien's world. The confrontation when I almost denied him entrance to the room, the cutting, the revelations, his body next to mine on the bed, the image of him in the bathroom struggling against the sound of his own desire – only a few weeks ago, I could never imagine how any of it could happen to someone like me.
I get out of bed and go into the bathroom, needing a shower. I lodge my overnight bag against the door – not that it will keep him out if he truly wants to come, but it might keep the door from opening a crack. I undress and turn on the water, enjoying the hot sting of it.
As I wash, I think about him, remember moments from last night. Intimacy's a strange thing – the man's embraced me, lain on top of me, rubbed his face on my neck, in my hair, kissed me, and yet he's a stranger emotionally to me. I know more about his life than most people, and yet he's an unknown. He's another creature. I feel inexorably bound to him and yet he's a stranger. It's Stockholm Syndrome. He's been holding me emotional hostage since that day he rescued me. I'm starting to identify with him, as captives eventually do their hostage-taker.
As I shampoo my hair, I think about having sex with him. The truth is that in the few disappointing relationships I've had, being drunk was about the only way I could relax enough to do it and even then it was a blur. Oh, I felt desire, sometimes so much I felt it would suffocate me, but when it came to doing it, I balked like a frightened doe at the sound of a cocked gun. I couldn't let myself go. Michel was right about me. I need someone strong to take responsibility for my desire. Or therapy.
Or both.
I finish and dry off, dressing in my change of clothes that hangs on the back of the bathroom door so the steam will draw out the wrinkles. I wear little makeup – just a bit of mascara and lipstick. I pull my hair back into a ponytail. If you looked at me, you'd never know I spent the night with a vampire warrior next to me.
When I emerge from the bathroom, he's reading the local paper, holding it up for closer inspection while sipping his coffee. I can't help myself and smile as I fold my nightgown and tuck my things back into my overnight bag.
He glances over. "What are you smiling about?"
I shake my head, biting my lip to stop my smile from broadening.
"You sitting there, looking like Clark Kent ready to go out to the world in your business suit disguise, superhero hiding underneath."
"It's a good analogy except for the 'hero' part." He turns back to the paper, a smile on his lips. "I'm offended. Antihero, thank you very much. They're so much more fun."
I zip up the bag and then pick up my briefcase and sort through the papers inside. He puts his paper down and turns to face me.
"So, how are you today? Recovered from last night?"
"Have you?" I say, thinking of him in the bathroom.
He turns away and shakes his paper, folding it up. "Never better."
"I have to pack up. My flight's this afternoon. I'll be going to the lab for the morning then I'll go right to the airport after lunch."
He stands and buttons his jacket. "Vasily will take you to the lab and stay with you. Then he'll go with you on the flight. I don't fly commercial."
"I don't want him following me around everywhere, Sir Julien."
"Mmm,Sir. How I love that." He comes over to me and brushes a strand of hair from my face. "You have to promise me that when you finally offer yourself to me, you'll call me that."
I turn away from him and fumble with my shoes.
"What am I supposed to say, ‘Here I am? Come and get it?’" His certainty that I will do it irritates me and I can’t keep the frustration and anger out of my voice.
"That's nice," he says and turns me around, bending down to look in my face, "but I was thinking more like,Oh, please, I need you now." He lifts my chin. "That'll do it, yes it will. Why, I imagine if you say it with that sweet little voice of yours, I might not even make it across the room."
I brush by him. "Don't hold your breath."
He laughs. "I'd have been dead dead long ago if I'd done that."
I pick up my coat and scarf and then look around the room.
"I've already paid and its automatic checkout so I'll just go now."
"Vasily can drive us over to the lab."
"I'd prefer to walk."
"Eve, you just can't walk around by yourself anymore."