"All right, that's done. Shall we?" he says, placing a hand on my lower back again.
I close my eyes and lean into him, grateful that he's still showing me this affection even though he doesn't have to know we're away from the ball. It makes the whole evening mean a little bit more to me.
It only takes us a few minutes to reach the bar. A few people stop to look at us, but most don't pay any attention. It's common enough for vampires to wear extravagant clothing, and humans aren't going to be entering this bar. With as much blood as there is in the bar, it's tempting fate to enter it in their case. Most vampires have control over their feeding impulses, but not all do. I wouldn't be wanting to head into a bar full of vampires if I was a human.
"What would you like?" Julian asks.
"O-negative, please."
He nods and leaves me at a small cosy table while he gets us glasses of blood. I relax back into the plush seat, enjoying the low light and laid-back feel of the bar. I've never actually been here, but I've heard about it from some of the other courtesans. Some of them have even met clients here. I haven't, but that's only because I don't like to meet any of them outside the safety of the Black Fan building.
Julian sets the glass in front of me and slides in. Our legs brush against one another, and he doesn't do anything to pull away. I'm glad of it. The contact makes me feel less like tonight has simply been a business transaction.
"What's it like?" he asks.
"What's what like?" I take a sip of my blood. It quenches the thirst that had started to build inside me. I'm not sure where it came from, normally I can go longer without blood.
"Being a courtesan." He takes his own drink.
I shrug. "It's just like any other job. There's good parts and bad parts. I'm lucky working for someone like Lady Catherine, I've heard some horror stories about some of the other brothels."
"Dare I ask?"
I shake my head. "I won't repeat it even if you do. I have no proof that any of it is true. It's just what I hear through the grapevine."
"Courtesans gossip?" Surprise tints his voice.
I chuckle. "More than anyone else I've ever met. The only thing that stays quiet are the names. It's not worth a courtesan's reputation to reveal who her clients are."
"That makes sense."
"So, what is the business you're trying to find investors for?" I ask, wanting to turn the conversation away from brothels and onto something I want to know about.
"Oh, it's a new blood substitute I've been developing with some scientists."
My eyes widen. "You can't do that here, it's dangerous."
He glances around, no doubt checking for anyone eavesdropping. "But here is where it's needed the most," he whispers. "I've heard that some vampires are going without blood."
I purse my lips, unsure if I should lie to protect him. But no, he doesn't deserve that. He needs to know what he's dealing with. "The poorest vampires struggle," I tell him. "But not officially. If you ask anyone, they'll tell you that everyone has enough. That's the premise of the city."
"I thought as much. But the more I learn about this place, the more I know this is something that's needed."
"Which is why you've been approaching the nobility about funding." I nod along with my words. "They're less likely to report back to the Mayor."
"Exactly. Because I'm noble myself, they'll be more likely to protect me. I was going to tell you that at the ball, but..."
"We almost got caught and I kissed you."
"Do you kiss everyone like that?" he teases.
"No." The word slips out before I think about it. I grab my glass and take a deep drink to cover it up, but I don't think I do a good job of it.
Julian must sense my discomfort, as he lets the comment slip.
"This is good blood," he says.
"It is," I agree. "I think it's because the humans it comes from are happier. I know that sounds strange, but it makes sense to me."
"You're right. They did a study on it about a decade ago. Blood that's given willingly from happy and healthy humans tastes better to most vampires."
"Most?" I cock my head to the side, intrigued by his use of the word. I'm glad to hear that I'm not going crazy about the rest of it though. No doubt the research never made its way to the city. It goes against some of the ways the city works, so is against the Mayor's best interests to release.
"I think some vampires like the taste of fear."
A shiver runs down my spine. I don't think he's wrong, but that doesn't mean I like it. "This place is perfect for them."
"Unfortunately, I think so, yes."
"It can't last forever."
"No. But we shouldn't be talking about this," he reminds me.
How have I forgotten that? I know better than to talk badly about the regime, especially in public.
"If you want to talk about this, we can back at the Black Fan," I suggest. With all of Lady Catherine's illegal activities, I'm reasonably sure the brothel isn't being bugged. She's too careful to be caught that easily.
"How about we spend a bit more time here first?" Julian suggests.
"I'd like that."
We settle in for another round of drinks. It's easy to talk to him, and I'm going to make the most of it. Though hopefully we can keep the conversation a little bit lighter than we have been doing.
Chapter 8
The sky is starting to lighten as we approach the doors to the Black Fan, but even with the risk of the impending dawn, I don't want this night to end. It's been so long since I've had a night out like this. Especially one where I get to go to a party and not have to work.
"Thank you for taking me tonight," I say, turning to face him.
We're standing closer together than we should. My gaze darts to his lips, and it's all I can do not to touch my own again. But, as surprising as it is, the urge to kiss him is strong.
"Thank you for coming with me," he counters. "You made a stressful night actually fun."
"There weren't as many people throwing themselves at you as you made out there'd be," I tease.
"That's because I had a beautiful woman on my arm to stop them." He steps closer to me.
"You think I'm beautiful?" I whisper.
Julian chuckles. "You know you are."
I bite my bottom lip. It's different to hear it from someone like Julian, when it actually means something.
He reaches out and almost touches my cheek, but then drops his hand before he can. I try to ignore the disappointment that rushes through me.
"Bindi..." His voice is full of promise. Or perhaps I'm imagining it. I hope not.
"Yes?" I take a chance and step forward.
Before I know what's happening, he reaches out and pulls me to him. His lips crush against mine. I melt into him, kissing him back instantly. I love the way his body presses against mine, like we fit in the best way possible.
The world around us ceases to exist, and it's impossible to think about anything other than Julian and our kiss.