When the door shut behind him Bliss pounded the bed furious at her body's reaction to Luka's sensuous kiss. She wanted to slap herself for being such an idiot. She made up my mind that she was not going to go to breakfast. I will pretend to get food poisoning and leave.
She tried to calm down but was unable to rid her mind of the disturbing images from last night. She shivered, although her body was healed she could still feel the snakes' sharp fangs as they repeatedly bit into her skin. The stinging pain and the intense fear that engulfed her body.
She finished a bottle of water and thought about the gentle and handsome Vampire who saved her. I wondered who he was...it was very brave of him to go against his psychotic Princess and a room filled with her followers. If I ever meet him again I will thank him properly.
She got angry again thinking about Luka and threw the water bottle across the room. The nerve of him barging into the shower, he has no respect for me at all. Hugging my naked body..kissing me... acting as though I am his property..never! I will never let that narcissistic Vampire control me!
She dried her hair then got dressed in a casual outfit, a loosely fitting pair of wide beige pants and a white cropped sweater. She slipped on a pair of white tennis shoes and as she tied the laces her phone was ringing. Hmm..private number again. This time her curiousity got the better of her and she answered.
A smooth deep male voice said, "Miss Quinn, I wanted to inquire on how you are feeling this morning."
Suspicious, Bliss gripped the phone tightly, "Who is this?"
"I can't give my name, it would be disastrous for both of us if you were compelled and subsequently revealed my identity."
"You are the one who saved me last night?"
"Yes. I want to apologize. The Princess acted recklessly and her cruelty doesn't reflect the attitude of our clan towards humans."
Bliss knitted her brows together, Hmmph..it appeared the only Vampire in the audience who was fazed by my dire situation was you. "Well, I don't know much about Vampire culture and to be honest I don't want to. I would like to thank you for rescuing me."
"No thanks are needed. I did what I thought was right. Francesca targeted you because of jealousy. I called to warn you... sever your relationship with Luka Lenovich. She has a powerful backer and will be relentless if she feels threatened. In the meantime, I wanted to give you something to protect yourself. Could you meet me in the gazebo by the lake tonight?"
Bliss got chills thinking about Nina Cruz walking into the lake in a trance. "I appreciate your concern but after I complete this morning's part of the show I am going back to the city."
"Miss Quinn, I am somewhat aware of your situation, don't be naive. I have no ill intentions, you remind me of a young woman I once loved and I want to protect you. Luka Lenovich is dangerous and Princess Francesca will stop at nothing to become his Queen. I don't want to see you end up as collateral damage because Luka took a fleeting fancy to you."
"I will meet you at nine o'clock." Bliss decided he sounded sincere and maybe what he gives her will prevent a reoccurance of last night. Fleeting fancy..hahaha..sounds about right.
Bliss hung up the phone then chuckled, I should become a screenwriter I am getting alot of material here.
Opening the bedroom door surprisingly she was in a better mood. She ran into Nicole at the top of the stairs. She nervously asked, "Bliss, did Mandy go to the dining room already?"
"I think so."
Nicole pushed past me and her heels clicked as she ran down the stairs. I want to knock some sense into these women. Idiots! Vying for Luka Lenovich's attention without the slightest clue they are playing with fire.
Bliss ambled behind her and when she got to the dining room her back stiffened when the redheaded Vampire smiled and quipped, "Miss Quinn, You look a little tired. Should the makeup artist fix you up a bit before we begin?" He pointed to her eyes with his bony hand, " Those dark circles are unsightly."
I sneered, "Thank you.. Franco is it?... for your concern. I just woke up from a terrible nightmare. Funny...you were in it."
Luka narrowed his eyes as he watched us talking. He pointed to the chair across from him. "Miss Quinn, sit."
"Thank you Mr. Lenovich but I would rather not."
Nicole's eyes lit up and she quickly pulled out the chair, "I will."
Luka had a cold and indifferent expression, "I believe the Director said you should sit at the end across from Duke Vamont."
Nicole tried to hide her disappointment but her trembling voice betrayed her, "But..I want to talk to you."
Bliss' lips curled up in a sarcastic smile, "Hmm..I haven't seen the Director when did he organize the seating? Sit Nicole, you know changing things up a bit and improvising makes the show more interesting."
Ignoring Luka, Bliss walked to the end of the table and sat across from the blonde Vampire. She saw Lenny filming and winked at him. I might as well get some airtime. Bliss coquettishly fluttered her eyelashes and her smile was dazzling, "So you are a Duke?"
He twirled the knife in his hand, "I am." He leaned across the table and in an almost inaudible voice cautioned me. "I really have nothing against you little human. Word of advice, don't provoke the Princess."
Bliss chuckled and whispered, "I guess you didn't get an invite to the little soiree she hosted last night." Bliss noticed Lenny pointing the camera in their direction and continued, "So Duke, I'm curious what made you decide to come on this show."
Lenny moved the camera closer and the Duke's eyes reddened. He had a devilish grin on his handsome face as he extended his fangs, "I thought it would be fun to date a human. You know not just suck her blood but go on a real date."
Mandy gasped when she saw his fangs. "Oh wow... he is really in character."
Everyone stared at Bliss when she burst out laughing, "Duke, you are so funny I didn't know Vampires had a sense of humor."
Feeling Luka's eyes boring a hole in to her she continued, "Where would you like to go for a perfect date?"
The Duke tapped his knife on the table, "Anywhere with you."
Lenny panned to Bliss' face and she forced herself to act coquettishly and blush, "You might not like where I choose."
"As I said. I would go anywhere with you. Where did you have in mind?"
"I thought Firefly Island would be fun. Take a boat at night. I have never been there and heard it is quite beautiful and romantic."
I was laying it on thick so the redheaded Vampire could report to his psycho sister.
Celebrity Chef Gwen slammed a bowl down on the table and before the hot porridge splashed onto me Luka pulled me away. He sounded worried as he lifted my hands and examined them, "Did that splash on you?"
Celebrity Chef Gwen eyes watered and she immediately stammered, "I'm...I'm sorry. My hand slipped."
I admire her acting ability the way she angled the bowl it was deliberate.Unfortunately, she ruined my plan along with my expensive white cashmere sweater. She must like the handsome blonde Vampire across from me.
Bliss pulled her hands away from Luka and restrained the urge to kick him. "I'm fine."
Luka angrily waved at the cameramen, "Stop filming."
The Director hurried over, "Mr. Lenovich, I guess you aren't familiar with these kind of shows. The camera should keep rolling to get all the drama."
Bliss laughed at Luka's serious expression, "It isn't a big deal. Go back and flirt with Nicole."
He dragged Bliss around a corner and his dark eyes revealed his intense jealousy. "What game are you playing with me. Miss Quinn?"
"Mr. Lenovich, I have no idea what you are talking about. I came down to participate as you ordered me too."
They were halfway down the hallway and he pressed Bliss against the wall restraining her with her hands above her head, "Flirt? The way you are flirting with Vamont?"
An oppressive aura was surrounding Bliss and she was having difficulty breathing. She gathered all her internal strength and gazed into Luka's eyes that were blurred and red. She smirked, "Mr. Lenovich, this is a dating show, the staple of which is flirting."
"Why did you choose to go sit facing that bastard. He mocked you in the kitchen yesterday."
"I have had worse happen to me since then. A little mocking is nothing."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing. Let me go before someone comes to look for us."
"No one will come. Answer me."
"No. Do you think everyone will bend to your will?"
He leaned in closer and our lips were almost touching. Luka's voice was low and seductive, "I get what I want, Bliss Quinn."
I met his eyes and defiantly responded, "If someone doesn't willingly comply, you compel them? What satisfaction is there in that? You are an arrogant tyrant and I want absolutely nothing to do with you. I think the Duke suits me better, at least he made me laugh."
He pressed his hard body onto mine and whispered in my ear, "I can feel your heart beating for me. You want me Bliss Quinn, but are too afraid to admit your feelings."
"I am afraid... that's true...but I have no feelings for you other than loathing."
Luka's warm breath was on her face as he lowered his head. Bliss instinctively closed her eyes waiting for his kiss.
He ran his finger across her lips, "You are a pretty little liar", then walked back to the dining room.