"Go away Tobias."

"Open up. Please? I have a surprise for you."

"I said go away."

Clearly this wasn't getting me anywhere.

"Willow, if you don't open this door, I'll start serenading you with bad karaoke and you'll wish you'd opened the door, because by time I'm done your ears will be bleeding."

There was nothing but silence. I chewed on my lip for a minute debating on just breaking the door down myself.

"Alright, you asked for it" I opened my mouth to start singing a horribly butchered version of 'my heart will go on' by Celine Dion but before the words could come out the door flew open.

"What do you want Tobias."

"I'm kidnapping you."

"Sorry to break it to you bub, but you've already done that." I couldn't help but grin.

"I'm well aware of that. But now I'm kidnapping you again."

I picked her up, threw her over my shoulder and headed downstairs with her kicking and screaming the entire way. This felt oddly familiar so for old time sake I reached up and planted a firm smack to her a.s.s which was rewarded with a yelp.

I ignored her string of curses that she flew at me and took her outside where my bike was waiting. I finally put her down and held the helmet out to her.

"If you expect me to get on this death trap, you're seriously crazy."

"Straight jacket and all cupcake."

Willow knew there was no winning with me so she gave in and put on the helmet. I tightened her strap then brushed her cheek with the back of my knuckles. I regretted making contact with her the moment my hand touched her face. Even the brief moment of her skin against mine made my c.o.c.k hard as rock. I climbed onto the bike and adjusted myself.

Willow got on behind me and placed her hands against my back.

"Hold on tight cupcake."

She hesitated for a minute but gave in and wrapped her arms around me. I could feel the warmth from her legs against my thighs. I would have loved nothing more than to bend her over this bike and have my way with her. The engine roared to life and I took off down the dirt road before I lost all self-control.

"I thought you said I couldn't go into town." Willow asked while she fought with the strap of her helmet once we were parked.

I turned around and helped her undo the helmet with ease, then tucked the loose blue hair that hung in her face behind her ear.

"I changed my mind."

I took her hand in my own and led her into the diner. It was the first time I've been in here in twenty years. The whole problem with never aging is eventually people will notice.

The diner was fairly empty which was what I was hoping for. I kept a hold on Willow's hand and walked with her to a booth in the back which was pretty secluded from the rest of the building. The waitress came over with an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry sir, but this area is off limits unless it's a busy day. I'm going to have to ask you to move to a booth in the front."

Willow started to get up from her spot but I took her hand to keep her in her spot.

"We like this booth. I think we'll stay."

"I'm sorry sir, but-"

I smiled at the girl and made eye contact. I watched as her pupils fluctuated until they were fully dilated. It wasn't often I entered someone's mind to get what I want but today I'd make an exception.

"We have a reservation for the back booth, and you are going to completely forget that you asked us to move."

My words were more of a suggestion and her brain would process them as a memory instead of words.

"Welcome to Franks Diner and thank you for making a reservation with us sir. Can I get you something to drink?"

I couldn't tell what Willow was thinking but she looked rather confused about what had just happened.

"Water for me thanks."

"Alright, and for you miss?" The waitress tapped her pen against the pad of paper while waiting for Willow's drink order.

"Um, a strawberry milkshake please."

The waitress nodded with a smile then handed us our menus before disappearing into the kitchen.

"What the h.e.l.l was that? You can't just scare someone into giving you what you want."

"I didn't scare her into doing anything. I simply made a suggestion."

"Suggestions don't get reactions like that."

"Reactions like what? Did she seem scared to you?" I raised an eyebrow and watched her fiddle with the spoon in front of her on the table.

"Well, no. She didn't seem scared. But if you didn't scare her into getting what you want then how do you explain her acting like everything you said to her was true."

The waitress came back with our drinks then disappeared back to the front of the diner.

"In her mind it was true." I could tell by the look on her face that I was just confusing her even more. "Look, I have the gift of persuasion. I can get into someone's mind and suggest them to do something or think something or even remember something that never actually happened."

"So in other words you mind f.u.c.ked her." Her words made me choke on my water.

"Excuse me?"

"You mind f.u.c.ked her. You went in there, f.u.c.ked around against her will and poof got everything you wanted."

I stared at her for a minute like she had grown a third eyeball. I guess that was one way to explain what I do. Willow didn't seem too happy about it either.

"You make it sound like I raped the poor girl."

"You did. You mind raped her and the worst part is she doesn't even know it."

"It's not like I told her to go jump off a bridge or something. She's fine; I only got us a booth to sit at away from everyone else."

We sat in silence for a while. I watched her use her straw to play with her milkshake. She'd dip it in the whipped cream on top then use her tongue to lick it off. I don't know why such a simple action had such an effect on me. My c.o.c.k was pressed against my jeans and all I could think about was the things that tongue could be doing to it.

"Could you do it?" Willow's words brought back my focus as I looked up at her.

"Do what?"

"Make someone jump off a bridge?"

"It all depends."

"Depends on what?"

I was about to answer when the waitress showed up again to take our orders. I got a half order of onion rings even though I couldn't eat it and Willow got the grilled cheese with fries and gravy.

I've never actually tried any of the food at the diner because I couldn't sustain myself off food, only blood; and even trying to eat food made me sick to my stomach. The only thing I seem to have a tolerance for since turning into a vampire is water and I've never understood why.

"I can't force anyone to do anything. I can only suggest it to their subconscious. It takes a weak mind to give into a suggestion like that. I can't control free will." I answered her once the waitress was gone again.

"What about love?"

"Love?"

"Yes, love. Can you make people fall in love or is that part of the whole free will thing."

"No such thing as love. It's a fake emotion that's exaggerated by people who are desperate to convince themselves that they are happy."

Willow looked like a child who was just told there was no such thing as the Easter Bunny. I wasn't sure if she was going to cry or yell at me. I didn't have time to find out though because the waitress had returned to the table with our food.

We ate in silence. Well, it was more like she ate in silence while I picked apart the onion rings to make it look like I had eaten something.

"Didn't your mother ever teach you not to play with your food?" she asked me in amus.e.m.e.nt.

"My mother taught me a lot of things, but none of them had to do with food."

"Well stop playing with it and start eating."

I didn't know how to tell her I don't eat food. It could be a really awkward conversation if I wasn't careful and today was her birthday. I didn't want to ruin it.

"I'm not hungry. I just didn't want you to feel weird eating alone."

That was a lie. I was hungry. In fact I was starving and every part of my body begged me to bite into her flesh and taste her.

"So tell me about the curse. You can't avoid the topic here. You're stuck with me and I want answers."

"No."

"Please?"

I sighed and looked into her perfect blue eyes.

"Fine. But not now. I'll tell you everything you want to know tomorrow. Promise."

I was waiting for her to argue but the answer seemed to be good enough for her. Willow finished her food and milkshake. When the waitress brought the bill, I pulled out my wallet and left the money on the table along with a twenty dollar tip.

I held my hand out and when Willow took hold of it I couldn't help but smile. I helped her out of the booth then walked out of the diner. I pulled my phone out to check the time. It was already eight and the boutique would be closing soon.

"I got another surprise for you."

Before she could say another word I dragged her down the street and held open the boutique door for her. She gave me a questioning look wondering what I was up too but I only replied with a smile before following her inside.

The lady from earlier waved as she saw us walk in. I introduced the two of them and Willow disappeared into the dressing room as instructed. I took a seat on the couch they provided for customers while I waited.

Five minutes later Willow came out and the sight completely took my breath away.

CHAPTER SIX.

WILLOW.

Today took a different turn than expected. I'm used to spending my birthday alone and I was prepared to spend it alone again, but instead I'm being dragged all over town by the last person I'd have ever thought would be nice to me. Tobias might act like an egotistical a.s.shole most of the time, but today is proof that he really does have a soft side.

He says he doesn't believe in love but I think he's still hurt over what happened with his wife and his brother. I decided not to push it too much since it seemed like a sore subject for him. Now I'm standing inside of a dressing room stall with the most beautiful dress I have ever seen.

The dress was blue and matched the color of the streaks in my hair. The fabric felt amazing and the strapless sweetheart neckline was studded with crystals. I pulled the dress on and zipped up the back with ease. I'm not sure how he knew my size but the dress fit perfectly.

The dress clung to my chest and made my b.r.e.a.s.t.s look fuller than they actually are. There was a thin ribbon-like strip of silk that ran around the dress just under the bust separating the chest from the flowing fabric full of glitter that hung halfway down my thighs.

I was in awe at the beauty and didn't feel worthy of something so perfect. In fact it made me feel sort of self-conscious. I took a deep breath before unlocking the stall door and stepping outside. I found Tobias lounging on a couch like he owned the place. Typical. As soon as he saw me though he jumped up pretty quick. The look on his face made me bite my bottom lip. I was nervous. He makes me nervous. When I'm around him it feels like someone's sucking the air out of the room and it's hard to breath.

I turned in a circle slowly so Tobias could see the entire dress. He stayed silent which only made the b.u.t.terflies worse. I couldn't tell if his expression was a good or bad sign.

"This dress is beautiful Tobias."

"You're beautiful."

I flushed and hid my face. Direct compliments were never something I was used to, especially coming from a guy as hot as Tobias.

"Don't hide."

I felt his hands against my arms. His touch sent chills over my body. I don't know why, but every time he touches me he brings my entire body to life. He pulled my hands away from my face then cupped my cheek and tilted my head up.

His eyes were the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Soft green like the early sprouts of life in spring. I could get lost in them forever.