Fiery Nights Read Free Page A

reason to come
back. First, this was my number one choice for a night out. Second, the new
owner’s penetrating eyes and his special attention on me right now reminded me
of forgotten body parts that had been out of commission for far too long. And
third, I loved live music.
    iTunes was one thing. It was convenient and you could listen
to just about anything you wanted. Records were cooler. That crackly sound and
delicate vinyl gave it a sense of something special in a way. But live
music—when you could hear the music surrounding you from all angles so that you
could practically taste it. When you could see the sweat glistening on the
guitar player’s forehead and feel his passion for his song. When you caught the
energy of the crowd and jumped or danced with them like some kind of collective
orgy experience, well, nothing could replace that.
    “Wicked?” I asked. “You must be local. We didn’t use that
expression where I grew up and I only heard it when I moved here. Where are you
from?”
    “I’m from Salem originally. But now I live near the club.”
    “Salem, Mass, right? Not New Hampshire,” I said. “We’re kind
of between them both.”
    “Yes, Massachusetts. Good ol’ Witch City,” he said. “So
where are you from?”
    “San Francisco. I’m a California girl, can’t you tell?” I
said grinning, knowing with my Bettie Page-styled black hair, straight bangs,
pale skin and goth makeup that I was as opposite of a California girl as you
could be.
    “You’re what I hope they all look like.”
    I looked down again. Why did he keep making me blush? This
was not something I did often and I didn’t like it.
    “So what made you decide to buy this club?” I asked,
changing the subject.
    “Every area needs someplace for the people who don’t quite
fit in with the general status quo, the traditional boring people who all act
the same.”
    “Would you say you don’t fit in to the status quo?”
    He gave me an impish smile and raised one brow. “God, no.”
Then he said, “Look what happened to that club in Cambridge. Gone. Replaced by
condos. I didn’t want to see that happen to this place—have it disappear and be
replaced by yet another condo or warehouse.”
    I looked around the club to imagine it divided into condos
that all looked the same.
    “That would have been tragic,” I said. “On behalf of all the
misfits here, I thank you.”
    He smiled at me in a way that shot pulses of energy through
my body. I took a sip of my drink to break the gaze.
    “I better get going,” I said, standing up. “Thank you for
the tour. And for reopening Vamps. I love what you’ve done with it.”
    “Let me walk you out,” he said. He stood and took my hand in
his and led me to the front entrance.
    The feel of my hand encased in his warm one did nothing to
stop my racing heartbeat.
    “Did you drive? Or should I call you a taxi?” he asked.
    “A taxi would be great.”
    While he placed a quick call, I retrieved my coat and said
bye to Byron. He gave me a knowing smile, which I ignored. Then Tristan took my
hand again and led me outside.
    “It was such a pleasure meeting you, Maya.”
    “Same here,” I said, feeling pangs of regret for saying I
had to leave.
    The regret was amplified when the stupid taxi arrived and
Tristan kissed my hand.
    “I hope to see you again very soon.”
     
    When I closed my eyes that night, I saw Tristan’s dark eyes
staring back at me. The moment when my eyes first met his burned on my memory,
as if imprinted there permanently. I knew I wouldn’t forget that moment, that
feeling, for as long as I’d exist.
    Snap out of it, sunshine. You sound like one of those
chicks in a romance novel.
    Then I thought, What’s the harm? I’m awake. I can’t
sleep. What’s wrong with a little harmless fantasy? When was the last time I
met someone who inspired such longing? Or straight-out lust?
    I tucked myself in cozy under my lilac comforter and closed
my eyes.
    Tristan and I were