The Flower Shop Vampyre

Liliana's POV

"Where is that light switch? Why do I always insist on carrying more than I can manage? A flower shop girl can only carry so many rose boxes at one time!"

In an instant, the overhead LED bulb went dark. Liliana pushed her back against the large door leading out of the walk-in cooler until it closed. The compressor deftly switched on, sealing the entrance shut. Seemingly, coffin tight.

Moving briskly past the large wooden work table used for bouquet arranging, Liliana juggled the tower of white containers stacked in her arms. The slick surface of the wholesaler's packages was causing the awkward long stem rose boxes to slide around.

"Ohhh.. don't you fall. Not now. The shop is already locked up for the night. Just need to get these thorns cut off the stems for the morning deliveries. I promised Aubrey I'd get this done before leaving for the night."

Unexpectedly, a call was heard over the brassy ring of the small service bell sitting near the register. The cool, crisp sounds of a man's voice echoed out in the dark storefront.

"Hello? Is anyone here? Apologies for not phoning ahead. Is anyone here?"

Liliana burst through the swinging doors separating the retail space from the back workroom. She glanced toward the front door expecting to see broken glass. Thankfully, the exterior sign lights were still off. The only light came from three small pendants hanging over the shop's front counter. Casting an inviting circle of intimacy.

Tossing the boxes onto the glass top, Liliana went to the wooden antique front door and twisted on the crystal handle. The door was still firmly bolted closed. Then, facing the man who still had his back to her, she started.

"Sir. I'm very sorry. The shop has closed for the evening. I'm not quite sure how you managed to get in…"

Her words trailed off as the tall figure turned and shifted his focus in her direction. The words in Liliana's mouth stalled, and all attention was drawn to the alabaster luster of his skin. It had the look of cool marble on an overcast morning. There was no undertone of pink nor the sallowness of yellow. Just a paleness that seemed to glow from within.

"Please forgive me. For the death of me, I have been unable to find a florist open late enough to send a bouquet of flowers locally."

Feverishly, Liliana moved back to the stack of boxes scattered on the counter. It was unlike her to stand and gawk at a customer, even if he was an incredibly handsome one.

Looking down at the stained work smock with florist shears in one pocket and shop keys in another, she frowned. Her simple white t-shirt and jeans underneath were no better. Reaching to open one of the boxes, Liliana started to lift the heavily thorned plants out of their tomb.

"Ouch. I know better than to handle these without gloves on."

Quickly dropping the bundle, the man watched as drops of bright red blood dripped from her hand onto the glass.

"Here, let me help you. I'm the one that barged my way into your shop. And, now you have cut yourself."

Liliana moved to the small hand sink and pulled a paper towel from the roll sitting on the edge. She turned back to mop the counter where the small cut in her hand had dripped. Pushing the flower stems around, she searched for the spot where she had bled.

Before she could say anything, the man slowly reached for her hand. Turning it over, he peered at the small incision where the thorn had pierced the delicate skin. Leaning closer, she watched in fascination as the light reflected off of his thick, raven-colored hair.

Tipping his head sideways, the man smiled copiously up at Liliana. A shimmer of desire sparkled in the upturned corners of his eyes, and he bit down on his bottom lip. Tiny points of snowy white teeth flashed momentarily.

Liliana quietly withdrew her hand. She almost cried out because she undeniably didn't want to take her hand out of his.

"It's not my shop. I'm only helping out my friend. She just had a baby. A beautiful little girl. It's her shop.

Really, I'm... I'm a lawyer by day. Aubrey and I have been friends forever. Since high school. Turns out I'm still the one unattached and no children."

"I hear the loneliness in your voice. It must be hard watching your dearest friend experience the birth of her first child?"

Stopping mid-thought, Liliana frowned at the man. But, then, instead of quipping back her usual brusque mind-your-own-business I'm-a-successful-lawyer remark, she lowered her lashes and softly replied.

"You're right. I am. All I ever wanted to be was a lawyer. I've worked incredibly hard all through school. Ended up first chair in my law class. Then a terrific offer came in from one of the top firms in the Washington, D.C. area. And now, just seeing my friend with her daughter...all I feel is this deep loneliness."

Quickly glancing back up, she was knocked back by the deep tenderness in the dark eyes of the strange man filling the flower shop.

"Enough of listening to me. My life is good. Now. Let's see what we can do for you."

She gave a nervous smile and turned toward the small display cooler holding the stemmed flowers for arrangements.

"Do you have a name? It's hard to converse with you properly about the flowers you want to order, not knowing your name."

A deep chortle further warmed the confident demeanor of the stranger before her. She tilted her head sideways, and a long lock of dark hair curled around her exposed neck.

"You have a wonderful chuckle. I'm sure your wife tells you that often."

Tipping his head back and letting the chuckle transform into a full laugh, the aloof man leaned over and ran a finger down the stray lock. His fingernail lightly traced a line down her neck.

"There is no wife. And you have a lovely neck."

Liliana was startled. This was so unlike her to carry on with a customer like this. Frankly, it was unheard of.

Taking a step back, she looked into the dark eyes of the man before her. Her heart was beating slightly faster, and a blush began to move up from her neckline. Before she could speak again, the man had swiftly removed a credit card from his small leather billfold.

"Here. Before we go any further. Please put all charges on this card. My name is Darick Xander."

The card placed on the counter was a black onyx credit card only carried by a handful of wealthy individuals worldwide. Liliana had only ever heard of the status card. Never ever seen one. Much less met an individual that actually carried one.

Picking up the card, she turned it over, reading the name printed on the front. Darick Xander. There was no other information except raised numbers and a small gold chip in the structure of the card.

"Well, Mr. Xander. I will need you to fill out this form for where you would like the flowers to be sent. Then we can look at what is available. You're in luck. Spring flowers have started to arrive."

Looking back down at the form, she saw it was completed. Slightly shocked, she started to speak again and was quickly hushed.

"Ms. Liliana. I trust you completely. Please include several stems of vervain in the arrangement. Unfortunately, I'm terribly late for another engagement and must depart now. You have been most enchanting."

Turning, the man silently moved to the shop entrance. Twisting the knob of the small brass lock, he unlocked the door and quickly left. There was a strange sound like a flutter of wings, wisps of some sort. Liliana looked to see if moths were collecting at the glass.

Seeing nothing, she moved to quickly bolt the door. Her heart was racing. Pressing against the clear pane, she tried to see which direction Darick Xander had headed. But, instead, the evening sky was already dark. The faint flicker of gas street lamps was the only light outside.

Pulling away from the glass, she slid her hands into the large smock pockets. Sounding a shocked yelp, she pulled one back out quickly.

"Oh no. I still have your credit card. And how did you know my name?"