Leigh glanced at the clock on the wall as she left the drugstore and cursed under her breath. She'd been hoping to get done and stop to pick up panties, bras, and socks before meeting up with Lucian. The socks, she wouldn't mind buying in his company, but picking out underthings with him peering over her shoulder and -- dear God -- possibly offering suggestions, as he had with the clothes she'd bought... Well, she didn't think she could face that.
Unfortunately, it had taken her longer at the drugstore than she'd intended, thanks mostly to a difficult customer in front of her in the checkout line. Now she wouldn't have time to stop on her own. However, none of the items were optional. She had to buy some, and it looked like it would be in his company.
She spotted Lucian by the food court one moment before she spotted the lingerie shop she was passing. The tense smile of greeting that had started on her face froze as she skidded to a halt.
Five minutes, she thought. That's all it will take. Five. Four if I just snatch and pay. It didn't matter what they looked like. Hell, she'd intended to just pick up some cotton undies from the nearest Wal-mart or whatever, but she'd pay the extra money to avoid having to shop for them with Lucian there.
Glancing back to where he stood watching passing customers, she hesitated, then ducked into the lingerie store... only to pause inside the door, her eyes flying left, right, then straight ahead, suddenly unsure where to start.
Panties, she told herself firmly. Thanks to the nanos, her breasts seemed to have regained their ability to defy gravity and she could make do without a bra for a day if necessary, but panties, she needed. Having made the decision, Leigh turned toward a table with scads of lacy panties on display and walked over to have a look. A pair of red silk bikini panties caught her eye and she picked them up to check the size.
"Leigh."
Eyes widening, and two red flags in her cheeks, she whirled to find Lucian walking toward her, carrying two large bags bearing a bookstore logo.
"I saw you rush in here and came to see -- Oh." Mouth open and eyes widening, he looked at the display she stood in front of, then peered around the shop.
Leigh followed his gaze. Everywhere you looked was silk, satin, and lace. It was definitely not your cotton underwear kind of store, and she knew her cheeks probably matched the red panties she held when his gaze returned to her. But -- much to her surprise -- Lucian looked more embarrassed and uncomfortable than she was. She hadn't expected that.
"Er... " Lucian cleared his throat, his gaze avoiding hers but appearing not to know where to settle. He looked like a man trapped.
"Er... " he said again, then muttering something about the food court, he whirled away. Only to come up short when he found his way blocked by a short round woman in a red dress with glasses that hung around her neck from a gold chain.
"Oh, now you can't leave yet, son," the woman said merrily. "You should help your wife pick something you'll like. It's for you, after all."
"I'm not -- "
"Now, what do you think of those she's holding? They're our most popular style."
Lucian gaped at the red panties Leigh held and looked like he was about to swallow his own tongue.
"I think he likes them," the little woman assured her, then nudged Lucian. "Don't you, son?"
"Er... yes... "
Leigh's eyes widened as she saw his eyes flame to life in a swirl of molten silver. She got the feeling he was picturing her in the bit of silk and nothing else, but then decided she must be wrong. She might lust after him, but she wasn't the sort men lusted after.
"I know just the thing!" The woman rushed over to a side display, returning with a black corset with a red and white rosebud trim. "What do you think, son?"
"I... er... It... " Apparently at a loss for words, Lucian turned abruptly and rushed out of the store, growling, "I'll be in the food court."
"Shy fellow, isn't he?" the saleslady commented with amusement.
Leigh bit her lip as she watched him go. In truth, she found it stunning that he was even embarrassed. He'd lived so long, seen so much... yet the sight of wisps of silk and satin seemed to embarrass him. Surely he'd seen this sort of thing before? Many, many times, even.
Why, Lucian must have had hundreds, even thousands, of lovers over the years who had worn such things for him, she thought, and found she didn't care for the idea. In fact, she didn't care for it at all.
"Here, dear, this dark pink set would look lovely on you."
Pushing her thoughts away, Leigh turned her attention to picking out panties.
Once she explained her need for at least half a dozen pairs, as well as bras and socks, and that she was in a bit of a hurry, the woman became a little tornado of activity.
Ten minutes later Leigh was walking out with two bags of silky things.
Lucian hadn't returned to the food court. He was pacing outside the lingerie store like a caged tiger, his expression grim.
Leigh pasted a smile on her face as she approached, searching for something to say to get past the awkward moment. She thought she'd come up with the perfect opener when she asked brightly, "What books did you buy?"
Much to her amazement, her innocuous question made Lucian freeze mid-step and stiffen up like she'd shoved a pole up his backside. While she was still worrying over that, he whirled abruptly toward the exit and said, "Let's go."
Leigh hurried after him, her gaze now curious, on the bag. When she'd asked the question, she hadn't really cared what books he'd bought. Now she did, though. His reaction ensured she would. Unfortunately, she couldn't see through the dark bag to the titles. All she could tell was that he had a lot of books.
"We still have to get groceries," he reminded her as he opened the trunk for them to set the bags inside.
Leigh took one look at the packed trunk and raised an eyebrow.
"I guess there isn't room this trip," he said with a frown, then suggested, "Do you want to take these home and then come back out for groceries?"
"That would be fine," Leigh agreed as he closed the trunk.
"We could stop for lunch on the way home," Lucian suggested, leading her to the passenger door and opening it.
"Okay," she agreed, but shook her head with amusement as he closed her door and walked around to the driver's side. For a man who previously hadn't been interested in food, he'd certainly changed his tune.
They ate at the same restaurant where they'd had breakfast. Leigh ordered a Reuben sandwich and a Coke. Lucian had the same. It was then that she realized that if he hadn't eaten for thousands of years, he'd have no idea what today's food tasted like... which was no doubt why he'd simply asked for what she'd ordered. Leigh decided she'd have to make sure she had something different every meal, so he could try different things and see what he liked.
They talked a bit about books and movies while they waited for their food, but Lucian seemed distracted, his gaze constantly moving around the restaurant and examining the parking lot. It was almost a relief when the food arrived and there was no need to try to keep a conversation going. Lucian seemed to like his sandwich and fries. He wasn't as keen on the Coke, saying the bubbles got up his nose.
They headed to his place to pick up some clothes after lunch. Lucian seemed to grow even more tense then, so Leigh left him to whatever was bothering him and spent the ride trying to imagine what sort of place he would live in, and came up with an apartment, modern, all sharp lines and steel.
She got a bit of a shock when he pulled up to the gate of a stone fence. Forget the apartment, he owned an estate. They drove a winding lane through trees that then opened up to reveal a river flowing into a pond on their right, and an arbor on their left. From the outside, the house itself wasn't all that impressive. It was large, its walls red stone, and had lots of windows. If it had been red-painted wood instead of stone, she would have thought it was a renovated barn... until she got inside.
Lucian unlocked the old-fashioned metal and wood door and held it open for her. Leigh stepped through, eyes widening and flitting everywhere. Then a little sigh of pleasure slipped from her lips. The inside was beautiful, rustic, and open, so you could see into every room on the ground floor. There was a large living room on the left, and a kitchen/dining area on the right. The floors were a combination of hardwood and stone, the path leading from the doorway to the stairs to the second level was stone, like a cobbled street from England. On either side of that, a light hardwood spread away into the actual living spaces. The outer walls within the house were a red brick similar to the outside, while the inner walls were cream-colored. Along with its many windows and open concept, it gave a light and airy feeling yet a warm rustic feeling. It was a perfect combination. She loved it!
Leigh turned back to find him watching her, and asked, "Can I look upstairs?"
"Of course," he said.
Smiling, she mounted the stairs and discovered they led up to a large open sitting area on the left that ran the length of the house. A row of doors stood to her right, bedrooms and bathrooms, she guessed, and turned into the sitting area to take it in. She ran her hand over the light leather furniture and admired the stone wall, the fireplace, and the thick rug in front of it.
It was all just perfect. She loved it and could hardly wait to see what was behind the closed doors. Leigh turned to do so and nearly ran into the man who had crept up behind her.
Lucian checked the front window again as Leigh headed upstairs, but saw no sign of anyone lurking around. Not even Mortimer and Bricker, who were supposed to be watching the place, but then they were good at their job and would hardly be out in the open.
Turning away from the window, he paced briefly between the door and the stairs. He was eager to get his things and get Leigh out of there in case Morgan did show up. He'd prefer to have her out of harm's way, but didn't think it could hurt to let Leigh have a few minutes upstairs on her own to look around before he hustled her out. He'd seen the reaction he had hoped for on the main floor. She liked his home, which was encouraging. One hurdle crossed.
Lucian paced to the window again, scanning the woods surrounding his home. He didn't see anything, but was growing more impatient by the minute. She'd had enough time, he decided, and turned toward the stairs.
He'd just put his foot on the first step when her scream sliced the air.
Morgan, he thought. Somehow the man had slipped past Mortimer and Bricker and gotten into the house. He was up the stairs in a heartbeat, ready to rip the bastard's heart out with his bare hands if he'd touched one hair on Leigh's precious head.
What he found was Leigh laughing, slapping Mortimer lightly on the shoulder and then giving him a hug as she gasped, "Dear Lord, you scared me to death! I thought you were Morgan."
Lucian scowled as the adrenaline evaporated. He was glad it wasn't Morgan. On the other hand, Mortimer looked far too happy hugging Leigh. And, she'd never smiled at him like that, or hugged him, he thought with resentment.
As if hearing his thoughts, Mortimer suddenly stepped back from Leigh and turned to look at him. "Hey, Lucian," he said, the wary smile on his face suggesting to Lucian that his jealousy was showing.
"What are you doing here?" Lucian asked, forcing himself to relax.
"I told you we were watching the house," Mortimer answered mildly.
"Yes, watching it. I assumed that meant you were doing so from outside. How did you get in?" Lucian asked as he crossed the room.
"Thomas picked us up at the airport when that turned out to be a bust," Bricker announced. Lucian glanced over his shoulder to see the brunet coming out of a door near the front of the house. His hair was tousled, his face sleep-creased, and he was only wearing a pair of joggers that hung low around his waist. "He had a key. He said he got it from the office."
"Argeneau Enterprises has a key to each of our houses in case of emergency," Lucian said, for Leigh's benefit more than anyone else's, then he scowled at Bricker and added, "That's my room."
"I know. I saw your stuff in there. Great bed." Bricker grinned widely, then turned his gaze to Leigh and crossed the sitting area to her side. "Hey there, Leigh. You're looking pretty darn fine. Much better than when last I saw you."
"There's been no sign of Morgan yet, and no new charges on the credit card," Mortimer said, bringing an end to Lucian's attempt to set Bricker on fire with his eyes as the younger man paused by Leigh and gave her a hug.
Lucian grunted, but his attention was on Leigh as she smiled and hugged Bricker back.
Straightening, Bricker asked her, "How are you feeling? Has Lucian been treating you well, or is he being his grumpy old self?"
Despite having accused Lucian of being grumpy herself, Leigh smacked Bricker playfully in the stomach and said, "Lucian isn't grumpy. He's taken very good care of me. He nursed me through the turning, then today took me out to breakfast, then shopping for clothes. We just had a late lunch, and after we pick up some of his things and drop them off at Marguerite's, we're going for groceries."
Lucian felt himself stand a little taller at Leigh's praise and obvious appreciation, until Bricker gasped, "No way! Not the Argeneau I know. He did all that?"
Leigh made a face. "You guys all go on like he's some kind of ogre, but he's been nothing but kind to me... well, except for the first day," she allowed. "He was kind of grumpy then, but I don't think he'd had much sleep."
Lucian grimaced as Bricker glanced his way with an arched eyebrow.
"Yeah?" the younger man said, then peered back to Leigh to ask, "Who are the 'you guys' who are making him out to be an ogre?"
Leigh wrinkled her nose. "Rachel doesn't seem to care for Lucian much."
"Ah," Bricker murmured knowingly, then his expression turned serious as he said, "Well, as it happens, I don't think Lucian's an ogre. I think he's a great guy, a good friend, and cool under fire. You couldn't find anyone better than him for a mate."
Lucian scowled at him as he noted that Leigh was taken aback at the comment. He'd been taking it slow to sneak up on her, and Bricker was openly playing matchmaker. It was obvious someone had been talking, and Bricker knew he couldn't read Leigh.
"Bricker. Shut up," he said, and turned to walk to his room to pack some clothes.
He was in his closet, stuffing clothes into a black duffel bag, when he heard Leigh call out to him. Pausing, he walked to the door between the closet and bedroom and saw her peering curiously into the room.
"Yes?" he asked.
Leigh glanced his way and smiled. "Bricker was just saying that you have no groceries here and he wouldn't mind tagging along with us to get some. Is that okay?"
Lucian grimaced, not at all pleased with the idea, but he nodded with resignation. "Yeah. Tell him he has ten minutes to get ready."
Leigh turned her head and peered at someone outside the room. "You have ten minutes to get ready."
"I told you he'd say yes if you asked." Bricker's voice drifted into the room on a laugh.
Leigh just chuckled, then started to turn back to Lucian, her gaze stopping before it reached him. Curious, he glanced to see what had caught her attention. The only thing there was his bed, mussed from Bricker's use.
"Black satin sheets," she murmured with amazement, and Lucian felt his heart trip as he recalled the images he'd sent her that morning. Their bodies entwined on black satin sheets. Eyes widening like a schoolboy caught doing mischief, he turned abruptly and ducked back into the closet.
Lucian almost expected her to follow him into the closet and demand an explanation, but she didn't. After a moment he stepped back to the door and peered warily out. Leigh was still standing in the doorway, staring at the bed, a confused look on her face.
He was debating whether to say anything when Bricker called from somewhere deep in the house, "Hey, Leigh! What do fashionable Canadian men wear grocery shopping?"
Leigh blinked and turned to peer out the door. "How do I know? I'm from Kansas."
"Yeah, but you've at least been shopping today and seen the guys out there."
"Toques and plaid?" she suggested with amusement.
"You're joking!" Bricker squawked.
"Yes, I am." Leigh chuckled as she moved out of the door. "Just wear... "
Lucian didn't hear the rest. Letting his shoulders relax, he turned back into the closet. He stuffed a couple more items into his bag, then moved to the en suite bathroom to grab his spare razor and a few other items.
When he stepped out into the sitting area, it was empty, and he followed the murmur of voices downstairs. Leigh and Mortimer were in the kitchen, talking as they waited for the kettle to boil.
"I'm making tea," Mortimer announced as he entered. "You want any?"
"Tea?" Lucian asked with interest. It was something he hadn't yet tried.
Mortimer grabbed a third cup from the cupboard, paused, then took a fourth cup as well. For Bricker, Lucian supposed.
"Are you coming shopping, too?" he asked Mortimer.
"No." The other man picked up the kettle and poured water into each cup as he said, "I'm going to sleep. We were taking turns driving to try to catch up with Morgan. We were driving around the clock, one sleeping while the other drove. My shift was just ending when Bastien called and told us about the plane tickets and that he was sending a plane for us."
Lucian nodded.
"I'll let you each fix your own tea," Mortimer announced as he took the tea bags out. He then took his own cup to the table.
"Ahh, tea," Bricker said, entering the kitchen as they were finishing off their cups several minutes later. He'd changed into faded, holey jeans and a skintight maroon t-shirt. "I'll have one of those, too."
"No time," Lucian announced, getting to his feet. "Your ten minutes are up."
Bricker groaned. "You're a hard man, Lucian."
"Yes, I am. Don't forget it," he said dryly. "If you're coming, then let's go."
Taking Leigh's arm as she got to her feet, Lucian walked her out to the car, noticing the way her eyes ate up the environment he'd had built around his home.
"How much land do you have?" she asked, curious.
"Twenty or thirty acres," he answered, then glanced around and realized she'd only seen the front yard. "The river winds through it, then comes around the house and empties into the pond. "There's a fountain spout in the pond," he added, gesturing to a point just in front a little bridge and pagoda. "I turned it off before heading down to Kansas, though," he explained, then promised, "I'll bring you back in the next couple of days and show you around properly. There's a pool, an outdoor shower, a bunkhouse, and a little studio on its own."
"It's lovely, and I'd love to see more," Leigh told him solemnly.
"Tomorrow," he decided. "I'll bring you back tomorrow."
Lucian opened the front passenger door for her, then closed it and turned, remembering that Bricker was accompanying them. He was standing beside the car, grinning like an idiot. Lucian scowled.
"Get in," he muttered, and walked around to the driver's side.
It occurred to him then that he was acting as out of character around Leigh as the two of them had on the day they brought her back to the hotel. The difference was, he'd been surprised and exasperated by their behavior. His own actions, on the other hand, seemed to be causing Bricker a great deal of amusement. Sighing, Lucian slid behind the wheel and started the car.
They stopped at Marguerite's to drop off their purchases, to make room in the trunk for the groceries, setting them inside the foyer to be put away when they got back. Then they fed Julius before continuing on to the grocery store.
Leigh was an organized shopper, Lucian saw with approval. She had the list she'd made that morning and followed it, placing item after item in the cart he was pushing. Bricker, on the other hand, seemed to throw everything his eyes landed on into his own cart. He also wandered off, got distracted, goofed about, and joked constantly... making Leigh laugh, much to Lucian's annoyance. And somehow, with all Bricker's tomfoolery, Leigh ended up pushing his cart for him, at which point the man jumped on the low railing in front of the cart and said, "Push me, Leigh!"
"No," she laughed.
"Ah, come on," Bricker coaxed.
"No. You could get hurt," Leigh said primly, then shook her head and glanced at Lucian to ask, "Why do I feel like we're Mommy and Daddy and he's the spoiled son?"
A smile broke through Lucian's gloom. He'd been growing more depressed as she laughed at Bricker's antics, feeling like the old stogie to Bricker's young stud. But now that Leigh was siding herself with him and saw Bricker as childish, he felt better.
Bricker laughed. "I may be young at heart, but I'm hardly young enough to be your son," he said to Leigh. "In truth, I'm more around the age of your grandfather if he were still alive. Is he still alive?"
She shook her head. "No. None of my grandparents are still alive. Neither are my parents, for that matter." Then she tilted her head and asked him, "How old are you?"
Bricker grinned and admitted, "Ninety-seven."
"Man, I hope I look as young as you at ninety-seven."
"You will," Lucian and Bricker said at the same moment.
Leigh considered that, and a wry expression crossed her face. "I started out cursing Donny, but now I'm starting to think I should be thanking him. Maybe I should send him a thank-you card... or flowers."
"Flowers?" Lucian said with amusement.
"Too girly?" she asked, and tipped her head briefly to think before shouting, "I know! Blood-filled chocolates."
Lucian raised his eyebrows at the suggestion, and she said, "You said there are specialty bars. I don't suppose we have specialty chocolates and things like that, too?"
"No." Lucian grinned. "But I'd be willing to be your financial backer if you wanted to start making them. The women might love it."
Leigh shook her head. "It was just a joke. Besides, you really don't have to taste the blood, do you? Not when you feed from a blood bag. I doubt anyone really enjoys the taste of blood."
"You will acquire the taste," Lucian assured her. "You've already acquired enjoyment of the smell."
Leigh blinked in surprise at his claim, then said, "The cleaner."
Lucian nodded.
She frowned, apparently not pleased to acknowledge she'd been attracted to the scent, then her eyes widened with horror and she asked, "Do you mean to say I'm going to begin to actually enjoy the taste of blood?"
"I'm afraid so," he said apologetically, though he wasn't sure why he felt he should apologize.
"Gross," she said with disgust.
Leigh was quiet after that as they finished the last bit of shopping and made their way to the checkout.
They dropped Bricker off at Lucian's house with his groceries, then continued on to Marguerite's with their own.
"Someone's here," Leigh said with surprise as they drove up the driveway.
Lucian frowned as he peered at the three cars in front of the house. He recognized one of them as Rachel and Etienne's. The other looked like Lissianna and Greg's. He had no idea who the third vehicle belonged to and could only wonder what had brought them all there.
He parked in the garage, popped the trunk, and began to pull out bags, his mind taken up with what might have happened to cause his relatives to descend on him. Between himself and Leigh, they managed to grab all of the grocery bags from the trunk, but then, he could carry more than the average man and had six in each hand, while Leigh had only three bags in each.
The door opened as they approached, and Thomas appeared with Julius at his side. His presence told Lucian three things: one, the third car belonged to him; two, whatever was happening couldn't be that serious or the man wouldn't be smiling like an idiot as usual; and three, Thomas hadn't died and so had no excuse for the way he'd been avoiding his phone calls.
Before he could growl at the young man, Thomas announced blithely, "I hear you've been trying to call me. I'm afraid my cell phone broke down. I didn't realize it until just this morning. I had to go pick up another one today. Remind me, and I'll give you the new number before I leave."
With the fire taken out from under him, Lucian merely growled as he passed the younger man and entered the kitchen. He set the groceries down on the counter, started to turn back to take the groceries Leigh carried, only to freeze as he spotted Rachel, Etienne, Lissianna, and Greg all grouped together by the kitchen entrance. Every single one of them was smiling widely.
"What's going on?" he asked warily.
"It's an intervention," Lissianna said with a grin.
"What?" he asked with confusion, but all four of them just grinned harder and moved forward, gravitating toward Leigh.
Stepping quickly to her side, Lucian took the groceries from her, then gestured to everyone in the room one after the other. "This is my nephew, Thomas. You won't remember him but he picked us up at the airport when we flew in from Kansas City," he explained, then gestured to the other four. "You remember Rachel and Etienne."
When she nodded, he went on, "And that's my niece Lissianna and her husband Gregory Hewitt."
"Hello," Leigh said.
A chorus of hellos answered her, then all five of his nieces and nephews suddenly went into action, taking bags and unloading groceries. Lucian sighed and turned to pick up and begin emptying one of the bags himself. It appeared he'd have to wait to find out what the hell was going on.