Chapter 26: Rules of Seduction

*Thelma*

Nerves grip my stomach as if in a cruel vice. Pacing back and forth in my bedroom, I wait for Hilda to bring me some of the things I need to execute my secret mission. I watched numerous romance films to get an idea of how to entice Kyle.

Hilda walks in with a box, smiling as she places it on the table. I waste no time checking what she brought.

"I found purple dried petals and red fresh ones. I also brought some of Madam Flora's scented oils," Hilda says.

I frown at the scented oil. In these searing summer temperatures, I will be sizzling like bacon if I grease myself tonight. I think Hilda has a weird fascination with oils. Maybe in her times, being slippery was considered sexy….

"I love the petals…but do you think Alpha Kyle will find flowers romantic and not too girly?"

Hilda smiles, "The art of romance doesn't have a gender, Lady Thelma. In any case, I got you this."

She takes out a transparent bag with lace clothing articles. I quickly open it. Inside are matching red lace panties and a bra, made in France. This would surely cause the demon to speak in multiple tongues.

In the box are also candles, a bottle of whisky, and two glasses.

"Wouldn't champagne be better?"

"Alpha Kyle loves this drink. It's not even whisky; it's masked as one. It's a rare fermented brew made by a vampire for elite sanguine vampires. Having it waiting shows you went all out," Hilda explains.

So this is an ace up my sleeve. Wait—vampire?

"Is it blood?" I ask with a scowl.

"No, it's Tylone. A fruit found near the blue flame volcano."

Phew. I was scared for a moment, although 'blue flame volcano' sounds menacing.

After Hilda leaves, I set the scene. I situate candles around the room and drape the lamps with red chiffon sheets. I scatter dried petals on the floor and fresh ones on the bed. Placing dried ones on the bed would feel like making love on sandpaper.

I move to the bathroom. After covering my body with scented oil as a moisturizing barrier, I begin shaving. The oil smells exotic and intoxicating; now I see why Hilda suggested it. After shaving, I shower and rinse off the remaining oil. The perfume still lingers on my skin.

I'm putting on the lace outfit in front of the mirror when a knock makes me jump. Before I can respond, the door swings open and Kim skips inside with a cheery smile.

Of course….

She stops when she sees me semi-nude. Kim's eyes roam the room before focusing on me. I freeze, feeling like a child caught stealing bacon from the griddle.

"Whatchu doin'?" she asks, smirking and exposing deep dimples.

I scramble for something to cover myself with, but nothing is in sight. "Nothing," I lie.

Kim steps closer, taking a whiff, before gliding her fingers down my exposed body. That's not weird or anything….

"Your skin feels as soft as I always imagined. You smell great, is that soap?"

Oh gods!

"Nope, just oil," I say, locating a chiffon sheet and wrapping it around myself.

"Why are you naked? Why does your room look like a garden after a windstorm?"

I frown. Was she implying my scattered petals looked like a tornado passed through? I thought it looked like romantic movie scenes.

"Do you really think it looks awful?" I ask, nibbling my pinky finger and slumping onto the bed.

Kim sits beside me. "Just weird seeing this amount of leaves inside a room."

"Petals…they are petals," I correct quietly.

"Why are you dirtying your room with petals anyway?"

"They are supposed to be romantic."

Kim raises an eyebrow. "Really? I don't know much about romance, so if you say it's romantic, then it is."

Right. Kim doesn't have a boyfriend and might be clueless about romance. This mess is alluring….At least, that's what Hollywood told me.

"I am trying to impress Alpha Kyle," I confess.

Excitement flashes across her face. "Really? Do you like-like him?"

Like-like him? How old was this girl? Seven?

"Kim, do you have a boyfriend?"

She shrugs. "I have friends that are boys."

I chuckle. "I mean do you have boys that you 'like-like'?"

Great….Now I'm picking up her lingo.

Pink creeps into her cheeks, making her freckles more radiant.

"I like-like this guy. He's Chester's son; his name is Mike and he's Alpha Kyle's driver. I doubt he 'like-likes' me the same way, though. Sometimes I think he 'likes-likes' Yasmeen instead."

It seems we both have the same culprit standing in our way. I don't 'like-like' Alpha Kyle, though. He just has information I plan to extract.

"Well, honestly, they can do whatever they like. I'm only tied to Alpha Kyle because of our agreement; nothing more. Soon as I fulfill my end, this chapter will be concluded."

Kim's eyes look hurt, so I quickly clarify, "I meant with Alpha Kyle. We can still be besties." Her expression brightens.

However, I can feel Kim's gaze lingering. She isn't buying what I'm selling. Here I am, sitting in flimsy lace lingerie, trying to seduce the man I'm brushing off.

"So, why are you doing all this?" Kim points to my lingerie, voicing the obvious contradiction.

Nervously, I play with my hair. "Just because it's a deal with no strings attached doesn't mean it has to be boring. Why not make it fun?"

Kim walks to the dressing table and returns with a hair brush. She brushes my hair and braids it lightly on the side, leaving strands loose framing my face.

"Certainly by the end of the night there will be no strings attached to your shoulders…." Kim mutters.

Damn! She's not as innocent as I thought!

Before I can call her out, Kim continues, "You are right. Enjoy every moment. If it's any consolation, I hope you and Alpha Kyle will make this more than just a contractual agreement. Imagine my BFF as Luna….That would be cool!"

I nod. I don't want to burst her bubble by saying Alpha Kyle has no interest in making me anything more than his baby carrier. Also, if he killed my dad, I'd be leaving the Kwaad Pack without an Alpha, let alone the Luna title.

"You look stunning, friend. Alpha Kyle is going to be drooling all over you. So, how do you plan to get him here?" Kim asks.

I inhale sharply. I hadn't thought of that.

"Do you have his cellphone number?"

Kim giggles. "Let me fetch him for you. I know just what to say to have him kicking down your door in wanton desire."

I frown. "What do you plan to say?"

Kim smiles and winks. "Leave that to me. Just get ready, he will be here in five minutes… guaranteed. Just don't expect him to knock."