Hot tea and sweet pastries (1)

*Four hours before the storm*

So, just like that, Vera found herself sitting in that man's living room with a cup of tea in front of her. There were also pastries on the lower table, but she wasn't in the right mood for eating. Not pastries, at least.

She had felt oddly attracted to that man; not that it was weird, given his other-worldly looks. But she had seen many handsome men before... Yet, it was the first time she had even just thought she wanted them in her bed.

That voice, which she already loved, asked her whether she wanted sugar, and she shook her head. There was no need for sugar if she could stare at him. Even though she wasn't really expecting a cup of tea.

Yet, he had made her one.

She sipped, inhaling the scent the fine tea leaves had left in the water. She was no expert, but she was sure those were high-quality leaves. Just like anything related to that man: his clothes, the furniture in his apartment... Even just the air surrounding him.

She felt at ease, safe like never before. So much that she forgot to defend herself from the dark presences of this world. It was like taking a break from life.

«So, what is a woman like you doing in Paris, all alone?» he asked.

«Work,» she replied before she could even consider if it was wise. It was better to keep her identity private. Just in case he turned to be a dangerous psycho.

He wasn't human: no human could breathe charm as he did. But she couldn't quite point out what his nature was. He was not a dark creature, to begin with; and she was an expert with those. She would have identified him even before seeing his appearance if that was the case.

She was on his sofa, looking up at him like a little girl waiting for candies. He had offered her dry clothes, and she had changed into one of his shirts. It was a little confusing to do so before going to bed - and not after - but she couldn't ruin that precious sofa by dripping water on it. Her hair was wrapped in a towel, and her fingers and toes were cold because of the rain.

However, that place felt warm, except for the marble floor. But she could resist the chills running up her calves a little longer. It wasn't going to last forever, either way. They would just have tea at that table... or maybe not?

She didn't know how to proceed. It was the first time she felt the desire to jump on someone like that. And, sipping from her cup, she was starting to reconsider. Maybe it was better to leave. She would thank him for letting her dry, and she would wave before disappearing into the staircase.

A one-night stand seemed like a good idea while listening to his melody, to the sound of the violin. But, once it disappeared, she felt shy and embarrassed. What was going on with her mind?

Oh, but she had to stay in Paris the whole night. The agency had ordered her, and she couldn't leave. Having a roof over her head was surely better than wandering the streets and getting even more rain and wind. It was going to be a long, stormy night.

«I am also here for work,» he said, seeing how she didn't elaborate her answer any further. He sat on the armchair, his eyes analysing her without hiding the interest when they swept over her legs. He felt like she felt, apparently.

«You don't live here?» she asked. Weird, his energy had invaded the whole place as if he had been there for ages. It enforced her idea that he wasn't human: if his energy could fill a place he didn't inhabit, he was special, to say the least.

«No. I used to live in Austria, actually. But I came here for some negotiations... Thankfully, the job is done. I was supposed to go back home in the evening, but the flight was cancelled.»

«Oh, how bad,» she sighed. She also wanted to go back. «Used to live?»

«I'm moving,» he sighed. He leaned back, placing his head on the backrest and staring at the ceiling. «I expanded my company in another place. I will move there until the business stabilises.»

«You seem to move often.»

«I do.»

«And aren't you tired? It's a lot of work... Especially getting used to another place, maybe another language. To the people and the food. It's exhausting.»

«It is, but it's fun. Also, I haven't found any reason to stay yet. I don't feel guilty for abandoning my old place in the end. That's a little sad, but...»

He sighed, glancing at her again.

«So, you're not from here,» he added.

«How'd you guess?»

«You speak English with me.»

«Oh, that... Well, no, I am not here.»

«You don't look like a tourist.»

«How come?» she asked.

She was touring the city as any tourist would do, right? She just avoided the quarters she knew for sure were populated with creatures. But about the rest: she looked perfectly normal!

How could that person think she was not a tourist? How?

«Call it a hunch,» he chuckled. «Also, you did tell me you're here for work. What kind of work?»

«Oh, I'm done,» she said. «I had to check something here. I checked, and now I'm free!»

She attempted a smile, more to change the subject than because she felt happy. It was not bad, sitting there and healing her eyes from darkness. Her whole body was pleased by his presence... Was he a walking amulet, keeping the worries away?

«That's good,» he mused. «Free time is the best, isn't it? Especially in a city as charming as Paris.»

She didn't know whether his words had a double meaning, but she had been the first to start that game. Oddly enough, he liked playing.

Was it a signal? That she would have to earn it if she wanted to reach the bed?