The Vampire Playboy - Blood and Lust

Chapter 19

Charlie's POV

I poured myself a glass of whiskey and flopped down on the sofa rubbing my hand to my temple. This afternoon spent with Liv was probably one of the best days I've ever had. I scrolled through my phone randomly selecting a playlist.

Music began to fill my room as I leaned back, taking a sip of my drink and let the words wash over me.

"Take me back to the night we met

I don't know what I'm supposed to do

Haunted by the ghost of you

Oh, take me back to the night we met"

I wished I could go back to that day she first walked into that dumb bar when her scent had hit me. I wouldn't have told Noah I wasn't interested. I'd have claimed her then. I laughed to myself, claimed her. Liv wasn't the type of girl to let anyone claim her, nobody would own her, she was fiercely independent, it was one of the traits I liked about her. She wasn't drawn in like prey, and she didn't fall over Noah and me like others did, our natural hunter features had failed on Liv, no, she seemed more in tune with her instincts and senses than anyone I'd met in a long time. She was unique in a way I'd never experienced and it was me that was drawn to her like I was the prey. The willing victim.

My phone began to vibrate, I looked to see Noah's name flashing up. I took another sip of my drink.

"Hey bro" I answered.

"Hey, what are you up to? I…um wanted to talk to you about Olivia, I mean earlier with Olivia." He replied, sounding uncharacteristically nervous.

"Yeah? I wanted to talk to you about the same thing too, how about you come over? I'm having a drink, so don't bring the car."

"Cool, I'll be there in about 15 minutes"

"See you then."

I sighed and finished my drink. I used my speed to retrieve the crystal decanter and placed it on the table in front of me, refilling my glass. Once again I used my speed to go change into a pair of grey jogging bottoms and a grey t-shirt. I replayed the conversation that I had with Liv about her wanting a car. I knew I should talk it over with Noah before I did anything, he was my best friend after all and they were dating. Just thinking that made my stomach churn. I'd given him my permission, told him to go for it, that I wasn't interested and I couldn't take that back. The fact that he wanted to talk about earlier meant he must like her. I shook my head. I couldn't do anything about that but I could do something to help her get a car.

I put the phone to my ear and listened to it ring.

"Hello, welcome to Reid's Automotive, how may I help you today?"

"This is Charlie Thomas of the Thomas group, I'd like to speak to Mr Reid please," I commanded.

"Yes, of course right away, just one moment please"

Classical music began to play as I was put on hold, I knew I wouldn't be on hold long, I had a long history and valuable account with Grey Reid and his company.

"Charlie, my boy, nice to hear from you, how can I help you?"

"Reid, good to talk to you, I have a bit of a delicate request to make of you."

"Of course Charlie, you know we can be discreet. How can I help?"

"I have a friend that I'd like to buy a car for, however, this friend won't accept it if they know it's from me or that I've arranged this."

"I see, first off what kind of car were you thinking? New or used?"

"Hmmm I hadn't thought too much about it yet, she would probably feel more comfortable with a used car however I would feel more comfortable with her in something new."

"I see, and this friend, is she local?"

"Yes."

"May I make a suggestion?"

"Of course Grey, I would appreciate that," I replied matter of factly.

"We have the new model of the Volvo XC60 due to come from the manufacturer in two weeks' time. Top of the range, not even on the forecourt yet. How about I run a so-called competition locally, I tell everyone that each person living in the area will have their name entered into a prize draw to win one of these cars. You give me the name of your friend and I'll take care of the rest, you get to give them the car anonymously and my company gets some free publicity."

I laughed, I had to hand it to the man. He was good.

"You've got yourself a deal, tell her that all repairs and insurance will also be covered yearly, I'll have my accountant call you tomorrow to sort out the fine details. Much appreciated Grey, I'll be in touch"

I put the phone down and laughed. That worked out much better than I planned. Liv would be in a top-of-the-range car, a safe cat that wouldn't cost her a penny and she would never know that I had anything to do with it.

"Charlie?" I heard Noah call from the entrance.

"In the living room, grab yourself a glass" I shouted back as I finished my glass once again.

Noah appeared before my eyes, throwing himself on the sofa opposite, putting his feet over the arms of the chair.

"Whisky? Must be serious" he said with his eyebrow raised.

I filled his glass and then mine. I took a deep breath.

"Before you say anything, I spent the afternoon with Liv, Olivia."

He sat up straight and looked at me, narrowing his eyes, he took a sip of his drink.

"I bumped into her at Richmond Park, and apologised for being a d**k to her today"

"Good saves me telling you to do it, though I am surprised, you never apologise to anyone let alone admit you've been a d**k"

I smirked.

"For once in my life, I felt guilty for what I said. I had no idea otherwise I wouldn't have said it. She didn't deserve that and I felt bad."

"Did she accept your apology? Because you've kind of been nothing but a d**k to her since you met her, she can't understand why you don't like her and well neither do I, bro."

I took a long sip of my drink, letting the cool liquid burn the back of my throat, buying me valuable seconds while I thought about how to answer it.

"I believe she did, I'll try to be less of a d**k to her in future but I can't promise anything. There's something else."

"Go on" he commended.

"She mentioned that she's saving up to try to buy a car, so as a further way to apologise, I've arranged for her to win a new car. I'm telling you because you're my friend and you're dating her, but she won't ever have any idea it's from me."

"That's very generous of you"

"As I said, you're my best friend, you're dating her and I felt bad for today. I could tell my words hurt her more than I'd intended."

"Won't argue with you on that. What kind of car did you go for?"

"I didn't pick it. Grey Reid is sorting it, he's suggested the new model of the Volvo XC60 as he's getting them in two weeks' time" I shrugged my shoulders.

"If a new car lessens your guilt and gets my girlfriend a new car then I'm not going to complain. But I need you to lay off her a bit, she thinks you hate her."

"I don't hate her," I said through gritted teeth. How could she think I hate her and did he just call her his girlfriend?

"Oh come on, you're a giant ar*ehole to her anytime she's close by. You're never nice to her."

"I'm never nice to anyone" I state dryly.

"True" he smirks, "but you're never this standoffish"

"She's your girl, not mine" I growled in reply.

Noah laughed.

"All I'm asking is that you be a bit more friendly. I like this one"

"Like her?" I was startled. Just how much did he like her? Where did he see this going?

"Yeah, I mean as much as a vampire can like a human, don't get me wrong, I don't want to make her one of us or even tell her about us but I can see this lasting a few months maybe. She's young and interesting. I have a genuine attraction to her, but you know me. I've got no desire to sire anyone and I'm not a long-term kind of guy"

I nodded. I knew all of this, but I couldn't help wanting to punch him in the nuts knowing that he might potentially hurt Liv. She's had enough hurt. But what was the alternative? She's with Noah, she couldn't ever be mine. And the fact Noah has just told me he likes her rules out me ever going there. Sure we've shared in the past but when one of us actually likes someone, admittedly more Noah than me, the other has always respected that and that girl became off-limits permanently.

I didn't do relationships, sure I'd date someone maybe for a few weeks but that was it. I'd had one serious relationship in my long life and I swore I'd never do that again. Noah liked to date humans and vampires alike, some for a few weeks, months or years, but sooner or later he liked to move onto a new life and leave that old one behind which usually meant leaving the girlfriend behind. Is that what he was planning to do to Liv?

I didn't want that for her, but I couldn't interfere. Above everything, my friendship with Noah came first. He and I had been through the best and worst of times together. He pulled me out of a dark time in my life and taught me how to live again. I owed him everything, I owed him my life.

"Are you thinking about Alexandra?" Noah said, as though he could read where my thoughts had gone.

"I don't want to talk about her" I growled.

"Understood." He took a sip of his drink, "I'm pretty sure David is trying to work up ways to drive a stake through my heart or decapitate me that don't break the council's rules"

I snorted with laughter.

"You're lucky looks can't kill. You didn't compel her though did you?" I asked half-jokingly, half seriously.

"Ask no questions and I shall tell you no lies."

"Noah, come on, tell me you didn't, you can't compel someone to go out with you, you know you can't, David will demand Tom has your head on a plate if he gets proof" I could feel my tone change and become stern. Surely he wouldn't do that to her? Compel her to go on a date with him? I know I was surprised when he said she had agreed as she seemed uninterested in him but he wouldn't stoop to that level?

"Relax, of course, I didn't, she wanted to date me," he said, rolling his eyes and taking a sip of his drink before topping his and mine up again.

He wouldn't meet my eye, and I wasn't convinced he was telling me the truth, I wasn't prepared to press it though. We had always worked on honesty and I wasn't about to question his honesty now, it would only lead to him asking questions about Liv and I would have to lie or cause trouble between Noah and me.