The Vampire Playboy - Blood and Lust

Chapter 6

Charlie's POV

I stopped my car and parked just down from Tom's shop. The mystery girl walked towards me, her hair was down today and the dress she wore hugged her figure in all of the right places, causing a swelling between my legs. I watched as the mystery girl turned into Tom's hardware store. That was interesting, what was she doing going there and she appeared to be alone. Tom was going to wonder what the hell I was doing, but before I could catch my head up, my feet had me out of the car and inside his shop at lightning speed. At this point, I'd given up rational thinking. Tom eyed me as soon as I got inside.

"Charles, I wasn't expecting you today."

'Just passing by, who's the new person?" I asked while hoping his bullshit radar wasn't working today.

"Olivia, she's the girl staying with David"

I made my way towards the back of the store, keeping out of sight of Olivia. I watched her. She ran her hands over various fabrics as though she was feeling them for the first time, it was almost childlike. I was amazed at how she seemed to be absorbing it all with every deft swipe of her fingers. Her skin flushed soft pink and my throat burned as I inhaled her scent. Almost catching me off guard, she turned around as though she knew I was there. I dashed to the left without making a sound. As she moved off, picking up and filling her basket with an inordinate amount of pink, I began to watch her again. Mesmerised once again, she turned and once again I dived away. Could she sense I was watching her? She couldn't, no human could unless they were really in tune with their senses.

I watched from behind some shelves as she made her way towards Tom. I heard her shout "No" and once again, before I could think about my actions, I used my speed to move forward faster than the human eye could see and grabbed the vase before it hit the floor. Tom looked on in absolute horror. Damn. How was I going to explain this one?

"Careful," I said instinctively.

She opened her eyes and her jaw fell open.

"Where did you come from? Er, I mean thank you"

"I was right in front of you, didn't you see me, Olivia?" I liked the way her name sounded on my tongue, but damn I was gaslighting her, just like I did to many humans to cover my tracks, but for once I actually felt bad about it. I couldn't explain why.

"How do you know my name?"

"I heard Tom say it when you came in, I'm Charles, but most people call me Charlie. Here, let me help you with some of those things before you drop them."

I began taking things from her when my hand accidentally brushed against the side of hers. I had to compose myself immediately. It felt like someone had sent a high-voltage shock through my body. I knew if I looked at her she would be able to read it in my face, so I turned and made my way to Tom. Olivia followed.

"I'm sure you should be going now, Charles," Tom said as we reached him.

She was looking at me as though she was analysing me, then she blushed once more when she realised I was looking at her. s**t, she was hot when she was embarrassed.

"Charles, shouldn't you be going now?" Tom asked again.

"No no, sure I haven't got any plans this afternoon, and Olivia looks like she could do with some help to get this home, wherever home is."

Tom didn't look pleased with that answer. He shot me a look but began to ring up her items, placing them in bags as he did so.

I couldn't take my eyes off her. I knew Tom had noticed and there would be hell to pay.

"I'll just be a minute, Olivia, with your stuff. Charles, can I talk to you in the back?"

"Look, Tom, before you say anything, I know what David said. I can't describe what this is but I'm drawn to her."

"She's off limits."

"I wouldn't hurt her, I'd never hurt her, but there's something about her."

"She's human Charles! She's fragile in more ways than one. So I'm warning you, leave now." He raised his voice.

"Fine" I spat back as I turned and left the shop. I paced back and forth outside, wondering what the hell to do now. I was screwed with Tom regardless and I needed to know this girl, I wanted to know her. I made the decision then to give her a lift home. I leaned against the car until she emerged with two big bags in hand.

"Here let me give you a lift, you can't walk all the way home with those," I said.

She stood there motionless, so I took the bags from her, put them in the car, then moved round to open the door for her. Surprise took over my face and I had to suppress a smirk when she complied by getting in.

"I can walk, you know," she said sarcastically.

She was feisty. I laughed and let a smirk win.

"I know you can, but it's more fun this way. You're new here?"

"What gave it away?" She replied with even more sarcasm.

I laughed hard.

"Well, yesterday was the first time I've seen you around town and you have a thick Scottish accent, no make that Glasgow accent"

"You know your accents," she mocked.

"I've been around. Are you here for a holiday?"

"Ummm no, I've sort of moved in with my friend Sophie and her dad for a while."

"How long is a while?"

"I guess I don't really know right now. A few months, maybe more, I haven't really worked it out yet."

"Have you been to Richmond Park yet?" Where in the hell did that come from? Richmond Park was my happy place, a place I didn't share with anyone, not even Noah. When I went there it was to be alone.

"No, I only got here yesterday. That's not been part of the whistle-stop tour yet"

I felt a smile pass my lips. I wondered what her mouth tasted like, what she looked like under that dress, what she would feel like.

"Do you fancy going for a walk there?"

"Now? Today? With you?" She turned bright red.

"Yes with me, now, why not?" I suppressed my laugh this time.

"I don't know you."

I laughed and then grinned like a Cheshire cat at how cute she was and how flushed she was around me.

"I'm not a killer, at least not today I'm not" I winked and then continued smiling, if only she knew the truth in that statement, "How about you come on this walk and get to know me? There's a pond with ducks and swans"

"If it would reassure you, why don't you text Sophie and tell her you're with me and I'm taking you to Richmond Park?"

Just as I thought there was no way she would agree and it was a lost cause, she agreed.

"Ok"

I couldn't stop myself from stealing glances at her as we drove. I was sure she kept looking at me too. I didn't need the ego boost but I realised I wanted her to look at me, to want me.

We pulled to a stop in the car park.

"You know, it's cute when you blush." I just couldn't help myself.

I leaned across and brushed a hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. I just wanted an excuse to touch her again to make sure this was real. I deliberately let my finger lightly touch her cheek. Parts of me came alive, my heart beat faster and I wanted to take her in my arms right here and now, but I caught myself and pulled my hand away.

"Come on, we can go for a walk around the pond while the sun is out."

I got out of the car and she followed a few paces behind.

I stopped to let her catch up, and she stumbled into me. Stopping her from falling, I wrapped my arms around her waist. The electric shock went through me again and I couldn't hide my shock as our eyes met. She felt it too, I could see it in her eyes. What was this? How was it happening?

"Careful," I said as I let go.

I wanted to take her hand, to tell her everything about me, who I am and what I am. I didn't want there to be any secrets.

"Why did you bring me here, to just not even talk to me?" She demanded, standing still.

I stopped, placing my hands in my pockets and scuffing my feet on the ground.

She began to walk back in the direction we had just come.

"Wait, don't go, I…I don't know, you confuse me, I can't work you out, you intrigue me" I blurted out.

"You don't know?" She said incredulously. "Wow" and kept on walking at a faster pace.

Panic began to rise in me, I didn't want her to leave, I needed more time with her.

"Stop, please," I said as I gently clasped her hand in desperation. s**t, once again I'd used my speed around her but before I could question myself. The shock of the touch almost knocked me off my feet and caused me to catch my breath. This wasn't normal. She was human, I was sure of that, but I'd never experienced anything like this when touching someone, not a human or vampire.

I dropped her hand like it was too hot to handle, I couldn't help but look at my hand, as though expecting it to be branded, and my gaze fell on Olivia. She stood there statue-like, her hand hanging, her breathing shallow, eyes wide. I definitely wasn't the only one feeling this anytime we touched. It wasn't in my imagination, Olivia felt it too.

I knew her blood smelled good to me, it smelled better than good, but it couldn't be her blood, as much as I really wanted to taste her, it felt more than that, I trusted myself that I wouldn't even try to drink from her, that it wasn't because of my willpower, it was because the mere thought of her being in pain or scared made me want to vomit right here and now.

She was different to every human I'd ever come across and I needed to know her.