A waiter appeared instantly. He was dressed like a vaquero. “Si, Senor Lord? You are ready to dine?”

Thomas smiled. “Si. Vamos a empezar. Con el Ceveche, en tonzes vamos con el Salpicon e Empanadas e Tapas.”

The waiter executed a tiny bow and left.

“You speak Spanish?” Eve asked in surprise.

“Si,” Thomas replied modestly. A slight smile played around his lips. He spoke every language known to man, but a part of him was flattered that she was impressed.

“What did you order?”

Thomas chuckled. “I ordered Ceveche, which is marinated spicy fish. Salpicon is a shredded beef salad with peppers, potatoes, eggs, and carrots. Empanadas are delicious. Think of it as a spicy beef turnover. Tapas are Spanish tidbits. I hope you like them.”

Eve was delighted. She enjoyed trying different foods. “It sounds divine and I’m sure I’ll love them.”

They dined and listened to music. The food was delicious and Eve couldn’t remember when she had a better time.

The orchestra was in rare form. The music was pulsing and rhythmic. A couple of waiters brought in a couple of long wooden poles. They stood on either side of the poles.

The crowd went wild. Whoops and catcalls flavored the air.

“What’s going on?” Eve asked.

Thomas smiled. “The vaquero’s have this ritual dance. They put the poles on the floor, then touch them together and pull them apart. The dancer must dance in between them and outside of them, the music gets faster and so do the poles.”

Eve smiled. “Wow…I never heard of that before.”

Thomas shrugged. “It’s usually done to impress a young woman.” Eve smiled wistfully. She was imagining a dashing young man impressing his senorita.

Thomas looked at her for a beat. He rose from his chair and to Eve’s astonishment walked on to the dance floor.

The vaquero’s grinned and knelt. The crowd was laughing and clapping.

The music started a slow sexy beat. The two men slowly worked the poles. Thomas danced sensually, adroitly weaving his way in and out of the poles.

The music began to gradually get faster. Thomas grinned and kept up with the swiftly moving poles.

He loosened his tie and threw his jacket off. Every female eye was on him. Eve stood and walked to the dance floor. She was staking a claim. She tossed a ruby earring on to the floor in between the poles.

Thomas snatched it up and kissed it. The crowd went wild, catcalling and whistling. The music reached a throbbing crescendo. Thomas’s feet were a blur.

His hair was unbound and wild. He looked sexy as all get out. The song finally ended. The patrons were on there feet clapping loudly.

Thomas laughed and bowed. He strode over to Eve and kissed her hard on her mouth.

“Eh-pa!” Yelled the vaqueros.

“Eh-pa!” Shouted the passionate crowd.

Eve wound her arms around Thomas and kissed him ravenously. The orchestra began playing and the dance floor filled rapidly. Thomas held Eve tightly in his arms and they samba’d with the rest of the people.

Unbeknownst to either of them, someone was watching them closely. Their relationship was growing. It concerned him deeply. Thomas was giving his heart away and that could prove to be fatal.

He would have to put a stop to it quickly. Thomas’s existence could very well depend on it.

To be continued….

CHAPTER TWELVE

Thomas held the front door open for Eve. It was late and they were replete with good food and music.

“Thomas, I cannot thank you enough for tonight. It was…the most enjoyable evening I’ve ever had,” she said sincerely.

Thomas cupped her face in his hands. “Then I’m rewarded, cherie.”

Kato walked in the foyer and caught Thomas’s eye. “Excuse me but you are needed, Monsieur.”

Thomas’s smile faded. “Oui. I’ll be with you shortly, Kato. Merci.”

He turned to a puzzled Eve and lifted her hand. “We will talk in the morning, n’est pas?

Eve nodded. “Of course. Please, attend to your business. Goodnight Thomas.”

“Bonne nuit, mon chou.” He looked regretfully at her and strode out of the room.

Eve felt a flood of disappointment hit her. She had the most romantic evening of her life and it was cut short.

She slowly walked to her suite wishing for things that she knew were not going to happen.

*******************

Thomas entered the chapel on his property and waited. He turned and acknowledged the silent figure with a nod.

“Papa,” Thomas said gravely.

“Bonjour Thomas.”

Renouart Lord walked out of the shadows towards his son. He was an imposing figure.

He stood three inches taller than Thomas. His silver hair was brushed straight back from his face. Arched jet-black eyebrows rested above his metallic gray eyes. They shimmered like twin pools of quicksilver. He had the same aristocratic nose and sensual mouth as Thomas did. He was devastatingly handsome.

Except for their coloring, the resemblance of Father and Son was amazing. He was muscular and dangerous looking. He didn’t even bother trying to cloak his Vampiric features.

They embraced and Renouart placed a gentle kiss on either side of Thomas’s face. “You are looking well, le fils.”

“Merci Papa, and you too.”

Thomas lit a slim cheroot and offered one to his father. Renouart declined with a flick of his wrist. “I am always glad to see you, but the reason I have come is not…a pleasant one.”

Thomas ground out his cigar and tensed.

I know that all too well. Now comes the real reason. And it sure isn’t to see me or to spend time with me.

Thomas was once again reduced to child and he didn’t like the feeling one bit.

“Why don’t you tell me why you are here then?” Renouart sighed. “The jolie fille, Thomas.”

“What about Eve?” Thomas asked defensively.

“You are getting close, n’est pas? Entirely too close and it worries me.”

“I have everything under control.”

“Do you? From where I am standing it doesn’t appear to be so.”

The action didn’t go unnoticed. Renouart lifted an elegant brow and stared dourly at Thomas for a beat. “You know how dangerous it is for us to reveal ourselves. You are getting intimate with this mortal and it’s unacceptable as well as inappropriate.”

“You mean the way you got “intimate” with Maman?” Thomas replied with a harsh crack of laughter.

He stood and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Excuse me if I find the hypocrisy of that statement hard to swallow, Papa!"

Renouart began to get angry as well. He glared at his strong-willed son. “You will keep a civil tongue in your head espéces de tête dure!”

Thomas squared off in front of his father. “Well if I’m hard-headed, then I owe it all to you.

Didn’t granpere tell you the same exact thing you’re telling me now? And did you listen to him?

Non, you didn’t ! You were in love with Maman and no one was going to stand in your way. Why should I be any different?”

“C’est assez!” Renouart shouted. “That is enough!” He grasped Thomas by the shoulders and shook him.

“You will listen to me, boy. I live with the heartache of losing Celine every day. She wanted a normal life, to live her life and die naturally like all mortals do.

I had to watch her die, knowing I would live forever. Knowing that I would never see her, or touch her again.

Is that what you want for yourself?

And I’ll tell you one more thing, your mother knew who and what I was. How do you know this little one will accept that? How do you know she will not be horrified by what you are, Thomas?”

Renouart shook his head sadly at the pain and doubt he saw in his son’s eyes.

“When your Maman gave birth to you it was the biggest miracle of our lives,” He said gently. “We both knew we could never attempt to have children, but God saw fit to give you to us. You are the only one of your kind, le fils.

You are a Vampire, but you are also human. And that human part of you is vulnerable, Thomas.

You feel. Your soul has great depth; you have a capacity for love that is fathomless. But the other side of you is cold, ruthless, and predatory.

Those two sides are at war with each other constantly.

But the inescapable fact is, you are immortal. And that will never change.

You cannot expect this young woman to give up having children and normalcy to live this life, can you?”

Thomas spun around and punched a hole in the stone wall of the chapel. He knew his Father was right.

With a low growl he ripped up the heavy pew from it’s concrete post and hurled it across the room.

For the first time in his life he hated who he was… what he was. Renouart stood impassively and watched him work through his anger. It pained him to see Thomas in such personal conflict.

He forced himself to harden his heart.

Le Croix was waiting for an Achilles heel and this woman was the way to Thomas’s ruination. Renouart would not allow that to happen. Thomas was his son. His precious gift.

He walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. “You are like your mother, so passionate and giving. I am sorry for your pain, le fils.”

Thomas nodded his head and said nothing. He felt depression weigh him down like an anchor.

“It’s fine Papa,” he said tiredly. “I hear what you’re saying.” Renouart sighed. “Then we have no need to discuss it further.”

Together they walked out of the chapel.

“Of course you will stay the night here,” Thomas said politely.

“Oui. I am getting too old for all this travelling.” Thomas smiled cynically and said nothing.

Renouart Lord was deadly, cunning, and the most powerful of his kind. The last thing he was, was old.

********************

Eve was applying a coat of shiny lipstick to her mouth when she heard a soft tapping on her door.

“Come in,” she answered happily. Kato entered her suite. “Thomas would like you to join he and his Father for breakfast.”

Eve turned around and faced Kato. “His father?”

To say she was surprised was putting it mildly.

She was immediately thrown into a tailspin. When did Thomas’s father arrive? Why hadn’t he mentioned it to her? She felt unprepared and nervous.

As if reading her mind Kato smiled softly. “Do not worry, child. Everything will be fine. Please…come with me now.”

Eve nodded and followed Kato silently into the sunny dining room. He gave her a gentle nudge and disappeared.

Eve cleared her throat. “Good morning.”

The two men turned and watched Eve advance toward them. Thomas looked cool and collected.

“Papa, allow me to introduce Madmoiselle Eve Knight. Eve, this is my father Renouart.”

Renouart Lord took Eve’s trembling hand in his own and bent over it. “Enchante petite,” he murmured smoothly against her pulse.

“Bonjour Monsieur Lord,” she said quietly.

She glanced at Thomas. He was staring at her remotely. Her heart started banging against her ribs.

She took a moment and studied Thomas’s father. He was not what she expected at all. She expected an older man, one with a kind face. Renouart Lord was the exact opposite.

Tall and muscular, he appeared to be in his late forties. She knew that had to be impossible.

He was extremely handsome and elegant. He had the dangerous eyes of a hungry wolf…penetrating and hard.

He and his son shared that unsettling trait. In fact, Thomas resembled his father a great deal.

Eve felt a wave of dizziness overcome her. She could not bear to look into his eyes.

Renouart stepped back from her. A slight smile played on his lips. He had forgotten how tender mortals were, especially the female ones. He could hear her heart race inside her chest. His eyes flashed gray fire once, than dimmed.

The hunger was always there, just riding under the surface.

He offered Eve his arm. “Shall we dine?”

Eve smiled and nodded. “Oui, Monsieur.”

“Call me Rene,” he purred suavely.

Thomas walked behind them and rolled his eyes.

Sometimes his father really bugged the hell out of him.

Eve sat across from Thomas and tried to catch his eye. He barely glanced her way. He and his father spoke of mutual acquaintances in Europe.

He closed himself off to her and Eve couldn’t understand why. Her appetite deserted her. She finally gave up and laid her fork down. After what seemed to be an eternity, the meal was over.

Eve stood. “I should get some work done, Thomas.”

She willed the tears at the back of her eyes at bay. Thomas and his Father rose from the table.

“And I must return to Europe. I will be leaving shortly. It was a pleasure to meet you Madmoiselle Knight.” Renouart touched his lips to her wrist.

“It was a pleasure meeting you as well,” Eve replied faintly. “Have a safe return home.”

“You can go ahead and start working on those revisions, Eve. I’ll be with you in a while,” Thomas said distantly.

She nodded and quickly left the room.

Thomas tightened his jaw. He knew how hurt she was. He and his father walked outside. Renouart turned to his son. “I will be checking on you, Thomas. This situation with La Croix must be stopped. I trust you to handle it?”

“Oui,” Thomas said grimly. “Once I find out who is behind him I will destroy Gerard, you can count on it.”

The elder Lord nodded. “And the other situation we discussed?” Renouart could understand why Thomas was so enamored. Eve Knight was indeed a beautiful and lush creature. He could feel the pull of the young woman.

“It’s under control Papa,” Thomas rapped out tightly.

Renouart smiled like a wolverine. “Bon, then I will say adieu.”

He kissed his son and walked away, disappearing into thin air.

Several hours later Thomas entered his study. He watched Eve silently for a moment.

She was absorbed in his manuscript and unaware of him. Her black hair was glinting blue fire in the late afternoon sun. He longed to feel that silky hair all over his body.

Eve looked up suddenly. “Oh! I didn’t notice you standing there.” She smiled at him.

“You weren’t meant to,” Thomas said coolly. He gathered up his manuscript and leafed through the papers quickly.

“You made a lot of progress. Take the night off.”

Eve rose. “Would you…I mean…maybe we could spend the evening together.” She twisted her hands together nervously.

He looked like a remote, implacable stranger. He was dressed in tight black jeans, turtleneck, and a hip-length leather jacket. His hair was in a loose braid that ran down his back like a satin river.

Thomas glanced at his watch. “I have plans.”

Eve felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. “I see… well have a nice evening then.” She began to walk out of the room. Eve hesitated and stalked back, stopping inches from Thomas.

“What’s wrong?” She asked flatly.

Thomas shrugged indifferently. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Eve shook her head. “Your attitude, that’s what. You haven’t been yourself since last night. I want to know what the matter is…”

Thomas smiled coldly. “Look…Eve. I don’t have to explain myself to you, comprendez?”

Eve felt tears coming. She took a deep breath and forced them away. “I never said that you did.”

Thomas folded his arms. “Bon, then we don’t have a problem do we?” He narrowed his eyes and stared her down.

“I hope you didn’t get the wrong impression about last night,” he said replied as an afterthought.

“What do you mean?” Eve asked quietly.

Her heart dropped to her feet. She knew what was coming next.

“Don’t attach any sentimental feelings over the evening we spent together. Because that’s all it was, cherie…a pleasant evening between employer and employee.”

Eve felt the blood rush to her head. She slapped him hard across his face. “You lying bastard,” she whispered.

Thomas’s eyes glowed like an animals. He roughly yanked her against his chest. “Don’t you ever strike me again, Eve. Do it once more and I’ll show you just how much of a bastard I can be.”

Eve was shaking violently. He looked dangerous and frightening. His white teeth were bared like a leopard. She was truly afraid of him.

He saw the naked fear in her eyes and released her in disgust. “Grow up, bé bé. So we had a few kisses? What does it mean? Nothing as far as I’m concerned.” He shrugged and ran his tongue over his lips. “I kiss a lot of women, little cat.”

Eve stepped away from him.

What a stupid fool she was.

“You’re right about one thing, Monsieur Lord,” she said in an icy voice. “It meant nothing at all…”

She turned and walked out of the room with her head held high. As she walked to her suite her lungs felt as though they would collapse under the pressure of holding back her sobs. She made a split decision and headed for the front door instead.

She needed to get out of his house. She needed to reclaim her life before Thomas consumed it …and her.

Gerard watched Eve run out of Thomas’s house. “Excellent,” he murmured.

He transformed himself and set off after her.

Oh Thomas, you’re making this way too easy…

To be continued…