18

Table For Four

I watched him whisper into the girl's ear as she smiled flirtatiously, his reaction remained calm and collect as he did not respond to her objectives. My stomach churned as he placed his hand onto the small of her back, leading her over to our table. I knew I had no right to be jealous, but I couldn't help it, after the kiss we shared last night he has made it difficult to think about anything but his lips on mine and how he tasted. My eyes widened as I distracted myself from my well pictured image.

"You don't mind if we have company, do you Eleanor?" Mr. Grays eyes narrowed as he reached for my arm over the table, tenderly stroking it with his long fingers as I uncomfortably squirmed inside.

"No of course not sir this is your night I am here to do whatever you wish of me."

"Louis, please bring over another bottle of your finest red." Henry ushered him with his fingers in the air as he glared at me for a moment. "Carmen this is William Gray, he owns the biggest and finest whiskey distillery in America. This man is a business genius." He pulled out a seat for her as she offered her hand to William.

"It's a pleasure to meet you sir." Her voice was sickly sweet as she smiled at the kiss of his lips onto the back of her hand.

"And I you, this is Eleanor she is my beautiful date tonight, wouldn't you agree Henry she is rather exquisite." His eyes lit up as he introduced me to the table.

"Yes I would have to agree you are a very lucky man and room eighteen as well how did you manage that." Henry grinned, but something about his smile was off, I watched as his lips twitched with every word probably something only I would have noticed.

"It was, in fact, down to this fine gentleman here." He took Louis by the shoulders, who had returned with another bottle of red. "He contacted me to let me know about the beautiful Eleanor."

"Oh, is that right." Henry snarled as the vein in his temple protruded. "Well I guess you got very lucky this time around. Maybe you will think of me first next time Louis." Henry laughed it off as Carmen groaned softly placing her hand on his trying to regain his attention.

"Shall I get the table some fresh food?"

"No I think the wine will be more than enough." William held the bottle up and began to pour. "Eleanor are you sure I cannot tempt you."

"No, thank you I will just to stick to water."

"Ah sensible keeping a clear head, you never know what us vampires will try to get away with hey William." Henry nudged him playfully, but I couldn't help but think he had a hidden depth to his words.

"I would never do anything Miss Eleanor was not comfortable with."

"So tell me Elle, sorry you don't mind if I call you that do you, it's just I bet you don't actually like being called Eleanor do you?" He smiled as it melted my heart, but I couldn't help but feel he was treading on very thin ice.

"That is correct, I do prefer Elle or Ellie."

"You should have said." Williams lips turned as a hint of disappointment found them.

"Eleanor is just fine Mr. Gray, please don't let it worry you." My hand instinctively rested on his as a foot tapped to mine, making me release it instantly.

"So William how long are you planning on sticking around in Sitka, it's Nebraska you are originally from isn't it?"

"Yes that is correct, born and raised well for 22 years at least." He winked as they clinked wine glasses.

"Remind me, how long have you been a vampire, William?"

"Oh now I doubt that's something we need to be speaking off when we both have company Henry, that's always been one rule of mine I never talk about being a vampire in front of humans."