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Tailor Made: Killer Instincts	By : PrettySin Category: Anita Blake > Threesomes Plus Views: 2390 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Anita Blake series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
Author Note: Any and all history on Asher that you do not recognize is of my own creation. That’s right. My fiendish little mind came up with it. Enjoy. Also, I believe he is over 700 years old. That's just how I see him.

Riley sighed as she watched Cari leave with her men. Her men... Riley didn’t really care for the sound of that.

Walking up to the bedroom, Riley packed a bag with one day’s worth of clothing, her toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, and her belt of throwing knives. She couldn't forget them. After she had everything she needed, she slung the bag over her shoulder and headed out the door, making sure to lock it.

With hunger growling in her belly, Riley looked at the restaurants lining the busy street. Joe's Bar and Grill? Yick...too greasy. Lo Ming's Sushi... too raw. Finally she spotted a quaint little outdoor restaurant...'Keegan's'. Hmm... They might have a good salad... Maybe some chocolate cheese cake if she was lucky.

Riley got a table and ordered a chicken breast salad. Having little to do while she waited, she text-messaged Edward on the results of her last job, then pulled out her book to read.

"Bonjour, Riley." Asher repeated as he sat down at the chair opposite. She was reading, seemingly entranced by her book- so much so that she hadn't noticed him approach... or his first hello.

Looking up quickly, Riley scolded herself for not realizing that she was be approached, or even watched for that matter. "Oh... uh... hey." Riley took in the man sitting across from her. Why did he have to be so damn hot, or better yet... why did he have to be interested in her? Men were bad luck...every last one of them... or so Riley told her self for the thousandth time since she'd met this particular man. She marked her page in the old paper back novel of Pride and Prejudice and set it on the table in front of her, then smirked. "Please... have a seat."

"No thank you, Cherie... I already have one." He returned her smirk, looking at her book. "Pride and Prejudice? I didn't picture you one for romance..."

Shrugging, Riley looked at the ragged copy in front of her. "A teacher give it to me in Junior high. It was a bribe. She said that she would give me a surprise if I agreed not to skip any more classes. I got the 'surprise'..." Chuckling, Riley continued, "I hated books. I didn't go to her class for a week. Finally curiosity kick in and I read a part of it... By the end of the week I finished it. I never skipped her class again. It was pretty good." Smiling, she pushed down a bent corner on the book, only to have it go back to the way it was.

Asher chuckled. "Teachers have a way of finding interests and weak spots that we ourselves do not know about, non?"

"Yeah, well I guess it helped that she was the first person to ever give me anything." She shrugged again.

The vampire paused. "Not even Cari?"

"I didn't meet Cari until the next year."

"Ah." Asher shook his head. "Tis just... like you have known each other forever, non? With the way you act around each other..."

"I guess." Riley smiled, when she thought of how Cari had changed her in so many ways. Maybe Cari thought she could have done better, but Riley would probably be a lot worse off if it weren't for her. She probably would be dead, actually. It was Cari after all, that was her lifeline when her ex had done what he did... Her and Edward for everything he'd taught her in fighting and doing what needs to be done. That last thought took the smile off of Riley's face as she remembered what her ex had done to her. The beating... the hospital... the heartbreak. Taking a deep breath, she shook her head to clear it and forced a small smile on her face.

Glimpsing the pain that had glimmered for but a moment in Riley’s eyes, some memory that plagued her, Asher stilled, then watched her force the smile to her face. Obviously, the issue was not open to discussion, and he wanted anything but to cause her pain. "Have you ordered, Cherie?"

"Yes, but I'm sure if you needed something we could get the waiter back." Riley said, glad that the subject had changed.

"Ah... oui." Asher looked around, spotting a waiter whom he waved over. "I shall have a blood wine, your finest."

The waiter nodded. He'd seen Asher here before with Jean-Claude. "Yes, Sir. Do you want that on your tab?"

Riley watched the interplay. She'd heard about blood wine, but what interested her was the curiosity about whether it tasted more like wine...or more like blood.

"Oui. The mademoiselle's order may go on that as well, if she is willing...?" He quirked a brow at her.

"Umm... " Riley looked at the waiter then back to Asher. "Okay..." She answered hesitantly. She wasn't used to having anyone buy her dinner, except for Cari every now and then.

The vampire nodded at the waiter before facing Riley again. He opened his mouth to reply to her, only to hear her phone beep to alert her of something. "I never did understand those phones..."

"Oh... I just got a text message that's all." Riley looked at her phone and opened the message Edward had just sent her. Got ur msg. and ur money. Got another job if you want it. Smiling at the thought of getting her pay, Riley messaged him back quickly. Give me the detail's and I'll let you know. After sending the message, she clipped it back on her belt. "Sorry... I think I'd be lost without my cell."

"A what?" Asher frowned. "What is a text message?"

"A text message? Well? Um... It's like an electronic message that you can send by phone. So like my brother just messaged me and that's why the phone beeped." Riley opened up an innocent message she'd gotten from Cari, then moved to sit next to Asher. "See you open the message... kinda like e-mail on the computer. This is one Cari sent me before I came out to visit. "I can't believe I'm finally going to be able to see you again! I can't wait till tomorrow! You better not be tired when you get here! ; )

"Ah... I think I understand." He paused. "Why would you want to send such small e-mails... That is, messages?"

"Well..." Riley thought for a moment. "If you have something really quick to say to someone and you don't want to have to call, you can just text them." She concentrated on the phone for a moment when it told her she was getting another message. "Get it now?" She looked up at Asher, immediately realizing her mistake in moving closer as she looked into his husky blue eyes. "Yeah... anything else you wanted to know?"

"I suppose..." He shrugged, then smiled. "Perhaps I am too old fashioned, non?" He accepted his wine from the waiter, then paused. "Who are you speaking to now? Cari?"

Standing, she moved back to her original seat. "No... my brother." Riley thanked the waiter as he placed her salad in front of her, then took the time to read Edward's message. I’m in town for the night. I can stop by Cari's.

Frowning, Riley took a small bit of her salad, then texted him back. I’m not staying at Cari's tonight. Can't talk, with someone right now. Call later tonight. Putting the phone back in her belt clip, Riley went to take another bite, but paused when she saw Asher frowning at her. Looking down at her small side salad then back up at him, she furrowed her brow. "What?"

"Did the waiter forget the rest of your order?" He frowned, glancing around as if to call the young man back.

"Um... no." Riley replied.

He stilled, quirking a brow. "That is all you ordered?" He set his wine down, leaning forward. "Tis hardly enough for a child."

"Are you critiquing how I eat?" Riley set her fork down as she quirked a brow at him. Just then she heard her phone beep again. Waiting for Asher's response, she pulled her phone out again. Edward had sent her another message. Where are you staying tonight? Who are you with?Rolling her eyes at Edward's protective nature toward only her, Riley messaged him back quickly as Asher spoke again. I’m staying at a hotel. Cari has guests, and it’s none of your business who I'm with.
"Non... tis just... I did not figure you to be one to buy into the media's imaging." He sipped his wine.

"Excuse me?" Riley frowned at him as she sat back, disgust clearly written on her face. "Did you honestly just compare me to the brainless buffoons who would like to think they have their own ideas, but really just conform to society’s idea of the perfect anorexic stick figure?"

He shrugged, glancing at the salad as he sipped his wine once again. "Cherie, look at the amount you have ordered, then tell me what I am to think."

"For all you know, I could have had quite a bit to eat today, and don't want some grand dinner." She held her hand up to stop him from speaking for a moment. "Before you ask... no, I haven't had anything else to eat today, but I could have and you just assumed the worst. I don't like many things, therefore, I rarely have any appetite. I'm not losing or gaining weight, not that it would matter much." Riley shook her head, then rolled her eyes when her phone beeped once more. "All I'm saying, Asher, is that it isn't very appealing when someone assumes the worst. Look at me." Riley looked down at her baggy yoga pants and black tank top. Simple lounging clothes. "Do I look like someone give a damn about fashion or how society thinks I should look?" The schpeal was said with a serious tone, yet obviously was not meant to lecture him, but to set him straight in his assumptions of her.

Asher watched her for a moment, then shook his head. "Non, Cherie, you do not. However, it certainly is not healthy to eat as little as you just described." He looked to his wine, setting it on the table before tracing the rim with one, long, elegant finger.

"Eating is the least significant of my bad habits, Asher." Riley pulled her phone out again. "Idiot..." She mumbled to her phone. Edward had sent yet another message. He never did quite understand 'Leave me alone.' Where are you staying? Who are you with?
"Persistent bastard..." Riley said to the phone.

The vampire quirked a brow, "Pardon?"

"Oh, sorry, not you. I've told my brother to leave me alone like three times now, and he is insisting that I tell him who I'm with and where I'm staying tonight...'Cause I told him Cari's place was out...Then I was stupid enough to tell him that I was with someone right now, so I couldn't talk." Riley said. "About the first thing I said," Riley referred to the bad habits comment. "I just meant that if I really wanted to fix a bad habit, it wouldn't be my eating that I would focus on."

Asher shook his head. "Your brother sounds protective." He was dropping this food conversation where it was. He didn't agree with her-in fact, thought it very unhealthy- however, it was not his place to but in. As to the clothes... he would not comment on her fashion sense.

"He's a big brother... and he doesn't trust anyone with me. It's stupid. I can take care of myself, but for the past seven years, he's been super protective. I've had about enough of it." Riley's voice was calm. She spoke again as she texted Edward back, "I normally give in and end up telling him just to get him to leave me alone." Riley started typing another message to him as she took another bite. Fine. If you won't leave me alone...I'm with Asher and I'm staying at the Sunset Hotel tonight. The one you did the job at last week.
"Ah. Well, I do not see how it would help him to know my name... I doubt that he has heard of me, non?" Asher finished his blood wine, his finger going back to its circles around the rim. His hand paused. "Which hotel are you staying at? I know of many if you need a recommendation."

"Sunset hotel." Riley said as the phone rang. Sighing, she gave an apologetic look to Asher. "I'm sorry." She looked at the incoming number even though she already knew who it was. Riley scowled as she answered, "What do you want?"

"Riley, what the hell do you think you're doing with that vampire?! Do you know who he is? And after last night? What are you thinking-"

Asher frowned slightly as he heard the phone squawk, unable to make out the words. Ah. The protective brother, obviously though, from her scowl.

Anger licked at Riley's nerves. "Listen to me, brother..." Her voice was almost venomous. "I am twenty-seven years old and old enough to know how to run my life. I don't need you calling and telling me who I can have dinner with, or better yet... how to do my job."

That gave Asher a pause. Job... what would his little spitfire do? He heard the phone squawk again and shook his head. Riley obviously did not wish to talk to her sibling. Reaching out, he took the phone from her. "Bonjour, I am Riley's dinner companion- rest assured, I am hardly going to hurt her and that she is indeed a grown woman. Any questions?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line, before the phone went dead in his ear.

Riley stared wide eyed at Asher before grabbing the phone. "Eddy?!" Looking at Asher she asked, "Did he say anything?" She was kicking herself for freaking, and she now fought to regain her composure. It would have been just like Edward to ream Asher out and then he would know for sure who she was... what she was.

"...Non. Now, what hotel did you say again? I'm afraid I missed it when your phone rang..."

Taking a deep breath Riley push her food away. She was in no mood to eat. She would grab something later. "Sunset Hotel."

He sighed as she pushed her food away, then registered her words. "What? The... that place?! Surely you jest! They found four dead bodies there not a week ago... roaches and snakes in that place!" He shook his head. "Non-I cannot allow such a dear friend of Cari's to stay in such a place."

"Tell me is it just a male thing... the whole protectiveness...? I heard about the deaths...some hired killing thing was the rumor about it." Riley's voice was dry as she spoke of Edward's last job.

"Call it concern- and where did you hear this rumor? Funny, as the police called it a cult worshiping act..." He narrowed his eyes slightly, then pushed the thought away. Riley? Never in a thousand years. "I would not even let Death himself stay there. You may stay at the Circus if you wish."

Riley paused at the mention of her brother. Trying not to let the recognition of it show on her face she moved on. "It was just a rumor on the streets in Phoenix, Asher." And technically it was, in Edward's group of friends there. "Why did you just look at me like that?" Riley gave him a worried expression.

"It made it all the way to Phoenix? Odd..." He shrugged. "Nothing, Cherie. Nothing but a silly thought easily dismissed. Will you be my guest at the Circus? You'd have your own room..."

"I suppose." Riley aid in an exasperated voice, then smirked afterwards. "Are you ready to go then?"

"Oui." He smiled at her, standing and waiting for her to do the same.

"Good." Riley stood and walked onto the side walk with him. Pulling a pack of cigarettes out of her pocket, she looked at Asher. She knew from rumors that he smoked, but 'Riley' didn't know that, therefore she had to ask if it was okay for her to light up. "Do you mind?"

"Only if you're impolite enough not to offer me one." He smirked at her, shaking his head. "Jean-Claude calls it a 'foul habit- disgusting'... So he proceeds to steal them from me whenever he finds them."

Chuckling, Riley handed him one, "They’re menthol... don't know if that's what you smoke or not." Pulling a Zippo from her pocket, Riley flipped the it open with the snap of her fingers and a flick of the wrist. The lighter was open and lit in one fluid motion, like she'd been doing it for years. After lighting her cigarette she snapped the lighter closed and looked at Asher. "Let me guess, you need a lighter too." Riley smirked at him.

"I lack the ability to create fire, Cherie... and as I find myself afraid of it, I'm rather glad, but merci, I do need the lighter..." He took it from her while he pushed his hair back before mimicking the motion and lighting his cigarette, the dim light from the flickering flame casting odd shadows over his scars.

Riley blinked at the unexpected sight. She'd heard of Asher... she'd heard things about him, she'd even heard a few things about scars, but she didn't realize how true or how serious the scars were. Riley thanked her lucky stars that she was good at keeping a blank face. It wasn't that the scars bothered her... They just surprised her. Not knowing whether or not she should talk to him about them, she continued walking beside him. She grinned as he handed the lighter back and said, "Want me to smoke it for ya, too?"

Asher laughed softly, shaking his head. "Non, Cherie... I do believe I'm capable of at least that..." He glanced at her. "Perhaps a bit more..."

Furrowing her brow Riley looked over at him. "What did you mean by that?" She quirked a brow.

He smirked, "I meant, Cherie, that perhaps I am capable at more than lighting a cigarette... did your mind wander, or my English slip?" He ignored his own intentional innuendo.

"I think my mind wandered." Riley stated honestly. "So do you have a car or do you need a ride?"

"I flew here." He stated simply.

Riley turned her full attention to him. "You what?!" She didn't know he could fly... shit. Riley wasn't sure whether that little fact was bad or just fuckin' awesome.

"Flew..." Asher shrugged. "Tis one of my powers. I suppose, in substitute of having an animal to call, it is good enough..."

"Huh..."Riley shook her head just looking at him. "Well, since I'm not sure how to get to the Circus. Maybe you could skip out on the whole flying thing and ride with me..."

"Ah, then oui, I shall be your guide." He looked around. "Where did you park your car?"

Riley grinned. "I don't own a car." She took a drag of her cigarette and motioned toward's Cari's shop and the motorcycle in front of it. "I'm parked up there."

Pausing, Asher's keen eyes locked on the motorcycle. "Dieu... You ride..." He turned his cigarette almost forgotten in his hand before he took a drag. "Then this shall be a fun trip..."

"I'm not really a luxury sedan kinda girl." Riley watched him as they drew near. "By your reaction I'd say you ride too..." The statement was more like a question.

Asher stepped up to the bike, holding his cigarette between his lips as he looked it over, his fingers caressing still new leather. "A Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic, non?" He crouched, eyeing the flames on the pearly white, nearly silver bike. Flames were carved into the metal, a delicate, artful process that took time... and money. He traced his fingers over the flames, glancing at her. "Lovely... Custom made, non? Quite the pretty penny..."

"It's worth it though... I've had a Honda for years and I always wanted a Harley... but not just any Harley... So I saved." Riley smiled brightly, obviously proud of her baby.

"I can imagine." He stood, taking the cigarette from his mouth to grin at her. "I am eager to ride. Tis a gem, non?"

Riley took one last drag of her cigarette and then threw the butt to the ground. "Yup." Walking up to the bike, she opened one of the leather saddle bags and handed Asher a helmet. "Mine's in the apartment still." Riley knew there was no way the three lovers would be back yet, so she ran inside and grabbed her helmet. Re-locking the door, she walked back to the motorcycle and Asher. "Ready?" She swung a leg over the bike and started it up, putting up the kick stand.

He eased himself on the bike behind her, and slid the helmet on before resting his hands on her hips. "Oui."

Riley froze for only a second as she felt Asher's body touching the back of her's. Forcing her mind to other things Riley pulled out of her space by the curb. She knew the direction of the blood district, and drove that way. At the first red light she turned her head to the side. "Asher, where am I going?"

"Go straight, then take the next left, Cherie. From there you will see signs." He shifted in the seat, finding that he didn't like sitting on a higher level. He wanted to be able to press close to the softness of her bottom. He shook his head. Non.

Riley followed his instructions, and they were just about to the Circus in a little less than twenty minutes. Each time Riley felt Asher's fingers flex against her skin or his body shift, she shivered. He wasn’t exactly against her, but close enough. Telling herself that it was just the wind making her cold, she came to the conclusion that riding the bike together was a really bad idea. She turned the last corner and felt Asher's grip tighten slightly.

"You can park in the parking garage." He told her, his voice raised so that she could hear him. "With my bikes and cars."

Riley did as he instructed, but as she pulled into the garage she stopped the bike and looked around in awe. "Fuckin' hell..." There were rows of classic bikes and cars, all brand new. Riley couldn't believe her eyes. Harleys, Hondas, Kawasakis... you name it he had it. "And here I thought my collecting hobbies were expensive." Riley pulled into a parking place at the back of the garage. After she finished parking and both of them were off the bike, Riley slowly took her helmet off, letting her hair fall in thick wavy tresses. "Well, you are certainly an over achiever..." When in doubt of what to say... be sarcastic.

He took off his own, smirking at her as he looked her over. "I find that I am in most things."

Riley put her helmet in the one saddle bag and Asher's in the other. Quickly, she pulled her hip length hair back into a messy knot on top of her head. Walking through, she looked over some of the bikes. "These must have cost a fortune. Every single one is custom made!"

He laughed. "Only most of them, Cherie, only most of them." He watched the delight on her face as she looked over his bikes, one of his passions. "If you wish, you may come and ride when you want. Having been with you, I trust you to be careful."

"Thanks, but I don't think I'll have a chance too. I'm only in town till the end of the month, and I have things I have to get done here, but thank you for the offer." Riley stood up from examining one of his Harleys. "I think I should be more careful...I do believe I'm being genuinely nice to you." Riley smiled softly. "So lead the way in...I'll follow."

"Ah.... we can't have you being nice to me, now can we, Riley?" Her name rolled off his tongue, sounding somehow exotic. He looked at her for a moment, his look pensive before he began to lead her into the Circus.

Riley glanced at him and so how he looked at her. "Are you alright? What's wrong? You look...serious."

He glanced over his shoulder at her. "I am fine, Cherie. Merely thinking..."

Nodding Riley followed him silently as he lead the way down into the depths of the Circus. She memorized every hall they went down. Every turn, every tapestry they passed. All her years as an assassin, taught her to do such in case she needed to get out of there in record time. Riley would glance at Asher every now and then but he continued to look serious. Wondering what he was thinking about, Riley shook her head to clear it and resumed studying the path they were taking.

He paused in front of a door. "This, Cherie, is your room... Tis not the best that we have to offer, the smallest in fact, however..." He opened the door, holding it for her with a half bow.

Riley step into the room and froze. A king size bed adorned with hunter green and gold bedding, grace the large sized suite. The room had its own bathroom, and its own living room. "This is small? I feel like I've stepped into a suite in some five star hotels."

Asher smiled. "Bon, I am glad you like it. Tis a room I convinced Jean-Claude to let me decorate. He is more... elaborate."

"More elaborate...Asher this is pretty elaborate." Riley walked over and sat on the bed. "I've never even come close to sleeping in a place like this... Hell, growin' up I thought Cari's place was nice..." Riley looked around the room at all the detail and forest colors. All of it just served to bring out her best features. The red in her hair, the rosy tint in her skin.

"Then enjoy it." He smiled, though within he frowned. Her description of her childhood was not something that he would have wished on any child... certainly not her. "Where did you live, Cherie?"

"We lived in a small town just outside Salt Lake City." Riley answered watching him. She kicked of her sandals and sat Indian style on the bed facing him.

"Ah... Utah." He paused. "I've never been to that state... never understood its lure, if you'll forgive me."

"Lure...It has no lure. Most of the people that live in Utah outside the big cities, are people that are stuck there." Riley hated her home state. So many bad memories. Her mother her father... Jason...

Sadness... she was so sad, anger.... a mixture of her emotions scented the air and crossed her face. "Come, Cherie... I want to give something to you." He held out his hand to her.

Riley looked at him warily. "What?" She stood and walked over to take his hand.

"Nothing bad, I assure you. A gift." He lead her out into the hall again then down to another door. "My rooms." They entered his sitting room with its large fire place framed by bookshelves and the large painting of himself and Jean-Claude above it. Asher let her go, heading straight for the books.

Riley, however, was rooted to the floor as she stared up at the painting. He didn't have his scars. Damn... and she’d thought he was cute now! Riley looked from the painting to the real life man. The scars made little difference to her. Asher was still the most gorgeous man she'd ever seen. Shocked at her own thoughts, Riley argued with herself. The last time she’d trusted a man based on looks... Jason was a long time ago, though....maybe it was time to try again.

Riley watched Asher as he searched the shelves. She couldn't even help the frown on her face.

Asher turned to smile at her, pausing when he saw her look. "What is it, Cherie?"

Riley snapped out of her inner argument when she heard Asher's voice. "Huh? Oh sorry...I think I was arguing with myself."

"About?" His face became serious again, and he faced her rather than searching the shelves.

"A lot of things. Mostly you." Riley moved to lean against the desk. "So I have a question that I'm sure you've been asked a million times before. This, by the way, has nothing to do with what I was arguing about." Riley paused and took a breath. Her face show no major emotions and she seemed as calm as could be. "How did you get scarred?"

He seemed to sigh, then shook his head. "Tis a story, Cherie... long and painful." He seemed to gather hiss thoughts, then began to speak. "Jean-Claude, Julianna, my human servant, and I were a menge a' trois for nearly 20 years... We traveled together, lived together... loved together. Then, Jean-Claude received word that his mother was passing, and he went to her bedside." Asher turned, facing the books once again, tracing their spines with his fingers.

"The church came- they seized Julianna and myself and stole us away to a monastery where they tried to cleanse me of my demon through catharsis. Pain and suffering, drop by drop of holy water. Then, they burned her. Burned my Julianna."

Riley stood frozen in place. She had no clue what to say. She hadn't expect such an elaborate reason for his scars. Not know what she could do for him at that moment, Riley looked down at the floor. "Oh..." A part of her wished she could take his pain away.

He cupped her face. "Non, Cherie. Do not... Twas not you who tortured me... not you who burned my Julianna. Tis not as if you could have stopped the flames and saved her." Asher stroked her cheek.

Not unless time travel was possible. Riley looked into Asher's eyes. For the first time in so many years, she felt something toward another person other than Cari. She felt attracted to Asher...and it scared her to death. To Riley's horror she let her cheek rest on Asher palm. Breaking the eye contact, Riley finally step back from him. Not as a retreat, merely for some space to breathe and be able to think.

Asher smiled at her then. "Oui... she would have wanted you to have this." He turned looking over the shelves once again before he finally found what it was he looked for. He turned, then pressed the old book into her hands.

Frowning in confusion, Riley looked at the book she held. It was 'Pride and Prejudice' the first edition, leather bound hard cover. Riley stared at it for a moment before she realized exactly what was going on. "Asher...I can't..." As much as Riley wanted to protest she sat on the love seat in the room and flipped through the book. "It's in mint condition..." Her words were said softly. When she looked up at Asher there was a flicker of some indiscernible emotion in her eyes, but it was push aside just as quickly as it came. "Thank you..."

"It was my teacher's..." He smiled a little, a bit sad around the edges. "Julianna. She taught me that I know everything and nothing... a lesson, I'm afraid, that I'm forgetting. She would have wanted you to have it."

"Thank you, Asher." Riley looked at him with calm eyes. Wishing that she could make dealing with life’s burdens easier for Asher, she mentally shook her head. She had her own issues to deal with first. We all have burdens we must carry, I suppose. I just wish that it were possible to make the weight of life's happenings easier for some people. Although, I think I'd need to know how to deal with my past before trying to deal with anyone else's... Riley thought of her home life, and her childhood. Yeah, she was definitely not the person to come to if you needed advice on how to deal with personal shit.

Asher watched her, his eyes drawn to her lips before he chastised himself. Non. It was too early. "Will you share something about yourself, now? You know about me now."

"Something about my self?" Little red flags shot up all through Riley's head. "What do you want to know?"

He laughed softly, motioning to his couch. "Let us sit... and it needn't be anything as grand as my story... just... something about you. Let me know you."

"Well..." Jeepers, he couldn't have just asked about her family or childhood. Now she had to think. Since the majority of her childhood had no good memories... Riley smiled when she remembered one. "Okay, I remember once in junior high... I'd been having a bad week. I wasn't the type to keep many friends and I couldn't stand school. I'd just gotten in trouble for skipping school too much and I was grounded. I hated being grounded, because if I so much as even walked outside for fresh air, Dad would throw me in my room for the night. Well, that's what happened, and my brother ended up helping me climb to the ground from my window. He had just gotten his license and he drove me down to the county fair going on. It was awesome... We would always go and our parents hated it, but some how we would always make it. He bought us both cotton candy and made me give him my pink kind and he'd give me the blue. To this day he still does that!"

Riley shrugged. "It was a normal night really. Mom high as a kite and out screwing anyone but her own husband, and Dad home drunker than a skunk and mean as hell. But for some odd reason that night stuck with me... It's kinda stupid I suppose."

Asher was quiet for a moment, then shook his head. "It sounds to me... Cherie... that you are a very lucky woman... to have a brother as caring as your own." Words beyond that escaped him. Hugs, he had a feeling, were not something that this woman would tolerate from him after telling such a story.

Riley nearly choked on a giggle. "Trust me...he isn't caring... and he hated me the next day when Dad found out we'd snuck out. Mom had seen us when we were at the fair and she told Dad... not a pretty sight."

"Ah, yes... of course. A caring brother would never worry for his sister's safety... as yours did this night." He shrugged. "Ask me something now?"

"Yeah well, Eddy had an odd way of showing he cared... still does actually." Riley smiled. "Anyways....ask you something..." She pondered on a possible question. "Hm... okay... What was your human family like?"

Asher gave no outward sign of his startlement at the name 'Eddy' before he tilted his head. "Ah, Cherie, you ask much of an old man's memory..." He teased.

"Old man? How old?" Riley quirked a brow.

"Seven hundred and..." He paused, clearly thinking. "Thirty six?"

Blinking, Riley grinned. "Wow...you are old."

Asher laughed. "Now... my family... We lived in a small town outside of modern Paris, non? I was born in the year 1270 to a noble family. We owned a lot of land, but one family of nobles in a Feudal society. I supposed you could say my mother doted upon me... I was the youngest of three sons... and expected to, of all things, join the church." He paused. "I was sent to the monastery late for a child, mere years before my voice changed, but it was long enough for Brother Philippe to know that I could sing... There was talk of doing to me as was popular then... making me into a Castrati, as there was a brother from Italy there..." He shuddered. "I faked the change in voice well enough before it hit... and I returned to my home."

He shrugged again, looking at her. "I helped my father with his duties, and was engaged at the age of thirty-one. One night I snuck out to meet with my fiancée- I had not met her before, and detested the thought of marrying someone I did not know, good match or no. Instead... My maker found me... Ma Mere... Belle Morte."

"Wow, interesting... interesting and kinda disturbing." Riley said.

He tilted his head at her, quirking a brow. "Is it?"

"Well," Riley shrugged, "Did you sleep with her?" She knew he had. Belle Morte was the ‘Vampire of Lust’. There was no fuckin’ way she hadn’t gotten her claws into the fine ass body sitting next to her. Fire and Ice knew this... Riley didn’t.

Giving her a look that belied his reluctance and curiosity of where she was heading with this, Asher nodded. "Oui..."

"Then it’s disturbing." Riley wrinkled her nose as she smirked. "Think about it. You fucked her, yet you call her your mother. So basically, you’re fucking your mother... disturbing."

He smiled at her adorable face, seeing a glimpse of what at one time, he was certain, was an adorable child. Her tone was light, nearly teasing? Was that the word? Perhaps. "Oui, Cherie, you are right. I suppose being a vampire, however I simply accepted the way of life." He smirked. "Besides, do not some modern couples include the term ‘Daddy’ into sex?"

"Maybe..." Riley shrugged. "But being that ‘Daddy’ to me was someone who smacked you around... I’m not into that nickname deal." Riley spoke so nonchalantly that it was obvious she’d accepted her way of upbringing as normal and ‘no big deal’.

The vampire paused. "Non... I’d wager not." It dug at some small part of him, making him recall his own father- a hard man, and one who took little interest in his youngest son. Riley, this sweet firebrand before him, did not deserve such a life. "Je suis desolé... I did not mean to touch a sore subject."

Furrowing her brow, Riley looked at him. "It’s not a sore subject." Asher gave her an oh-so-prim-and-proper, ‘Yeah right’ look. Something Riley just knew had to be perfected by vampires after their first century as a requirement or something. How else would they all know it?

"What?" Riley raised her brow. "Asher, It really isn’t a big deal. I mean, yeah, when I was really little, it scared me, but you get used to it after a while." She shrugged as she relaxed back against the love seat. "That’s life. You suck it up, deal with it, and move on."

The nonchalance in her voice grated. "I suppose, my point, Cherie, is that you should not have had to... but I understand." He pushed his hair back, baring his scars. "Oui... I understand."

"Okay..." Riley watched as Asher started to shift into a more somber mood. "I didn’t mean to bring you down by regaling you with my accepted life horrors... Maybe I should just call it a night." The last thing Riley wanted to do was depress the guy. She seemed to be doing an admirable job at it, though. Twice now, in one night. Maybe if she left, he couldn’t continually be feeling so down. Riley moved to stand.

His hand darted out, gently taking her wrist. "Only if you wish, Cherie. I enjoy your company." His thumb stroked gently over her pulse. "Please?"

Riley took a sharp intake of breath as she felt him caressing her wrist... one of her more sensitive spots. Damn... it felt good. Telling herself that it didn’t, the memory of Jason filled her and how good his touch had felt. She stille, "Um... actually, I think it would be better if I tried to get some sleep." Even though she was wide awake. Riley gently pulled her hand out of his grasp. It wasn’t that she wanted to hurt him, she just wasn’t interested.

‘Oh, you’re interested... You’re just scared’. For some reason, Cari’s voice popped into Riley’s head. Telling herself that she wasn’t interested once more, she hear Cari laugh.

Asher nodded, hearing her heart beat increase and smelling her fear. Standing, he bowed slightly at the waist. "Bonne nuit, Cherie. Sweet dreams."

Enjoy- opinions of this story are appreciated- Also, where do you see the characters going? What would you like to see happen? It'd be interesting to see and any ideas used will be credited to the person who suggested it.
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Tailor Made: Killer Instincts