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  Chelsea laughed nervously, "I hope you both have a wonderful time." She handed me a gift bag, "This has the cream we didn't use, plus two more jars, the make-up we used, hair products, and a response card to review us on our performance. Please let us know how we can improve."

  "You made me look like a model. That is a miracle." The mirror held a stranger.

  Birgit said, "Don't sell yourself short. You may not look like a supermodel, but your skin is excellent. Use the cream nightly. Only at night. Small amount. Pea-sized. After a month, people will think you are a model. You won't need base anymore."

  I refrained from letting them know I seldom used base make-up anyway. It always felt like it slid off my skin after an hour, regardless of primer.

  "Thank you both," I said remembering my manners.

  Birgit just looked at me. Probably still thinking I might break Roth's heart. Touching a pin in my hair, I wondered if she was right.

  Chelsea took me outside the spa area, back to the gym entrance. Two tall men were there in suits. Chelsea smiled, "These are your bodyguards for the night." She pointed at the shaved apes in suits. “Mr. Walsh and Mr. Hanson.”

  Thug number one, aka Mr. Walsh, looked like he came up hard from the Irish side of town. His nose was crooked from being broken one too many times, and his bright orange hair was in a buzzcut.

  Number two, Mr. Hanson, looked like he was straight out of a Viking movie. His long pale hair was in a ponytail tucked into his suit.

  Birgit said, "They will see you safely to your destination." Holding out her hand to shake mine, she said, "It was a pleasure, Miss Grant."

  "It was truly an experience," I said shaking her hand, which was firm.

  She left, and I waited for thug one or two to tell me where we were going.

  Thug one held out the crook of his arm, so I took it. We went to the elevators, and down to the lobby. They escorted me out of the building and into a waiting silver limo. As I got in, some of the tension left my body. Roth waited inside.

  He was dressed in a muted gray suit with a partially unbuttoned black undershirt. His eyes warmed. He took one of my hands, helping me inside the limo.

  "You look exquisite, Di."

  "Thank you, Roth."

  He kissed my cheek lightly taking one of my hands to pull me close.

  I could smell the scent of bergamot; it was like citrus but sweet and spicy.

  I sat next to him, our bodies touching.

  He kept a hold of my hand. "Seeing you like this makes me want to cancel everything and just go back home." He leaned in, kissing my neck. "Put you on my bed." His tongue licked the side of my throat, making me shiver slightly.

  "Roth," I put my other hand on his chest. "I need to talk to you."

  He cocked his head. "That is not a great phrase to hear right before our date." He moved away slightly, letting go of my hand.

  "I don't know how I feel about you."

  "Ah," he said. His shoulders slightly drooped.

  I touched his thigh. "I like you. I have fun with you. I want you." I bit my inner cheek lightly. "But I don't know if there is more to it than that."

  He put a finger to my lips. "So, you aren't certain of your emotions at this point or your commitment to me?"

  "Basically."

  "However, you like me and want to have sex?"

  I frowned. "Are you mocking me?"

  He smiled, "A bit."

  I hit his arm.

  He laughed. Rubbing it, he said, "I might need that later." Putting his hand over mine, he said, "Isn't that what dating is for? To see if we are suited?"

  Put like that, I felt stupid for worrying. "You’re right."

  He leaned in, kissing me on the mouth lightly. "For a moment, I thought you were going to ask to get dropped off at home."

  "Really?"

  Pulling me on top of his lap, he said, "I'm happy to find out where this goes with you, Dianna." His lips brushed my shoulder. "You know, if it doesn't work out, do you think I could have the number of that warrior queen blond friend of yours?"

  I gave him a slight elbow, smiling, "Watch it."

  Roth rested his head on my shoulder. His voice changed, it wasn't full of his usual playfulness, "Around you, I feel like I can be myself and not be judged. There is a deep satisfaction in that."

  Touched by his words, I leaned into him, resting my head on his. "So, what is with the gorillas escorting me tonight?"

  Roth lifted his head and kissed my shoulder again. "Insurance."

  "What?"

  "We are headed to a place where an armed escort is best."

  My mind reeled. Where in Fort Augustine would that be? Dressed up like this? Some people would consider the rough part of my neighborhood.

  "Where and what are we headed for?"

  His lips moved along from my shoulder to my spine. "A night of excruciating pleasure."

  "Don't you mean, exquisite?"

  "Perhaps." The lascivious look he gave me filled with anticipation.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The limo drove us to the part of town staked out by the Japanese and Chinese residents long before the Second World War started. It was now full of Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and some Laotian. Actually, the largest part of the downtown area was still mainly Norwegian, German, Japanese, and Irish.

  The Japanese quarter went from Belmont all the way to three rich suburbs. The entire area was said to be controlled by the Yakuza, which the police emphatically denied. I'd never met more than the gang members that roamed the streets. Every section had gangs that swore loyalty to their ethnicity, but I'd never met a bunch of guys with fancy tattoos wielding swords. Personally, I thought they were as fictional as vampires.

  But now my thoughts were broadening. Was Jason Lewis a creature? Or a person with powers? Speed and sharp teeth. Maybe the legends of bloodsuckers existed more than just warnings about evil nobility.

  We went past the poorest part of Little Kyoto into the less run down section. Here people could generally pay their bills and maybe a little more. The limo stopped in a back alley. Thug one opened the door. Roth got out and then held out his hand. It was a bit surreal. We'd dressed up to go to a restaurant here?

  I took the offered hand, and Roth grabbed me by the waist. I felt the strength in his arms and rested against him for a moment. He put my feet back on the ground.

  We walked towards a back door. It was black. Thug number two knocked on the door. It opened, and a mid-forties Japanese woman looked at the man disapprovingly. Seeing Roth, her face softened.

  "Mr. Craig. Please, come in." She bowed to him, and we entered. She spoke Japanese to him as we entered.

  Roth pulled me with him, replying to the woman in her tongue. They exchanged what sounded like pleasantries as we walked.

  The woman wore a black suit with a skirt that went to her feet.

  She glanced my way and met my gaze. She stared for a moment, hard. Then her eyes returned to Roth's. "Please follow me."

  She led us from the back stock room where we entered, to the main restaurant. It was empty, and dark except for one table. Roth held out my chair. I sat in it, feeling silly at the attention.

  While he got to his seat, I took in the surroundings. I'd never been here before. Everything was old, the furniture, the wallpaper, the lights. It was my kind of place.

  Roth smirked, a knowing look on his face.

  The woman said, "If there is anything more you need, please let Omari san know." Bowing to us, she left.

  A man who looked to be in his twenties came out. His natural dark hair was streaked with green and blue dye. He had multiple piercings and tattoos. Pushing a cart, he stopped at our table. Saying nothing, he started making sushi. My mouth watered.

  I felt my stomach rumble, but it didn't make noises. Just the light stabbing pains when I'd forgotten or couldn't eat.

  Roth took my hand and held it.

  The kid's movements were precise and fluid. We let each other's hand go and sai
d the traditional itadakimasu, and then he served Roth first. Roth ate the sushi. I got the next one. It was nice and light. We ate in silence enjoying the food. Each one was incredible.

  When we finally got to the egg and rice, I felt full but not stuffed. I stopped myself from burping. Sitting back, I wondered how Roth knew my love for sushi? Or was it a lucky guess.

  Omari cleared the table and bowed to us. As he left, the woman came back. "Please come again, Mr. Craig."

  I noticed she never mentioned me. She looked at me with her dark eyes and glared. What had I ever done to her?

  After we got into the limo, I said to Roth. "Thank you. That was some of the best sushi I've ever had."

  Smug, Roth took off his jacket, tossing it on the seat next to him. Rolling up his sleeves, he eyes slid to my lips and then back to my eyes.

  I thought about my journey to Solas. Part of me wanted to ask Roth to come. But then he'd wonder why I was traveling there. If I told him it was to track down Lewis, the questions would start. Those questions would lead to more questions, some of which I had no answers. As to the other answers, they made me sound insane at best.

  "Ah. What has your beautiful eyes so cloudy? Not the food or company, I hope?" His hand caressed my thigh.

  "No." Best to get this part over with. "I have to go out of town."

  He frowned, his hand stilling. "When? Is everything alright?"

  I nodded. "It will be."

  "Not tonight though?"

  My heart skipped a beat. "Not tonight."

  He put his lips together, rubbing them in thought. "You had me worried." His hand moved up my thigh, "Because I have so many wonderful things to amaze you, Dianna."

  "What kind of things," I asked my voice low.

  "Well, right now we are headed to what I hope will demonstrate the depths of my passion for you." His pale eyes reflected the lights of the city in the dark space. His hand moved upward, past my hip, to my waist. It stayed there tightening.

  "Roth," I sighed hoping he wouldn't stop.

  "Dianna," moving so he was pinning me to the seat his lips kissed my neck.

  I arched into him, feeling his body against mine. The hardness of his chest made me moan as my breasts were smashed between us. He wasn't much taller than me, but he had muscles on his lean frame that taller men never had.

  They weren't bulky though. Roth’s litheness belied his strength. Rubbing against him, I enjoyed the lush feel of the fabrics rubbing between us. I wanted to feel more of him.

  His hands went under me, grabbing my bottom. Ardent lips sought mine as he pressed me into the seat. My hands rested on his shoulders. As his tongue teased mine, his hands pressed me into him while he moved his hips slightly. Wanting more, I moved my hands, exploring the opening of his shirt. He inhaled sharply and lifted up. For a second, his iris' seemed bright in the dark limo, reflecting the bright city lights. Closing his eyes, he groaned.

  "Dianna," he held onto me but stopped moving.

  I felt the large hardness of him pressing on me. My hips moved against him in invitation.

  He grabbed my hands and held them over my head as I moved them lower to a button. His eyes were like chips of a glacier, "I am trying to hold it together."

  Rubbing underneath him, I cried out as my body started to tighten. "Please, Roth."

  His features tightened, as a wildness started to break through. "Di, you have to stop."

  He moved, sitting up, and put me on his lap. Searching his eyes, I watched the pulse in his neck. It was beating furiously.

  Exhilarated upon feeling his passion, I didn't want to stop. "I want all of you," my voice seemed different and raspy.

  The satin dress and lacy underwear did little to block the heat coming from him under me. I squirmed on top of him, relishing in his moans.

  His hands went to my hips, and he closed his eyes. "Dianna. You need to stop."

  His words sent a thrill through me. I brushed his lips with mine.

  Pressing one hand against my bare back, he said, "If you don't care if the help hears I'll take you right now."

  I blushed to look to the front of the limo. The two bodyguards were unseen due to the partition, but still there. I shook my head. I wanted to be alone with him. I rested my head on his shoulder.

  He lightly kissed my cheek and kept his hands on my back. His pointer finger caressed me, while he said, "Di, we will be alone soon enough."

  The limo stopped. Roth helped me out and held me in front of him. His erection pressed on me, and I could feel how swollen he still was. It was darker here. I looked around and realized where we were. The floral iron gate and front building of the botanical gardens. One of the bodyguards used a keycard to open the doors.

  Once inside Roth led me to a back room. Opening the door, he moved aside for me.

  Roth said, "Shall we?"

  As I entered, he shut the door behind us. It was humid and warm in here. It felt like a warm spring day and smelled wonderful. Everywhere there were plants and flowers. A tiny pond was in the middle. Birds and other wildlife were present. It was like a spring night frozen in time. The inside was lit by light stands of copper fairy lights. By the pond was a red and white gingham cloth spread out. On top of the blanket was a wicker picnic basket, and a metal bucket with ice and what looked like bubbly.

  I twisted one of the loose curls. This took a lot of planning, even if he was well to do. This was not what you would do for someone you kind of liked. Rather, it was the kind of thing you'd see in a rom-com where the hero proposed.

  "Welcome to Eden," he said. He held my hand, and we sat down on the cloth. It was awkward in a long dress and heels. I had to hike it up to my knees to sit comfortably.

  Roth sat next to me, the warmth exuding from him made me want to press against him.

  Opening the basket, he took out some fantastic looking deserts. A piece of fancy mouse chocolate cake and some kind with strawberries. I wasn't a huge sweets eater, but the piece of cake with strawberries looked scrumptious. Roth saw me looking at it, and took out a silver and golden fork.

  Cutting a bite, he said, "Open up."

  I opened my mouth, feeling a bit embarrassed and silly. Roth gently put the bite in my mouth, his eyes never leaving mine. As I closed my mouth, the creamy mixture slid off the fork. It wasn't too sweet but still filled with the flavor of the fruit along with some type of alcohol and cream.

  Using a finger, he took the cream that had stuck next to my lip and wiped it off with his finger. Putting it in his own mouth, he said made an mmm noise.

  He reached over and opened the bottle, taking out two fluted glasses from the picnic basket. He filled one and passed it to me. Filling his own, he held it up, "Too many more nights of pleasure." We clinked glasses. The drink was smooth but somewhat sweet.

  Roth sipped at the drink while I looked around the room. It felt unreal like we'd entered some kind of magical forest. "This is incredible."

  He put down his drink and lied down on the blanket and grass linking his arms behind his head. "This is one of my favorite spots in the city. It makes me think of the time before megalopolises."

  I put down the glass and lied down next to him, our heads almost touching. The stars were visible through the glass dome roof. "It feels magical."

  "Every moment feels like that when we are alone, Dianna," his voice was low and soft.

  He reached out his arm, I lifted my head, and he put his arm under me. We snuggled together. The heat of him made me shiver and realize how chilled I was without it. I wanted to stay in this moment. No more fighting, no more monsters, no more death.

  We gazed at the sky. The stars were normally so hard to see inside the city. The gardens were far enough away from the populated areas that a lot of the night sky was visible. Sparkling gems lighting up the blanket of darkness.

  Roth's arm was at my waist. He didn't make any inappropriate moves or appropriate ones either. That felt odd. He was the king of flirts and getting his game on.


  I turned away from stargazing and looked into his twinkling blue eyes.

  "So beautiful," he said.

  His kiss was passionate and hot, but it was filled with something new. As he moved his body over mine, I felt the plea in his touch. I pushed myself into him, closing the distance. I wanted him and what he had to offer. Hands moved, caressing my sides. Crushing me into the ground, his lips moved to my neck. He kissed at it, each nip and kiss making my body tighten in response. My hands moved to his behind his neck.

  "Di, I want you," his voice was husky and heavily accented.

  Long fingers moved under the satin dress, cupping a breast. I moved my hands and touched his chest. His lean, hard muscles made me crave to feel them on my bare skin. Moaning in pleasure, he looked down at me.

  "All night to watch you," he said.

  "I wish I didn't have to go," I said.

  "Then don't," he said before kissing me.

  Rubbing lightly against me, he kept taking my cries into his mouth. Heat from him pressed against me through our clothes. His natural odor mingled with his cologne, creating a musky caramel scent.

  My hands tightened on his shirt. I moved my head aside, my breath coming fast. I wanted to stay with him all night. But I had to find Jason Lewis and bring him to justice. Or get justice for Connors and him.

  "I can't stay," my voice sounded raspy. "I have to go to Solas."

  Moving against me, Roth said, "Stay."

  Fiery lips trailed kisses down to the V of the dress.

  "Roth, I have to go. But not until-"

  "Until when," he asked, lifting up his head. His eyes blazed in the dark. "When?" His red tipped black hair was no longer perfectly styled, it was loose and wild.

  "I thought I'd head out by three. Four at the latest," I said frowning. "I told you, it’s something I have to do."

  He sat up and pulled me into a sitting position. Taking my hands, he said, "I want you. More than I thought possible." He breathed in deeply, "Dianna. Stay."

  I shook my head, "Non-negotiable. It comes to a promise."

  Whisper had the visions; I dealt with whatever and wherever they took us. We'd made a promise about it long ago. Whisper couldn't fight the monsters, but I could. I swore to go where the visions led me. It wasn't a promise I could break.