Good Nite Dr Death

The club was exactly as I remembered it.
Crowds of people milled around, the dance floor strobes flickering to the pounding beat as I pushed my way towards the bar. I hadn’t agreed a place to meet Gerard but I had a feeling that he would be where he had been the night before so decided to start there. Again cursing my mere five foot three height I craned to see as the crowd seemed to part and there he was.
I had to pause.
If anything he was more beautiful than I recollected in my hazy memory. A slender man, immaculately dressed in black, his face set in a slight smile that showed off his cheekbones and fragility. There was something about the way he stood, as if he was apart from the world and yet the centre of it. He caught my eye and his smile widened as I walked across the last few feet between us.
“Gerard, hello.”
“Elise, you look beautiful.”
His arms were around my waist before I realised he was holding me, I had no hesitation in returning the hug as the seconds passed. The frailty was a myth, the arms around me were strong and comforting as his lips ghosted my cheek and he pulled away to pass me a glass. I smiled into his hazel eyes.
“Whiskey, good memory.”
He chuckled, a glass now in his hand too.
“Good but my memory didn’t do you justice.”
“Please, I was too drunk and…”
A finger went to my lips as he shook his head. Somehow the club had melted away to just us and I relaxed, Gerard leaning back on the bar and once more pulling me to him. I rested my head on his shoulder, again looking up at him.
“You were nowhere near as drunk as you thought.”
I pulled a face and now he genuinely laughed and proceeded to describe how I had been dancing including the motions. We tumbled into a booth and spent the next hour getting to know each other a little better. I told him about Sally and my travels, he told me about his brother Mikey and how they had grown up together on the other side of the country. I liked the way his eyes shone as he described his brother, their closeness obvious from his words.
“Mikey helps me with the business now along with Frank and Ray.”
“What business is that?”
Gerard paused, pouring us both another drink before answering a little ruefully.
“I own a couple of clubs…including this one.”
I stared, the expression was that adorable that it took a moment for his words to sink in. As if on cue the barman leant over and placed another bottle on the table with a reverential nod. Gerard returned it casually and then grinned.
“Wow, unemployed me has a date with an important guy.”
“I have to have something to do with my nights, just sleep in the day.”
I giggled and in that instant his lips were on mine and I forgot everything else. It was an insistent kiss, something urgent in it that meant we were holding each other again and I had no idea how much time passed before Gerard pulled away and stood. He held out a hand, the invitation clear.
“C’mon, its too loud in here and I know just where we can go.”
I reached up and took his hand, the thought did cross my mind that he might just see me as cheap lay before he wrapped and arm around my shoulder and we crossed the dancefloor. Again the people seemed to part in front of us, the doorman nodding to Gerard as we reached the door. A cute open top sports car sat at the kerb and I wasn’t surprised as the man opened the passenger door for me.
“Wow again….where are we going exactly?”
Gerard grinned, gunning the engine as he tipped the doorman.
“My other club. It’s quieter and I feel more at home there. You’re so pretty, you make me nervous.”
I laughed, not really believing him and that quiet smile but loving the wind through my hair. He drove fast and confidently, the streets speeding past us until we reached the outskirts of the city. A large gothic building appeared to be our destination and the car pulled up outside as another doorman appeared.
“Home.”
“Home?”
Gerard just smiled, his arm back around my shoulder as I entered the most exquisite place I had ever seen. It was gothic heaven, the rooms decorated sumptuously as light music played and a waiter went to different tables. There was a low hum of conversation and I subconsciously pulled my skirt down a little further as a tall man with wild hair approached with a grin.
“Hi Gee. Thought you had the night off.”
The two men warmly hugged before Gerard took my hand.
“I do and here is why. Ray, this is Elise. Elise, this is one of my dearest friends Ray.”
There was a mutual pleased to meet you and a hug, Ray quickly explaining that all was well and both Frank and Mikey were somewhere around. Gerard nodded, his expression becoming a little more closed. I was still looking around, the people were well dressed and sophisticated. It seemed to be a goth club judging by some of the amazing clothes and I blushed, turning back as Gerard finished chatting with Ray about the takings. He smiled apologetically.
“Sorry, we shouldn’t be talking business.”
Ray leaned over the bar, passing Gerard champagne and glasses before waving us away.
“Nope, you shouldn’t. Go enjoy your night.”
I followed Gerard to the elevator, still wide eyed as it rose up past three floors and onto a balcony. He paused and sent it back down again before putting down the bottle and pulling me over to where we could see the city lights below. I loved being in his arms, feeling an elusive freedom that my life had never given me. His lips were warm against my ear.
“It’s perfect at night. Like you.”
I gave up any thought of leaving. If he was the sex and run type it wouldn’t matter. I wanted him, needed him and this sky full of stars. Leaning back in his arms I tried to commit the moment to memory. The warm breeze and soft scent of jasmine. We stayed like that, enjoying each other for minutes before I turned back to him.
“You have a wonderful home. I can’t believe you couldn’t have any woman you wanted so why me?”
“It has been you since I saw you. I don’t think there was anyone that had that effect on me before. It’s a little….freaky.”
He laughed as I punched his chest before kissing me again and showing me the rest of what I now saw was a penthouse suite. It was decorated in red and black, the sofas huge and I sank into one with him. Gerard pushed me hair back, pausing to run his fingers down my cheek and neck. His hands were chilled from the night air and my breath caught in my throat. I felt my cheeks burning and a warmth building in my chest as his fingers wandered lower and he momentarily cupped my breast before pausing. His eyes bored into mine.
“Elise….I hardly know you and this, well one night stands aren’t me. So I guess I am saying this doesn’t have to go any further.”
I stopped him with a kiss, pushing his hand back to where it had been and hearing the slight moan that provoked. I reached up and undid the tie he wore, the waistcoat following it onto the floor as he pushed me back on the sofa. It was a whirlwind of senses, I was coming alive under this man. Gerard was right, we hardly knew each other but it felt like we had known each other forever. His lips were now kissing under my jaw and down my neck and I arched as I felt him nip at me, the sensation was warm and I ran my fingers down his back, the muscle warm and solid.
“I’m sorry…”
I felt my head spin at the murmur, a drowsy feeling washing over me. For a terrifying moment I thought my drink had been spiked. I could feel Gerard gently lifting me up and carrying me somewhere but the lights had become blurred and I felt so tired. He laid me on something soft, removing my shoes before sitting down beside me and I tried to focus. His lips looked so warm and red and inviting but I felt myself falling into the dark as he smiled and I swore just for a moment I saw fangs.
How long I was out was hard to tell and I still couldn’t open my eyes as I heard voices above me. One was female and seemed to be speaking urgently to the other two. I faded out a little before recognising Gerard’s voice again.
“I can’t do it. I won’t.”
The female voice spoke again.
“Then do this. You have been alone too long Gee and you clearly have found your other.”
“Claire, I am taking her away from everything.”
A second male voice tuned in as I tried to move or open my eyes.
“You would be giving her so much more. You told me that when Claire turned me.”
Another sweet voice spoke right above me and I felt a hand lift my wrist.
“Frankie is right Gee, turn her.”
“Mikey….”
The words were lost as I felt Gerard’s hand close over mine just for a second. Then I was being lifted and something sweet was being pressed to my lips. I thought it must be wine or something like it and couldn’t resist drinking, a thirst seeming to come from nowhere. There was a minute of this before I felt him lie down beside me and the covers being pulled up. Again sleep was stealing me away and the last thing I heard was Gerard’s melodic voice.
“My Elise, I have a new world to show you. I hope you will forgive me for it.”

Notes