Wolf's Bane

Uncomfortable Questions

"Would it be strange if I said I was happy you're worried about Sebastian?" Andrew wondered as he parked the car near the garden.

"Happy?"

"I was worried about how you'd react to me employing a vampire, but you're more upset about him being there against his will," Andrew explained. "You don't seem bothered by him being a vampire. You never asked if he'd done something to deserve being enslaved. You saw somebody in a bad situation and never thought he might have done something to put himself there."

"Lots of people wind up in bad situations," she pointed out. "Most don't deserve to be there, so I try not to judge. Besides, people told me he wasn't dangerous. I doubt they would have said that if he was a vampire with a history of killing people."

"That's true enough," he agreed. "I still would have expected a human who's new to all of this to be a little more put-off by him."

Desiree snorted. "Depends on the girl. I know plenty who would become obsessed with him immediately."

"Yes, I suppose supernatural romances have become more popular lately," he commented. "I can't say I fully understand that."

"It's the thrill, I guess. Werewolves and vampires are dangerous, which makes a romance with them more exciting."

He raised his eyebrows as he looked at her. "Do you find the idea of a romance with me exciting?"

"Paranormal romance was never really my thing." She climbed out of the car and he followed suit.

"What is your thing, then?"

"You shouldn't want me to tell you if you actually want to win me over."

"Why not? It seems like the knowledge could help me."

"If I tell you what kind of guy I'm into or what I find romantic, then you try to become the person I want, I couldn't trust it," she explained. "It would be more difficult to fall for you because it would feel fake, even if that's really who you are."

"That's a fair point," he admitted. "I suppose I'll just have to win your heart the old-fashioned way, then."

"Why are you so sure you want it?" she wondered. "You barely know me."

"I know you well enough."

"You really don't unless you've been stalking me." She stopped and turned to him. "Have you been stalking me?"

He paused. "Not really."

"Not really?"

"As I said, you are a special person and I wanted to get to know you. Therefore, I tracked you down so we can meet. That's as far as I went."

"You knew about my financial station," she argued. "That seems weird."

"That was mostly a guess, given your career," he explained. "Admittedly, I did learn about your mother's passing, but that was simply by searching online. You could do as much research about me."

"Kind of seems like stalking."

"Have I made you uncomfortable? I promise that wasn't my intention. I never intended to violate your privacy."

Desiree wasn't quite sure how to feel about the situation. It didn't seem like he had done anything particularly creepy and he sounded genuine in his apology. "Why did you want to meet me so badly?"

"I fear if I explain too much if might sway your feelings," he replied. "It's much like you refusing to tell me what you're seeking in a romantic partner. I would like anything that happens between us to happen naturally and that might not be possible if you have too much information."