The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

NSFW/Mature content.

***

Aubrey filed paperwork neatly under their alphabetised sections when she got the page.

'Mr Hurst is here. Shouldn't someone be there to greet him maybe?"

The receptionist, Savannah had taken to caustic wit in her messages, something Aubrey didn't care for. Her boss was late to a potentially 'huge,' lucrative deal, if this 'Mr Hurst' was as interesting and different as the critics that reviewed his work claimed.

Another Morse Code style beep came from the small grey box in Aubrey's hand.

"Like, now would be good. Seriously, the guy is waiting. The fuck is the hold up?"

Grey eyes widened, the older replied:

"Say that again, and I'll have your cement-face thrown out. 'Seriously, what's with using your foundation like its cement? Watch you don't crack the facade now."

She placed the pager in the desk of her drawer, uncaring for the inevitably bitchy reply she'd receive...

***

"Apologies for the wait, Mr Hurst," Aubrey said, as she got to the bottom stair, "My boss is..." she had no idea where her boss was, "her flight was delayed. She is flying home as we speak, but will be rather late."

An on the spot lie that the man seemed to take. Blue eyes scanned hers, a nod of acknowledgement followed.

"That is fine, delays are inevitable."

Aubrey felt the need to raise her brows at that. She fought past it, offering a hand.

"Aubrey, Aubrey Dawkins, Ms Parsons' secretary."

The man nodded. "Daniel, Daniel Hurst."

He shook her hand, gesturing towards her boss' office door.

"Shall we?"

Aubrey nodded, turning on her heels, letting the man past her.

***

Aubrey flicked on the kettle after entering the office, something done so often, it had become automatic, even if when she asked if anyone wanted a drink, they'd decline the offer.

"Would you like a drink? We have coffee and a variety of teas. Margot enjoys herbal blends."

The man perused the small colourful boxes before him.

"Assam, please."

Aubrey took a small grey mug, smiling at the use of please. She felt manners were going out of fashion, a shame, in her view.

"One Assam tea coming up". She picked up the yellow tea box, depositing a bag into the cup.

"Good to hear manners still exist, I feel people think them unnecessary. Being an arsehole is the norm, and," she smirked a little, "whilst I can be as such myself at times, manners are important to me."

Daniel agreed. "The proverbial arsehole. Ah, I can be one myself, but, manners are very much necessary. I was brought up well educated, well-mannered."

The secretary tried to recall the article she'd read, wondering if it had his age. She assumed, from looking at him he was late thirties, perhaps early forties. She being a similar age was brought up the same way.

"It's refreshing to meet someone else who isn't stuck up, arrogant. Many 'wannabe' authors, people blaming younger people, but, it's people of all ages that believe their work is the next best thing since sliced bread."

"I am arrogant, I just don't feel the need to shout it from the rooftops."

Aubrey smirked. "Vain and or arrogant?"

"Two sides of the same coin. One believes they are, the other believes and proclaims it."

Aubrey changed tack, seeing if it flummoxed the man, flustered him.

It didn't...

***

"Hurst, huh? Makes me think of Tamlyn Hurst and my favourite piece of his, Arabesque. A linear, yet glum, haunting piece."

Aquamarine eyes almost glittered with amusement.

"Yes, because my Mother scoured the planet in search of a man with the surname Hurst."

Aubrey barely masked a laugh.

"Sharp, aren't you? That's good. Most 'wannabe' writers act that way, but lose that facade quickly when they realise I'm not falling for it."

Daniel nodded. "Certain generations believe they are superior to ones previous. They are brighter, more accepting of differences, various nuances of the populace. I've," he stopped, thinking on years past, "seen much in my years. The generation I am from was far less," the word he wished to use may not have gone down well, so, he paused again, "abrupt. Cold. It looks to me as if ignoring your surroundings and the people in them is the norm in this day and age."

Aubrey tilted her head.

'This day and age? Was I wrong in my age prediction? He speaks much older than what I thought.'

Daniel let the wry turn of his lips that wished to show itself for a while paint his mouth.

"Another confused person. I have a habit of baffling people."

Aubrey tried to regain ground, blinking rapidly.

"Not at all. I have not heard someone speak the way you do, is all. Baffling me is much harder than you'd believe."

The turn became a smirk. Aubrey returned it until she saw the office door move from the corner of her vision. Margot had arrived.

The younger stood, and moved from the desk. Daniel picked up the cup and sipped the slightly tart liquid within.

"Mr Hurst?"

Aubrey moved toward the door.

"Daniel, please, Mrs Parsons."

The skin around Margot's eyes crinkled as she smiled.

Daniel extended a hand.

"Margot, S'il vous plaît."

She shook the hand. Aubrey left the office, but kept the door open.

"Pleasure meeting you, Mr Hurst."

Daniel laughed, thumbing the scruff that ran down his chin. He said nothing, merely looking back, green eyes meeting blue. Aubrey began towards the stairwell, hearing the door close softly in her stead.

***

"Fucking a!" Savannah exclaimed. "Daniel is hot! He HAS to be married."

Aubrey nodded. "Likely. I have a feeling he'd laugh at being called 'hot'. Yet another woman, wanting him to fuck him."

Savannah looked offended, then flushed.

"Too right! I'm dying right now, its been months."

Aubrey looked away. It had been years for her. This sent a pang of bitterness through her, it lanced through her heart.

She coughed. "Thirsty? Not an attractive trait. Guys have told me as much."

"Who did? You're as celibate as a nun wearing a chastity belt, who isn't allowed to take it off, even to piss."

Aubrey chuckled as she went into the cloakroom, grabbing her bag and rooting around for her phone. She found it, logged on to the building's WiFi, onto her dating profile, and Greg's profile. She showed Savannah, butting in before she could get a dig in.

"Before you laugh, read the messages he sent me. He's pathetic but hilarious."

Savannah read a few of the messages, eyes welling up from laughing so much.

"Greg sounds like guys I meet."

Aubrey grinned, frightening the younger woman.

"I'll let him know you're interested. You'd be an easier conquest, you know," she lent in, whispering, "being easy and all."

Savannah's flush turned to rage.

"Fuck you! I'm not easy! I might be gagging for it, but, that doesn't mean any guy will do. It'd help if he has a brain attached to his cock, you know. Someone like," it didn't take her long to think of an answer, "Daniel."

Aubrey pondered that.

"Yes. He does seem different. I say 'seem' as I've had that thought before and was proven very wrong."

Savannah put the phone on the desk. That earned her a look.

"What? I didn't snoop."

"There's nothing to see."

"Ladies..."

***

Two heads shot to look at the new presence in the room. Daniel walked past them, with Margot close behind. The pair shook hands again, both holding a few papers. The contract, Aubrey deduced.

"So, you've decided to work alongside us?"

Savannah looked rather happy at that.

"Excellent!"

All eyes fell on her. Blond curls obscured her face as she looked down.

Aubrey covered her back. "We look forward to working with you, Daniel."

Daniel nodded graciously, starting for the door.

When The Bear Necessities began ringing out, piercing the silence, Savannah flushed even more.

No one could cover her there...