The two of them stood on the porch looking out at the party as the bartender mixed their drinks. Dozens of costumed college students stood on the lawn, mingling and sipping drinks and dancing to the pounding music. “Does anthropology help you to understand our need for ridiculous parties like this?” Scott asked.
P.J. turned to look at him. “How did you know I was taking anthropology?”
“You told me at that Greek restaurant.”
“I swear I never did. You must be stalking me.”
“You just don’t remember telling me because you were flirting with so many boys that night.”
“My boyfriend was there, so I seriously doubt I was flirting with anybody,” P.J. said.
“Well, he’s not here, so tonight you can flirt with me.” Scott took her hand and turned her palm up. “Did you know that vampires can read fortunes? Let’s see. You will meet a handsome lacrosse player. He will be a lousy dancer but a good kisser. And he’s batty about you.”
P.J. smiled and gently pulled her hand away. “I have to tell you the truth. I’m flattered and I like you. But I don’t think I’ll be kissing anybody tonight.”
“I appreciate your honesty, and I won’t put any of my lame moves on you,” Scott promised. “They probably wouldn’t work anyway. It’s just nice to have you here. Looks like our drinks are ready.”
The bartender passed them their iced teas. As P.J. stepped away with her drink, the bartender gave Scott a tiny nod. In return, a rolled up twenty-dollar bill was deposited with a deft flick of the vampire’s long fingers into the bartender’s tip jar.
P.J. sipped the cool drink as they walked out onto the lawn. Scott recaptured her hand, and used it to guide her toward the band. A stunning blonde in a short skirt slipped up on Scott’s other side, bumped him, and smiled at him beneath her pixie paint and glitter. She had a killer body and not much clothing to hide it, and Scott gave her a long look. But then he turned his attention back to P.J. and said, “Okay, witch girl. Want to make a little magic with the prince of darkness on the dance floor?”
“Your lines are truly hokey,” she told him, as they left their drinks on a picnic table and waded into the sea of gyrating bodies. Then they were dancing, moving together to the pounding beat in the perfect autumn night.
His hand stroked her hair. “Let it go,” he advised.
“What?”
“Enjoy yourself for one night. You’re allowed.”
“Sorry. I’m trying. It’s just so unlike Jack to disappear. If he was going on a trip he would have told me. I could call the police but I have no evidence that anything is wrong, and—”
“And I said let it go,” Scott reminded her, and then glanced past her.
The pixie had reappeared and was dancing near them, doing a sultry solo while looking straight at Scott. “Looks like you have a fan,” P.J. whispered. “You can dance with her if you want.”
“Why would I?” he asked. “I’m dancing with the person I want to be with. Come a little closer, P.J.”
The band began a slow song, and for a while they danced at arm’s length. Then Scott gently pulled her in, and his cape billowed around them. P.J. tucked her head against his chest, and his head lowered to her neck. He nipped her playfully with his fangs. “Hey,” she said, looking up into his gleaming black eyes, “no biting.”
“Then be sweet to me,” he whispered. He kissed her on the lips so quickly and smoothly that it took her by surprise. P.J. was surprised to find herself kissing him back, and they swayed together, his hands setting a rhythm for their bodies, their tongues touching.
She broke away before the song ended. “That’s enough. I feel a little woozy.”
“Yeah, for an autumn night it’s hot here on the dance floor,” he agreed. “Let’s get our drinks.”
He led her back to the picnic table and handed her her drink. “Here’s to letting go for one evening. Cheers.”
She took another sip. “I feel a little light-headed.”
“Sit down,” he advised her, pulling her toward a bench. But before he could sit next to her the blond pixie danced over and captured him with a pink lasso.
“Excuse me,” she said to P.J., “can I borrow your vampire?” Without waiting for an answer, she tugged the protesting lacrosse player out onto the dance floor.
Daphne sat down next to P.J. “Having fun?”
“Yeah. And feeling a little guilty,” P.J. confessed.
“You’re hopeless. High school boyfriends are great when you’re in high school. There comes a time to move on. And Scott is hot. Not to mention rich. Go for it, girl.” She looked at P.J. more closely. “Are you okay?”
P.J. blinked. “Yeah, I’m fine. I guess I’m just tired.”
“Well, wake up, ‘cause here comes Dracula. Three’s a crowd so I’m out of here.”
Scott had extricated himself from the lasso and came hurrying back. “Sorry about that. I don’t even recognize that chick but she sure seems to know me. This is a great song. Want to go back out? I promise no more biting.”
“To be honest, I’m not feeling so well,” P.J. told him.
“Sick?”
“I don’t know. A little dizzy.”
“Come,” he said. “I’ll take you to a place where you can lie down and rest.”