When I finally made it home, Lauren was in her room video-chatting with a boy, and Xiaolan was downstairs on the computer, probably doing homework.
My parents had taken Lauren to the theater for practice, since I'd scheduled myself to see patients until six-thirty. I generally worked later on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to accommodate my patients who had trouble getting away from work during the day.
But now it was dark, Abbott would be awake, and I needed to figure out if I was going to call him or not.
Oh, who was I kidding? I knew I'd call him, the only question was when, and figured I may as well do it sooner rather than later. I turned some music on, closed my door, keyed his numbers into my cell phone and saved them all so I'd have them handy later, and then called his home number.
"My darling Kirsten, I was hoping to hear from you."
"Unless I've missed something," I said with what I hoped was a teasing tone, "I don't believe I'm your darling. How are you doing this evening?"
"You've created quite a stir, did you know?" His tone was conversational, not accusing, but he made it feel as if this was politics and business, not personal.
My heart sank a little, as I was hoping to flirt some and maybe agree to go out with him again, which couldn't happen if he didn't ask. However, I kept my voice casual as I answered, "Kieran mentioned it, but to be honest I'm not really sure what's happened, other than my friend Aaron freaked when I mentioned the owner of The Diamond Club was expressing an interest in me. I assumed his reaction meant he knew what you are, but I of course couldn't ask him. I suppose it's possible he just thinks you're a demented sexual freak and wants to make sure my virtue stays protected."
"Your virtue. Right. You aren't the only one capable of snooping.
You're being trained by James Arrington, are you not?"
Shit. It isn't a big secret in the BDSM world, but I've never seen Abbott at any of our functions so I was surprised he'd be able to find out.
But, since he already knew, there was no need in evading his question. I kept my voice strong as I answered, "Yes, I am."
"James Arrington has a reputation for being quite the stern Master.
He's been training you for some time, hasn't he? Somewhere around ten years?"
"Yes, he does, and yes he has, but I'm not sure he's as stern with me as he's been with past submissives and slaves. He tells me he's mellowing as he grows older, so don't get the idea I'm as well trained or hard core as you might assume." While this was what James said, I couldn't imagine him being much stricter during scenes, so I had a hard time believing it. Still, it seemed a good thing to tell people when I thought they might expect too much of me because of my history with Master James.
"When can I see you again?" he asked.
I closed my eyes, relieved he'd asked, though my pulse sped with the promise of what could happen. However, I had some questions before I agreed to anything with him, no matter how bad I wanted to know how skillfully he could wield a flogger.
"Is there a primer on vampires I can read, or should I just start asking questions?"
"I will answer almost any question you have, but I'd rather not do so over the phone."
"Almost?"
"Yes, almost."
"What time will you wake up tomorrow night?"
"I'm more powerful than most, so I awaken earlier in the day though I cannot leave my home until darkness falls."
"Okay then, what time would you be able to leave your house?" Sure, I could've looked up the sunset time, but figured he'd know off the top of his head, and I was annoyed at having to play twenty questions to get it out of him.
"I own another home not far from you. It's on a golf course, since many of us enjoy the game and this allows us nighttime golf privileges. We call it the Coterie house. It's where a number of my people live together. I can stay there tomorrow, and will be close to you once the sun goes down.
Sunset is a few minutes after seven, and I could be at your home within about five minutes."
"The timing works out well, as it'll give me about thirty minutes with Lauren to talk to her about her day. I'll see you shortly after seven — I can email you directions, unless you already know where I live?"
"When we researched you after you'd first learned our secret, I was made aware of much about you, so yes, I already know where you live."
I needed to do something extra special to thank Aaron for assuring my safety, as I had the feeling I was in way over my head. As soon as I thought it, my phone beeped, and I looked to see Aaron's name.
"I'll see you tomorrow night," I told Abbott. "Another call is call coming in, and I need to take it."
"Goodbye, darling. I look forward to tomorrow evening."
I switched to the incoming call, "Hi Aery, what's up?"
"We have problems at the battlefield. I'll be at your house in ten minutes to get you. Get geared up, ready for anything."
"Okay, see you in ten."