Learning Curve

Chapter 7 - Elevator Endeavor

Getting ready took a little longer than usual, with all the tickling and smooches Drac attempted to bestow that prevented Ericka from getting dressed in a timely manner, but eventually she and Drac had prepared themselves for the event.

This time it was a wedding of the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Gremlinburg that was being held inside the hotel's expansive venue. Dracula had chosen to wear a smart-looking dark purple vest with a little white ascot in the collar to give off a more formal vibe. Traditional black slacks and Oxfords completed the ensemble, making the Prince of Darkness look rather sharp. His partner matched in elegance as well. Ericka had chosen to wear a lovely off-the-shoulder white dress that had a nice sunflower pattern on it. Sequins were woven into the top part of the dress, and a scandalous slit ran up the side of her right thigh. Ericka straightened the golden rose in her hair, quickly touched up her application of lip gloss, and pulled more of the dress up her bosom after her fiancée had attempted to grab at her one too many times.

She gripped the vampire's pale hand firmly in her as she tugged him along out of their chambers and towards the elevator, a huff of annoyance escaping her lips.

"Honeybat..." he whined, squeezing her hand gently.

Ericka gave him a side glare. "I don't mind being fashionably late, but this is my best dress! Any more of your playing around and you would've stretched it out or ripped it!"

Dracula chuckled as she clicked the button to the elevator and waited for it to arrive. "Sweetheart, what are you talking about? Your 'best dress'? You look good in anything. Your romper, your pajamas..." He smirked a little. "... Your birthday suit..."

Ericka rolled her eyes and quickly stepped into the elevator when it came, hoping that he didn't see the blush that rose to her cheeks as she pressed the button to the first floor. She turned to him then, crossing her arms. "Now, let's hope that this ride doesn't take too long."

Drac blew a raspberry. "Mavis has seats saved for us," he said, sidling up next to her.

"That wasn't my concern," she replied dryly, tugging away his wandering hand from going up the curve of her thigh. "It's going there looking like I've been ravaged by a certain vampire!"

"Oh, whaaat," Drac said, feigning hurt. "You don't like my company?"

He tried to kiss her, but Ericka dodged away so that she could continue speaking. "It's not that. Of course I love your company... just not making it obvious to everyone."

The Count laughed. "I think we're past that," Drac said, leaning down to nuzzle against her neck, making Ericka shudder delightfully. Then she frowned. He was using his charm on her... and it was working. She pushed him away and dusted her arms off. "Quit it, Drac," the woman chided, shaking her head at him fondly. "It's bad enough being in such a close space with you."

"Hmmm," came Drac's thoughtful reply. He narrowed his eyes and looked at her, Ericka keeping her gaze straight ahead on the elevator doors as they continued descending the floors from the top down.

7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2...

CLANG!

Right before the elevator could make it past the second floor and all the way to the bottom for the first, it suddenly rang out with an unusual noise and jerked about. Ericka gasped and would have fallen backward from the sudden stop if it weren't for Drac catching her right before she collided with the floor.

Her eyes widened and Drac looked about, his jaw dropped in what seemed to be shock. "Oh my," he muttered. "The elevator has stopped. And now it looks like we're stuck in here... together."