Chapter 4：Dinner for Two

GUILDSWORTH

POV DESMOND

My work did little to distract me. I couldn't seem to get Nathaniel's scent out of my mind. Coupled along with his sultry face as he leaned over me while I was pinned to the wall. Janice had grumbled about me being late when I finally walked through the door.

I gave her a sheepish smile and lied saying I got caught in traffic. She gave me a scrutiny once over before opening her booth as far away from Cynthia as she could get.

Cynthia didn't seem to notice and fixed the multiple necklaces around her neck. She was wearing a black silk button-up that seemed to hug every nook and cranny of her chest. I decided to speak to her another day about her work attire. I feared some of the older Lords would keel over in their coffins if she continued to dress like that.

The end of my shift couldn't have come quicker. Although Cynthia had made fewer mistakes today, Janice seemed snappier than usual. Every time Cynthia fixed her shirt, Janice clutched her pearls and mumbled something about Cynthia needing Jesus. I tried to keep my amusement to myself when she did this.

I was practically bouncing when I finally closed my booth for the night. I went into the back room and collected my coat and gloves. I pulled out my phone and noticed I had a missed call from my uncle. I tucked it back into my pocket, I would call him in the morning before I went to sleep.

I grabbed my briefcase last and waved to Janice and Cynthia on my way out. Janice was supposed to teach Cynthia how to close up the bank on her own. Cynthia gave me an enthusiastic wave goodbye and Janice just narrowed her eyes and gave me a small nod on my way out. Not even the spooky portraits on the wall could ruin my mood.

I walked back through the alley, being sure to have my flashlight on. I noticed that the man was gone and only a small splatter of blood remained on the cement. I picked up my pace and unlocked my car and slid into the driver's seat.

I started the car, again turning on the seat warmers. I let the heat from the car warm up my body and after a few minutes I took off my jacket and gloves. I also took off my suit jacket, laying it carefully in the back.

I pulled out from behind the building and slowly drove through the streets. I kept my eyes on the alleys on either side of the street, looking for Nathaniel. Right before the buildings ended, I spotted a tall figure stepping out of the darkness and under the last streetlamp.

I pulled over quickly and unlocked the doors. Nathaniel opened the door and attempted to pile into the car. He pushed the seat all the way back, but he still looked much too tall to be in the car. I stifled a laugh.

"So," Nathaniel began, foregoing the seatbelt, "where to?" I pulled away from the sidewalk and made turns to go towards the freeway.

"Well," I replied, "I can't go anywhere public with you since I can't have my uncle find out about this." I pushed the gas pedal as I went up the ramp to match the speed of the other cars on the freeway. "So, I figured we could just go to my place," I finished while I jumped into the carpool lane.

I looked over at Nathaniel and he was rerolling the sleeves to his white button up shirt. I wondered then if he owned any other colors besides white. A deep purple would really make his eyes pop. Nathaniel cleared his throat, and I glanced up, realizing I had been basically ogling his chest.

He was biting his lip and I could tell he was trying not to laugh. I quickly faced back towards the road, clearing my own throat, "Anyways, is that okay with you?"

Nathaniel crossed his arms in front of him, "That sounds just fine with me. But I will need you to stop at a grocery store before we get there."

"Oh, why's that? I have plenty of food at the apartment," I replied while making my way over to get to my exit lane.

"Because I'm going to be the one cooking dinner and I have something special in mind." I looked at Nathaniel out of the corner of my eye, but his face remained neutral as he stared out at the road.

"Alright, we can stop on the way. Is Steven's Market, okay?" I asked as I took the exit and turned towards the markets. Nathaniel nodded and soon we were parked at the edge of Steven's parking lot.

STEVEN'S MARKET

It was a simple grocery store; it was the one I frequented the most with it being so close to my apartment. I started to unbuckle and turned to open the door when my hand met empty air instead. Nathaniel was already there, holding my door open for me with his hand outstretched.

I thanked him and took his hand. I rose from the car, and I was almost chest to chest with Nathaniel. He was staring down at me and he was keeping hold of my hand. I moved to shut the door behind me and gently took my hand away from his. I clicked the lock button a few times and walked towards the entrance.

I grabbed a small basket since I needed a few things while we were here. The store was basically empty since it was 3:30 in the morning. I picked up some milk and a couple cans of cat food. I got some special treat bags as well since I know Hades has been feeling depressed since I started working longer hours. I made my way towards the front of the store when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I jumped since I hadn't heard anyone behind me, "Christ, Nathaniel. You need a bell." He was grinning and was holding his own basket full of ingredients.

"I just wanted to confirm that you aren't allergic to anything," he replied, showing me his basket.

"Oh, um, no I'm not allergic to anything. Feel free to make whatever sounds good. I'm not a picky eater either," I said, shifting my basket from one arm to the other.

"I'm surprised really," I continued as we made our way to the front.

Nathaniel quirked an eyebrow, "At what? A vampire doing his own shopping?"

I nodded, "Well yes actually. I figured since you work with the mafia that you would have someone running those kinds of errands for you."

Nathaniel gave a low chuckle as he put a bottle of wine into his basket, "I've lived over 500 years, and I have always done my own shopping and cooking." I whipped my head towards him, did he say he has been alive for over 500 years? I knew that the clients we served were very old, but Nathaniel always looked so much younger than the rest.

Nathaniel looked down at me and gave me a smug smile, "Is that a problem, how much older I am?" I shook my head and we separated to pay for our things. On our way back to the car I kept pace with Nathaniel. I strongly regretted taking off my coat and gloves and we both quickly tossed the groceries in the back seat. Once inside, I started the engine and turned the heat on full blast.

I rubbed my hands together and held them in front of the heater. I looked over at Nathaniel, but he didn't seem to be affected by the weather. "Do you ever get cold?" I asked buckling my seatbelt.

Nathaniel shook his head, "Not anymore. I used to climb mountains in just linen shorts and a shirt." He was smiling at the memory, which I hoped I could see pictures of one day.

"I've always wondered about the advantages you get once you turn into a vampire," I mused while avoiding a distracted biker. I felt the cabin of the car get cold, but I noticed the heat was still on.

I turned to look at Nathaniel, he was staring out the window, but his face was hard. His lips were set in a tight line and his hands were gripping his thighs. I turned back towards the road, ready to bring up a different topic when he responded harshly, "Yes, there are some advantages. Like how we are not affected by the weather. I could be stark naked in this cold and never freeze."

I made another turn as he continued, "I will never age, well, at least not as humans do. I don't technically need to eat real food, but I still find a nice meal to be a comfort. But trust me, if I had the choice to go back, I would have fought harder to not become who I am today."

I turned down the last street and put my blinker on to enter the garage. "But," Nathaniel said in a lighter tone, "that is a somber topic for another time." Nathaniel gazed up at the complex, "Is this where you live?"

I nodded as I made the turn into the garage, "My uncle pays for the apartment as long as I work for him. Not a shabby deal although it gets quite busy during the summer with all the tourists visiting the city."

DESMOND'S APARTMENT

I parked my car, away from the truck that was still there, and we both grabbed the groceries and exited the car. "Does your uncle live here as well?" Nathaniel asked as I pushed the call button for the elevator.

I shook my head, "No, he lives in a mansion up north. He likes to keep well away from the bustle of the city." Which I had never been more thankful for until now. The elevator dinged and opened. Thankfully there was no one inside and we piled in. I pressed the button for the 14th floor, "The first ten floors are for the hotel guests and the remaining 20 are for the apartments."

Nathaniel nodded and leaned against the back wall. I joined him and we rode up in silence. It felt strange having Nathaniel here with me. I was excited to eat something other than the basic food I knew how to cook and to spend some alone time with him. I felt heat rise to my cheeks.

It was just now setting in that I would be alone in my apartment with a vampire. No one else had entered my apartment besides my uncle and my cat Hades. I was so distracted I almost didn't hear the ding of our arrival.

I quickly pulled myself together and led him down the hallway. "Oh, by the way," I said as I turned the key in the lock, "I hope you are okay with cats." Before I could open the door all the way, Hades burst from the door and jumped at Nathaniel.