"Come on...please give me something!" I shook my head at the conversation we were having and let the door slam.
"Ok, so what"s wrong with Frank?" I challenged.
"His feet reek!"
"Libby!" I shouted at her for being mean....ok I knew it was true so I couldn"t help but laugh.
"What? They do, and we"re talking premium French cheese style! And he snores. So that"s two things....your turn." I got the cake out to cut it in half and started to add the whipped cream to the middle. Libby pa.s.sed me the strawberries out of the fridge.
"Well there is one thing....he stares at me too much." I said quietly but she just laughed, not taking me seriously.
"Oh, poor you! Come on, that"s not a fault, why would you mind that?"
"Well you know I get all shy and besides, it"s intimidating. He can be intense but mainly I don"t understand why he does it." This made her smile turn serious.
"Oh Kaz, it"s not hard to understand at all. You do remember all the attention you got in school? Everyone fancied you but they weren"t brave enough to ask you out."
"That"s not true!" I was getting defensive now but Libby wouldn"t back down.
"Oh Kaz open your eyes, you"re beautiful and you never needed flashy, short clothes or loads of makeup to achieve that and sat in there is the proof! I mean, even now you have Justin drooling at the very sight of you. Frank said his brother was gutted to find out you"re dating someone. Does Dominic know you"re taking him to his club next weekend?"
"No and I need to talk to you about that."
"Oh no, you can"t back out, do it for Frank and just palm him off with your friend RJ when you get there but please just do it this one time...ok?" I would have loved to have said no but she knew my guilt would be on her side, so I just nodded.
"Ok, but I"m doing this for Frank!" I said sternly wondering how the h.e.l.l I was ever going to break it to Draven? The thought created b.u.t.terflies in my food filled stomach.
"Anyway, getting back to Dominic, I"m just glad you have met someone that makes you so happy and he"s lucky to have you in my opinion."
"Thanks Libs and if I find out his feet smell or he grinds his teeth in bed then you will be the first one to know." She hugged me and kissed my cheek.
"That"s all I ask." She said as I was still spreading the cream on the bottom base of the cake. She watched me as I heated the chocolate for drizzling like a women possessed. It soon became apparent what Libby"s cravings were when she had Frank running out at stupid hours to get her bars upon bars of chocolate.
I added the sliced strawberries to the cream base before putting the top on. Then after putting it on a large plate, I poured on the runny, chocolate goodness and I thought Libby was going to pounce on me. I asked her to carry in the dessert plates for me as I thought it would be safer than giving her the cake, she might have run out of the house with it!
On my way there I continued to think about the conversation and how glad I was that Draven didn"t just walk in on it, when I froze and nearly dropped the cake. My heart started pounding in my chest and my palms started to instantly sweat!
I had forgotten the most important factor to dating a half Demon half Angel boyfriend...
Supernatural hearing!
Chapter 17.
Embarra.s.sing Past.
Libby looked at me as to why I had stopped dead in the hall way. What could I say? That Draven had most likely heard our entire conversation! Oh No, then it hit me, it wasn"t only the stuff about Justin that he had heard. Well one thing was for sure, if he didn"t know what I thought about s.e.x with him was like, then he sure did now....In great detail!
I knew I had to move but I couldn"t get my legs to work and Libby had given up waiting for me to come to my senses. I was staring down at the cake in my hands wishing it would just self combust so I didn"t have to go back in there. Libby shouted my name impatiently and when I didn"t answer, I heard her chair move along the wooden floor. Soon I found hands quickly taking the cake off me only they didn"t belong to Libby as I had thought. They were Draven"s and another thing I was forgetting about my unusual boyfriend was his ability to sense my thoughts when I was in meltdown mode!
"Keira, look at me." His voice was soft and gentle but I knew once we were alone it wouldn"t remain that way for long. I bravely did as I was asked and met a pair of dreamy dark eyes. He dipped his head closer to mine and I thought he was going to kiss me, he was so close.
"Come back to the table, we will discuss this later and don"t worry...I"m not angry." He said before taking my hand and leading me back to the dining room.
"Kaz what have you been doing?" Libby eyed me questionably and Draven came to my rescue as I couldn"t think quickly enough.
"She forgot a knife to cut the cake with, didn"t you love?" He said sweetly and then produced a large kitchen knife from behind his back as he placed the cake down. I just bit my lip and took the knife from Draven with shaky hands. I was about to start cutting the pieces when my hand felt all warm and tingly.
It started to move without me controlling it and I knew Draven was worried that I wasn"t up to the task of holding a sharp implement. My hand and his mind cut everyone a piece and as soon as I placed my own down in front of me the knife was put down and I was once again in control of my own body parts. I felt Draven"s hand squeeze my leg under the table and when I looked to my side, he was smiling at me. This made me relax enough to start up the conversation again. Only Libby beat me to it.
"So Dominic, I gather now you and Kazzy are dating, you will be staying in town longer than you usually do?" Libby asked as she devoured her baked dessert. Draven smiled at her question before answering it.
"Yes, I will be making my stay here more of the permanent kind, however, I will still need to leave for a few weeks at a time for business but I will only leave when it is convenient for Keira to travel with me." Libby looked just as shocked as I did. He wanted to take me with him! I was almost giddy at the thought!
"Well that will suit Kazzy alright, she"s always loved to travel." She nodded to me to jump in but I was still surprised at this new bit of information. We had never talked about his work before, let alone the idea of that work taking him from here. When I first found out that the Dravens didn"t come here for more than a few weeks at a time, I had just a.s.sumed that one day they wouldn"t be here and I would have to find a way to get over him. But then, of course, things changed when Draven and I had become an item but still, we had never spoken about the future. So to find out that I would be expected to follow him around the world was an easy addition to our relationship. Libby however looked both happy for me but also gutted that I would be taken from her for weeks at a time.
"Can I ask what type of business you are involved in?" This was one thing Libby had always wanted to know but I still went red at her questioning.
"Lib"s! What"s with the firing line?" I said but Draven just put his hand on mine and smiled.
"Keira it is fine, I do not mind explaining my business. I deal in a lot of investments all around the world. These vary from anything to property, shares, nightclubs, casinos, hotels and even banks. My family have their hands in many different businesses but mainly we provide the money behind new ventures. Some payoff more than others, of course." He said this with such business efficiency that it made me want him to repeat it to me in the bedroom, while he was wearing one of his expensive suits. Hearing this wasn"t just a first for my sister as I also didn"t know until now what his business entailed. Now I knew it was a bit of ...well.... everything!
"And you mentioned family, do your parents also deal in investments?" Her question was a perfectly normal one...that is if his parents hadn"t been a high ranking Angel and Demon still living in Heaven and h.e.l.l! Oh dear.... I bit my lip and took a huge gulp of my wine that finished it off. Draven picked up the bottle and refilled mine before doing the same for Frank and himself.
"No, I am afraid my parents are no longer with us. My brother and sister also share in our business but as the oldest, I am in control of the family"s a.s.sets, which includes running the company... most of which I can do from any country, with the occasional business trip" Ok now it was getting hot in here, why did he have to keep talking like that, it was just making my s.e.xy fantasies aroused, one of which was where I would be his naughty secretary! And did he just say he was the oldest? I thought they were triplets. I quickly started to rack my brain as to whether or not I had told my sister that? Then his hand gripped the inside of my thigh and I felt strong fingers start to caress closer to my sweet spot.
I needed to focus, for starters this was most definitely not the time to be thinking about him ripping off more of my clothes, not at the dinner table with my pregnant sister and brother-in-law present. I tried to squirm away from his hand but suddenly his grip tightened before the point of pain and only eased when I shifted back closer to him. My G.o.d, he was demanding!
"I am sorry to hear about your parents Dominic and I"m sorry for my curiosity, Kaz hasn"t really told us much about you but I guess seeing as you have only been seeing each other a short time then it"s understandable."
"I really don"t mind your questions Libby, I understand that our family generates a lot of questions when we come here and no doubt small town gossip follows but there is nothing out of the ordinary at our reasons for being here." He said this with such ease that I choked on my mouthful of wine and started coughing at the burning in my throat. Draven started to pat me on the back and Libby pa.s.sed me her water.
"Sorry, went down... the... wrong way." I coughed out again as it was like trying to swallow the lies that flowed so easily from his cunning lips. Oh man, now he was good, h.e.l.l... he was a master at it and I suppose years of having to deceive humans helped. When I was drinking my water Draven eyed me as if to say "That didn"t help" but I just kept my eyes down.
"Sorry Dominic you were saying?" Libby motioned for him to continue after my little episode.
"Just that the reasons behind the VIP not admitting locals is that my clients prefer to keep their privacy and business intact. Only Keira has been allowed to work up there and this was for two reasons, the first being she was not tainted by small town gossip and knew what it meant to be discreet. And well the second reason...was more of a personal nature." He grinned to himself at being able to watch me freely when I first started to work there.
"Because you liked her?" Libby asked with a smirk plastered on her face.
"Libby!" I shouted, not liking being the topic of subject.
"Yes, because as soon as I saw her, I wanted to know her." Draven said this with honesty in his voice and Frank nudged Libby on the arm before contributing his feelings.
"I tried to tell them once but neither would believe me. I knew when you brought her home that night, that there was more to it but our little Kazzy here has never been one to admit when someone fancies her!"
"Oh Frank not you too, can we get off this subject please?" I said feeling my cheeks melting but Draven was clearly amused with Frank"s interpretation of the events "See!" Frank followed this by laughing and Libby frowned at him.
"Frank, you"re embarra.s.sing her."
"Na, she"s a tough nut aren"t you Kazzy! And one h.e.l.l of a cook I might add." This had me smiling as it was one compliment that I liked to receive.
"Oh, I second that but tell me where did you learn how to cook?" Draven turned to me and I met his yummy eyes with confidence.
"Just at home experimenting and watching my mum as a kid, she loved to bake....hey Libs do you remember her chocolate brownie cakes with the iced tops" We both made "mmm" noises and Frank rolled his eyes.
"Women and chocolate...do you understand it?" Frank asked Draven and he laughed before saying "It"s all in the balance."
"Balance?" Frank repeated clearly confused.
"Well women must be addicted to something as sweet as their natures." Me and Libby both giggled like flirty teenagers and Frank just rolled his eyes.
"I must remember to tell my brother that one! I bet it"s a big hit with the ladies." At this Draven made fists under the table which luckily only I could see.
"Ah yes Justin isn"t it, Keira has mentioned him." This looked almost painful to watch as unbeknown to my sister and Frank, Draven was finding it hard to even say his name without straining and gritting his teeth.
"Yeah, he"s just come back from travelling. He"s a real free spirit kinda of guy...which is code for he doesn"t really know what he wants to do in life but he"s a good kid."
"You say kid, but Frank, he"s the same age as me." I said but instantly regretted anything from my mouth that sounded like I was defending him.
"Yeah, but I call you kid and besides I"m going to be a daddy so I have the right." He said as he rubbed his wife"s belly and she rolled her eyes when he stuck his tongue out at me. Of course, I did it back but ruined its affect when I laughed and nearly snorted.
"You"re both big kids." Libby stated before cutting herself some more cake.
"Congratulations, Keira told me you were expecting." Draven said, making the proud parents beam.
"Thank you. I believe I made Keira late for work once when she found out the news, so she must have told you then." As soon as she said it Draven"s face dropped slightly, as this was the time when he had shouted at me for being late and didn"t know the reason for it. Well not until now. I suppressed a smile at the memory.
"Yes." Was all he said and I knew he was probably feeling guilty having now found out my reasons. I had thought that maybe he had believed it was down to Jack but this was something I could ask him when we were next alone, which I was both craving for and dreading.
"So your brother, Justin, will he be visiting you again soon?"
"Oh yeah, didn"t Kaz tell you, he"s coming to stay next weekend and Kazzy offered to take him to your club?" Frank looked from me to Libby as if he had just put his foot in it but of course I already did that moments ago in the kitchen.
"It must have slipped her mind." He said before giving me a chilling smile, one that made me gulp.
"Yeah, I was thinking I was going to introduce him to RJ." I said hoping this would cool things down but it just made things worse.
"What the Goth with pink hair? ...Na, he"s got a thing for blondes." At this Draven was almost desperate to let out a growl, I could tell by the way his large fists were turning white under the strain. Libby shot Frank a look and shook her head slightly. At least she knew that this wasn"t the best conversation to be having so she thankfully changed the subject and asked who wanted coffee.
"Tea for me, please."
"Well durr, oh and don"t worry Kaz I wouldn"t ask you to make it." Libby burst out laughing and Frank joined in as, of course, he had heard the story along with everyone else in my family! Draven looked like he missed something and I frowned at them both.
"Oh sorry, you don"t know why Kazzy hates coffee do you?" Libby had on her mischievous grin and I had to intervene quickly.
"Oh no, don"t you dare! I mean it...Dra I mean Dominic doesn"t need to hear about childish stories," I warned her but this just made Draven even more curious. He cleared his throat before disagreeing with me.
"I beg to differ, I would love to hear stories about Keira as a child." Libby gave me a wink but I just folded my arms and mouthed the words "NO" to her.
"I"m sorry Kaz but he"s the guest!" I grunted at this and just sat there looking extremely hacked off but for Draven this just added to his amus.e.m.e.nt.
"Well when Kaz was....umm how old?" Great now she wanted my input.
"Eleven," I said abruptly.
"Yeah that"s right, she was eleven when my dad had some clients meeting him at the house. Our mother usually made tea and coffee whenever he"d have a meeting at home but mum was called to the care home. See our dad works in advertising and our mum works with the elderly. So when she got called away Kazzy offered to help my dad by making the drinks. What she hadn"t counted on was that they would all want coffee and she had never made it before. Dad told her that the filtered coffee was in the cupboard and it was in a jar with a red lid." She actually stopped to laugh and I don"t suppose my miserable face was helping.
"So she poured the whole jar in the bottom of the cafetiere and added the water before putting on the top and letting it brew." Again the word brew had her in fits, which I just rolled my eyes at.
"Yes, yes, get on with it Libs," I said impatiently and this had them all laughing.
"Anyway, she got everything ready, sugar, cream, cups and then took in the tray. It was only when they all left did Kazzy notice that no one had drunk their coffee as all the cups were still full. When she asked my dad why, he told her...
"Because dear, n.o.body likes cream and sugar with a cup of gravy!" At this Libby was crying with laughter and Frank had banged his fist on the table before erupting with his usual hoa.r.s.e grunting. Draven too found this all hysterical but instead of laughing at me, he pulled me into him and kissed the top of my head. I could feel his attempt at hiding his amus.e.m.e.nt but the sound of his laughter had me joining in with them all.
"Why did you give them gravy to drink?" Draven asked through an outstretched grin.
"Because I thought it was the coffee, besides my dad"s clients thought it was that funny that it sealed the deal."
"Yes I can imagine, very adorable!" Draven agreed and Libby mouthed an "Aww" at me when he wasn"t looking her way.
"Yeah, well it wasn"t as bad as the time Libby blew up the popcorn machine!" I giggled and Frank"s eyes widened....he obviously hadn"t yet heard this one. Now it was Libby"s turn to get defensive.
"Catherine! Don"t you dare!" Libby only ever called me by my first name when she was serious but it sounded like the way my mum says it when I"m in trouble.
"Oh no way babe, you spilt her story, now I want to know yours." She frowned at her big husband but to no effect.
"Sorry Libs, but if the guest requests then I must deliver," I said in a smug tone.
"Frank lives here so that doesn"t count!"
"Fine...Dominic please can you agree with me, that this is also one story you would very much like to hear." I asked in my sweetest tone and to seal the deal I placed my hand on the inside of his leg close to his sweet spot. I could have sworn that I saw him gulp slightly.
"I"m sorry Libby but forgive me for never being able to deny your sister anything." Libby raised her eyebrows first at Draven then at Frank.
"Traitors!" She commented but couldn"t keep her face straight. I was smiling at my revenge and took a large swig of my wine before starting my story.
"Ok, so our parents had gone away for the weekend and left Libby in charge as she is the oldest. She was told not to have anyone round but Libby ignored the rules and invited her friends and before long there were about twenty people in the house. She decided to make popcorn when she was drunk but because there was still un-popped corn in the bottom she thought it would be a good idea to keep the machine on."
"I wasn"t that drunk!" She added but I continued like I hadn"t heard her.
"So when she forgot about it and the fire alarm started to go off, I was the one to find the flames. The popcorn machine was on fire and melting. Libby then came running in and opened a window before throwing it outside into our fish pond. The problem being one of our neighbours had heard the alarm and called the fire brigade! The next thing we knew we had to pile twenty drunken teens into a garage, clean up the evidence of a party and fish out the remains of the popcorn machine all before the firemen piled in."