1
I stumbled out of my car, tucking my shirt in and kicking the door closed. Of all the days to be late. My shoes skidded on loose gravel as I booked it up the driveway, towards the looming mansion. It was an impressive building, with pillars two stories high and a balcony dripping with greenery. The huge bay windows were warm with flickering candlelight.
Hurrying up onto the porch, I took hold of a door knocker and rapped it twice. I put a hand to my chest, feeling my pounding heart, and took a deep breath.
Just a moment later, a young woman answered the door. She wore a neat black dress, the hem just brushing her knees, and an apron tied around her waist. "Yes?"
"Hi, I'm sorry," I said. "I'm with catering?"
Her gaze flickered over my uniform. "Oh, of course. Come with me, Miss St. James just asked me to get everyone together."
"I'm really sorry," I said, following her through a foyer with a sweeping high ceiling. "I'm never late like this, it's just there was a crash on the highway and I was stuck for like half an hour."
"It's alright," she said. Her heels clicked across the polished hardwood floor. "The guests haven't even started arriving yet. Have you had much experience with vampires?"
I hurried to keep up with her as we turned down a hallway. "No ma'am, not much."
"Alright, well, don't be too nervous. You're under the protection of the lady of the house, for tonight, no one's going to hurt you. I'd recommend you avoid looking in their eyes, though, vampiric persuasion is a powerful thing. And you should know that Miss St. James can tell what you're thinking."
"She- Can she?"
"Mm hm. Just do your best to focus on your job. And if you have a thought you're trying not to think, try reciting multiplication tables in my head. It works for me."
"...Okay."
"Here we are." She pulled open a door for me.
All the catering staff was already packed into the kitchen. My boss glared at me from over by the cast iron stove. I clasped my hands behind my back and tried to ignore her.
I felt a hand on my arm. "Excuse me."
I moved to the side, glancing over to see one of the most gorgeous women I'd ever come across. She was nearly a full head taller than me, her hair falling past her hips in dark, silky waves, with just a touch of gray by her temples. Her maroon dress hugged all her ample curves, a slit up the side revealing a sliver of soft brown thigh. She flashed a smile as she stepped around me, and I saw pair of fangs. This was Miss St. James.
"Good evening, everyone," she said, taking her place in front of the island. "I just wanted to take a quick moment to thank you all, everything looks absolutely beautiful."
I met her eyes before remembering the warning I'd just been given. I quickly dropped my gaze and ended up staring at her cleavage instead. My face growing hot, I opted to avoid looking at her altogether, studying the tiles under my feet. In my defense, the swell of her breasts in that lowcut dress was hard to ignore. I couldn't help but imagine how soft they'd feel.
Oh, God, I needed my brain to shut up. Quick, Maggie, what's nine times eight?
"Before things get too busy, does anyone have any questions for me?" Miss St. James asked. "No? Well, then don't work yourselves too hard, and if any of my guests treat you poorly, make sure to let me know so that I can deal with them. I won't abide rudeness under my roof."
She was clearly comfortable in her authority, and I found that even more attractive than her appearance. If she told me to do anything in that kind but firm tone, I had a feeling I'd obey.
"Well, I believe that's all." She clapped her hands together. "Don't let me keep you."
I gratefully ducked out the door. Leaning against the wall as the rest of the staff filed out, I closed my eyes to gather myself.
This was just hopeless. All the math problems in the world couldn't have distracted me from how I was feeling. I was just going to have to do my best to avoid her for the rest of the night, before I embarrassed myself even more.
"Could I steal you for just a moment?" I heard someone ask. "I have a little job for you."
My eyes flew back open. Miss St. James was standing right in front of me.
"I-" I faltered. "I, ah. Sure."
"Perfect." She turned, starting off down the hall. "Come with me, dear."
Okay. This would be fine. I just needed to keep my head out of the gutter for two minutes, two minutes, please, for the love of God. I followed after her.
"What's your name?" She asked, as we walked.
"Maggie."
"Isn't that cute. Maggie, I'm going to have you stand by the front door for me. All my guests need to be invited in, you understand."
"Oh. Um, my boss is probably going to want me to serve tables."
"Yes, well, I want you to do this." She glanced over at me. "Don't worry about your boss, I'll handle her."
"Okay," I squeaked out. Another thought sprang unbidden into my head: she could handle me, too, if she wanted.
Miss St. James smiled at me, coming to a stop in the foyer. "I'm going to wait in here and play hostess, you go ahead and stand out on the porch. I'll come to relieve you when everyone has arrived."
"Yes ma'am," I said, and scurried out the front door.
2
My new task was easy enough. I held the door open for the guests, giving a quick, "Hello! Please come in." to each of them. They were all unnaturally beautiful, dressed in clothes that would have cost me a couple months rent. A few thanked me, but most swept past without any acknowledgement. Ah, well. That was par for the course for a catering event, especially one as fancy as this.
The crowd eventually slowed to a trickle, and then I was alone. I leaned on the porch railing, enjoying the feeling of a mild breeze on my face.
The door opened again.
"My goodness, they're a talkative bunch," Miss St. James said. She took a seat on the bench swing and patted the spot next to her. "Come sit with me for a moment, Maggie. I need a little fresh air, and I'd like some company."
I should have made up some excuse, gotten myself away from her.
I didn't do that.
Sitting down beside her, I stared down at my hands.
"You're allowed to look at me, you know," she said, absently swinging the both of us back and forth. "I don't mind."
My cheeks burned. "I- I wasn't- I didn't-"