Violet stared nearly gawking as Roderick lifted the woman and gently placed her on her feet. She opened the door wider and welcomed the incoming guests.
"Thank you," the woman said as she batted her eyelashes at Roderick.
"Your welcome," he responded with an almost sadistic smile.
This is horrible Violet thought as her stomach lurched not only from the copious amount of wine she had been drinking but the fact that Roderick Greystone a wolf had just set foot in Enchanted Winery. She hiccupped and nearly died of embarrassment at the same time.
Roderick eyed her with is laser like stare as usual and then suddenly burst into a fit of laughter that he couldn't control. Violet placed a hand on her hip and though she was past tipsy she wasn't the least bit amused.
"I'm sorry but what on earth are you wearing."
"It's eighties night. And I'm dressed like Madonna," she said tossing her side ponytail. She wore a black fitted sweatshirt dress that revealed a bare shoulder, a bunch of beaded necklaces, some fingerless gloves and black converse.
She watched him cock his ear then shake his head as if he couldn't believe it when David Bowie's China Girl began playing in the next room, right where they were headed.
"And I suppose you think I look so funny."
Roderick laughed in silly uncontrollable fits and bursts. "It took me by surprise. I had no idea you had themes for wine tastings."
"What are you doing here? You said you'd call," she said wringing her hands as she looked around and prayed that Damon wouldn't be back any time soon.
"This is on the way to my ranch, so I thought I'd just pop in."
She wasn't sure what to say and she could only hope for his answer. She was desperate and all the wine she had already drank was starting to affect her. It made her feel warm and flushed but relaxed too. "Would you like a glass of wine?" She said as she leaned in near his ear. He smelled so good. It was a clean scent of pine and musk; perhaps aftershave she thought.
"I didn't come her to drink.."
She cut him off and handed him a glass of red wine that had been poured at the bar they stood next to that had been set up in their large living room. "One of our finest red wines. A cabernet," she said.
He took the wine from her hand and as he did their fingers touched for a moment. They both felt a jolt of electricity and Roderick nearly dropped his glass.
"Strange," violet said as she touched her fingers.
Roderick took what seemed like a small forced sip, "It's good." He offered nodding his head in sync with the music.
Suddenly violet squealed and ran to a man that appeared in the doorway. He was tall with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He wore a black leather jacket and jeans. She jumped on him wrapping her arms around his neck. They continued talking and hugging as she led him back toward the bar where Roderick was standing wine goblet in hand clearly unamused.
"Roderick Greystone. This is my best friend Phoenix Darksight."
Roderick nodded his head as he tipped his Goblet. "Pleasure."
Phoenix thrust his hand out toward Roderick forcing him to shake it, "Nice to meet you Roderick."
Suddenly U2's, With or Without you began playing. Phoenix turned to Violet and grabbed her hand, "They're playing our song, you'll have to excuse us for a minute." He said turning to Roderick as he whisked Violet away.
They made their way out to the makeshift dance floor and Phoenix began twirling Violet as he serenaded her. She serenaded him back the words, "I can't live with or without you."
They continued swaying to the music holding hands and singing as they both stared into each other's eyes.
Violet was elated she hadn't seen Phoenix for so long. Ever since he joined the Triad they had drifted away from each other. Once upon a time they were inseparable. In a way they had their own triad growing up, her, Damon and Phoenix. He lifted her chin then leaned in and whispered in her ear, "What the fuck is a wolf doing here?"
"Not now," she smiled back, "It's complicated."
When the song was finally done, they made their way back to the bar and Roderick who Violet noted followed her again with his searing eyes. He tossed back the rest of the wine in his goblet in a single gulp.
He glanced down at his watch, "I must be going now, we have business to attend to."
"I'm sorry, follow me," Violet retorted motioning for Phoenix to stay behind. She lead him back through the entryway and another hall where her office was located. Just as she shut the door behind her Roderick spoke with an icy tone.
"Is he your boyfriend?"
Violet laughed and frowned at the same time. "No, he's not. We grew up together. We've been best friends our entire lives."
"Seemed like more." He said stiffening his back.
"Not that it's any of your business." She argued back with him as she placed her hands on her hips.
He smiled with his hands in his pockets. "The wine is good, but you really have nothing to offer me." He said sarcastically.
Violet gnawed her lip. What was she thinking arguing with him? She had no idea he would be stopping by in person. But as soon as he arrived all she wanted to do was show him a good time, be friendly and hope for the best.
"Please let your answer be yes," she blurted.
"And what do you have to bargain with?" He said as his face morphed back into his perpetual seriousness. One brow arched as he posed his question.
"Me." She paused and licked her bright red lips, "I will do anything you want." She gulped hoping her exposed bare shoulder was enough to perhaps seduce him into saying yes.
Roderick pulled a contract out from his back pocket and placed it on her desk. "You'll need to sign this."
"What is this?" She questioned as she opened up the folded document.
"It's a contract?" he sourly retorted, "It says that I own you for the next three months or however long we have to host your Events."
She mouthed an oh and nodded her head she glimmered through. She was so tipsy that she couldn't really make out the words. She should probably be frightened to death that a wolf was making her sign a contract. For a moment she thought of casting it into the fire and walking away from him forever.
But the weddings.
The people like Letitia who counted on her to make their day special, and what about Letitia's poor mother who was sick?
Roderick had a smile on his face as if he was having the last laugh. In a way it seemed as if he was hoping she would not sign it. That settled the question in her mind.
Is regular ink fine or do you want it in blood?