vampires of san francisco 07 - suckers lost and found by Jessica McBrayer Page B

caught up with him, especially tonight. I have to admit that after tonight I need to be with him, feel him.
    “Are you stiff and sore, darling?” I ask.
    “You tell me, cherie,” he says as he pulls my hand under the water.
    We luxuriate in the hot water until we are wrinkled. It is peaceful being in the water with the moonlight mixing with the candlelight. But in the end we are two insatiable, sex-driven vampires needing to reconnect after almost dying and we are soon crawling our way out of the water and towards the bed. We didn’t quite make it the first time.
    The second time we are at least half on the bed. Finally we make it onto the bed and we make love as opposed to the wild sex we had just before. We lie in each other’s arms talking as dawn approaches. Soon it is time and I have to fall asleep. I especially hate the facts of life as a young vampire. Sebastian won’t be staying with me while I sleep. There is too much to be done so he is getting all his last-minute touching of me in now.
          
    The next thing I remember is waking up to Aidan sitting in the chair next to me. I am a little startled, mostly because I’m not dressed and he hasn’t done this since Sebastian and I became engaged.
    “Aidan, I’m not dressed. Shame on you.”
    “Believe me, it hasn’t escaped my attention. Don’t worry, you’ve been covered up, unfortunately,” he says grinning wickedly. “I enjoy watching you sleep and I wanted to check on you and make sure you were okay after last night.”
    “Hand me my robe, please.”
    I motion for him to turn around while I put my robe on.
    “I was able to relocate Daniele last night. He is old enough that he doesn’t need to sleep so he was going to start getting to know his new town and its surrounding area. He said he would look for a job tomorrow.”
    “That’s good news. I’m glad it all worked out for him. You are a good man, Aidan.”
    “You might not think that in a minute. I also come bearing bad news. Don’t kill the messenger, okay love?”
    “Besides the fact that it is impossible to kill you, you know I would never do that. Spill. What’s going on?”
    “It seems the florist had the wrong day for the wedding and tried to deliver the flowers today. Helena straightened it out, though. The dresses won’t be ready until tomorrow morning at 10:00 and the priest wants to meet with you and Sebastian tonight to do some marriage counseling.” I’m not too worried. Aidan can fix everything if we need it. I’m more worried about the counseling.
    He laughs at this last bit, so do I. The poor priest. If he only knew he was counseling two vampires he would have an angry mob waiting for us. 
    “I’ve been to see Basilio again. He wouldn’t talk to me, claimed he was in a meeting with some international dignitaries.” Aidan’s eyes shimmer with fire.
    “He said he would have some news for me when he comes to the wedding. He had better,” I say, feeling my own pique rise.
    Aidan summons coffee for me, effectively changing the topic and I smile at him.
    “Thank you, Aidan. You spoil me.”
    “I love to spoil you. You’ve never let me do half of what I’ve wanted to and I miss doing it for Manda. What are your plans for the day?”
    “I was planning on going into the city to pick up dresses and check on the florist but now I don’t have to. I am not sure what I have to do until we meet with the priest. What is Sebastian up to?”
    “He is in the city with Julian. They are arranging things for a small reception to take place here after the wedding. Since the King is going to be here they decided to make it a bit more formal. I’ve offered repeatedly to Helena to summon and create things for the wedding but she wants this done the old-fashioned way and is punishing everyone in turn.” Aidan sighs and I giggle. He is so funny when he pouts.
    “That’s a good idea. I hate the idea of seeing Basilio again. What are your plans for the day, Aidan?”
“I