Chapter 3 Putting my flirting skills to work

Tracing Amelia's eyes over to where she wants me to get a drink, I can't believe what I see. The club is still alive with pulsing music and swirling lights, but none of it affects me like the sight before me.

At the side of it all is a counter, behind which seems like a sleek island of calm in the sea of chaos. I have always attracted guys with my unmatched beauty, but this time around, the opposite is happening. I am drawn with an extraordinary force to someone whose name I barely know.

The hairs on my body stand on edge, my mind blank as it records only the exceptional and graceful way he mixes and serves drinks. The smile he gives to all who approach him sends shivers down my spine. I can't help but imagine what his lips would taste like.

"He is just impossibly handsome, even in the dim and flickering light. His dark hair is perfectly tousled, his sharp jawline accentuated by the shadows, and his eyes, an unsettling shade of green, seem to see straight into my soul. How can a person be this handsome?" I think to myself, my gaze still fixated on him like a predator on its prey.

Reality washes over me when I see Olivia staring at me with a broad smile on her face. Our eyes meet, and she winks before continuing to nurse her drink.

Looking back at where he is, I become mindful of my stare, but it is impossible to look away. He has an allure that pulls with ferocious force, unlike anything I have ever encountered. There is something off about him; every time he moves, it is with a grace that seems almost predatory, and yet, there is a kindness in his smile that makes my heart flutter.

As he mixes drinks with practiced ease, the unspeakable happens, he glances up and catches my eye. A slow, knowing smile spreads across his face. "Care for a drink?" he mouths, raising a glass.

My heart sinks. "Did he just speak to me? Even if it wasn't clear, did he just do something in my direction?"

The thought of moving over to the counter makes me breathless and sweaty. I cup cheeks they were warm, unable to tear my gaze away from him.

I'm not usually socially active, but I have some flirting skills, especially when I'm alone in my room or when I see guys ogling at me. I wink and smile, making them think I'm interested, but when they approach, I turn them down.

"Hey girl... I've been watching you for a while now. Why don't you get yourself what you want? Because it looks like you want something that's not a drink," I hear Amelia whisper in my ear.

As she is about to leave with Bailey and Olivia, I hold her back. Swallowing the look of surprise on her face, I lean closer and whisper, "What do you know about him?" I glance toward him for her to trace my eyes.

"Why don't you go over there and ask him yourself? C'mon, he won't bite," she says, winking and trying to push me toward the counter.

"Please stop, Amie," I say, shrugging her hand off my shoulders. "Can you please just tell me something about him, so I at least know something before approaching him?" I plead, not hiding the shame of falling for a guy whose name I barely know.

"Okay, cutie, I'll tell you what I know," she says, laughing at her joke and pulling her chair closer.

"Mmmhmm... What do I know about that gorgeous guy?" she says, soliloquizing. My heart races with anticipation.

"They call him the Lord of the Night," she says, widening her eyes, sending shockwaves through my veins.

"What do you mean by that? Do they call him that because of how handsome he is? And who are 'they'?" I ask, feeling a sudden anger.

"Take it slow, baby girl, I'm here for you," Amelia says, looking at me, her gaze asking if everything is alright.

"I'm sorry," pouting.

"Okay... Where were we with your knight in shining armor?" she asks, her gaze mocking my curiosity.

Pretending not to notice, I maintain a stern look. "Yeah... They call him that because he is never seen during the day, only at night. And as if it isn't scary enough, his only friend is Benny, the owner of this club," she says, prying her eyes into mine to read my expression.

"Why doesn't he come out during the day?" I manage to ask, concealing my surprise.

"You would know when you walk over to him and ask," She responds flatly, withdrawing her gaze.

"Is that the only thing you know about him?" I ask, wondering why her mood turned sour all of a sudden.

"Well... I think his name is... Max?" she says, scratching her head, unsure.

"Bailey... Bailey," she calls out, her voice cutting through the loud music.

"Yes? Baby girl, did you call?" Bailey asks, standing and exposing her skinny legs to the guy opposite our table.

"What's the name of that gorgeous bartender?" Amelia asks, pulling a seat closer.

Sitting down and crossing her legs, Bailey looks at us consecutively, trying to read our expressions. "What's up, why do you want to know his name all of a sudden?" Bailey asks, almost glaring.

"What's your deal, baby girl? You know he doesn't like you. Why are you still obsessed over him?" Amelia asks, crossing her legs and waiting for Bailey's reply.

"Hold on, it's not what you think, Bailey. He's just good-looking, that's all," I say, trying to ease the tension.

"Okay, if that's what you say. His name is Max," Bailey says, making advances toward the guy opposite our table.

"I even got it right," Amelia mutters to herself.

"Okay, bye girls," Bailey says, leaving us.

"Okay, baby girl, one last thing you need to know is that every girl in this club, no matter who they are... has or had a crush on him. But... the weird thing is that we were all rejected," she says, smiling to herself.

"What are you thinking about?" I ask, snapping my fingers in her face.

"Nothing much," she replies, resuming her smile.

"What do you mean by 'we'? Did you also have a crush on him?" I ask, wide-eyed.

"Well... It wasn't that big of a deal compared to the others because it was short-lived," she says, shrugging her shoulders.

"Why was it short-lived?" I ask, trying to hide the happiness that flows through my veins.

"There's a rumor of him being a vamp," she says, whispering.

"What do you mean by vamp? What does it mean?" I ask, curiosity eating at my heart.

"It means vampire," she says, scanning my face for reactions.

"What? Are you serious?" I ask, covering my mouth with my hands.

"What's up with that look? Is your crush fading away?" she asks, bursting into laughter.

"What evidence did whoever said that have?" I ask, trying to suppress my anger.

"Take it easy, girl. It's not just him; others are dancing and drinking with us in this club. But no worries, they will only suck your blood if you join them in a room alone," she says with a sly smile.

"Nah, it can't be possible," I think, darting my eyes toward him.

"Well, that's for you to figure out. Now that you know about him, why don't you go try your luck?" she says, lifting my chin to meet her gaze.

"Don't force me, Amelia, I'll go at my own pace," I say, trying to think of what to do.

"No worries, baby girl. The main thing is that it looks like the Lord of the Night is taking a leave till tomorrow," she says, pointing at him.

Watching him take off his apron, I can't help but stare at his well-defined abs. I know I need to act fast.

"Okay... Wish me good luck," I say, standing up and adjusting my clothes.

"Go, girl!" Amelia shouts, making me sit back down.

"What was that? I said wish me luck, not shout and make me shy, Amie," I say, looking down as my courage washes away.

"Sorry, babe, but sincerely, I never knew you to be weak or shy. You were always our spirit, but since your twin half-sisters showed up, you've changed completely," she says, trying to see the effect of her words.

"Okay, fine, I'll go," I say, standing up.

"Good luck, baby girl," she whispers.

Heading towards his direction, his face shines like the sunrise, leaving me breathless. His dark hair is artfully tousled, his sharp jawline highlighted by the club's dim lighting, and his eyes, a mesmerizing shade of green, seem to pierce right through me the moment he looks at me.

Comporting myself as best as I can, I flash him my best smile and take a seat in front of the counter, staring at him.

"It took you long enough," he says, folding his hands in front of me as he leans over and looks into my eyes. I am sure my heart stops beating. Unable to process my thoughts, I just stare at him.

"What would you like to drink?" he asks, withdrawing from the counter so I can finally breathe.

Staring at him, I decided to give him my best shot. "Mmm, anything as sweet as you," I say, instantly happy at the shock and smile that appears on his face.

"Okay, I think I know exactly what to make you. Although I was about to go home, I'll do you the honor of letting you be my last customer," he says, watching for my reaction.

"Impressed?" he asks, looking up at me.

"Uh ummm... Yes, very much. You're... good at this," I say, stuttering.

His smile widens, revealing just the hint of his perfect teeth. "Years of practice," he says, leaning a little closer. "But it's always nice to know it's appreciated."

Trying to maintain my composure, I start sweating as his gaze bores into mine. He has stopped mixing the drinks, and his focus is entirely on me.

There is something about him that makes the crowded club fade away, leaving just the two of us in our world. Suddenly, everything changes. His eyes turn red and his teeth grow longer than they were. I think I peed my pants.

Fear etches itself into my heart, and I become numb. Remembering everything Amelia told me, the puzzle pieces fit together.

"He is a vampire," I say in my mind, still pretending to smile while hiding my shock.

All of a sudden, my eyes go to his neck, and I feel extremely hungry. Surprised by my actions and thoughts, I try to make an excuse to leave, but I am irresistibly hungry, and his neck looks appetizing.

"Are you hungry?" he asks, looking directly into my eyes.