Serenity

I'd come into work the next day to find a potted plant of bright chrysanthemums on my desk. I didn't even remember telling him they were my favorite flowers. He'd been friendly at work, but not overbearing, and always professional, addressing me by my last name. Yet, when no one was around, he would whisper in my ear or gently brush against my skin. My body reacted so readily to him, as if he were a drug.

A ping on my phone brought me out of my thoughts as I glanced at the reminder. Caffrey & Dahl report - Shit, I'd been so distracted that I'd forgotten to finish my report. As part of the exchange program, I was required to file monthly reports on what I learned, how the practices at this firm might benefit ours and the like. Biting my bottom lip, I took a deep breath and went to knock on his door.

"Come in," his deep voice came from within.

Pushing the door open hesitantly, I poked my head in, "Sorry to bother you, but I wondered if I could work from home for the remainder of the day. I have some reports to finish for Caffrey & Dahl and I don't feel right using your computers. I don't want to risk anything."

He curled his finger as me, motioning me to come inside. My body seemed to move of it's own accord until I found myself standing next to him. With a quick press of a button, the shades along his windows slid closed, then he pulled me into his lap. "I've missed you." His hands held my waist as I leaned forward slightly. "What reports do you need to finish? Maybe I could help?"

A soft laugh passed my lips, "Well, it's not really anything important, just the monthly update I'm required to do. I, um, well I just kinda forgot about it and it's due today."

Daniel smirked, "Are you saying I'm a distraction, Ren? Have I kept my little girl from doing her job?" His words made me squirm, in turn making him groan as my ass moved against his lap. "Keep moving like that and I'm not sure I can continue to be professional," he growled. "Now, how about I order us lunch and we can finish your report together - undisturbed, I promise."

"I'd like that," my voice was just above a whisper. He smiled and without letting me go, picked up the phone and placed an order for lunch.

Daniel

I watched her as she worked on the report, her nose scrunching slightly when she concentrated. She was beautiful and these past few weeks had been not only unexpected but amazing. I knew I needed to tread lightly, but I also knew I couldn't let her go.

"Um, Daniel, can you help me with this?" she asked, bringing me out of my thoughts. She pointed to the computer screen. "I'm not sure what they're asking here. I thought maybe you'd know since you've had exchange employees before." My eyes read over the question and I frowned. I'd never seen this kind of question before. Why were they asking about vampire feeding habits? "I...I don't know how to answer it, I declined the harvest question."

"Has this question been on a report before?" I asked her, my voice tense.

She shook her head, eyes wider as she picked up on my anger. "I, no, only questions about the work." I noticed she was twisting her fingers, and her heart rate accelerated.

"Hey, calm down," I told her, placing my hand over hers. "You've done nothing wrong, Ren. I agree with you, this is an odd question and honestly, one they do not need to know. If you don't mind, I'd like a copy of the report when you're finished, please."

She nodded, then asked softly, "How do I answer the question, or should I leave it blank?"

"If you do not know, then you answer honestly. Tell them you are not involved in feeding exchange and leave it at that. Your supervisors can contact Garen or me if they have further questions like this."

"O...okay," she answered and typed quickly, then clicked save as she sent in the report. I heard the soft alert letting me know she had sent it to my email as well. "Done. I guess it didn't take so long after all. I guess I can get back to work."

She started to stand, cleaning the tabletop, but I quickly grabbed her and pulled her into my lap. "Not so fast, little girl. I haven't had desert." Her eyes widened as I leaned forward. "May I kiss you, Serenity?" I held my breath, afraid she might run like last time.

"Yes," she breathed.

I moved our mouths closer, then corrected her, "If you want me to kiss you, then say it correctly, little one. Tell Daddy you want him to kiss you."

Her heart raced as her cheeks flushed. Her delicate fingers curled around my shirt collar as she whispered, "Please kiss me, Daddy."

"Good girl," I answered, then crashed my lips against hers. The sparks that filled my body were beyond comparison. Never before had I felt so overwhelmed with emotion, and the immeasurable need to claim someone. My hands snaked into her hair, tugging gently as she whined slightly. I shifted her body, causing her to straddle my waist as the kiss deepened. My thumb dug into her hip bone making her grind against me. I groaned against her lips as my own hips moved in response. When the kiss finally broke, we were both breathless. "You are so beautiful," I told her. Her cheeks flushed again as she tried to bow her head and hide. "Hey, don't do that," I prompted. "You really are beautiful, Serenity. Don't hide yourself from me."

"Thank you," she whispered.

"What do you want, Serenity?" Her brow creased as she thought out her response. I wanted to take her home and never let her leave. I wanted her to have every luxury in the world, to have her every dream fulfilled, but if I said that to her, she'd run in terror. I knew what I'd found. The moment our lips met, I knew she was my eternal. I did not doubt that if my shirt were removed, her mark would already be emblazoned on the skin above my heart.

"I...I don't know," she whispered. "I don't have a lot of experience with dating. I mean, what happens if we don't work out, or what about the office? Oh my heavens, what will they say?" She covered her face with her hands, muttering, "They'll think I slept my way into the job."

A growl slipped from my lips as I pulled her hands from her face. "Don't you ever say that again! And if anyone else dares to say that, I'll rip their throat out!" Her face went pale, eyes widening. Great, I'd fucking terrified her. Letting her hands go, I sighed, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled. I just can't bear the thought of you feeling like that or anyone harming you."

"Y...you barely know me," she stammered. I could feel her heart begin to race as I took a breath, pushing down my own anger and possessiveness.

I placed her on the couch next to me and took one hand in between both of mine. "Serenity, how much do you know about my kind, about vampires?"

Her hand felt warm in mine as she spoke, "Um, I know you live a very long time and you drink blood. Susan and Matt told me there are different kinds of vampires, some that are similar to the ones I saw in movies as a kid. Those kinds can't be in the sunlight and are ugly." She giggled at her last comment, "That's all I know. I, um, always avoided vampires."

I frowned mentally. If she was so afraid of vampires then why did her supervisor put her name in the program, and without telling her? "Do you know any of the stories or legends about Eternals?" She gave me a confused look and shook her head no.

Well here goes nothing...

"As you said, vampires live a very long time. You already know I've been alive for over four hundred years, and I've known Garen for three hundred of those years." Her eyes widened again, as her lips parted slightly. I damn near lost my mind when she swiped her tongue across those soft lips. Clearing my throat, I continued, "Not many vampires live as long. Most go insane, especially if they don't find their Eternal."

"What is that, an Eternal?" she interrupted.

I squeezed her hand then lifted one hand to her face, cupping it softly, "It's what you are. You, Serenity, are my Eternal. You are the light to my darkness and I belong to you entirely. Some call it a mate, or even a soulmate, but vampires call it our Eternal because our souls were meant to intertwine for all of eternity once we find each other."

Author's Notes: What a thing to dump on that poor girl all at once...then again...   Speak out, my lovelies, let me know your thoughts.