Kiss Me Undead

Chapter Twenty-Two || The Offer

Chapter Twenty-Two

The Offer

That night, Bill woke to the sound of footsteps going over the wooden floors of his home. He climbed out of the cubby and quietly pushed open the door. He was silent as he went to investigate the sound. The noise led him to the parlor. He stood in the archway, watching the scene before him. Reine was cleaning his house as she quietly sang to herself as she made the few final touches to the room.

The room was spotless. From what he could see, there wasn't a single piece of furniture covered in dirt. "Good evening, Reine." The vampire finally announced his presence.

Reine jumped when she heard Bill. She pivoted on the heel of her shoe to face him. He stood in the archway with a serious expression on his features. "I'm sorry if I woke you. I-I wanted to thank you for helping me."

"Have you been cleaning all day?" Bill asked as his eyes ran over her form. She looked tired, which led him to his question.

"Yes. Like I said, I wanted to thank you."

"There's no need for that, Reine."

"Is there something else you'd like?"

Bill was silent for a moment as he thoroughly thought through her question. Yes, there were other things she could do to thank him. However, he didn't plan to stoop that low to ask for her body. After the dream, that was all he could think of. He wanted her. The vampire couldn't help but imagine the images that filled his mind when he had been asleep. "No, this is more than enough. Thank you for your help."

Reine smiled and made her way over to him. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a tight hug. "No, thank you. Letting me stay here really means a lot to me. I'm not strong like Sookie. I can't be in the house right now. Not after what happened to Gran."

Bill returned the hug. As he did, he tried his best not to react to how her breasts felt pushed against his chest. The man cleared his throat and released her. "You're welcome. Now, have you eaten today? I'm afraid I don't have any food here for a human."

"To be honest, I've been so busy I haven't thought about eating."

"What do you say we go to Shreveport and get something to eat?"

"I'd like that. Just give me a few minutes to get ready, then we can leave." Bill nodded and watched as she made her way out of the living room and up the stairs to the guest room. Nearly forty minutes passed before she came back down. However, this time she was dressed up with her hair done.

"Shall we be on our way then?" Bill held out his hand to the young woman with a playful smile forming on his mouth.

Reine placed her hand in his and the two made their way out to the car. Bill of course was the perfect gentleman and opened the car door for her. Once he shut the door and was inside the car he pulled out of the driveway and they were on their way to Shreveport.

***

Once they arrived in Shreveport, Bill drove to one of the fanciest restaurants in the city. He pulled up to the curb, quickly got out of the car and helped Reine out. "Please be careful with the car." The vampire said to a man that Reine assumed to be a chauffeur. "Of course, sir." The young man replied.

Bill gave a curt nod as he escorted Reine to the restaurant. There was a long line of customers waiting for their tables. Reine didn't think that they would ever be able to eat with the large number of people. Bill didn't let that dissuade him, though. He pushed his way towards the front of the line, a charming smile on his lips as he greeted the host. "Sir, I'll need you to go to the back of the line."

"We don't need to." Bill replied as he began to glamor the host. "We have a reservation. We're next on the list."

Reine side eyed Bill. She wasn't sure what he was doing, but she was certain it would anger the other customers. The host didn't say a word to him as he looked over the list. "Of course, I'll have one waitress show you to your table."

As if on cue, the waitress seemed to appear out of nowhere with a well-practiced smile on her lips. "If you would follow me." The woman said as she led them through the restaurant to an empty table. Bill pulled out the chair for Reine and helped her to her seat. He quickly joined her at the table as the waitress handed them their menus.

Reine opened the menu and ran her eyes over the options. However, when she saw the price of the food her eyes widened. "Bill- this-this is too much. I can't let you buy me something that costs this much money."

"Don't worry about the cost." Bill told the girl. "Order what you'd like."

The teenager reluctantly looked over the food and ultimately decided on a steak with some steamed vegetables and a baked potato. She had her doubts that she could finish all the food, however, it sounded so good that it made her stomach growl. Reine closed the menu and handed it over to the waitress as she relayed her order to the woman.

A smile formed on Bill's lips as he closed his menu and handed it over. "I'll have some True Blood."

The waitress nodded as she scribbled down their orders before running off to the kitchens to get their food and drinks. Once they were alone Bill gave Reine his attention. "How are you handling things?"

"I'm just trying to keep myself busy, so I don't think about what happened."

"That's not the best way to handle this Reine. You need to work through your grief."

"I can't deal with what happened right now. If I do, I won't be able to function."

Bill fell silent, it wasn't because he didn't know how to reply. It was because he noticed a head of long blonde hair sitting at another table with his progeny. As soon as his gaze landed on the other vampire, the man turned his head and gave his full attention to Bill. Smiling, the vampire stood and made his way over to their table. "What a surprise, seeing you here." The vampire commented.

"Eric." Bill said with a nod. "A pleasure as always."

Eric's eyes landed on Bill's female companion. "Miss. Stackhouse, lovely to see you again."

Reine looked up at the vampire, her gaze never wavering. "It's nice to see you again as well, Eric."

"You wouldn't by chance still be free to be claimed, now would you?" Eric inquired as he looked over her attire. She wore a floral dress that gave off a lovely view of the tops of her breasts. He assumed the dress was quite short when she stood. As for her hair, it was down in soft curls. And for her makeup, it was done in neutral colors.

Reine shifted nervously in her chair. "I-I-."

"She's still under my protection." Bill cut in.

"That doesn't mean she is yours, Bill. I believe you already claimed her sister." Eric informed the vampire. "You would be smart, Miss. Stackhouse to become mine. You would be well taken care of, I promise you."

"I'll have to decline your offer. I'm perfectly fine on my own." Reine replied as the waitress came with their food. "If you would excuse us, our food is here."

"Consider my offer. It will only be a matter of time before someone claims you." Eric informed her.

"Then if that day comes you'll be the first I go to." Reine said as the waitress placed her plate of food down in front of her.

"Of course. Enjoy your night you two." Eric made his way back over to Pam, paid for his drink and the two left the restaurant to Bill and Reine. He could only hope that Reine would come to her senses and allow him to make her his.