Chapter 10
Elisabeth opened the door before Jackson had a chance to ring the bell.
He announced, “Valium delivery here!”
“Don’t joke. I think I really could use one.
” They kissed warmly, not just a hello kiss.
A kiss that said, “I h ave missed you.”
Jackson handed her a box, “For you!”
“Oh my, what did you do?” Inside was a stunning pair of diamond
and ruby drop earrings. Elisabeth gasped, “I can’t accept these! This is too much!”
“You can and you will. This is an important night, and I want to mark it as such.”
“They’re so beautiful, thank you.” She took off the pair she was wearing.
“You don’t have to wear them tonight.”
“Oh yes I do!” She held one up to an ear.
“Look, they’re perfect with my dress.
” She wore an ivory A-line dress with shoes to match.
The rhinestone earrings she was wearing were fine,
but the rubies gave a pop of color that complimented the outfit beautifully.
Jackson asked, “So, are there any last minute things you need done?”
“No, the caterers just left.” She took his hand
“Come see the studio and tell me what you think?”
When he entered, he let out a long whistle. “Wow! This is amazing.
” The messy studio he saw last week, had been transformed
into a professional art gallery. Pieces were hung on the walls
with down lighting, and brass easels were strategically placed around the room.
Standing partitions broke up areas of the expanse.
A bar stood in one corner and a buffet table in another.
“No wonder you were so busy.”
“Do you like it?”
“I love it!” Jackson was walking around taking in the art, searching for three oils
he intended to buy. “Are some of the pieces I saw last week missing?”
“Possibly, I have certain pieces I won’t sell to just anyone.
I know it’s crazy, but I like to know where some things end up.”
“Like my landscape?”
“Exactly.”
“Not at all crazy, I understand completely.” He wondered what she would think
if she knew he had never tried to publish a single piece of music.
He guessed she would understand. “Well then, I need to find new pieces to buy.”
“You are absolutely not going to buy anything!”
“Of course I am.”
“No you are not! This is not up for discussion. Tomorrow we’ll find
the ones you wanted and you will take them.” Her jaw was rigidly set.
He sensed she wouldn’t move on this. “Why don’t I make you a drink?”
“Great, scotch neat please. The bartender should be here any minute.”
She was making small adjustments on some easels as he handed her the drink.
“I predict tonight will be a huge success. Cheers!”
The doorb ell rang. “That must be the bartender and waitresses
.” Jackson followed her back to the living room. She was talking to the two waitresses,
and the bartender headed for the studio. “I’m just going back to show them
where things are. Would you start the music for me? It’s all set;
just turn it on. I’ll be right back.” He found the sound system
and turned it on. She had chosen soft dinner music. It played through
the whole house and studio. Jackson tinkered with the sound,
making sure it was audible, yet would not interfere with conversation.
Elisabeth returned, “That’s great. Ok, now we wait.”
She was wringing her hands.
“I know what will help you relax.” Jackson grabbed her hand
and pulled her close, “Dance with me, my leggy Siren!”
Elisabeth smiled as she put her hand on his shoulder, “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“As am I.” He found a hint of sadness in her eyes. “What’s the matter?”
She shook her head, “Just a little overwhelmed I guess.”
He put his face into her hair and inhaled deeply, “There it is.”
“There what is?”
“The scent that makes me weak in the knees.” They danced silently
for two songs before the doorbell rang with the first guests.
Jackson guessed somewhere around fifty people attended.
Elisabeth was in a whirlwind for the first hour or so.
Everyone wanted to meet the artist and discuss the work they were interested in.
Jackson mingled some, but mostly watched Elisabeth.
She was gracious with all her guests, yet he was able to pick up subtle nuances
that affirmed whether she was speaking to someone who genuinely
understood art, or was a snob who merely bought it to be in vogue.
He found this entirely entertaining. He only approached her once
while patrons were demanding her attention. Some guy, who was obviously
more interested in her than her art, got a little touchy-feely.
Elisabeth’s discomfort was evident to Jackson. He stood close enough
to hear the conversation, and as soon as the moron committed
to buy a $5000 watercolor; he approached Elisabeth, put his arms around her
and said “Darling, the caterer needs to see you for a minute.
Excuse us would you.” And lead her away.
Elisabeth whispered, “Thank you, that guy was creepy.”
“Want me to rough him up?”
“My hero!”
“At your service.”
Just then a couple approached, “Elisabeth can you tell us about this oil?
” She looked at Jackson apologetically. He smiled and shooed her away.
Connor and Sarah seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Sarah told Jackson she didn’t see how she would be able to get
Elisabeth’s attention long enough to influence her.
“In a while the frenzy will subside, you’ll see.” He was right. Once people had their
chat with Elisabeth and had made their selections, they settled in
and the atmosphere seemed more like a party. Jackson was speaking
with some rich blowhard when he noticed Elisabeth make her way
to Connor and Sarah. She took Sarah’s hands, probably thanking her for coming.
Jackson watched, but couldn’t be sure. He wasn’t close enough to tell if
she had the blank stare of someone being influenced. She dropped
Sarah’s hands and looked up, spotting Jackson. She headed straight for him,
so he guessed Sarah hadn’t made contact or was unable to influence her.
Elisabeth approached him, smiled and said, “You are a pompous ass,
and not nearly as good looking as you think.” And she walked away.
Jackson took a step back in shock, then noticed Connor and Sarah across
the room laughing hysterically. Sarah gave him a thumbs up sign.
“Nice!” He flipped her off and followed Elisabeth.
She went to the kitchen to get more glasses. When she saw him she said,
“Perfect timing. Could you help me bring these to the bar?”
“Of course.”
She kissed him on the cheek, “I think it’s going well, don’t you?”
“Very much so.” As they walked to the bar, he decided he would make
sure that the night they met wasn’t just a fluke. When they had put the trays
down he said, “You have something on your cheek, let me get it.
He held her head in his hands, locked eyes with her and said,
“Your favorite color is red.”
She frowned, “Whatever made you think that? My favorite color is green.”
“Oh, my mistake, I thought you told me red.” She looked at him bewildered.
Thankfully someone called to her just then. Jackson stood at the bar lost in thought.
So it’s me. What the hell does that mean? He had been hoping
Sarah would be unsuccessful.
The last guest left around 11:00 p.m. “Well, Miss Sidwell, looks like
you’re a big hit with high society.”
“It went exceptionally well, better than I expected. I sold nearly
everything and even contracted four portrait commissions.”
Jackson took her in his arms. “Congratulations. You deserve it.
Now, let me help you clean this place up.”
“Oh no, really, all I have to do tonight is put the dishes back in the caterer’s boxes.
I don’t even have to wash them.
They’re picking them up at 9:00 tomorrow morning.”
“Then let’s have at it.”
“You’re so sweet. I have to sit for just a minute. My feet are killing me.
I don’t think I sat down once tonight.” She sat at one end of the sofa
and took her heels off. Jackson sat away from her and motioned
with his hands for her to put her feet up. “Oh, that’s heaven,” she purred
as he massaged her feet and calves. She closed her eyes and rested
her head back. Jackson didn’t speak, just sat appreciating her.
Her face displayed pure contentment. It wasn’t long before her breathing
slowed and became regular. When he was sure she was asleep,
he carefully slid out from under her feet and headed to the studio.
He quickly found the caterer’s boxes and set out collecting all the dishes,
glasses and silverware. The music still played throughout the house,
and the studio was far enough away from the living room so he didn’t need to
be too quiet. As he was filling the last box with plates, he contemplated
whether to wake Elisabeth or not. He decided to leave her be and sneak out.
He looked one last time over the room and thought, Not bad.
Then he turned to leave. Elisabeth was leaning in the doorway with her arms crossed.
Jackson gave a start. That was the second time this week someone had snuck
up on him. “Hey, I was going to let you sleep.”
“I can see that.” She made her way to him and put both her hands in his hair,
“I think I’ll keep you.”
“That’s my master plan, ma’am.”
Elisabeth traced his jaw line from temple to chin with her index finger,
“You have the most beautiful bone structure. One day will you sit for me?”
“Of course, whenever you like.” He didn’t quite understand why she needed that.
From what he had seen, she already had his likeness dead on. Jackson kissed her,
gently at first then more intensely. She did not pull away tonight,
she pressed her body to his and he could feel her pulse quickening.
Elisabeth gently grazed his earlobe just as she had that first night.
His body responded exactly as it had then, unsettling him, his voice was a raspy whisper.
“The last time you did that, I didn’t much care for what came next.”
He thought of the redhead but quickly pushed it away.
She brushed her lips up to his ear, “I think tonight’s outcome
will be much more to your liking.”
Jackson’s desire was so intense; he had to force himself to think straight.
He was feeling much more than just passion, rather a visc eral need
that threatened to overwhelm him. He knew he must maintain enough control
to keep from hurting or biting her. He couldn’t let her learn about him like this.
He braced himself for the battle with his fangs and waited for the inevitable
pain he would feel as he fought to keep them from emerging. As he was
kissing her neck he realized his fangs had not waged their war. There was no ache.
How can that be? I have never wanted a woman this much.
He touched his canine with his tongue.
Nothing. He pulled away and looked at Elisabeth.
She noticed his shocked expression, “Are you all right?”
“I don’t know.” He kissed her, this time with urgency and let himself go
enough so his fangs should definitely start their descent. Still nothing!
Panic set in, this was impossible. First he couldn’t influence her,
and now his fangs had failed him. His head started to pound.
“I have to go, I’m sorry.”
He left her standing alone and confused. “Jackson, what is it,
please tell me!” He was gone.
He drove home slowly, trying to understand what had happened.
Once the shock wore off, he started thinking more rationally and calmed
considerably, feeling this might be an advantage. He could take his time
before revealing his secret if he didn’t have to worry about his fangs popping up.
He felt a deep sadness that they would never share that intimacy,
but he would just have to accept that. By the time he arrived home,
he was feeling the most pressing problem would be explaining his bizarre behavior
to Elisabeth, She must think I’m a lunatic.
Sarah heard Jackson and slowly unfurled herself from a sleeping Connor.
She didn’t want him waking and pressuring her to stay.
She couldn’t wait to tell Jackson her news. As she approached him
from behind she noticed he had a bottle of scotch on the table
with him along with his two glasses. This can’t be good, she thought. “You okay?”
“Not sure,” Jackson never looked up, just sat staring straight ahead.
“What’s going on?”
“Apparently I can not bite Elisabeth.”
“What, you tried to feed on her?”
“No, relax. You know how you need to keep your fangs in check
when you’re with someone and things get steamy?”
“Oh yeah, I hate that, it hurts.”
“Well no problem here.”
“Really?”
“Yep, they’re MIA.”
“Hmmmm, that’s really strange.”
Jackson finally looked up at her. He took her chin in his hand,
“Well, what have we here? You don’t get that blush
from the refrigerated crap.”
Sarah grabbed his hand, “That’s what I came down to tell you,
but we’ll save it for another time, let’s get back to your problem.”
“No, it’s not really a problem, and I’d much rather hear your story.
At least someone’s gettin’ some.”
“Are you sure? “
“Positive, let me live vicariously through you.”
“Oh Jackson, it was wonderful. We had such a fun time at Elisabeth’s
and when we got home we had a nightcap and went up to bed and,
well, you know...When we were done we talked for a while and then he asked me.
He said he wanted to share everything with me and this is part of who I am.
He was so loving. It was heaven; I have never connected so completely
with anyone before. He felt it too. He was amazed at how wonderful it was.
He said it didn’t even hurt, not for a second.” She was glowing.
Jackson squeezed her arm. “I’m thrilled for you princess. Looks like
you finally found your prince charming.”
He meant it. He never felt a guy was as well suited for her as Connor.
Connor appeared at the top of the stairs. “Sarah, you down there?”
“Yes, I’m with Jackson.”
“Hey Skippy, looking a little peaked there. Don’t forget to take your iron pills.”
Connor frowned at Sarah, “You couldn’t even wait 'til morning?”
Jackson laughed, “Don’t blame her; I could see it all over her face.”
Connor sat next to Sarah, giving her a peck on the cheek. “What’s up?”
“Jackson’s fangs aren’t working.”
“Really? Can that happen?”
“Well, it’s just with Elisabeth.”
“Hmmm, maybe it’s because she doesn’t know yet and you feel guilty.”
Jackson snarled, “One night of vamp sex and you’re a friggin' expert now, huh?”
Sarah broke in. “He might have a point you know.”
Jackson grimaced, “I hardly think that after 600 years my fangs
have suddenly developed a conscience.”
“Yes, but you’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”
“Christ! I don’t know, maybe that’s it. I’m tired of thinking about it.
It is what it is and I’ll just have deal with it.”
He really was more concerned about explaining things to Elisabeth
than anything else. Connor started chuckling. Jackson glared at him,
“I’m glad you find this amusing.”
“No, sorry. I was just thinking of something else.”
“Please share, I could use a laugh.”
“I don’t think so. I value my life too much.”
Jackson rolled his eyes, &ldqu o;I won’t kill you, just spit it out.”
“Well, I was wondering if they have Viagra for vampires.”
Sarah and Connor cracked up. Lucky for Connor,
Jackson’s cell rang just then. It was Elisabeth.
Jackson bounded up the stairs to his room as he answered.
No way did he want this conversation overheard. “Hi beautiful.”
“Jackson, are you all right? Are you ill?”
“No, not at all, just a little crazy I think.”
“What do you mean?”
He was wracking his brain for excuses that would be plausible.
“I guess I owe you an explanation.”
“It’s just that I’m worried about you.”
“No need to worry. I’m fine. Let me see if I can make sense of this for you.........
Elisabeth, I have been fighting very hard to keep my feelings for you
in check so as not to scare you away. Tonight I started to lose control,
and I panicked. I decided I better leave before doing something to upset you.”
“Couldn’t you tell I wanted you to stay?”
“I wasn’t sure, I thought it might be wishful thinking on my part.”
“Jackson?”
“Yes?”
“Do you want to come back tonight?”
“More than anything.”
“I’ll be waiting.” Jackson practically flew down the stairs.
Sarah asked, “Where are you going?”
“I’m gettin’ some, human style.”
She clapped her hands, “Oh, goody!”
As he approached Elisabeth’s house, Jackson was rattled by the uncertainty he felt.
He tried to push it away, but all reason escaped him.
No woman had ever affected him this way. There would be no sport here,
no games and certainly no manipulation. He was in a place,
emotionally, that was totally foreign to him and he couldn’t begin to predict
how this night would unfold.
When Elisabeth opened the door and he laid eyes on her, all his conflicted
thoughts were replaced with raw emotion. She was a vision, wearing a pale taupe
nightgown with a lace bodice. Her hair fell softly around her face and
there was an ethereal glow about her. When he met her eyes he could see
she was feeling uncertain herself. He cupped her face,
“You truly are God’s promise.” Elisabeth took his hand in hers,
kissed his palm and led him to the bedroom.
The two stood, locked in a deep gaze, fully experiencing what they found in each
others eyes. Jackson kissed her and immediately felt her yield under his embrace.
They began a surreal dance of body and mind that left them both dizzy with passion
and pleasure. It was as if their bodies were created to be together, not at
all unfamiliar, entwined and as one. Elisabeth felt a safe harbor in his arms,
and Jackson wanted to give her every part of himself. Neither had ever
felt so vulnerable, yet they trusted each other completely and without doubt.
As they lay together, Jackson understood for the first time in his long life
that there was a vast difference between having sex and making love.
When his mind finally began to return to reality, he worried that
he might have hurt her. He was so swept away, he couldn’t be certain
if he had been gentle enough. He looked down at her beneath him “Did I hurt you?”
She met his eyes with a smile, “Of course not, I’m not made of glass.”
She was wiping the table when he returned. “All set.”
She walked him to the door and kissed him softly. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Until then.”
الرئيسية 
