The Vampire Playboy - Blood and Lust

Chapter 15

Olivia's POV

I looked down at the bowl of spaghetti with meatballs in front of me and tried to remember again how exactly I'd come to be here. Sophie and I had woken this morning in my bed having fallen asleep during our Twilight movie marathon. I felt better and went to my early shift as planned. At some point during the shift, Noah had come to O'Malley's and I'd agreed to go out on a date with him that evening. The details of that conversation were somewhat hazy, and I felt like I'd been on autopilot since that conversation that I couldn't recall, finishing my shift, going home, telling Sophie and David I was going on a date with Noah, getting ready for said date and then being here and ordering a dish that I didn't really like. Even the dress I was wearing just wasn't something I'd wear on a first date on a weeknight. It was my little black dress and a pair of strappy black heels that I seldom wore. This was all so out of character for me. Sophie had commented on it and I didn't have any real comeback as I couldn't explain it myself.

But here I sat eating a meal I'd never order as I wasn't a fan of meatballs, drinking a glass of red wine which I normally hate, across the table from a guy who looked incredible. That wasn't an exaggeration, he wore a pair of dark jeans that hugged all of the right places and a black fitted short-sleeved shirt that strained and pushed against the muscles in his arms and chest every time he moved. The conversation had flowed like chit-chat and, for me, it almost felt like an out-of-body experience, where I'd floated outside of my body and was looking down, observing everything going on. I was talking and engaging but my mind just wasn't absorbing most of it. Was I having a nice time? I couldn't even figure that out, to be honest.

David hadn't been pleased when I told him I wanted to go out on a date with Noah, but told me he respected that it had been my choice.

"Olivia?" Noah said whilst waving his hand in front of my face.

"Huh? Oh sorry I was lost in my mind there. I missed what you said."

He laughed, "I just asked if you wanted more wine?"

My glass was empty. When did that happen?

"Oh no, I'm good thanks. I might have a dessert though if you fancy it?" I said, smiling.

Noah's face glowed a light bulb, "I'm up for that. I thought maybe we could pop into O'Malley's before I take you home? But only if you want to?"

"Um sure." I wasn't sure but I'd never been on a date before and had no clue of the etiquette here, also I felt guilty about the fact I kept zoning out to a land far away in my head.

"So Noah, is this your usual place for taking girls out on dates?" I teased.

He shifted awkwardly in his seat and lowered his head. "Actually, I usually just take girls to O’Malley’s. I only bring girls here that I like and never for a first date."

"Wow, I'm flattered". I laughed "Do you go on a lot of dates?"

"Going straight in there, yeah you could say that."

"And do many of these girls turn into girlfriends?" Oh s**t, I was going there.

A grin spread across his face. "I feel like I'm under the spotlight, I've had a few girlfriends, but nothing long-term. But to anticipate your next question. I'm not just looking for a good time or a few dates with you, I hope this turns into something long-term."

"Long term!" I laughed loudly, causing the table behind us to look over, "I think you might need to slow down a wee bit, we barely know each other."

"Mmm, but getting to know each other is the fun part."

My stomach twisted with unease. How was I going to tell him I didn't do that? That I wasn’t like the other girls he's dated without it sounding like I was being derogatory?

"I…I um." I'm so lame. "Are you ready to go to O'Malley's?" I asked, quickly changing the subject and then regretting just how awkward I'd make things.

Noah disappeared, presumably to get the bill. I quickly pulled out my phone and sent off a text begging Sophie to come to O’Malley’s. Has the date been that bad? No, it hadn't, I had to concede that, despite my weird feeling, I'd enjoyed Noah's company and he had made me laugh. Did I want to see him again? I wasn't sure, it was probably too early for me to make that call. He was open about wanting this to be more than just one date and I had to admire that amount of honesty.

When he came back, I quickly put my phone away, before following him out to his car. Had he picked me up and driven me here? Did Sophie or David drive me? I had no idea, that was weird.

He opened the door for me and I climbed inside. Without warning and with no obvious reason that I could tell, I felt terrified, like a bucket of ice had been tipped over me and an awful gnawing feeling of dread filled my stomach. Noah climbed into the driver's side and looked at me.

"I…I think I'm just going to get Sophie to get me" I stuttered, trying to keep my composure.

A strange look briefly came over Noah's face before it was gone again and he placed his hand on my knee slightly and then squeezed my hand. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to get out of the car, to just run and don't stop.

I looked at Noah and opened my mouth to say something but nothing would come out, it was like the words were stuck in my throat, and then it was like I wasn't in the car, my body was but I wasn't, I was floating on a cloud or dreaming.

I could hear Noah but couldn't focus on his face.

"It's all OK, this moment has passed, you don't feel scared of me, you're OK, you're having a good time, you're happy to go for a drink with me," Noah said. It didn't make sense, but it felt like he was commanding me rather than soothing but soothed I felt. The rush of fear and panic was gone. I no longer wanted to jump out of the car. I felt relaxed and happy.

"Sorry about that, I don't know what happened there, I guess I'm just so new to this dating thing" I shrugged my shoulders, trying to hide my embarrassment.

"You've really never dated much?"

I laughed. "Try at all, I had one boyfriend at school but we didn't go on a date and I don't even think you could call it a proper relationship. I don't even think he was really into me, he just… Never mind. So, yeah, this is my first official date." I smiled, feeling shy.

"Well, I'm honored to have taken you on your first official date and I hope this won't be our last."

As we exited the car to go into O'Malley's, Noah unexpectedly took my hand. His hand was kind of cold to touch. I saw Sophie sitting at the bar chatting with Carmella and Sadie. Sadie spotted us as soon as we came through the door, her gaze dropped to our hands, causing a broad grin to spread across her face, prompting Sophie to turn around. Her eyes widened, then a smirk appeared on her face. I waved toward her and gestured for her to come. Noah guided me to a table which I realised wasn't empty. Charlie was sitting there with a blonde on the seat next to him. In fact, her chair was so close to him that she might as well be on his lap. Charlie looked up, motioning his jaw upwards at Noah with a look that I didn't understand.

"Who's this?" Noah asked as he sat down.

"I'm Jill" the blonde giggled.

"I'm Noah, and this is Olivia."

Jill giggled and whispered something in Charlie's ear, causing him to smirk.

"Where have you two been?" Charlie asked.

"Dinner", Noah replied curtly.

"A date?" Jill giggled.

She was getting on my nerves already. Why did all girls seem to lose their damn minds around these two?

"Erm yeah, a date," I answered.

Sadie approached the table with Sophie behind her.

"Hey, Sophie! Why don't you join us?" I asked a bit too enthusiastically. She took a seat next to me. Jill the blonde nuzzled herself into Charlie's neck.

I saw Sophie roll her eyes and I stifled a laugh.

"Can I get you guys anything?" Sadie asked.

"I'll take the same again," Charlie said

"Me too" Jill giggled, momentarily breaking herself free from Charlie to say it.

"Nothing for me. I've got work in the morning so I have to head back soon. Do you want a lift, Olivia?"

"Yeah, that would be good."

Noah looked wounded and I felt guilty. Maybe I should order a drink? I mean the date wasn't bad.

"Could I just have a glass of water?" I replied.

Sadie looked at Noah, "Bottle of bud please."

As he turned around, I saw Sadie with a massive grin giving me two thumbs up and I felt heat flush into my cheeks. She was back moments later with the drinks.

"Shouldn't you and Jill be getting home?" Noah asked.

Charlie smirked but didn't answer.

"Sorry to break up this party and cut your date short, but I've got to get home. Do you want a lift?"

"Yeah, thanks, that would be good," I replied. "Thanks for tonight Noah, I had a nice time." I smiled as I stood up.

"Maybe we could do it again?" Noah asked.

"Yeah, I think maybe I'd like that" I replied, taking myself by surprise.

Noah grinned, "I'll call you?"

I nodded as I turned to walk away.

"Hey, Olivia!" Noah called as I reached the door with Sophie.

I hadn't heard him behind me but when I turned around he was right there.

I didn't get a chance to ask him what he wanted before his mouth was on mine. His tongue not waiting for an invitation, it searched for mine as his hand wrapped around my waist. I could taste the bud but it wasn't unpleasant, nor was the kiss, it was wet and soft and not like when I'd kissed before. This wasn't a curious kiss from a teenage boy, no, this was someone who knew what they were doing. His lips pulled at mine before going in deeper and then he broke apart.

He smirked and, for some bizarre reason, I immediately looked over at Charlie, who was looking at us blankly. His eyes met mine and I thought I saw a flash of anger before he turned away.

"I've been wanting to do that all night," Noah whispered in my ear.

I looked at Sophie, who stood next to me bemused.

"Um thanks" I cracked and felt my face turn scarlet.

Noah laughed loudly as he turned back to his seat, leaving me standing there.