Maurice Ch. 09

I happened to glance back at him and saw his eyes flashing; they stopped as soon as he realized that I had caught him looking at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Do you want the truth or shall I say nothing?" he asked.

"Say nothing." I replied.

He laughed before responding, "As you wish but please permit me to say that you look lovely."

Damned if I didn't blush which made him laugh again.

********

The valets started walking to the car as soon as they saw us. When the car was stopped one came to the driver's side and one waited by the passenger side. Each young man greeted us with a smile and wished us a pleasant evening; I had to wonder if Walter didn't have anything to do with this. The one on the passenger side had already helped Regina out of the car but I didn't like the greedy way in which he was looking at her breasts. When I got close to him I gave a nudge hard enough that he gasped, when he looked at me I gave him a stare that made him gulp.

None other than Walter greeted us at the door.

"Welcome!" he said as he led us to the table, "I hope that this is satisfactory, if not I do have another table."

"This is perfect." I said making sure to smile at him, "Thank you for meeting my needs."

"You're more than welcome and you may have just started something here." he replied.

After we were seated our server came to introduce himself.

"Good evening, my name is David and I will be attending to all of your needs this evening. May I offer you something to drink?"

He took our order and was back in minutes. He left our drinks and then stepped away to wait for my signal.

"So Regina, I hope that you had a pleasant day."

*******

Alright, he was beginning to grow on me but I wasn't giving in just yet but I will admit that I was having a good time. The one thing that I really liked was that he didn't push the mate thing, if it came up it was because I brought it up. He answered my questions clearly and without pontificating on how great my life would be if I would give him a chance.

There were times over the past week that we didn't talk about it at all, we were just two people spending time together and yes I know that I said people. I was finding that I was enjoying being treated like a lady although I was getting tired of all of the fancy restaurants. Don't misunderstand me, I liked the restaurants and dressing up but sometimes a peanut butter and Jelly sandwich with a glass of milk just can't be beat.

David was very good at his job and Maurice made sure to tell him that, it was just another thing that I liked about him, just because he had money he didn't act as if the world should bow before him, he showed everyone respect. After dinner we moved to the room where the dance floor was, our server went with us and stood far enough back to give us privacy but close enough to hear us if we called is name.

The first few songs were fast and Delgado wasted no time getting me out on the dance floor. Believe it or not the man could dance! I mean he looked like a professional! I found myself clapping along with everyone else as we left the dance floor.

"Did you take lessons?" I asked.

"No but I used to be a dance instructor among other things" he replied.

That explained it, and I wanted to know what else he had been in his life.

"Many things." He replied, "I have been a farmer, a teacher, a lawyer but for the most part I am a business man."

"What kind of business?" I asked.

"Imports, exports, microchip technology and things like that." He replied as he stood, "come let's dance." he said and held out his hand.

*******

As the evening wore on another side of Regina came out- the fun loving side, I suspected that it was a side of her that few ever saw with the exception being Annie. I loved hearing her laugh and I have to admit that I didn't miss the side of her that could be sarcastic and as stubborn as hell. That doesn't mean that I wanted to change any of those things, I just meant that that part of her wasn't needed at that point in time. She is really a good dancer and watching her breasts and ass jiggle as she danced was almost my undoing so I kept my eyes on her face.

I could tell even if she couldn't that she was beginning to see me as someone that she liked being with as opposed to a pest that she was hoping to be rid of in a few weeks. Tonight was the beginning of the second week and this week I was upping the ante, I was going to start introducing the physical part of our budding relationship. Tonight I was going to kiss her. What's the worst that could happen? She'd slap the shit out of me but it would be worth it if I could get that kiss.

There was a slow song playing so I held my hand out to her expecting a little reticence and was pleased when there was very little although she was thinking about declining. Once on the dance floor I took Regina into my arms for the first time as a man/vampire, I can't even begin to explain what it felt like. If I had to choose a word it would be perfect, she felt as if she belonged in my arms and I didn't want to let her go. When the song was over I forced myself to release her, I looked at her and was speechless, I wanted to kiss her right then and there and didn't care who was watching.

I kissed her.

*******

I guess when you live forever it only made sense that there could be more than one career, I myself have only had one and that was as a social worker. I wondered if I chose that profession myself or if it was chosen for me but then decided that it really didn't matter because for the most part I liked my job and because there had to be some part of my personality and life that the Lannisters couldn't control-right? I mean my personality is my own, I can't imagine the Lannisters letting me be the stubborn woman that I am unless.... Never mind, I don't even want to go there.

When Delgado asked me to dance to a slow song, I was a little hesitant. Other than when he carried me to his house and then to the hotel room and those don't count because I don't remember it I haven't been that physically close to him. I almost said no but then he gave me that "I dare you" Look again.

When he put his arms around me, I felt .... Safe. His hold was firm but gentle and I knew that if I backed away he would let me go and not try to keep me in there. I guess it confirms what he's been trying to tell me, I am not a prisoner like I was with Micah, it was my choice whether I stayed in his arms or not and.... I chose to stay.

I know that some of you are getting impatient with me and wonder what in the hell is wrong with me but consider this, most of my life wasn't my own, it was being controlled by vampires and Maurice was a vampire. I maintain that there's nothing wrong with my being cautious and wary. If you feel that I should just jump into his arms and bed already you're entitled to your opinion but this is my life that we're talking about here.

Anyway, as I was saying, I felt safe and I chose to remain on the dance floor with him. What I wasn't expecting was to be kissed. My first reaction was to push him away, this dance was going places that I wasn't ready for. I didn't get mad or slap him; I just put my hand on his chest and pushed just hard enough so that he knew that I wanted him to stop. Was it a bad kiss? Not by any stretch of the imagination but I was afraid that things were moving much too fast. Remember that this was the first night of week two and I was still planning on telling him adios after the end of the month.

To his credit he stopped almost immediately but he didn't let me go either, if anything he held me even closer and I chose to let him.

Fresh drinks were waiting for us when we returned to the table and David was standing at a discreet distance away from the table. I noticed that when we sat Delgado slid his chair a little closer to mine but I made no comment about it. Instead I asked a question.

"Why me?"

*******

After I kissed her and she pushed me away I braced myself for a slap or for her to take off running. When it didn't happen I allowed myself to relax and enjoy the fact that we had just shared out first kiss. It wasn't one of those kisses where people look at you and roll their eyes and make comments like "get a room." but it wasn't a chaste kiss either. In that kiss I made my intent known and she responded even though she tried not to, I knew what she was thinking, she was thinking that she was going to win this. For the time being I would let her think that at the end of our month together she would win.

She wanted to know why her and I didn't know how to explain it to her without it sounding like what Micah Lannister had tried to pull so I answered her question with a question.

"Why not you?"

"That's not an answer." she replied but she let it drop.

As much as I enjoyed our week together it was time for me to give her some time alone to think.

"I have some business that I need to take care of so I won't be seeing you tomorrow." I said and watched her reaction.

"Oh... alright." she replied.

"I'm sure that you're more than ready for an evening to yourself, I'll call you sometime on Monday."

She didn't know what to think but she didn't question me about it. We danced a few more dances and I didn't kiss her again as much as I wanted to. After the last dance I paid David the agreed upon amount plus a tip.

"You did an excellent job." I told him.

"Thank you sir." he replied.

I took a closer look at him and saw a touch of sadness in him and I wanted to know why so while Regina was in the ladies room I asked.

"It's nothing really." he said.

"David, I sense the sadness in you." I said, "So tell me."

He hesitated for just a moment before he spoke.

"I guess I was jealous." he replied.

"Jealous of what?"

"You." He replied, "I want what you have, the money, and the beautiful woman... all of it."

"Why do you think that you can't or won't have these things?" I asked.

"The days of the self-made man are over." he replied, "you have to have a college education to get anywhere and even then you're not guaranteed to find a job."

After thinking for a minute, I pulled out my wallet and handed him a card.

"Be at this address by 10 am on Monday." I said, "But I want to tell you something, the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. Having money brings with it great responsibility and means nothing if you don't share it with others." I said.

"I know that but I want to be able to do the things I've always wanted to do and help people along the way, you know what I mean?" he asked.

"I do." I replied, "But if that young lady who I'm here with tonight told me that in order to be with her that I'd have to give away every dime I had I would do it in a heart beat. David there are some thing that are much more valuable and important than money. Always remember that."

********

I came out of the bathroom and saw that Delgado was talking to our server. As far as I could tell neither of them knew that I was listening to their conversation, alright yes I was eavesdropping! But I wanted to know what they were talking about and yes had I asked Delgado would have told me.

Confession time.

When I heard Delgado talking about the responsibility of having money I understood him a little better. I understood that while he did drive fancy cars and took me to fancy places this was only a part of him. There was the part that wore tee shirts with ratty jeans and flip flops and that was the part of him that I was more familiar with. But when he told David that I meant more to him than all of his money.... My heart melted a little more. Did I believe that he would give away all of his money to be with me?

Yes.

I said something to alert them that I was back from the bathroom and walked up to them. Delgado nodded at David, put an arm around my waist and led me out through the restaurant. He stopped at the hostess desk and asked for Walter.

While we waited, I took the time to think about the evening, it had been a long time since I could really say that I had a good time, it had been even longer since I could say that I enjoyed being with the person that I was with.

"Regina?" Delgado said, "Are you alright?"

Walter came out with a huge smile on his face.

"How was everything?" he asked.

"It was perfect!" Delgado said, "I wanted to thank you once again for your willingness to help me with this evening."

"You're more than welcome and if you ever want to do this again please let me know." Walter replied shaking Delgado's hand.

"If you are amenable, I would be happy to pass your name on to my business associates...."

"That would be wonderful!" Walter exclaimed, "I've been on the phone with my bosses and they like the idea. Thank you for choosing us!"

The car was already waiting for us when we reached the front; apparently David had given the valet warning that we were on our way out.

A short time later he was walking me to the door.

"Sleep well Regina." he said and kissed me on the cheek before walking away.

*******

As I walked away, I realized that it was getting harder and harder for me to leave her. It was never easy but the closer she came to accepting me the harder it was becoming for me to say good bye to her. I was seriously reconsidering not seeing her on Sunday but she needed to be alone to think or to do whatever it was she did to relax. I was also regretting not kissing her again and even thought about going back so that I could but I didn't, I would have to wait until Monday.

******

After Delgado was gone, I felt lonely. It galled me to admit it but it was the truth. I changed clothes and called Annie knowing that she would want details. I told her about everything except for the kiss, if I would have told her she'd have me getting married along with my brothers which reminded me that I hadn't spoken to them in a couple of days.

She asked me when I was coming and I told her that I wasn't sure yet but that I would let her know as soon as I did but that I would be there in plenty of time for the baby's arrival and to help with the wedding(s). We hung up a few minutes later and I called my brothers both of whom happened to be home.

"What's going on nutty nut?" Danny asked.

"Not much but I am making plans to come for the wedding and the baby." I replied.

"How long do you think you'll stay?" he asked.

"Until everything is done." I replied.

I talked to Eddie and realized that I wouldn't be meeting his mate until I go there for the wedding. I could tell that he was happy, I could hear it in his voice and I could tell that he loved his mate; I could hear the smile in his voice when he said her name- Marlena.

"She can't wait to meet you!" he said excitedly.

It never occurred to me to ask if she was human or vampire because.... Well because it just didn't matter. The only thing that did matter was that he, Danny and Annie were happy.

"I'm anxious to meet her too." I said meaning it.

We hung up a few minutes later and you know what? I really was looking forward to seeing everyone again even Olivia and Gremlin.

I put a movie in the DVD player and fell asleep before the opening credits were done. I woke up early and wondered how I was going to spend my day. What was funny is that I never had to think about that before; I would watch movies or work on a quilt that I was cross stitching but none of that sounded good.

I made a cup of hot tea as I thought about how to spend my day. I had a mind to call Maurice...... oh shit! I was actually considering calling him and that wasn't acceptable.

I finished making my tea and pulled the quilt whose stitching was only a quarter of the way complete and prepared to spend my day the way I usually did- alone.

*******

It was going to be a very long day for her as well if what I thought was happening was correct. She was missing me as much as I was missing her but the ball was in her court, it was time for her to take a step toward me. I know Regina, she is a very stubborn woman and more than likely she'll decide to spend the day alone rather than admit that she wants to be with me.

As much as I wanted to march over to her house, shake her and demand that she wake up and smell the damned coffee, I couldn't, not yet. If she doesn't come to her senses soon, I'll do just that and still hold her to our agreement of a month.

For now I will continue to wait.