Rose was left with nothing to do while the big wigs upstairs were making all the important decisions. She had little interest in such things, but she was very interested in Eric?s pet kitties. Thus it was that her wandering feet would lead her to Eric?s office. She liked the clicking sound her high heeled sandals made, echoing loudly as she strolled through the halls, she made no attempt to quiet them. The rhythm was her only company at present.

With care she opened the door, doing a brief scan for locks and traps and finding none. She didn?t know Eric, but she knew this couldn?t be out of carelessness? Naturally he left it open on purpose to let her know it was okay to come in, at least that?s what she thought to herself with a smile. It was high time that she got to meet more members of this group or business or family or whatever it was they called themselves. She had managed to become a part of them by accident and still knew very little of them.

Eric was cute and she had seen him eyeing her in passing. Though she was sure his intense gaze meant some type of interest, she wasn?t sure if he liked her or wanted to kill her. And as she had promised Calix not to intrude in the other members minds, she had politely stayed out of Eric?s and been left to wonder. Perhaps now she would find out.

As she opened the door she announced herself with a simple, ?Knock knock? to the empty condo. When no one told her to go away, she took this as an invitation to come in and make herself at home. There was absolutely no reason not to explore why she waited for the master of the house to return? now was there? Nope, none at all.

Emerald eyes flickered around as she drifted through the place. Fingers tracing over whatever was in their reach as she moved along. Her gaze lingered longingly on his alcohol selection? but after this brief pause she continued on her way to the cat habitat.

A mischievous grin spread across her face as she looked down on the three beautiful, though surely vicious, creatures below. Time to go make friends. Perhaps they would enjoy a game of tag.

She was dressed simply despite the lovely heels that she removed and set aside gently. Not because she was any less agile in heels, but they were one of her favorite pairs and it would be a shame for them to get ruined. The rest, a white t-shirt that hung off the shoulders and white jean cut off shorts, were easily replaceable.

Her chest rose as she took a deep breath, eyes falling shut softly, arms extending out? And she jumped off like a graceful diver down into their midst. Chaos erupted in the habitat. Angel and tigers became blurs of motion as they wrestled, her laughing like a gleeful child and them snarling and growling as they danced together. Rose was fast, but they were three and all claws and teeth as they responded to her challenge. Of course, she wouldn?t hurt them and though they sliced her many a time and drew blood repeatedly? her wounds quickly healed.

After a while they grew tired of their game and so she stretched out in one of the tree branches as though to take a nap. The tigers realizing her as not being a threat followed suit, one of them curled up beside her. Its paw resting over the blood spattered angel - it thought itself triumphant over her now that she seemed to have submitted to them.

They purred as one while they rested comfortably with each other, painting quite the picture. Soft white fur smeared with the angel blood. Rose?s white clothes shredded, barely concealing enough to be legal, also contrasted brilliantly by red. Angelic blood had a glow to it that could be easily detected by creatures of darkness ? such as vampires.

Rose?s eyes were unfocused as she was woozy from the blood loss. Although enjoyable, she was consciously putting her body to work replenishing itself. It wouldn?t do for her to lose consciousness before Eric arrived.

When he spoke Rose realized her eyes had fallen shut after all. Though she had been on the verge of sleep but a moment ago? she was instantly alert now. This vampire's mind was well disciplined and silent to her. She probably would not have sensed his presence if he had not spoken.

Carefully she slid out from under the tiger?s arm and rose to a sitting position. It took her a moment to respond, as her eyes met his, her heart began to race. It wasn't that she felt self conscious at all, Rose had a child like ability to be caught in revealing positions such as this without any sense of shame. In her youth she simply hadn?t been taught that she should feel uncomfortable and so she didn't. No, this was the body's reaction to excitement. Something it was rare for her to feel these days and it came as a pleasant surprise.

There was a slight tilt of the head, a gesture that often accompanied her curiosity, as she gazed intently into his eyes. His mind was locked up tight, and she couldn?t help but wonder what it would take to break in. Like a thief who has found the challenge presented by an elaborate security system. The prize for her though would be the thoughts behind those captivating blue eyes?

But as intriguing as Eric was to her, she?d have to figure him out the old fashioned way? with words. So she offered him a friendly smile as she brushed some stray hair back from her face. ?They are very beautiful?? Rose stroked the tiger that was now purring like a kitten. She had always been an animal lover. Not having any sort of traditional upbringing, she hadn?t gotten down all the subtleties of normal human interactions. Not to mention she'd had the short cut of being able to glean whatever she wanted with a more direct method. Animals were straight forward in a way people hardly seemed capable of? But it was high time she learned some proper methods of socializing.

?We have not yet been introduced so I figured I?d drop on by. Hope you don?t mind me letting myself in? I was pretty sure if you had not wanted me to come in, you wouldn?t have left the door open for me.? She smiled shyly as a rosy blush crept into her cheeks. In retrospect it was presumptuous of her, but he didn?t seem upset so perhaps it was alright after all.

?It?s nice to finally meet you Mr. Northman? Or can I call you Eric?? Despite her nervousness the voice came out smoothly, as though her lips enjoyed forming each word. The fight or flight which was the body?s natural response when in such close proximity to a dangerous predator was intoxicating to her.

Rose felt no shame as a result of her appearance. In fact, Rose would probably have no qualms running around naked; she wore clothes because she enjoyed them. Hence they were never designed to hide much because she never felt a need to conceal her body. Perhaps she was just the way humans would have been if Eve had never taken a bite of that apple. Or, more likely, it was simply a matter of people being taught that they should be ashamed of their bodies and cover them. Rose had never learned these things, so she was quite oblivious to the fact that she was a bit indecent at the moment.

However, she found that she was enjoying Eric?s attention. She met his gaze steadily and answered his request with a sexy smile as she took his arm.

Rose?s eyes positively sparkled when Eric brought out her favorite brand of poison. Following the enticing liquid with her eyes the way a cat would a twittering mouse. Muscles tensed, ready to pounce. She had amassed quite a collection beverages over the years, which she stored in the bar she kept safe in a pocket dimension, as much as she could from every world she had ever visited... But she had never had THAT vodka before.

She recalled those words, words that had kept her on the straight and narrow up to this point, words that usually made her stop. She had promised Calix that she would do her utmost best to keep herself from falling into old habits, but a very attractive and intelligent vampire had just called her beautiful!

Then there was the matter of blood, Vampire blood was supposed to make you feel really good and had healing properties and all sorts of cool things she had always wished to study further. Though she had yet to really indulge herself in the pleasure of it personally, it was too attractive of an idea, like the things that had held her mind in their grasp, her addictions. Could this not be considered a form of research? That was what it would be, she had never had anything like it, and how could she refuse? She chewed on her lip for a few moments as the debate raged on inside her brain, a few moments that felt like an eternity to the angel, as the two voices went back and forth inside her head.

?But I have done so good at the whole not drinking attempt?
But how can I pass up an opportunity when such a rare beverage was presented to me? And by such a fine a man? Was it not rude?
But I have promised to exercise self control?
But then? What harm could one drink do??

So the debate ran on inside of her mind, she felt torn by the two sides fighting for control of her actions.

At last, Rose took the glass in hand as her green eyes, clear now with the decision and purpose behind them, returned to meet Eric?s. In one fluid, and determined motion she lifted the glass to toast to Eric, ?To new friends,? she declared with a sexy smile and a wink aimed in his direction.

With that the creature of impulse was exposed, and quickly took control, she downed the drink swiftly before she heard any more voices telling her why she shouldn?t. The liquid disappeared behind her lips which she licked slowly, savoring the taste now that the deed was done, and no more arguments could stop her action. The feeling of beating back what other?s called ?the voice of reason? left her feeling both thrilled, and at the same time a little bit guilty for breaking her promise.

Her head leaned slightly away as her eyes fell shut, exposing her neck further. A silent smile on her lips as she became lost in the feelings? His finger tips on her skin, his blood tingling pleasantly as it ran through her entire body, the rush of realizing how it was bonding with her own blood? She found herself acutely aware of his proximity once again.

His words? They were like a soft caress that seemed to move across her body like a wave from the ocean. It took her a moment to respond as she was overwhelmed by the numerous stimuli to her sensory input. But her mind was always at work and she processed what he said and her interest was piqued.

Rose was a very sensual creature, but engaging her mind was even more important than her many physically oriented senses. Though having such awareness of ones body down to such a cellular level made such experiences easy to become lost in. It?s a good thing she was adept at multi-tasking.

Once more her eyes opened as her gaze returned to his. He had her full attention, which was a rare thing as her mind was normally so many places at once. ?Oh?? Was asked with an inquisitive arch of one delicate brow. ?Do tell? What is it exactly you have in mind for me??

Her eyes fell shut, her will melting away as his fingers strayed down her neck and across to her shoulders. Lost in the feeling, a slight shiver moved through her slender form, she hadn?t ever been touched in such a way. Rose may put up quite the front but really? She had not had much experience when it came to intimacy.

Eyes opened once again to meet Eric?s in an intense lingering gaze. Torn between throwing caution to the wind and letting her defenses fall completely? and reigning in the unexpected feelings he was inspiring. But she was afraid and reluctant, whenever she found herself drawn to a man in such a way? Well, it ended badly. There was no chance she was ready for what was happening here? and she was not sure she ever would be. This was the first time she?d found herself even wanting to be.

So her fragile self control returned enough that with a blush and an uncharacteristically shy smile she made to lightly tug her shirt from his hand and return it to its place. She wasn?t even sure of the message he would receive, but she knew she had to send it, lest either of them get carried away.

?An interesting animal you say?? She liked the sound of that. A few blinks were given in an attempt to clear the dreamy quality from her eyes. Trying to return her mind to processing exactly what it was he was trying to convey with his complimentary words. ?Are you offering me a job??