Bitten By The Bad Boy: A Bad Boy Vampire Romance (3 page)

A high-necked dress and a simple chignon later, Kyra and her friends slid into the cab. She exchanged a meaningful look with the driver and passed him a fifty to keep quiet. Bree directed him to the piano bar and they were off.

“K, your wardrobe is seriously lacking.” Reina complained again about the lack of options for her to borrow. “I look ridiculous.”

“Rey, you’re wearing my lingerie. I told you to pick a dress.” Kyra chastised.

“This is the closest thing you had to something I would wear. But it’s so long.” Reina whined.

Kyra noticed the cabbie steal a glance in the rearview mirror. She rolled her eyes at Bree over Reina’s head. “I’m so sorry that it will take that much more work to show off your ass tonight.”

“It’s not about showing off my ass. It’s about being comfortable.” Reina retorted. She folded her arms under her generous bust and winked at the cabbie in the rearview. Her hot pink bra peeked out from beneath the skimpy black satin and lace.

“I just hope they let you in.” Bree muttered as she pulled at the hem of the dress she’d borrowed. It was the longest one Kyra owned, but Bree had about six inches on Kyra. The little black dress was really little on Bree and barely hit her mid-thigh.

“You both could have gone home and used your own clothes.” Kyra reminded them with a chuckle. She felt really good – alive. Smells were stronger, sounds were louder, and her friends’ bodies were warmer.

They strolled into the piano bar and Reina immediately scanned the room for a familiar face. She waved to a table at the far end and made it obvious enough that the host took notice. Reina knew how to play the game and she played it well, better than anybody Kyra had ever seen.

“We’d like to sit with my friends, just over there.” Reina flirted with the host and waved again at the two men. The older gentleman nodded at the host and gestured for him to let them pass. “Come along, girls. Let’s have some fun.”

“What is she getting us into now?” Bree whispered in Kyra’s ear and they both chuckled.

Reina sidled up to the table, and both men stood and bowed their greetings to her. “Ladies, allow me to introduce Dominic Chartreaux and his charming son, Oliver. Gentlemen, these are my very closest friends, Kyra Donovan and Bree Chastain.”

The father and son team motioned for the ladies to join them as waiters appeared with enough chairs to accommodate them. “Reina, it is a pleasure to see you again. Oliver tells me you’ve made plans to do a skydiving shoot in Brazil next month.” Dominic Chartreaux was the very definition of a silver fox, no lines on his face betraying his true age. Kyra could not place his accent but noticed it on certain syllables. 

“I asked Oliver to accompany me on the trip but he said you have business.” Reina feigned a pout for Dominic’s benefit.

“I’m sure we could release Oliver for a few days. We would not want our Reina traveling around Brazil without an escort.” Dominic leaned toward his son, “accompany Miss Reina to Brazil. I am certain you can use the vacation.”

“Yes, father.” Oliver’s eyes flashed. He had been studying Bree and responded absentmindedly. “What do you do for a living, Ms. Chastain?”

“A little of this, a little of that.” Bree replied nonchalantly. She was clearly not interested in the dashing, ebony-haired Oliver Chartreaux. Kyra stifled a laugh. This could be entertaining. The father wanted Reina, who wanted his son, who seemed to want what Bree had to offer.

Kyra ordered a glass of red wine and sat back to enjoy the show. She lost track of how many glasses she emptied as her own personal RomCom unfolded before her, set to the music of dueling pianists. Kyra drank until Reina and Bree forced her out of the bar and into a cab between them.

“Could you have been any more rude?” Reina chastised Bree. “Oliver is interested in you.”

“But you are interested in Oliver.” Bree pointed out. “And I’m not interested in him – at all.”

Reina turned away from them and looked out the window. “You’ve never been so discerning before, Bree.”

“That’s not fair, Rey.” Bree’s tone softened. “Something about Oliver just made me feel wrong.”

Kyra burst out laughing, the first sound she’d made in hours. “That was funny. It was like my own personal movie. Come on, Rey, you know Bree likes blondes. Man or woman, Bree is all about the towheads.” Both Bree and Reina turned to look at her as she clutched her stomach and kept laughing. Bree snickered and Rey finally joined in.

“I miss this, Kyra.” Rey leaned over and whispered in her ear. “You really did need a vacation.”

Kyra sobered a little at the mention of her vacation. Now seemed as good a time as any to fill them in on the truth of it all. She squeezed their hands and opened the flood gates, “About my vacation….”

Chapter Three

Lips tracing her neckline, hands mauling her breasts. Kyra writhed under her man, his hair hanging over his face so that she could not see it. She could feel him though. And smell him. Holy shit, he smelled amazing. Kyra inhaled deeply. He smelled like chocolate and spice and…coffee. No, that wasn’t right. Kyra’s eyes snapped open, her lover disappeared into thin air and left her unsatisfied. She almost sobbed at the loss.

Reina stood over her with a mug of coffee in each hand. “Same guy?”

Kyra nodded as she sat up and accepted the coffee. It smelled incredible but tasted a little too bitter. She decided that Rey must be hungover, it’s the only time she’d make coffee so strong. Kyra scooted over to make room for her friend in the big bed.

“Not that I’m complaining about having Fun Kyra around this week, but you’ve not been sleeping well.” Reina put her head on Kyra’s shoulder. “I really missed Fun Kyra but I don’t want you to burn out. Between your super strength at the gym and late night partying, even I’m worried.”

“Well if you’re worried then by all means, have me committed.” Kyra responded wryly.

“You know what I mean, K.” Reina’s voice quivered.

“Rey, I’m fine. Look at me.” Kyra set the coffee mug down and jumped out of bed. “I feel amazing. I think you’re right, all I needed was a little vacation. It’s not like my dreams are nightmares, they just leave me wanting more.”

“But it’s not like you haven’t had a chance to take somebody home.” Reina countered. “Last night there were at least six guys who would have killed to take my place in the cab but you sent them all away.”

“I didn’t like any of them, Rey.” Kyra peeked out the window. It was raining. There was more to it, there was something about that guy. “Let’s go to Blade again tonight.”

“No. We have dinner plans, remember?” Reina frowned.

Kyra sifted through memories. Her inner calendar always shut down when she was off work. Part of why she loathed vacations. Especially forced ones. Then she remembered, they had dinner reservations at Haven. Bree’s new gig as a bartender meant she could have two guests in for a meal once a month. Tonight was their night and it had been planned for weeks. Kyra rubbed her eyes and feigned sleepiness. “I forgot. You know, vacation brain and all. Shall we hit the gym first?”

Reina hesitated. She wasn’t entirely convinced but she agreed. “Okay, but you can take that spinning class by yourself. I’m going for a swim.” Reina chugged her coffee and leaped off the bed with her usual flourish. “Now get ready because I’m gonna need time to beautify myself for tonight. Bree says there is a gorgeous waiter just waiting for me to heal his poor broken heart.”

Kyra burst out laughing. She felt lighter than she had in a long time – and ready to hit the gym. “I’ll be ready in five.”

It took three minutes for Kyra to bounce out of her room and another ten minutes to jog to the gym beside Reina on her bike. She wasn’t even winded when they arrived. The rain had let up for the moment but a light mist hung in the air, cool and clean against Kyra’s face. She followed Reina in but took a different hall down to the classrooms. Rey hadn’t been kidding about not going to a spinning class with her. Kyra wondered if there was a cute lifeguard on duty. Or maybe Rey just felt like diving off the high dive some more. Kyra popped on a bike and started cycling before class even started. She worked at a casual pace until the rest of the women – and one man – caught up.

Kyra didn’t break a sweat while everyone around her dripped it by the bucket load. The poor instructor looked incredulously at Kyra as she continued pedaling after the class ended. Even after the others wiped down their machines and left the room. Kyra didn’t stop until Reina appeared in front of her.

“Kyra! Time to go, chick. You know how long it takes me to get ready.” Reina tried to cover her amusement with impatience.

“Fine, fine.” Kyra slid off the bike and wiped it down. “Let’s go, Curly Sue.”

Reina winced. She didn’t like her head full of brown ringlets. She punched Kyra playfully in the arm. “You know I hate that name. Don’t be a jerk.”

“Alright, let’s go get ready so you can hit on the hot waiter with a full arsenal tonight.” Kyra grinned and led the way out of the gym.

“You didn’t even break a sweat, did you?” Reina asked on the walk home, oddly focused on the front wheel of her bike.

Kyra stole a sidelong glance at her friend. “Nope. Not even a little.”

“Those protein shakes are pretty amazing, huh?” Reina sighed. “Maybe I should give ‘em a try.”

“Not today. Today we are dining at one of the finest restaurants in town, courtesy of our best friend and another of her many jobs.” Kyra slid an arm around her friend’s shoulder and pulled them both to a stop. “But if you want to start the smoothies with me tomorrow, we can do that.”

“Deal.” Reina affirmed. “Unless I go home with waiter boy. Then it will have to wait for the next day.”

Kyra laughed. “Fair enough. Do we need to swing by your place for something to wear?”

“Nope.” Reina chuckled, “I’ll just raid your lingerie again since you’re not putting it to good use.”

“I really don’t think Bree would approve. This is not our usual hangout, Rey.” Kyra warned.

“I’m kidding.” Reina rolled her eyes. “I’ve got a dress at your house already. I picked up some clothes yesterday and left them at your place.”

“So you’re babysitting me?” Kyra accused playfully.

“Nope, you live closer to all the action. We can walk to Haven from your house which means no money for a cab.” Reina kicked off onto her bike and took off down the street. “I’m showering first!”

By the time Kyra returned home, Reina was already singing in the shower at the top of her lungs. Her voice carried down the hall, a song that was reminiscent of their college years. Kyra smiled and dropped her gym bag by the door, she’d need it again tomorrow.

“About time you made it back, slow poke.” Reina stepped out of the bathroom with a towel around her hair and nothing else, just as Kyra entered the bedroom. “I left you a little hot water.”

“Gee, thanks.” Kyra edged by her friend and hopped into the shower. By a little hot water, her friend meant none. The icy droplets splattered against her skin and forced her to hurry her cleansing rituals yet again. She hopped out and wrapped her body in a towel, pausing to look herself over in the mirror.

Kyra traced her fingertips down her jaw to her neck where the remnants of the two bumps were fading into nothing. She hadn’t thought about them since that morning. Three days ago. She wondered a little about what happened but it was still foggy. For some reason, the concerns she’d shared with her friends had diminished.

“Come on, I need some mirror time.” Reina popped her head in and jarred Kyra from her reverie. She stepped into the doorway looking stunning in a short red dress that left little to the imagination.

“Bree is gonna kill you if you show up in that.” Kyra scolded.

“Relax, I have a jacket to wear. I won’t embarrass her.” Reina dropped her cosmetics bag on the sliver of counter space available. “Now scoot, get yourself dressed and I’ll do your hair.”

Kyra pulled her towel tighter about her body and slid by her friend. She’d planned on wearing slacks and a blouse tonight but knew Reina would stage an accident to ruin it so she’d have to change. Kyra shuffled through her clothes and withdrew something both friends would find suitable. She allowed Reina to pin her dark brown hair into an elaborate design and even apply some subtle makeup. It felt strange doing all of this without Bree but they’d see her soon enough. “Do you think Bree will keep this gig?”

Reina chuckled as she pulled the straps of her shoe in place. “This is Bree we’re talking about. I don’t care how excited she is about this place, she’s not the kind to stay at any job for too long. You know it, I know it, and even Bree knows it. So, let’s go get a fancy dinner out of it before she quits.”

“Fair enough.” Kyra stood by the door while Reina tested her weight on the stiletto heels. “You really could have picked a better pair of shoes, Rey.”

“No way! These are new and I saved for three months to buy them.” Reina tottered toward the door and made it halfway before tripping. Kyra caught her before she landed and managed to right her.

They stared at each other in shock. “How did I do that?” Kyra whispered.

“Protein shakes?” Reina mumbled. “Maybe I should pick different shoes.”

“No, go with the shoes.” Kyra tried to control the quiver in her voice. “We need to go or we’ll miss the reservation.”

Reina recovered, or she just covered her confusion well. “Okay, but stay close, just in case.”

“You’ll be walking like a pro by the time we get to Haven.” Kyra assured her friend.

They were silent on the walk. Kyra slowed her pace to walk beside Reina, just in case. She kept replaying her incredible reaction time in her head.
How had that happened? Maybe the extra gym time was affecting her reflexes? But how did she cover that much space so quickly
?

“We have a reservation for seven, we’re Bree’s guests.” Reina nudged Kyra as she addressed the hostess.

Kyra snapped back to reality and smiled at the hostess herself, a somber but not unpleasant looking collegiate type. She annoyed Kyra for some reason. Something about her was vaguely familiar but she couldn’t place the girl. “Do I know you?” Kyra blurted as the hostess led them to a table near the bar.

“You should.” The woman stopped and set one menu down for Reina and then practically threw the other one at Kyra. “You stole my boyfriend.”

“What?” Reina tried to ease the tension with her sweetest smile. “You must be mistaken. Kyra doesn’t have a boyfriend.”

“Oh no?” The hostess scowled. “The other night at Excalibur, tall, blonde guy name Connor? Ring a bell, bitch?”

“Hey, I really don’t know who you are or who your boyfriend is but I assure you, I don’t have a boyfriend. I think you have me mistaken with somebody else.” Kyra slid into the seat and opened the menu in an effort to defuse the situation.

“Heidi, back off.” Bree appeared at their table, eyes hard, jaw locked. She could be menacing when necessary. “I told you, Kyra didn’t steal Connor. They danced, she left, we were with her all night and I assure you, Connor wasn’t there. Now for fuck’s sake, stop making a fool of yourself and do your job.”

“Sorry about that.” Bree watched Heidi leave before smiling down at Kyra. “That girl has a screw loose. She’s pretty much bat-shit crazy but the owner is her cousin, so there’s that.”

“Did I really dance with her boyfriend?” Kyra asked.

“Nope, I don’t think so. He didn’t look familiar to me.” Bree shrugged, “and the club she thinks this happened at…it’s not one we’ve been to before. Again. Bat-shit Crazy.”

“Who are your friends, Bree?” A pimple-faced waiter popped up beside their table pulling all of their attention away from Heidi the Hostess. “And what’d they do to piss off crazy-pants?”

“Oh! Hi Nick,” Bree’s features relaxed. “These are my best friends, Reina and Kyra. Take good care of them tonight, ‘kay?”

“Yeah, sure.” Nick turned up the charm, “what can I get you ladies to drink?”

“How about starting us off with two waters and a bottle of your house red?” Reina flashed her 100-watt grin at Nick.

Nick flushed at the attention and stammered his understanding. He practically tripped over the next table and two of the bar stools on his way to fill their drink orders. Reina leaned forward and giggled.

“You are terrible, Rey.” Kyra chastised. “The poor boy doesn’t stand a chance when you flirt like that. Tone it down, just a touch.”

“Fair enough.” Reina toyed with her menu. “What are we eating tonight?”

Kyra looked the menu over. The salads seemed alright but nothing stuck out to her and the vegetarian dishes weren’t much better. Out of the corner of her eye, Kyra saw another waiter serving a nearby table and their food smelled heavenly. She stopped the waiter on his way back to the kitchen, “what did they order?”

The waiter responded tightly, “Two sirloins and one shrimp scampi.”

“That’s what I’m getting.” Kyra decided as the waiter walked away.

“What?” Reina studied her.

“Steak. I’m ordering a steak.” Kyra could almost taste the delicious meat, the juices rolling down her throat.

“K? What is going on with you?” Reina sounded alarmed now.

“Nothing, Rey. Why?” Kyra blinked at her friend.

“You’re a vegetarian. You’ve been one for as long as I’ve known you. And now you want steak?” Reina’s eyebrows knit together.

“So?” Kyra felt like she was missing something.
She wanted a steak. What was wrong with that?

Nick appeared at their table, seemingly composed as he set the waters down in front of them and poured their wine. “Have you ladies decided what to order?”

“I’ll have the steak.” Kyra flicked her menu at Nick. “And make it rare.”

“Are you sure? There’s all that stuff about uncooked meat and all,” Nick seemed uncertain.

“I’m sure.” Kyra waved him off.

Nick looked at Reina, “and you?”

“I’ll go with the shrimp scampi.” Reina absently handed her menu to Nick but kept her eyes trained on Kyra. They sat in silence, Kyra sipped on her glass of wine while Reina played with her water.