Marcus offered a polite smile and began to walk toward the door, but before he could enter, the woman caught his arm, causing him to startle.
His eyes met hers, and he could see a brief moment of alarm reflected in her gaze.
Without a word, she quickly released his arm, as if realizing the impropriety of her action. Determined to convey her message, she spoke in a more composed manner.
"If it's alright with you, we can meet up for coffee after your consultation, bills on me," Now, she was crossing the line.
"I'll consider your offer. Thank you." Marcus whispered, feigning mild interest, and walked into the office without another delay.
***
The meeting had been surprisingly brief, involving the exchange of personal information and the completion of paperwork related to the property.
Marcus emerged from the office, clutching a stack of papers in his hand.
Lost in his thoughts, he began to retrace his steps through the corridor, intent on making his way back to the reception area whilst scanning his memory.
However, just a few strides away from the office, his focus was abruptly shattered as he collided with someone. His heightened senses immediately kicked in, and his reflexes propelled him into action.
With lightning speed, he shifted the papers out of harm's way. Simultaneously, his other arm instinctively wrapped around the person, preventing her from falling.
The force of the encounter caused her to lose her grip on a cup of hot liquid, which spilled onto his body, scalding him immediately.
A searing sensation coursed through him as the hot liquid made contact with his skin, soaking his clothes and leaving a trail of warmth in its wake.
The sharp scent of coffee permeated the air, mingling with the faint aroma of spilled milk. He winced in pain but managed to maintain his grip on both the person and the papers.
"Oh, I'm so sorr –" The familiar voice began to speak, but the words trailed off abruptly as recognition dawned. Marcus locked his gaze once again with the captivating woman he had encountered earlier in Ashtonville.
Time seemed to stand still as their eyes met, and an unspoken connection permeated the air between them.
"Earth sure is full of wonders,"
There was a hint of vulnerability in her eyes, a softness that tugged at his heart. The realization that fate had brought them together once more stirred a mix of emotions within him.
He could feel the rhythm of her breath as their bodies pressed against each other in an intimate embrace. The gentle rise and fall of her bosom against his chest could not be mistaken.
A rush of primal instincts surged through him, heightened by the unmistakable scent of her arousal mingling with the aroma of spilled coffee.
His powers were seeping out, he noted. He could almost sense the subtle tightening of her buds beneath the layer of lace and cotton fabric that separated them.
His arms instinctively tightened around her, drawing her closer, savoring the warmth and softness of her. He watched as her eyelids fluttered shut, surrendering to the powerful connection that pulsed between them.
In that fleeting moment, Marcus drank in the sight of her, capturing the essence of her sensuality. It was all the push he needed to take her right where they stood in the open.
But there was something else – her pulse. His focus shifted to her delicate nape, a vulnerable and enticing spot where her life force thrummed beneath her skin. The rhythmic cadence of her pulse resonated in his ears, a tantalizing symphony that triggered his real nature to awaken.
His eyes bore into her exposed neck, the desire to taste her essence consuming him. For a moment, the world around him blurred into insignificance as his fangs surged in length, reminding him of his insatiable thirst.
But just as quickly as the awakening came, he fought against the darker impulses.
No!
Summoning every ounce of self-control, he gently withdrew his arm from around her waist, gradually releasing her from his embrace. Like a mechanical switch flipped off, the woman regained her composure, stepping back a few paces as if searching for clarity.
Her gaze scrutinized him, her eyes clouded with confusion, and then she spoke.
"You!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with accusation. "So now you're stalking me, is that it? I'm calling the police –"
Her words faltered as he raised the papers he held, along with the real estate flyer, bringing them into her line of sight. The sudden change in her demeanor was felt as recognition flickered across her face.
Her hands slipped from her bag as she beheld the papers closely. She maintained a wary distance from him, circling around him as if assessing the situation from different angles, and then she was walking away.
Marcus turned to observe her, his gaze drawn to the graceful sway of her rich curves accentuated by the smooth, fitted black skirt she wore. The way she moved captivated him, and he found himself unable to tear his eyes away.
But beneath his fascination, was a problem that he'd discovered.
An awakening hunger.
How long had it been since he last fed on human blood? The proximity to her ignited his craving, a dangerous desire he had worked hard to suppress.
It was a problem he couldn't afford to confront at the moment. He needed to find a way to keep his true nature under control, and he needed to do it fast.
With a resolute mind, he made his way towards the elevator, his pace quickening as he yearned for a reprieve from the temptations that stood before him. As the doors opened, he stepped out without sparing a second glance at the receptionist.
His focus lay on pressing matters that demanded his attention.
He strode briskly, his mind already occupied with the multitude of tasks that lay ahead. The acquisition of a place to stay was a small victory, one task successfully completed among many others that awaited him.