Somebody To Love
<center>Somebody to Love</center>
By
Lady MoonHawke
Don’t you want somebody to love?
Don’t you need somebody to love?
Wouldn’t you like somebody to love?
You’d better find somebody to love.
Somebody to Love -- Jefferson Airplane
A handful of popcorn pattered against the screen, leaving tiny smears of oil on the glass.
“Come on, you two!” Aurora shouted. “Get over it already!”
Steven smirked at her from the other end of the sofa. “Too much tension for you?” he asked, helping himself to some popcorn from the bowl between them.
“Well, look at him, offering to teach Louis how to be ‘without regret.’ And Louis teasing him, close enough to kiss, then walking away. Louis had no intention of staying with Armand. He LET them toast Claudia and Madeleine. Louis belongs with Lestat, anyway.”
Steven chuckled. “Such a romantic, aren’t you? Let the story play out. Maybe you’ll be happy with the ending.” The phone rang and he reached for it automatically. “Hello?... Speaking...” He was silent for a while, listening.
“No, William. Not this weekend.” He continued to respond to William on the other end. “Well, one: I don't want to, and two: I’m busy.... I don’t really care what he thinks.... Then he can take his business to the competitor.... You’ve got to be kidding me.... Fine, William. Set it up for Saturday AM. They can have me ‘til noon, and that’s it.... Well, if they want a face-to-face, that‘s what they can have.... Yes, open the house, and arrange a car to meet us at the airport. I’ll give you the flight details once we take off.... Yes, we. Make it happen, William. I’ll see you in the morning.” He hung up the phone and looked over at Aurora.
“So,” he asked speculatively, “are you up for a little road trip?”
“Where?” she responded.
“California,” he answered. “Malibu, actually. I need to do some business Saturday morning, to make sure a deal goes through, but I can show you the sights in the afternoon that day, plus Sunday and Monday since it’s a long weekend.”
“I kind of have to, don’t I, since Mom went to that conference?” she asked pointedly.
“Well, there are better ways to think of it. I’ll take you shopping on Rodeo Drive if you like. Anything you want that Beverly Hills has to offer.”
“If I’m a good little girl?”
“No,” he replied. “Because I think you’d enjoy it. No one can resist the call of all that merchandising.” He studied her for a moment. “I think you’ll like California. And it will LOVE you.”
Aurora followed Steven up the jetway to the terminal. Her first view of California had been sparkling lights across the interior valleys across to the coast. There the lights drew a line along the seaboard, etching out the edge of the ocean. Now out in the airport itself, she heard almost running commentary from the PA system about not leaving luggage unattended, alternating with messages about not being required to give donations to solicitors. When those two weren’t on, travelers were being paged right and left to different desks.
“It’s a zoo here, isn’t it?” she asked.
“Nope. That’s north-east of here, but we can hit it tomorrow if you want.” He scanned the waiting area, then spotted a chauffeur carrying a sign labeled “Landon.” “This way,” he said, taking Aurora’s hand. “We’ll be out of this soon.”
The car inched along the Pacific Coast Highway joining the queue of vehicles heading north. The Pacific Ocean was black, broken only by the running lights from the odd boat setting off for a weekend adventure.
“I wonder where the accident is,” Aurora murmured.
Steven looked up from the paperwork her was studying. “What accident?”
She looked over at him. “The one tying up traffic like this. There has to be some kind of crash, right?”
He chuckled. “Nope. Just traffic. Everyone in a rush to get somewhere behind someone else taking a little ‘scenic drive.’ Fridays are always bad news. Everyone going somewhere.” The car turned onto a different road and picked up speed. “See? Now we’re clear of it. Almost to the house.”
They swung into a driveway and Steven opened his door and got out, then helped Aurora after him. Though it was dark, Aurora got the impression of a modestly sized home, painted white or some other pale color, with a small plot of yard in front, sporting two enormously tall palm trees.
She followed Steven through the front door and stopped in the entry to marvel at the interior. To her right was the kitchen, awash in white tiles and steel fixtures, gleaming under the lights. It flowed over an open countertop to the dining area, dominated by a black tubular steel and smoked glass table, with matching chairs upholstered in charcoal gray. From there it was open to a living room, with matching leather sofas face to face, braced by an entertainment center on one wall, and the stone hearth of a fireplace on the other.
The massive room was finished at the end by a wall of glass, looking out to the beach and ocean beyond. Miscellaneous bits of furniture rounded out the decor; a small table here, a low credenza there, and jewel-toned pillows to relieve the near monochrome effect.
The driver set the bags in the foyer, then accepted the bills Steven offered, touched his cap, and left. Aurora moved farther into the house, entranced. Surfaces gleamed under the light, clean and sparkling.
“It’s amazing,” she breather, turning around. “It looks like someone lives here and has a maid in every day.”
“Three times a week, when I’m here, actually.” Steven hefted the luggage. “Come one. I’ll show you the rest.” He led her though a doorway. “Bedrooms and bathrooms are all here. That one’s an office,” he explained, gesturing. “Bathroom next to it. I’m at the end of the hall. And this,” he opened a door, “is yours.”
The walls were the same not-quite-white as the rest of the house, and it sported a matched bedset of some dark wood. Tasteful prints from well-known works of art were framed on the wall, including her favorite, Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.”
“Is it okay?” Steven asked.
“Oh, yeah,” Aurora answered, looking around. “It’s great. I love this picture.”
He smiled. “I’m glad. Door on the left goes to the bathroom, on the right is the closet. Kitchen should be stocked if you want anything like that.”
She stifled a yawn. “No, thanks. I’m just going to crash right away.” She pecked him on the cheek. ‘Thanks. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yeah. See ya.” He left quickly, shutting the door behind him.
Steven leaned against the wall, staring at Aurora’s door. He could hear little sounds from the room, a zipper opening, clothing being moved around, the bathroom door opening. The bathroom light snapped on, then off again a few minutes later. Finally, he heard the bedroom light snap off, and sighed softly. He promised himself that nothing would happen between them under her mother’s roof. He wouldn’t LET anything happen. But now the roof was his own, and that made changing the rules tempting. He shook his head to clear away the thoughts forming there. It was up to her. If she made the first move, he would certainly respond. And he would encourage her to make it. But ultimately, it was her choice. He just hoped she didn’t wait too long to make it.
Aurora awoke slightly disoriented, but when she spotted the Van Gogh print, it all came flashing back to her. She struggled into some casual clothes, hit the bathroom, then went in search of Steven.
She found him in the kitchen, eating breakfast standing at a counter, reading from one of his endless supplies of business papers. He smile when she came in.
“I’m glad your up. I didn’t want to leave without giving you the lay of the land hereabouts.” He handed her a scrap of paper folded around something hard. “This is the address here and phone number, just in case you decide to go out.” She unfolded the paper to find a credit card, embossed with her name.
“What’s this?”
He laughed. “I thought you’d recognize a credit card. Be sure to sign it before you use it. If you go out to the beach, be sure to run up the flag on the deck, Then when you came back, you’ll know which house is yours. They all look about the same from the back.” He watched with amusement as she appropriated a slice of his toast. “Can I get you anything to go with my toast?”
She picked up his coffee and took a drink. “No, thanks. I’ll manage fine.”
His grin was more sardonic than amused. “Uh-huh.” He glanced down at his watch. “I have to run. The number for the car service is by the phone. Tell them to charge it to the Landon account. Santa Monica Place will be open at nine. It’s pretty close, and the stores should amuse you. I’ll be back by 12:30.” He gathered his briefcase and jacket, then looked back at her, taking in the well-worn jeans and rumpled T-shirt. The last black-eye Harry had given her was almost gone from her face. “You’ll be okay here, right?”
She smiled broadly. “Oh, yeah. All by myself in La-La-land. I’ll be great.”
“Why am I regretting this already?” Steven asked as he walked out the door.
He was back home a few minutes after 12 to a quiet, but occupied house. Aurora had gone out, apparently, judging from the presence of her purse on the table, and a few bags from stores at the shopping center he’d mentioned. He set his briefcase down and loosened his tie, crossing the living room area to the glass door to the deck. Stepping outside, he saw immediately that the flag was run up the staff, the black and gold banner snapping in the breeze. He looked out toward the ocean and saw Aurora running up from the shoreline, wrapped in a towel and her hair dripping water. When she was close, he noted the spaghetti straps disappearing under the towel.
“So,” he asked, “did you have a good morning?”
She grinned. “Yes. But that water is COLD!” She shook her hair back. “Wow! I thought the Pacific was warmer.”
He laughed. “The South Pacific is much warmer. However, this is the North Pacific. So what did you manage to buy while I was gone?”
She shrugged. “Just a couple of things. There’s a lot more stuff out here to look at, though. I almost couldn’t choose. But I did find this.” She peeled back her towel to reveal a black bikini that would have dropped Steven’s jaw if he hadn’t consciously controlled it.
“Turn around,” he instructed, understanding her need to show off. She complied happily, and he nodded. “Looks good. I like it.” He gestured for her to precede him into the house. “Credit card work okay?”
“I meant to talk to you about that. I have more than enough money from the trust my father set up for me. You don’t have to give me money.”
“I know,” he replied, closing the glass door. “I just wanted to be sure you could buy anything that caught your eye. Just keep it close, in case you need it some day.”
She looked doubtful. “Only if you’re sure...”
“I’m sure. Go wash up, and we’ll go out for lunch and I’ll show you whatever you want to see. Tourist stuff, more shopping, cultural stuff. Anything you like.”
Aurora couldn’t help smiling. “You’re on. Give me 15 minutes.”
Twenty minutes later they were on the road, racing down the PCH in a two-seater convertible, “I Love L.A.” blasting out the speakers.
“Have you decided what you want to see?” Steven shouted over the noise of the drive and the music.
Aurora shook her head. “I can’t make up my mind. Show me whatever you think is best,” she shouted back.
“Good thing we have two more days. There’s enough here to fill a lifetime.”
They spent the afternoon seeing the west side of the urban sprawl that was Los Angeles, investigating tarpits, museums, and trailing in and out of shops on the promised Rodeo Drive.
“I don’t know when I’ve had such a good time,” Aurora declared, her arms loaded down with bags.
Steven laughed. He realized he’d been doing a lot of that today. Away from the pressures and expectations in Montana, Aurora was a different person, happy and relaxed. “Good for you. What would you like to do for dinner?”
She waved a bag from one of the boutiques. “Can we go somewhere that I can where this?”
“That black thing? Sure. I know a few places where that will be perfect.” He helped her load the purchases into the trunk. “Maybe a little dancing?”
“Maybe a lot of dancing?” she countered.
“Anything the lady wants.” He helped her into the car, and they headed back toward the coast.
Later, heading inland again as the sun flirted with the ocean, Aurora stretched her nylon clad legs in the passenger’s seat.
“So where are we going?” she asked as homes of the wealthy though not necessarily famous slipped past.
“The question, my dear,” Steven answered, “is not where are we going, but where are we not going.”
“Oh, really?” Aurora countered. “We’re going to be at this a while, at that rate.”
“People say New York is the city that never sleeps, but that’s only because they haven’t been to LA. If you’re not totally exhausted by the time we get home, then I did something wrong.”
Aurora laughed, the wind scattering the sound behind them. “I’ll take that bet.” She stretched her hands into the rushing wind and howled with joy.
Steven smiled. Aurora unbound was truly a thrill.
Aurora stumbled through the front door, hopping first on one foot, then the other, struggling to remove her heels. “These have to be the worst shoes ever designed,” she complained, burying her toes in the plush carpeting.
“So why did you wear them?” Steven asked, loosening his tie.
“Because they look so good with this dress, which by the way, you have not yet commented on.” She turned in a lazy circle, the skirt flaring out just a little.
He smiled. “You wouldn’t have worn it if you weren’t very aware of how it looked. Besides, you might not really want my opinion.” He leaned against the wall, grinning. Let the games begin.
She sauntered past him to the entertainment system, and browsed the CDs. “You know, there was one song I really wanted to hear tonight, but not one of the places we went to played it.”
“And what song is that?” He watched her put a disc in the machine and select the track she wanted. She turned back to face him.
“Dance with me?” she asked.
He could hear the whirring of the CD player finding the track she’d selected, then the music started, flowing low, like smoke along the floor.
“On a dark desert highway
Cool wind in my hair,
Warm smell of colitas
Rising up through the air.”
He gathered her close as the music continued. “So you wanted to hear The Eagles tonight? Why didn’t you just request it?”
She wrapped her arms around her neck. “Because I wanted to be alone with you when it played.”
“And why is that?” They danced slowly before the stereo.”
“I want to be with you.” She stretched slowly to her toes and gave him a lingering kiss.
Steven stopped dancing. “Aurora, don’t start this if you don’t mean to finish it.”
She kissed him again. “I thought we’d finish it together,” she whispered, her lips brushing his.
He pushed her back a little, looking into her eyes. “I mean it. Don’t do this if you’re not sure.”
She looked back at him, her eyes steady. “I do mean it, and I am sure. But if you don’t feel anything more for me than friendship, I’ll just go to my room.” She started to walk away.
Steven grabbed her arm, pulling her back. “I didn’t say that,” he growled, then claimed her lips with his own.
He floated up toward consciousness somewhere in the small hours of the morning, and sent one hand questing across the cool sheets, searching for Aurora. When he reached the far edge of the bed without finding her, one eye cracked open, slowly scanning the room. It was dark, and there was no comforting glow from the bathroom. He sat up as the thought filtered into his brain: she had left.
Steven threw back the covers and stood up. He remembered clearly that she had been there. Perhaps a little too clearly. He grabbed a robe and knotted the sash absently. Whatever was up with Aurora had to be dealt with right away. He just hoped it wasn’t some kind of disaster.
Steven found her in the living room, sitting on the floor, legs curled to one side, staring into a fire she must have built herself. She leaned against the sofa, and didn’t stir when he sat down on it behind her.
“Nice fire,” he complimented her. It was pretty lame for a conversation starter, but better than nothing.
“Thanks.” Her voice was hollow; emotionless.
He sighed silently. She seemed determined to make this difficult. “So what’s bothering you?” May as well jump right into the fire, as it were.
“It noth-” She broke off, obviously recognizing the futility of lying. “Just...regrets. There are things I’m wishing now that I hadn’t done.”
Steven’s blood was ice in his veins. This was turning into a real minefield. “Aurora, if I’ve done anything to make you unhappy-” He broke off when she leaned back against his legs.
“It’s nothing you’ve done,” she said quickly. “It’s me. I wanted to be someone... different. I wanted to do things right for once.”
He resettled himself on the floor next to her. “What do you mean?”
She turned to face him. “What do you think of me?”
“You’re smart, funny, brave, and altogether wonderful,” he replied seriously.
“You left out slut,” she muttered, looking away.
“WHAT?!”
“Well, what else would you call someone who sleeps with a guy she’s only known two weeks?” She drew her knees to her chest and fidgeted with the fabric of her robe. “I wanted you to respect me, and now you can’t.”
“Who said? All I think about that is you chose to share a precious gift with me, and I’m honored by that.” He turned her until she faced him again. “And I DO respect you.” He kissed her forehead. “Are you coming back to bed?”
“Do you want me to?”
He smiled gently at her. “I want you to do what you want.” He watched her until the barest corner of her mouth turned up. “I’ll wait up for you.”
Her smile grew wider. “I’ll just be another couple of minutes.” She waited until he’d retreated to the hall, then turned back to the fire. From the pocket of her robe, she pulled out a small photo. She regarded it for a moment, then tossed into the burning logs, watching as the edges curled, then burst into flame.
“Good-bye, Harry.” Resolutely, she turned her back on the burning image.
Aurora awoke to the smell of bacon cooking and coffee brewing. Her anxieties of the night before had faded, and she stretched luxuriously, then got out of bed and donned her robe. The blinds that had covered the patio door in here were pulled back, and Aurora stood, staring out at the deck, and the ocean beyond. Waves rolled in and out, depositing some treasures and reclaiming others. It was funny how life was that way sometimes; taking some things from you while giving you others. Now it had taken a part of her pain, and given her something wonderful in return. She heard a noise at the door and turned, smiling.
“Here I was hoping you’d still be in bed.” He set a breakfast tray on the dresser. “You hungry?”
She walked over to him and kissed him. “Good morning.” She examined the tray and selected a slice of toast. “Thanks.”
“That’s it? You’re not having anything else?”
She looked at him a moment, then spread butter and jelly on the slice. “Better?” She helped herself to coffee as well.
“I think I’ve stopped wondering why you hardly weigh anything.” Steven helped himself to eggs and bacon, as well as toast.
“I just don’t like breakfast. I spend the whole day feeling slow when I eat a lot in the morning.” She settled on the foot of the bed and took a bite out of the bread. “I’ll make it up to you at lunch, I promise.”
He let it drop. “So what were you thinking about when I came in?”
“You. Me. Us. Stuff like that.” She swallowed coffee eagerly. “Mmm. Good.”
“Thanks. So what about us?”
“My mother isn’t going to like this new arrangement.”
“It’s not going to happen in your mother’s house,” he replied steadily.
Her expression darkened quickly. “What? Is this just something to do at your convenience?”
“No,” he answered evenly. “I love you, and in any other place, no door or wall will separate us. But I will not violate your mother’s home.”
Aurora was somewhat mollified. “I’m not crazy about that idea, but I see your point. And other places?”
“Other places we do what we want. Fair trade?”
She sighed. “It will have to be, won’t it?” She finished her coffee quickly. “So what are we doing today?”
“Same as yesterday. Whatever you want.” He was relieved that she was willing to accept what limitations had to exist. The conversation could have gone so much worse.
“Someplace fun. Someplace we can just be a couple in love.” She blushed, still a little uncertain.
“How about Disneyland?” Her wrinkled nose vetoed the idea immediately. “Too many people this weekend, I know. Santa Monica Pier, then. Roller coasters and all the works, but fewer crowds.” He collected the dishes together. “I’ll clean stuff up while you get dressed.”
She watched him leave the room, then went looking for her clothes. Yes, she reflected, life could be funny sometimes. It could take your pain, and give you back somebody to love.
Characters from The Vampire Chronicles are the property of Anne Rice, and are used here without permission. This story is not for sale, and no money is being made from it. All other characters are the property of Lady MoonHawke, and should not be used without permission.
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