The week passed in a hurry. Elain had come to terms with himself since he had sent the email and was now free to fully concentrate on his work. In fact he was so busy that he left his office after seven o'clock on Friday evening.

Velvet mewed at him accusingly when he opened his apartment door. The cat was clearly a bit neglected when it came to affection since Elain had been working long hours in his office before he called it a day.

Elain scooped her up and stroked her behind the ears while he went into the kitchen to feed her. "Sorry, Velvet, but I'm in a hurry again," he told her, putting her down in front of her feeding bowl.

The cat looked at him with her bright eyes and mewed. It almost sounded like a question. Elain smiled at her. "Yes, that's right. Your loner of a master has a date. You can go down to the club and gossip with Marithia if you're too bored. Maybe I'll even introduce him to you later."

Velvet made an odd sniffing sound like she wanted to say, "You'd better!" before she tucked in her meal. Elain gave her one last pet on the head before he got up and went into his bedroom to change.

As he looked at himself in the mirror, Elain was unsure of what he should wear for the first time in decades. His closet was filled with nothing besides suits in various colors and designs, workout clothing, and pajamas. Finally Elain decided on a black suit in a more casual cut, left the vest and tie, and just put on a plain white button-down shirt beneath. After some moments of hesitation, Elain left the collar unbuttoned.

Nice, but not too casual — and hopefully no too sexy.

Elain went to the bathroom and combed his hair. With a quick gesture, he tucked it behind his ears but then decided against it. It was just too strange. And the glasses... no, they stayed in place, too. Elain wasn't the type who changed his whole lifestyle to please another person, and he wouldn't start now. If Tyrallin wanted to see his eyes without the glasses, he had to earn it.

Finally content with his appearance, Elain left the bathroom to look after Velvet again. The cat thankfully refrained from circling his ankles and thus shedding white hairs on his suit, but she looked at him almost critically and then went to her favorite pillow on the couch to nap. She didn't even bother to look up when the telephone rang.

It was Marithia, telling Elain that "Mr. Tall Blonde and Handsome" was there.

After Elain hung up the phone, he waited for a few heartbeats before he left his apartment and took the elevator down to the first floor. He found Tyra at the bar, leaning across it on his elbows and laughing at something Marithia had said. He was wearing black jeans and a stylish, silky blue button-down shirt, but the cuffs were rolled up, revealing his muscular forearms.

His smile as he spoke with Marithia was absolutely stunning. However, as Elain approached them, Marithia turned her gaze to him, and then Tyrallin's eyes followed. Somehow, despite the seeming impossibility, Tyrallin's smile got bigger and his eyes even brighter.

"Hey there," said the sire. The sire's eyes briefly and appreciatively scanned Elain. "You arrived just in time to save your reputation. Marithia was going to start telling me all the goofy and embarrassing stories from your past."

"Oh, really? And here I thought you were too old for fairy tales, Tyrallin," Elain said, glancing briefly at Marithia. He had no idea what she had been telling him, but knowing her it had been something to encourage Tyrallin further. Damn nosy woman!

Marithia just smiled as innocently as she could. "Have fun, you two!" she said and darted over to the other side of the bar to take the order of another customer.

"I think I can still enjoy a fairy tale or two, especially the ones with the happy endings," Tyra replied, letting his eyes linger on Elain's. "So what are we up to this evening? It appears that I'm at your mercy this time."

Elain smiled. "I was thinking of a nice, quiet dinner upstairs. We have a beautiful view over the city there — and no one to disturb us. Does that sound good?"

To Tyra, the only thing that could make such a dinner sound any more romantic would be if Elain had mentioned candles. Maybe Elain was really starting to soften toward him? Forests, he could only hope so. "That sounds really great," he said, hoping he sounded more casual than overeager.

"Then let's go." Elain gestured toward the elevators. "So, are there any overly curious women in your life, too?"

Tyra followed Elain to the elevators. "Nah, not exactly. I have a friend, Sally, and she's cool, but she does have more dirt on me than I'd like." At the elevator, Elain swiped his card, and Tyra followed him in. "Of course, that swings both ways, which makes it nice and even. I'm sure you have just as many stories on Marithia as she does on you. And, by the way, she didn't tell me anything. She was actually plying me for information."

"Really? What did she want to know?" Elain asked.

"Well, she was trying to be subtle about it, but she was sneaking in questions about my family, the kinds of things I like to do in my free time, where I'm planning to take you for the next date, that sort of thing," Tyra replied as he leaned back casually against the elevator wall.

"In other words, trying to find out if you're good enough for me," Elain concluded and suppressed a sigh. "Maybe I should get you a keycard so you can use the side entrance and don't have to face her inquisition again — although she means well."

"That's not necessary. Marithia's fine. She's fun to talk to. Besides, every guy has to pass some sort of close-friend test, right? It's part and parcel of dating, and I wouldn't want to skip out on any important steps," Tyra said.

Elain looked at him. "But that would imply I have to pass that test, too, right?"

Before Tyra could answer, the elevator stopped, and Elain went out into a hallway that Tyra had seen before. But this time they went into another room. The dominating color here was red like downstairs on the first floor, although the furniture was more classy and refined. Huge windows granted a breathtaking view over the city, just like Elain had promised. The sun had just set, casting the sky in a warm, glowing light.

"This is...really something, Elain," Tyra said. "You know, you're going to turn a sire's head if you treat him this way."

Tyra couldn't remember the last time he'd sat down to eat in such a fancy setting. He reminded himself to mind his table manners well enough to make his father proud.

"I guess that means you like it." Elain smiled and gestured toward the table by the huge windows. It was set for two, and instead of candles it was illuminated by a tiny amber lamp that glowed softly so as not to distract from the beautiful view outside.

At first Elain had been unsure which room he should take, but then he finally settled for the most romantic room. He wasn't the type to do things by halves, so if he invited Tyrallin to a date, it had to be the perfect one.

Tyra strode forward and pulled out a chair for Elain, and then he took his own. "You know, I don't want to put a damper on things, but we have a slight problem. We're the only ones here, and there's no food." Tyra could feel himself starting to smile. "Of course, we can see whether it's possible to survive on kissing alone. That'd be a worthwhile experiment, I say."

"It's not wise to experiment with an empty stomach. Would you press that little button underneath the lamp, please? It's a signal for the kitchen staff to bring our food. I hope you like chicken with sweet-and-sour sauce? It's the specialty here," Elain said, returning the smile.

Tyra saw what Elain was referring to and pressed the button. "That sounds wonderful." He leaned forward over the table and smiled at Elain. "So, are you ready to confess that you're employed here yet?"

"Well, I guess there's no use still denying it," Elain admitted. "Years ago I started here as a bartender, but now I'm in the management. What about your occupation? I don't think you've told me yet."

Tyra had been expecting that very question since the last date. He'd thought about it for a while and decided that there was just no way that he could tell Elain he was still a student, and a high school student at that.

He wasn't ready for this to end.

"There's not much to tell you at the moment," Tyra replied. "I do some part time work for a construction company, but other than that I'm doing a lot of studying and trying to decide what I really want to do with my life. It's not coming as easy as I hoped it would," he said with a wry smile.

"I can understand that. As you said yourself, it takes a lot of time to decide what you want to do for the rest of your life. It took me a while, too," Elain answered. "When I left my family, I had only finished high school, and it took me some decades until I finally got the opportunity to go to college."

"It must have been worth the wait, because you seem to be doing pretty well for yourself now." Tyra leaned forward over the table, casually folding his arms on the edge of it. "And do you like your job here at the Velvet Shadow? You're happy with it?"

"Yes, I am. There's always a lot of work, but that's how I like it. I don't like to sit around and be idle. And speaking of sitting around, what would you like to drink? I'm afraid I forgot to ask." Elain got up from his seat and smacked himself internally. Was the romantic atmosphere eating at his brain that he forgot something vital like offering a drink?

"I think I'll take some of that mineral water you're always drinking. I have to drive home tonight, so if we're going to mix a drink later on, I should limit myself to that one," Tyra said.

Elain nodded and went over to the little bar in the corner of the room, taking out a big bottle of mineral water from the fridge. As he was about to return to the table, there was a knock on the door. Elain opened it to let a young woman in. She was carrying a tray with two plates under silver plate covers.

"Good evening sir," she greeted Elain with a smile. "Here are your orders with recommendations of the chef. He said the chicken is especially delicious today."

"Good evening Anne, and say thank you for me to the chef, will you?"

"Of course." She went over to the dinner table and put the plates down, granting Tyra a lovely smile as well. "I hope you'll like it, sir!"

Tyra uncovered his plate to find sliced chicken strips covered in sauce sitting on a bed of steaming rice, surrounded by a ring of cut and steamed vegetables. The sweet aroma of it filled his senses. "Mmm, that smells like heaven," he said. "I can't remember the last time I've had such a neatly presented dinner. In advance, before I horrify you by eating myself into a food coma, thank you, Elain."

"You're welcome, Tyrallin. But be careful: There are some hot spices hidden under the chicken stripes," Elain warned and sat down. "You might want to take it slow."

"Enjoy your meal, gentlemen!" The serving girl took the plate covers and left the room so that Tyra and Elain were alone once again.

Tyra looked across the table at Elain and admired the way the light from the little amber lamp cast a gentle glow on his features. He tried not to let his gaze linger too long on the place where the top button of Elain's shirt was undone.

"I enjoy a little bit of spiciness," Tyra said. "And you should feel free to call me Tyra. Everybody does."

"Then Tyra it is," Elain answered, unscrewing the bottle of mineral water and pouring some of it in their glasses.

Outside, the sun had almost vanished, leaving only a line of violet-red light at the horizon. The dark blue sky above was already sprinkled with stars.

Good thing I didn't put some music on, Elain thought. Or this whole thing would turn into a scene out of a cheesy romance movie. Surprisingly, it wasn't that disgusting a thought. Despite experience having taught him better, he was a hopeless romantic deep down, Elain had to admit to himself.

Over the next hour, they ate their dinner together, and the conversation that followed flowed easily and naturally for them. Tyra kept his bantering light and playful, and Elain shared more stories from his earlier bartending days.

It was easy, fun, and entirely engaging. When the serving girl returned after an hour had passed to clear their plates away and to set down two little dishes of ice cream for dessert, Tyra was surprised to find out how much time had passed.

Elain felt no different. Usually he forgot about the time only when he was working, not during some leisure activity. But Tyra's company was so enjoyable that Elain suddenly wished that this evening wouldn't end so soon. No stress, no decisions, no difficult business associates — it was almost like living a different person's life for a few hours.

Talking to Tyra and looking into his open, handsome face was like eating the ice cream — sweet and sensuous. But the beautiful moments would melt away as surely as the ice cream did.

When they finished their ice cream, Tyra quirked a brow at Elain. "So, what mixed drink have you decided to tease me with, er, I mean teach me tonight?" he asked.

Elain leaned forward and smiled a bit mysteriously. "That would depend on what you'd like to try. If you still prefer to have rum as basis, I'm afraid there are only drinks with tame names like Angel's Treat, Chocolate Hurricane, or Heaven's Gate. They're all very sweet and would go well with the aftertaste of the dessert. However, if you like vodka as well, we can try for the Screaming Orgasm. It's also very sweet, but a lot stronger."

Tyra felt his ear tips starting to burn. "I think I'll stick with the rum drinks tonight." Although sticking with the "safer" drinks made him feel the bite of his own inexperience, it would probably be much, much easier on his libido if they weren't discussing screaming orgasms, especially with Elain looking so relaxed and casual and simply delicious.

Almost against his will, Elain felt enchanted by the sight of Tyra blushing. Although the dim, reddish light was hiding it, he was adept at reading expression in half-darkness.

When did he ever see a grown sire blush? He was quite sure he never had, but it fit Tyrallin's innocent demeanor. It was simply irresistible and called for a bit more teasing.

"Then let's try a Chocolate Hurricane," Elain suggested and got up from his chair.

"Mm, even the name sounds yummy. I can't wait to try it," Tyra said as he got up and followed Elain to the bar. "Besides rum, what else is in this one?'

"We need a special coconut-flavored rum, chocolate liqueur, orange juice, lemon juice, and ice cubes," Elain told him while picking the appropriate bottles from the bar cupboard. "This drink also requires a cocktail shaker. Using it properly is a bit tricky, but I'll show you."

"I can handle tricky. In fact, Tricky is my middle name." Tyra started looking around behind the bar, hoping to spot some of the ingredients Elain had mentioned. "Actually, I don't have a middle name. Dad says that middle names are useless things that a human must have invented when he was feeling bored."

"Yes, maybe. Take a look into the fridge, there are the juices and the ice cubes." Elain pulled out a cocktail shaker. "Your father seems to be a very dry-witted person," he remarked.

"He can be at times. In general, he's good fun." Tyra opened the fridge and found the orange juice and lemon juice and pulled them out.

Elain almost answered that one day, he'd like to meet Tyrallin's parents, but he restrained himself. This implied that their relationship would grow to a very serious level, and Elain was neither ready nor willing to consider even the possibility.

"Well, now that we have everything, let's get to the mixing," Elain suggested, returning to their task. He instructed Tyra to measure the needed amounts of liquid and pour them into the shaker, then he closed it.

"Now take it up on both ends. The shaking is very important, so let me guide you." Elain put his hands over Tyra's.

Tyra looked at Elain's smaller hands on top of his own around the silver metal of the shaker. "Okay. You lead, I'll follow," he said.

"Like this," said the lifebearer, and he started the motion. Tyra followed along, trying to focus on the task and not the softness of Elain's hands.

There was a complex system behind the shakes, and Tyra started to pick it up gradually. However, he was sure that he wouldn't be able to imitate the speed of the motions that gradually accelerated. Elain's grip also became firmer, hinting at a strength built from years of cocktail shaking.

"One more turn, and we're done," Elain finally said and slowed down. "This is the standard way of shaking a drink."

"I have a feeling it takes years of practice to be as good as you are," Tyra said. "I might have to ask you to show me that again the next few times until I get the hang of it."

Elain smiled. "Well, it is a profession in its own right for a reason. If anyone could do it, there would be no bartenders." He gently poured the drink into a tall glass and gave it to Tyra. It had a strange, murky color. "I know it doesn't look like much, but it's really good."

"Cheers," Tyra said, and he briefly lifted his glass. He took a sip, and the sharp and rich flavor encouraged him to take a second sip almost immediately after. "This is fantastic. I might have a new favorite. Mmm." He took yet another drink, and then he noticed his companion smiling contentedly at him. "I know you typically don't drink, but would you like just a little bit? It'd be a shame if you didn't get to enjoy this."

Elain hesitated for few moments, eying Tyra thoughtfully. If Elain had just a small sip, there couldn't be any harm in that. "Just a sip, if you don't mind." Elain reached to take the glass from Tyra.

Tyra, however, pulled the glass away from him and gave him a big grin. "Didn't say I'd let you have my glass, did I?" Then, keeping his eyes locked with Elain's, he took a small sip of the drink and then moved the glass away and put his free hand on Elain's cheek. He brushed his thumb against Elain's cheek as he had that first time he'd stolen a kiss, and he slowly started to lean in, giving Elain plenty of time to decide whether to allow this.

Elain was a bit taken aback at first, but he swiftly realized what Tyra was up to. He didn't pull away, just held still as he felt Tyra's lips on his. The sweet, rich flavor of the drink mingled with the young sire's unique taste, and instinctively Elain opened his mouth a bit to get more of this incredible, sinful taste.

Tyra hummed with pleasure as he felt Elain opening to the kiss, and when he felt the lifebearer's tongue questing into his mouth, he decided that he'd be begging for drink-mixing lessons as the finishing touch to every one of their dates.

However, just as Tyra opened his mouth wider for Elain's access and started to slide his free hand into that soft red hair, the door opened.

No knock had warned them, but the heavy footsteps on the polished floor were clearly not those of the serving girl.

"My, Elain, it seems you do have some interesting secrets you're hiding from me."

Thrown off his guard, Elain looked up to see Davaric Ashton. He was standing in the middle of the room with his arms crossed, impeccably dressed as always in an expensive blue suit. The usual flirty smile was a bit strained.

"Mr. Ashton, I do believe there is a clear sign on the door that this room is occupied," Elain said as soon as he had caught his breath again. Still a bit dazed from the kiss, his tone, however, wasn't as icy as he wished.

Tyrallin very reluctantly stepped away from Elain to give him personal space, but he deliberately stayed within reach. He had a hard time keeping himself from glaring at the intruder. They'd just barely gotten started, and now this sire walks in? Tyra sized him up quickly, taking in the tailored suit and the perfectly groomed hair and the calculated facial expressions.

The other sire, Mr. Ashton, gave his head a brief shake. "I was told that you were busy, but I assumed you were working because no one would tell me anything to the contrary. I didn't realize that you weren't...alone." As he finished his words, the other sire turned his calculating gaze to Tyra, and Tyra lifted his chin slightly and stood up just a hair straighter.

"Not that it is any of your business, but do you seriously believe that I'd sit in a party room to work? If you want to talk to me, call my secretary as usual," Elain said coolly. He'd never been this mad at Davaric and seriously wished to throw the sire out. But unfortunately there was still the matter of their business relation, and the Ashton Company was practically monopolizing the market with their beverages. Elain had to be careful.

Davaric shrugged. "I thought you'd perhaps finally grown tired of that undecorated office of yours, but I see now that's not the case. Don't look at me that way, Elain. There's no real harm done. And may I ask who this friend of yours is?"

He asked the question with a smile aimed at Tyrallin, but the younger sire felt a distinct chill in Mr. Ashton's attitude toward him.

Elain's good manners kicked in despite his anger. "Tyrallin Alwick, meet Davaric Ashton. Mr. Ashton is one of the club's business associates," he told Tyra.

He could practically feel the air grow colder as the two sires stared at each other. And Elain himself was the cause for it.

Just perfect, he thought bitterly and hoped he wouldn't have to call security.

"Nice to meet you," Tyra said.

"Likewise," Davaric replied.

Tyra glanced at Elain briefly. At the moment, Elain's time was his, and he wasn't feeling inclined to share, but he knew how serious Elain was about business. However, that didn't stop him from making one particular point very clear to this Davaric Ashton. "I hope you don't mind, but could you possibly wait just a little bit longer to speak with Elain? We'll finish up our date, and I'll be on my way."

"A date? It gets more interesting by the minute," Davaric remarked, glancing at Elain. "What did he do to convince you?"

"That, Mr. Ashton, is something you'll never know. Now if you would be so kind as to excuse us. If there's an important matter to discuss that can't wait, please go to my office. Otherwise, I'd prefer it if you call tomorrow." Elain's tone held a final quality.

"I'll be waiting in your office, then. There's a matter of import pricing that I urgently need to speak with you about. Mr. Alwick, it was...interesting to meet you," Davaric said.

"I'll be seeing you around," Tyra said with a jaunty little wave.

Elain waited until Davaric had left the room before he turned to Tyra. "I'm very sorry. I had no idea that he would barge in like this. But I'm afraid I have to attend to this matter."

"I understand. I should probably get going anyway." Tyra said. He took another quick sip of his drink and then started putting ingredients away. "He seemed...very jealous." Tyra paused as he stood before the fridge with a carton of orange juice in his hand. "Do I have some competition I need to worry about?"

Gently, Elain put a hand on Tyra's shoulder. "No, you don't. Davaric Ashton has been trying to charm me for over two decade, but never succeeded. And that is because I don't want someone whose only interest is in himself and who just wants another conquest for his record."

Privately, Tyra thought Davaric had seemed pretty intensely interested in Elain, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Besides, what did he know about the sire? Likely Elain had good reason for feeling the way he did.

Tyra took the hand on his shoulder and gave the fingers a gentle kiss. "Then I won't worry about it."

"Let me make it up to you, will you? Next time I'll lock the door first, I promise." Elain stood up on his tiptoes to kiss Tyra again. He wasn't in such a hurry to get to his business matters. Davaric could stew for a while.

"Mmph!" Tyra murmured in surprise and delight. With his free hand, he cupped the back of Elain's head and happily proceeded to pick up the kiss where they'd left off the last time. He opened his mouth and carefully nibbled on Elain's lips and then gently sucked on his tongue.

A few short minutes later, when Tyra was starting to feel weak in the knees and a bit tighter in the pants, he forced himself to draw the kiss to a close, and between soft pants, he said, "Oh man, you're a great kisser." He immediately regretted his choice of words. Forests, that had sounded so...juvenile.

But Elain just smiled warmly. Despite his glasses, Tyra could see a glow in Elain's eyes that was decidedly passionate.

"Thanks, although I'm out of practice. But you seem adamant on refreshing my memory," Elain whispered. "Thanks for coming here tonight, Tyra."

"Thank you," Tyra insisted. "This was a really nice treat." He quickly finished putting the rest of the ingredients away and took a last sip of his Chocolate Hurricane. "I can see myself downstairs. I don't need to swipe a card to get down to the first floor, do I?"

"No, the lift takes you there automatically. And I almost forgot..." Elain took out a yellow keycard from his pocket. "Just show this to the bouncers at the entrance, and you can get into the club anytime free of charge if you want to meet me."

Tyra took the plastic yellow card and flipped it over a few times. "Thank you! This will be a really big help. I wasn't sure whether to mention it or not, but it was going to start getting pretty expensive coming in here all the time." He slid the card into his pocket with his cell phone. "So do I get to plan our next excursion?"

"Yes, by all means. Just surprise me like last time. And just so you know, this card is not only for helping you save money. You also don't have to ask Marithia every time you want to see me because the bouncers will contact me."

Tyra smiled, seeing through Elain's plans. "And what if I happen to want to stop and chat with Marithia? She and I have been getting along, you know."

"Then by all means. But that woman's not as harmless as she seems, I warn you," Elain said with a smirk. "Goodnight, Tyrallin."

"Goodnight," Tyra replied. He started to lean in for another kiss, but then he closed his eyes, shook his head, and backed away. "Must resist temptation and let you work," he said with a smile. He kissed Elain's cheek and then walked backward a few steps away from him before turning and heading for the doors.

As he headed downstairs and then out to his car, Tyrallin was already starting to come up with potential ideas for the next date.

To be continued...