Chapter 1

I remember the first time I actually showed myself to Dominique. I was in the club, but she hadn't noticed me. I watched her get on the stage, sing, and play the keyboard. I began to move toward the stage, and she noticed me. I watched her and became mesmerized as I had every other time I had watched her play. She kept looking at me and caught me looking at her every time. Finally, when she smiled at me, I felt my heart flutter. I haven't felt that in a long time.

She didn't know it, but I could tell she was becoming aroused. She stared into my eyes and sang to me. I felt like it was just the two of us in that club as she continued to look into my eyes as she sang. When the band was done playing, I watched her get off the stage and head to the bar. Of course, I had to make this my opportunity, so I walked to the bar.

I sat beside her and noticed her look at me from the corner of her eye. I simply turned towards her and placed my hand on her shoulder. I instantly felt that spark I hadn't felt in such a long time. I had never touched Dominique even though I had wanted to a lot over the years. I felt her tense up under my touch. Did she feel it too?

I began to put my plan into motion by saying, "Excuse me? Am I correct that you are the owner of this bar?"

"Depends on who's asking," Dominique replied.

I  smiled, and she began to blush. I couldn't help it. My smile widened. She was obviously sizing me up and found she liked what she saw as her face went to a deeper shade of red.

I held out my hand and said, "My name is Nathaniel."

I could tell she felt something when I said my name. She'd only been dreaming about me this entire time. I knew it would add to the effect when she actually met me. She finally placed her hand in mine, and the electricity took over. Her breathing quickened. I brought her hand to my lips and kissed the back of it. Her reaction was so adorable. I could tell she was flustered and was definitely feeling the electricity from us touching.

"Well, I asked around, and some locals said you owned the bar. Are you the owner or just in the house band?"

"What is it you want, Mr. ?....." Dominique said and trailed off.

"I prefer if you call me Nathaniel, but the last name is Black. And your name is?"

"Well, Mr. Black, if you asked around, you should already know my name. And you still didn't answer my question."

I smiled again and said, "I just stopped in to check out the local club. I just moved here. And all I asked was if the owner of the club was here. They pointed to you and said it was the girl on stage, singing. So, may I please have your name?"

"It's Dominique. Dominique Reed. Nice to meet you, Nathaniel."

"Now about my other question, Dominique. Is it okay if I call you Dominique?"

"It's fine. What other question are you referring to?"

"Are you the owner or just in the house band?"

"I figured we had already established I'm the owner since my regulars told you I was. Obviously, I'm in the house band since you saw me singing. This is my good friend Melissa, who plays the guitar. My brother, Post, is our drummer."

"I see. Are you looking for anyone else for your band?" I asked, knowing that she was.

"Do you play an instrument, or are you asking for someone else?"

"I play guitar. I do it in my spare time. I'm a businessman first. An investor, really. So, to have something to relax me, I picked up the guitar."

"Have you ever played in a band before?"

"No. But I would like to expand playing at home. I'd be willing to audition for you. And if you don't like what you hear, you can always tell me no," I replied as I smiled again.

It was hard for me to sit here and ignore Dominique's arousal. I had to play this like I was an ordinary man even though I was not. She definitely wanted me, and that gave me hope. I just had to play this out and give it time to see what happened. If she rejected my idea of playing the guitar, I would just keep coming back to see her. I wasn't giving up. This was my last chance to get my soulmate back.

"Have you gone anywhere else trying to get into a band?" Dominique asked.

"No. I checked out a few bands, but they didn't really fit my style. I want to play to relax. I want to play with people who aren't so serious about their band. I'm not trying to go on tour or get a record deal. I have a business to run during the day. I only venture out at night."

Going by the look on her face, she found that strange. This was the part of my story that I would find the hardest. I wasn't sure how to cover up being a vampire and that I slept during the day and couldn't come out into the sun. She must have come to some funny conclusion in her head as she turned away from me and tried to hide her laugh.

"Alright, Nathaniel. I'll let you audition. I have to get Post and Melissa together so we can all hear you. Can you come back next week? We always practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays."

"What time do you want me here on Tuesday?"

"We practice at 7 pm for a couple of hours. That way, we are already here to open the club."

"Alright. I'll be here."

I began to panic. The sun wasn't down by 7 pm. I was awake by then but couldn't go out until the sun was fully down. I had to find a way to get out without being burned alive. I knew that some vampires could be moved around during the day if they were in a bodybag or completely wrapped up, so their skin wasn't exposed to the sun. Perhaps I could do that. I would have to think about it.