That fate started through that closed door, and I found it was a bedroom. A large king-sized bed sat against the back wall and draped over the foot of its elegant white comforter was a bright-red dress. The straps were as thin as pencils and the neckline left little to the imagination.
He stopped us at the foot and slipped behind me. "What do you think?"
I glanced down at the dress and my eyebrow received more exercise. "It looks like it could fall of at any moment."
He leaned close to my neck and chuckled. "That would be a shame, wouldn't it? Unfortunately, nothing so wonderful will happen as the straps are quite tight. Would you like some assistance putting it on?"
I spun around and crossed my arms over my chest. "I said I'd go on a date with you, not get into bed." I jabbed a finger at the door. "Now out."
He took a step back and bowed his head to me. "I am your humble servant, Miss Luvena."
I tilted my head to one side and studied him. "How do you know so much about me, anyway? Are you stalking me or something?"
He straightened and shook his head. "No. Let's just say I investigate my business associates very thoroughly."
I frowned. "Business associates? You mean the flower shop?"
He nodded. "Yes. I gathered that your employer wouldn't ask questions of my order if I offered him cash, and-"
"And he didn't fail to disappoint," I commented.
Cruor chuckled. "Exactly. Now if you wish I can assist you in changing."
I nodded at the door. "I think I'm old enough to dress myself."
He retreated to the door and bowed his head. "As you wish, my lady." He closed the door behind him.
I turned and studied the dress. A sigh escaped my lips and I shook my head. "What have you gotten yourself into this time, Faith?"
A quick change and I felt like a half a million dollars. The other half of the money was with the other half of the dress. The neckline was low enough to reveal ample cleavage and a slit in one side traveled up to my hip. Walking would be difficult. Somehow, though, the outfit complimented my ample curves.
I stepped out of the room with my old clothes draped over one arm. This Cruor fellow was still a near-stranger, so I'd be keeping my clothes with me. He stood off to the left and against the wall where a long, wide kitchen was located. His back was to me, but as I entered he downed an entire champagne glass of red liquid and turned to me. His sly smile and attentive eyes were enough to show me he approved.
He set the glass down and walked over to me where he bowed. "A picture of beauty no Renaissance painter could capture," he complimented.
I blushed. "It's a little flimsy," I commented as I tugged on the slit.
Cruor straightened and smiled. "And yet you wear it with such elegance that it appears to be a part of you." He stepped up to my side and offered me his arm. "If you would, it's time to leave."
I looped my arm through his and hugged my clothes against my other side. "All right, but I'm keeping my clothes with me."
He bowed his head. "As you wish, my lady."
Cruor escorted me to the door where we paused to pick up his coat, hat, and cane. We proceeded to the elevator and rode it down to the parking garage. The doors opened and revealed a limo that waited with its engine running. The suited driver stepped out, a pale young man of twenty with unruly dirty-blond hair, and opened the rear door for us. He bowed his head as Cruor escorted me to the vehicle.
"Ladies first," he offered.
I hesitated in front of the door. The interior was pitch-black. "How about we break with tradition just this once?" I suggested.
Cruor bowed his head. "As you wish."
He ducked into the car. My eyes flickered to the driver who stood behind the door. His eyes were pale gray and his skin was the same pallor as that of Cruor.
I jerked my thumb at the entrance to the car. "Are you two related?" The driver shook his head, but didn't speak. I shrugged. "Just thought I'd ask."
I ducked into the interior. The opposing seats were leather and each was broken into two chairs by a separating armrest in their center. I took the seat opposite Cruor who sat in the back. The door shut behind me, but an overhead light allowed me to see my host, though most of his face fell into shadow. Behind me was the closed window that connected the rear to the front.
The car started, and we turned the corners of the parking garage and bumped onto the streets. I glanced out the window. The world sped by in brightly-colored hues of dazzling lights.
"You are ill at ease," Cruor commented.
I tried to avoid pulling my neckline for fear he would glimpse more than some of my previous boyfriends got to see. "I'm alone with a wealthy stranger, in a strange dress, going to a strange party."
He chuckled. "Yes, I must admit I wasn't sure you would agree to such an adventure, but you didn't fail to disappoint."
I frowned. "You sound like you know me really well."
He leaned back. His face was completely covered in shadows. "You could say our meeting yesterday piqued my interest, and I made a few inquiries."
My eyebrows crashed down and I pointed an accusing finger at him. "Then you did stalk me!"
He held up his hand. "Perhaps I did inspect more thoroughly than is proper, but I will offer you a trade." He stretched out his arms and I saw a glint of teeth as he smiled. "You may ask me anything you like, and I will answer with the truth."
I snorted. "And I'm supposed to believe it?"
His smile slipped away and his voice grew firm. "I give you my word, and I never break my word."
I furrowed my brow and studied him for a few moments before I cleared my throat. "How old are you?"
"Five hundred and sixty years old."
I choked on my spittle. "You said you'd tell the truth!"
He chuckled. "I did, and I have, but why don't you ask another less compromising question?"
I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him. "How rich are you?"
"I haven't tallied my assets in quite a while, but billionaires would envy me were they to know the truth," he replied.
"So how come I haven't heard about you?" I countered.
He clasped his hands on his crossed legs. "As I said before, I prefer to keep a low profile. That includes revealing my riches. Even my close friends are unaware of the full extent of my wealth." He leaned forward and his shimmering bright eyes fell on me. "You are perhaps the only one outside my small circle who knows."
I raised an eyebrow. "Should I feel honored?"
He fell back and shrugged. "That's entirely up to you, but wouldn't you rather ask me more questions?"
I jerked my thumb at the window to my right. "Where are we going?"
Cruor chuckled. "I am a terrible date, aren't I? We are attending a private dinner given by Mr. Edric Eres in honor of his daughter having graduated college."
I furrowed my brow. "Isn't she the one who had the bracelet stolen last night?"
"The very same," he confirmed.
"How do you know them?" I asked him.
"I made their acquaintance in Europe when Miss Eres was choosing her college," he explained.
I fidgeted and pressed my street clothes close against me. "And there'll be a lot of these rich folks at the party?"
His voice was soothing in that strange way of his. "About a dozen, but you needn't worry. Their false beauty cannot compare to your natural-well, shall we say you have a very exuberant life energy surrounding you."
I stopped my fidgeting and raised an eyebrow. "Thanks. I think."
The car slowed and turned onto a smooth road. I glanced out the window and saw the landscape was much changed. Gone were the skyscrapers and noisy, honking streets. Streetlights were replaced by elegant lampposts and the glass buildings changed to tall, imposing mansions. Blocks gave way to vast estates, and the smell of water drifted to my nose.
Cruor gestured to the window. "There is nothing quite l
ike nature to remind one of our more primitive roots. Perhaps that's why so many congregate on the fringes of the uncontrollable waters and forests, not least of which the wealthy of society." His eyes fell on me and there was that bright glimmer again. It was almost as though his eyes glowed in the dark. "It makes one think of ages past, and of futures yet to come."
I shrugged. "I guess, but history's never been my strong suit."
He chuckled. "We must do something about that, but after the dinner."
CHAPTER 5