"Shay, I need your report on my desk first thing in the morning." Jeff, my grimy boss has called from his office door. The bald headed prick is always breathing down my  neck, no doubt staring down my shirt. I give a brief nod before continuing on to the elevator. I had already had the piece on the thief in one of the local town, stealing money and merch from the family owned and operated business'. I had it done almost immediately. It was grunt work and I knew it. It'd been three years and I was still waiting on my big break. I'd wanted to hit the big screen ever since I was a young girl. If I were being honest I thought I'd reach that goal almost instantly, considering my father owned the whole damn station. But apparently my boss had wanted to show everyone else that they weren't choosing favorites. Which was totally understandable, but for three years I'd been hitting every writing assignment on the head, easily. I took the grunt work with an opened mind, I knew that I'd just have to work harder and show Jeff and my father just what I was made of. Being a reporter was something I had always dreamed of, there had never been anything else; aside from the occasional princess when I was a little girl. But once I could think realistically for myself I would sit down every night at ten to watch the nightly news before bed time with my beloved nanny, Lenny.

Lenny was my savior. She'd practically been my mother before she passed last year. I had held her close even in my adult years. Going to visit her many times a week for lunches or dinners or even just to talk when she'd had a particularity stressful day. Our relationship had been like nothing else I'd had ever had. My own mother having never been around much and even when she was she wasn't really there. My father likely the same with all the late nights and long days. It always felt like those days and nights had run together. He'd always told me he had to work. Work had always come first. At least for father. Prescription pills for mother. She done everything she could to forget the boring life she had. Stacy, my mother had always been a wild woman, probably what drew my father to her in the first place, She had been lively and fun, and beyond beautiful. But her wild life changed the minute she got married to Jon. Her long nights were spent alone with wine and prescription pills. Then she had me and a sliver of hope blossomed then she realized that she was even more lonely because she had lost what little friends she had. None of her so called friends wanted anything to do with a child. It would only dampen their fun. At least that's what Stacy had confessed to me on one of her many drunken, drug infused breakdowns when I had only been nineteen years old. 

"Hope you had a wonderful day today, ma'am." Her door man Winston greeted cheerfully, dragging me for my depressing thoughts. I hated it when he called me ma'am, like I was some sort of important person, probably thinks I am, not only for living here but because I have no doubt that he know who my dad really is. 

"Winston, you know I hate it when you call me that." I lightly scolded.

His smiled grew even broader "Shay," he nodded. "You know it's out of habit. Please forgive me." I nodded my head as well. I knew all too well that it quite possibly could be out of habit. How many people walked in and out of this apartment building daily that wanted nothing less but to be called 'Ma'am' or 'Sir'. Most of these uptight people in this building thought they were something of importance. I quietly scuffed to myself and smiled brightly, "Thank you Winston. See you later." 

He bowed politely before letting the door slip closed beside him. I always had liked Winston. He was an extremely nice and down to earth man, and I'd know him since I moved out of my fathers when I had turned nineteen. The elevator ride up to the penthouse suit on the top floor that I hated so much was fairly quick. I couldn't stand being under my fathers wing. I hated using his money for this place. But I also wasn't stupid, who could afford an even remotely nice apartment with the salary I was currently making. My once a week stories sometimes didn't even make top news because Jeff was giving me shit to write about. Again, I understood proving to my co-workers that no special treatment was being handed to me on a silver platter. But how exactly am I supposed to survive on these little stories that no one cares about. I needed a big break and needed it quick. 

My apartment was huge, and empty. Because I wasn't using anymore of my fathers money to furnish it, that was for damn sure. My twin bed and ragged couch and of course a small flat screen tv perched atop a small shelf already built into my living-room wall, was all I needed.Well, that and my trusted laptop. All were bought with my own money. I dumped my keys on the kitchen counter. My apartment had a open floor plan, the kitchen connected to the living room, and straight off the kitchen was the master-bed. Down the wall from my bedroom was also the living room, which then connected to a second spare bedroom. Also empty. The bathroom was off to the right of the kitchen. I padded through the living room to my bedroom, taking my blazer off as I went, and pulling the vibrating cell from the back pocket of my slacks. I answered the call, "Hello?"

It was my best friend, Esmeralda. We had been friends since middle school, her parent just as well off. But she had no problem taking daddies money, yet I didn't judge her for that. Esme and her parents had always had a flawless relationship. "Hey, bitch! We're going out tonight and you're coming. Ella got a promotion at work and we are going to celebrate."

I rolled my eyes, I couldn't help but to be a little jealous. Another person moving up in the world and all the while I felt stuck. Suck under my father, stuck in a boring life I never wanted. I wanted to be the one who was out there in the field getting the dirtiest or scariest of stories. The journalist I'd always dreamed about. "Yeah, I really don't think I'm up for it tonight. It's been hectic today." I lied. Esme huffed on the other end, "Sooo, all the more reason to go out and get plastered, Shalyn!" I rolled her eyes again, this time a bit too hard, my eyes feeling like they were trying to stretch out of their sockets. Esme's cheery sing song voiced filled the line again. "Look there's no if and's or but's about it. You haven't come out with us in weeks. It's time to stop being such and hermit and get the hell out every once in awhile. Plus, I miss you." She whined. 

I felt guilty, it had been awhile since I'd gone out. Too long even, and I missed my bestfriend just as much. "Fine, but only because I miss the shit out of you and a few drinks actually don't sound too bad." Esme's screech had me pulling the phone away from my ear and wincing. My poor ears were definitely going to ring for a few minutes. Once I figured I was in the clear I put the cell back up, "It's settled then, she wants to go to Club Skyview by The Gentlemans Club your dad owns. I hear it's pretty legit. Wear something sexy! I love you, bye!" Esme was always a little over the top but her personality quickly grew on me. Initially, we had hated each other when we first met. But one mutual dislike of another classmate had us becoming fast friends. Our love of everything gossip hadn't changed much over the years. Not that we loved drama, we just loved to hear about other peoples drama. Never wanting it in our own lives, although being who we were made that extremely hard to achieve. Luckily the city around us grew accustomed to us residing here. Making gossip in the tabloids less and less over the years. My Father never really did leave the tabloids though. His relationships primarily. He always did have a new young woman on his arm. He was cringe worthy and I knew it. Always knew it, but it wasn't like you came in this world choosing your own parents. If that had been the case I would have loved to be a child of a middle class loving and functional family. I had dreamed about it many times during my lonely nights home alone in a big house that never really felt like home but something out of a luxurious magazine instead.

After Mom and dad split the house never really did feel like a home though. I headed to my master-bath and stripped out of the clothes I'd worn to work. I turned on the shower and waited for it to heat up while I brushed my teeth. I'm actually looking forward to tonight more than I expected, I really hadn't been out in awhile and I missed the party days Esme and I used to have. Mostly house parties in highschool and always at someone else house because lord knew if we got caught having a party at our houses we were getting shit for weeks, not only from our parents but the paparazzi too.  

Don't forget to vote and comment on any mistakes I might've made. Promise you this story is going to be an exciting roller coaster!

She knew what she saw, for weeks she'd told herself that what she saw wasn't right, wasn't real. That her mind had somehow conjured up the entire thing. That something was wrong with her subconscious, that it was all sorts of fucked, because how the hell else did it come up with something as crazy as what she saw those weeks ago in that alley behind the Gentlemen's Club. Jersey City just didn't have vampires. They weren't real for fucks sake. Right?  But she had definitely seen something. Because for weeks she'd been trying to talk herself out of it, been trying to forget about what she thought she saw. Yet, everything she done, everywhere she went she couldn't get the gruesome scene out of her head. Shalyn wasn't one to second guess herself. Ever. She was always sure. But this, this somehow stumped her. And she needed to find out the truth. Needed to know if her eyes had betrayed her or if the man who did business with her father was really some sort of monster from old wives tales.

The club's bass was so loud we could hear it from the outside as Esme and I waited for the rest of the girls to show up. We were a little early as my legs and underarms were already shaved from this morning, I went light on my makeup tonight as well. I never understood why girls went crazy on their makeup at a club seeing as it's dark inside anyways. No need to go to all those lengths to hide what was going to be barely visible anyways. Plus my period was last week so I currently had pretty clear skin. Thank the heavens. I always did break out right before my time of the month. "Wanna just go in and order some drinks while we wait?" Esme asked. I'd say she's more excited than I am.

"Yeah, they always take forever anyways." They really did, Ella was the most girly out of all of us, and I wasn't sure who else she was inviting. Ella and I didn't talk much after high school, just now getting back in touch after college. But Esme and I had always stayed close. To be honest I hadn't stayed in touch with anyone after high school except Esmeralda. I wasn't as social as I used to be, I was too focused on my career and trying to climb that latter. 

Esme laughs, "If that isn't the damn truth." We walk inside, the cloudy, dark club music nearly over-barring. Skyview was nice on the outside but even more nice on the inside, it was huge and covered in dark reds and silvers. The bar the only thing in the entire club light up brightly. The dance floor covered overhead with red florescent lights. 

Emse turned to be at the bar and leaned in a little, "What do you want to drink?" 

I moved my lips to the side and gave it a little thought, "A Sex on the Beach for now." Something fruity to start out slow. Once Ella gets here the fireball will be in rounds of shots. Esme nodded and turned back to the cute little bartender, her blonde hair bouncing lightly with each nod she gave as she took our orders. 

I turned back around to the dance floor watching all the bodies grind against each other, God I haven't been laid in awhile and I can bet half of these men and women are going home with someone. It feels lonely knowing I'm probably the only person in this club going home alone. I never ha been one to sleep around and even though my girl downstairs sure needed some love didn't mean I should start now. Too many crazies here in Jersey City, plus the awkwardness after a one night stand was too weird for me to handle. That's more Esme's style. Our little group in High school always called her the man of the group because she wasn't the type to settle down, she wanted fun and she always did have fun. Still does, she's like a man in the sense of screwing them and then kicking them out in the morning. No matter how much shit I gave her for it, I always did secretly admire her ways. How nice it would be to never get attached. Attachment was overrated and that was her motto. 

We quickly found a high table closer to the entrance after getting our drinks, still waiting on Ella and whoever she's bringing to show up. "So how's working going?" Esme asks me, her long straight brown hair resting on her shoulders. 

"Same old shit different day" I say nonchalantly. She nods, her gaze sweeping the the side before returning to mine. 

"Look Shay, lets just be honest with each other here," her eyebrow rising slightly, she continues. "Ever since we've graduated college and you left Rob you've been hella depressed."

I scoff, "I have not!"

"Yeah, remember the part about being honest with each other? That's a bunch of bs and you know it, Shay. You literally work then go home. You don't go out with me anymore," she whines, "I miss it Shay, I miss my fun wing-woman." She looks so sincere, and it makes me realize that once again she does care, I just have trouble remembering that.

"I know, I'm just super swamped with work, you know?" I try to explain.

She rolls her eyes, "More bs. Just get out there Shay, have some fun. That's all I'm asking. You know you deserve it." Her voice says just think about it but I'm ending the conversation right here. Which made sense because she knows I'd just try and make more excuses. Maybe I am being a prude as they all say. 

I do deserve a little fun, nothing too crazy. And I am a little lonely, going to work and then straight home, alone does that to a person. "There here!" Esme's singsong bringing me out of my wandering thoughts. I take a sip of my Sex on the Beach, stand and look to the entrance. Ella and another girl she's closer with, Brittney walking in. Ella's wearing a dress similar to mine, short and tight. Hers is bright pink though. Her arms wide open as she walks towards us, I smile. 

"Love the dress!" Giving her a brief hug and grabbing her hand, making her do a little twirl, "The heels really pull it off though, huh?" She says grinning proudly down at her four inch rose gold stilettos, how in the world she plans on dancing in those is beyond me.

But I smile anyways and nod enthusiastically, "They do! And congratulations on the promotion!" She beams "Thank you, Shay! It's been awhile, I've missed you!"

I give a sad smile, "Missed you too girl, go get a drink!" She saunters off to the bar and does just that. 

Esmeralda turns to me, eyebrows raised and a small smirk on her face, "You remember Britt right, Shay?" she asks.

Of course I did, how could I forget? Esme and I never really cared for her seeing as she was a damn crybaby and all the pity parties quickly got very annoying. We both tried to steer clean of Ella's very, very emotional and overly dramatic friend. "Of course, nice to see you again Britt, how have you been?" I mentally kick myself in the ass for asking that question and giving the poor girl an open invitation to voice all her problems. 

She nods sadly, "I'm okay for someone who's just been dumped." oooooof course you are. 

I give a face of pure sympathy hoping it's as convincing as it feels. "Sorry to hear, girl. Well were all here now lets have some drinks and a little fun." 

She seems to by my ruse, "Ill try." She saunters off towards the bar, wiping at nonexistent tears. Good lord, that girl needs to see a therapist. I probably do too but I don't think I'd ever actually voice that concern out-loud. I flick my eyes to an amused Esmeralda. She loves how easily Britt and nearly anyone else gets on my nerves. I swear even she gets on my nerves purposelessly just to have fun with my reactions. I think i might be a little bitter. I roll my eyes and jerk my thumb to Britt, "Seriously? I honestly don't see how they get along so well."

She laughs, "You can't? I totally can. They honestly don't fall too far from the free. They're like two peas in a pod. Ella is just a little more confident in herself." She did had a point there, 

They both made their way back together, arms linked like a bunch of school girls, I'm definitely going to need something stronger than this Sex on the Beach. "Before we hit the dance floor lets get a round of shots!" I suggest.

They all take a seat at the table and nod their approvals up at me. I race off. I don't even give anyone the chance to voice what they want, everyone's getting Fireball. "Four shot glasses and a bottle of fireball please."

The cute barmaid nods, tells me the price and disappears. My eyes scans the place, looking around again watching the bodies sway together, the girls talking among themselves at our table. It feels nice being out of the house, even if this type of scene isn't really my thing anymore. "Shalyn O'Dell it's been way to long." A husky deeply accented voice says into my ear, too close for comfort. I whip my head around and come face to face with a God. Literally, is this Adonis? Has he come to life right before my eyes. Did I pass out in the club? I'm dreaming, right? Because his looks seem entirely too good to be true. 

I pick my jaw up from the dirty club floor and take a cautious step back, he smirks. "Uhh, do I know you?" I say, confuse. I don't think I've ever seen this delicious man in my life, I'm pretty sure I'd remember someone as ridiculously attractive as this guy. 

He smiles genuinely, making his eyes brighten and his face go from gorgeous to blinding. "I'm a friend of your fathers, We worked together in the last election, four years ago, I had a beard and much longer hair." He runs his hands though his golden hair. His Russian accent so heavy it almost makes it hard for me to understand him, but I'm dragged into every syllable that rolls from his perfectly plump lips. They're mesmerizing to watch. I reluctantly pull my eyes from his lips and look over the rest of him, mainly his face and hair to try an picture it much longer, but I'm still drawing a blank. "Sorry, I'm not very good with faces," I lie and stick my hand out for him to shake. He smoothly grabs hold of my hand, and brings it to his lush lips instead, I gasp lightly as his soft lips dust over my skin, seeming to linger just a bit too long. But I can't say that I mind. "Pleasure to meet you." I whisper, my voice so small and broken. 

He looks up from my hand and meets my stunned gaze staring back at him, he takes a deep breath and winks before straightening his torso, "Pleasures all mine, Shalyn."

My breath is caught in my throat, I clear it and slip my outstretched arm from his large hand, "Please, just Shay." I'm almost certain its barely audible once again but I clear my throat one more time, and try again a little bit louder this time. I'm becoming annoyed with myself, I don't easily fluster and I'm terrified he can see just exactly what his presence does to me. This is ridiculous 

He smiles that smile that drops women panties all around the world, I'm sure of it. He nods and sweeps his arm back to the bar, bringing my attention to the shots and a bottle sitting there waiting for me, I hurriedly look at the girls seeing if they wonder whats taking so long but they aren't even looking my way. In their own world as always. I roll my eyes and huff, swinging my head back to the mysterious man and then again at the glasses and the bottle of liquor. How the hell am I going to carry all this. 

He must have read my mind or maybe the confusion written all over my features, "Need some help with all that?" He smirks, knowing the answer. His confidence annoys me even further, something about this man is telling my every nerve ending to run, to steer clear. I rolled my eyes at my bodies reaction to all of this man. My brain is literally fucked right now, on one hand I want to crawl up his strong, tall figure and wrap around him like a cat in heat and the the other half wants to run away, arms in the air flailing and screaming at the top of my lungs. 

"Don't roll those gorgeous eyes at me." He demands softly in that husky Russian accent. My painties are going to need to be cleaned like immediately. 

My face morphs into one of pure shock, did he just tell me what to do? Who the absolute hell does he think he is? I can already tell this man gets whatever he wants whenever he wants. Another thing on the list about him that ticks me off to no end. "Don't tell me what to do. Especially when I don't even know who the hell you are." I defend.myself and quickly start grabbing at the shot glasses. Trying to find a way to put all four in my hand and the bottle in the other. 

The bastard has the audacity to laugh, and not just a normal laugh but a loud deep sexy laugh that has my knees wobbling. I turn my furious eyes on him once again, ready to start the yelling but he speaks first, "Put a finger in each glass. Here," He takes the glasses from my fumbling fingers and proceeds to shove a thumb, index, middle and a ring finger in each glass before pushing them together, "Like this. Then bottle in other hand. 

I roll my eyes, and scoff before shooing off his hand, making sure not to touch him. "I'm not stupid." I repeat his movements and do as he did, successfully picking up all the glasses and the bottle, turning to look at him before I make my way back to the girls. 

He has a golden eyebrow raised, even his eyebrows are the perfect shape. The shape more women want these days. What the hell, there is such thing as being too perfect, right? You'd think that'd make him ugly. I take a closer look at him, noticing his nose is a little off, not too big or small but crooked. As if it had been broken and hadn't healed the right way, just barely noticeable but there. He smiles, and I smirk at the fact that his teeth aren't straight. His front teeth just barely overlapping one another. His incisors too long, a little pointy looking, he closes him mouth quickly. "I didn't say you were." 

I give him a dead look. "You implied it with your tone. Now, please excuse me." I look past him to the girls who are by the way still looking and talk amongst each other, none of them looking for me. Dear God these bitches are the worst. 

He opens his arms pointing the way to my table, as if saying go right ahead. "Never meant to piss you off." He says almost apologetically if it weren't for the subtle lift of the left side of his mouth. God, he's so fucking sexy.

I scoff, "Yeah, well next time don't tell a woman you just met what to do. You come off a little strong and that's annoying." I know, I'm being a bitch but damn the whole persona for this guy grates my nerves to no end.. Fuck, I'm so twichy, maybe it is time I got laid.     

He smirks, "I can fix that." He can fix what? Not telling a woman what to do? 

I nod, "It'd do you some good, that's for sure." 

Still with the cocky little smirk, "Oh, I'm sure it would." I shake my head, and start my way back to the girls, "See you soon, Shay." He says at my neck. My body halts as I feel his cold breath coat the back of my neck, the baby hairs standing to attention as shivers rocket down my spine. My core is pulsing at his proximity yet my heart is beating a hard tattoo against my rib cage. Fear and sexual energy racing through my blood. If he were an animal he'd for sure be able to sniff it out. But he isn't, so I do my best to continue walking calmly. Forcing my legs not to break out into a sprint. What the fuck is wrong with my body? I've only had one drink, and I'm definitely not a lightweight so that's out of the question. 

                                                                                                                  ***

Later on that night I find myself chalking it up to nerves and hormones. The girls and I are having a great time, even Britt has calmed and downed a few too man shots but it'd done her good. She's dancing her ass off with the rest of us, no more tears or pity parties, just good times and sloppy dancing. I have no idea how Ella is holding up so good on her ridiculously high heels. My feet are killing me. I tap Esme on the shoulder and lean into her ear, "I'm going back to the table, my feet are killing me." I shout, probably a bit too loud, I'm most definitely feeling the ill effects of the alcohol. But it's good for now, as long as I don't go over my limit, tomorrow i'll be relatively fine. She nods and sticks a wagging finger into her ear, I laugh.

The table is empty except for our drinks. Although they're still half full, none of us are stupid enough to drink from them again. I slump down on the seat and watch the girls dance their asses off, a huge smile on my face. I reach down and start undoing the straps of my wedges pulling the damn things off and dropping them on the floor, flexing my sore feet. Britt doing a jumpy twirl to the Fleetwood Mac's Rhiannon, her arms raised high in the air, I laugh as I watch her shout "THIS IS MY SONG!" to Esme. 

I have to admit Britt's actually a lot of fun when she's drunk. You'd think her sober personality would just intensify the more she drank but she's the complete opposite. I'm pulled from my musings as the mystery man my father works with sits down beside my. "I'd like to apologize for earlier. I'm a bit... Off tonight." He says sincerely, his accent less noticeable but still strongly there. 

My body automatically heating up as the smell of him. He smells fresh, like mint but also like he's wearing a spicy cologne. It somehow matches him. I ignore the inferno going haywire inside, "s'all good. I was a bit bitchy." I say, still rubbing my sore insteps. 

Lovage's Stroker Ace starts, slowing everything down for everyone. Putting off a sexy vibe throughout the club. Heat rises up my face as he watches me intently, his eyes flicking from mine to my hands rubbing at my feet. My heart races as his gaze slowly lifts back up me, my breath catching when I notice the power of the lust in his eyes. Goosebumps spreading up and down my arms, my hands halting in their tracks. My hearts going wild, my clit throbbing under my black lace panties. My legs instinctively open just slightly. My entire body working of its own accord. As if i were a puppet and he had the strings to control my every move. 

I had forgotten we were surrounded by people on all sides, the only thing breaking our connection is Esme's hand on my shoulder, "Everything alright?" She asks. I pull my head away from him and look up at her sheepishly.

"Yes." It's a breathy whisper. This is so not normal, right? This isn't me. I'm never swept off my feet. Never stunned into silence. I'd seen or heard everything there was to hear, and I damn sure didn't believe in a lust like this. Thought it only in the books my mother used to read. It just wasn't real life. Or at least I hadn't thought so. But my twitching core, made it hard to ignore. 

My sight shifting back to his. He's still watching me, not a muscle moving. He perfectly still, looking at me as if i were a meal. As if I were prey. "Everything is perfectly alright." suddenly his sights are set on her. An almost evil smirk staining his lush lips. She flinches beside me. I try to change the subject. "Well, thanks for apologizing, umm... I'm sorry I didn't catch your name?" I ask, as I put my hand out for him to shake, instinct telling me to bring him back to me somehow. He shifts my way once again, a small shake of his head before he replies, "Levi. I'll catch you some other time, Shay. Like I said, good to see you again." he smiles and stalks off. 

"Okay, what the actual fuck was that? I'm like almost certain that man growled at me." Esme says as sit in his old seat.

 I laugh nervously, "No the hell he didn't."

"Okay fine, but that shit was super fucking weird. You know him?"

I shake my head, no, no I don't I would remember a face like his. But he sure seems to know me, and my dad. Fear once again creeping up my spine. I try to shake it off, "Yeah, that was weird, huh?" I stare off as my gaze follows his every movement out the club doors. "Crazy weird." I say again, more to myself this time.