Read Online Between a Vamp and a Hard Place by Jessica Sims - Free Book Online Page A

handle the business? Here I thought we both just focused on the things we did best, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe my need to control everything meant I’d hurt my best friend’s feelings somewhere along the way.
    I felt like an ass.
    â€œIt cannot be thus,” Rand said, interrupting my thoughts.
    â€œHmm?” Both Gemma and I looked over at the vampire in surprise.
    â€œThe fair Lindsey has promised to be my blood vassal. She has sworn it with a kiss to her liege.”
    Gemma’s eyes went big as saucers. “Did she, now.”
    I wanted to kick that smug look off Rand’s face. “Yeah, for some reason, he thinks I’m lying when I say the world is round.”
    â€œI see,” Gemma murmured. “So while I’ve been sleeping, we’ve acquired a medieval vampire and you already made out with him.”
    â€œHe started it.”
    â€œOh, I’m sorry, I must’ve misunderstood.” Gemma patted my arm. “So you have to suck face to survive? Is that it?”
    I glared at her.
    â€œAre you two sisters?” Rand asked. His gaze went back and forth, studying us as we argued on the bed.
    â€œWe grew up in the same state home,” I told him. “Neither of us has family.”
    â€œSo we’re each other’s,” Gemma said. “Now don’t change the subject. I want to know more about this kiss of fealty.” She gave a little shiver. “Was it sexy?”
    I just kept glaring at her. “I am not answering that.”
    â€œIs his mouth cold?”
    â€œGemma! Let’s stay on track, please? I don’t want to talk about that. Let’s talk about what we’re going to do with him.”
    â€œI’m right here,” Rand said. “I can speak for myself.”
    Gemma wiggled her eyebrows. “I told you I’d take him.”
    â€œLindsey is my blood vassal,” Rand repeated. “It is she who has given her word that she will remain at my side.” He moved toward me and put a hand on my shoulder possessively. “I want her and no other.”
    â€œOooo,” Gemma said. She made kissy noises. “This is intriguing.”
    â€œShe simply tastes better than most. It is something in her blood. Like a fine wine. Do you still have wine in this time?”
    â€œOh yeah,” Gemma purred. “So Lindsey here is like a nice merlot? Is that what you’re telling me? I wonder if it is because of something in particular? What about my blood?”
    He leaned in and sniffed Gemma, then shook his head. “Sour. Metallic.”
    â€œWow, really? I’d almost be hurt if I wasn’t so fascinated by the fact that Miss Lindsey here is the tastiest thing on the block.”
    â€œHer blood is . . . very fine.”
    I ignored the heated look he was sending my way. He was driving me crazy as it was. “I’m sure Gemma tastes just dandy,” I said out of loyalty to my friend.
    â€œNot like you,” Rand said. “Your blood perfumes the very air. I’ve never tasted anything like it.”
    Gemma’s eyes widened, and she reached over and tapped my ID bracelet. “I bet it’s this.”
    â€œShhh,” I told her. Let him just think I was tasty. If he found out I was rare, I suspected I’d never get free. “Anyhow—Rand’s my burden. I’ll take him to his vampire friend. It shouldn’t take too long, really. He says he can sense where the guy is, and then I can get back to work.” I shrugged. “You’ll just have to keep packing without me.”
    Gemma’s hands clasped together. “Really? You trust me to do that?”
    Jeez, I wasn’t that controlling, was I? “Of course I do.”
    Her eyes lit up with happiness. “This is so awesome! And you said Venice would suck.”
    â€œSuck?” Rand asked, honing in on the word.
    I held up a hand. “Don’t ask. Just don’t ask.”
    Gemma