Read Online Dead End Dating by Kimberly Raye - Free Book Online Page A

my things. I had my first meeting with Francis in less than an hour, and I didn’t want to be late. I needed to know what I was really up against. Mount Everest or the Great Plains?
    I was about to find out.
             
    There were moments in every vamp’s life—even an optimistic, outgoing, fashionista like moi —when you asked yourself, “What’s the friggin’ point?” The world seems totally clueless, humans even more so, and forever is a really long time.
    I found myself having one of these as I stood in a modest brownstone in the heart of Brooklyn and stared at Francis.
    A very naked Francis.
    Forget getting a life. My newfound protégé needed to get a pair of boxer briefs with built-in crotch support. Pronto.
    “Um, Francis. Don’t take this the wrong way, but WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?”
    He glanced behind him at the bathroom he’d just exited, and back to me. “You, uh, told me to undress.”
    “Yes, and I handed you a pair of underwear to change into.”
    “I thought that was one of those girdle thingies that women wear.”
    “Why would I give you a girdle?”
    “I don’t know.” He shrugged, and his Mr. Happy bobbed. “I’ve never had a makeover before. Maybe you’re going to use it to tone down my thighs.”
    “They have Thighmasters for that.”
    “What about tummy control? Maybe I need tummy control.”
    “The only control you need is about five inches lower. Do you mind?”
    “What?” He glanced down. “Oh.” Heat fired his cheeks, and he cupped both hands over his privates before turning and making a run back to the bathroom.
    I punched in several notes on my BlackBerry until Francis appeared, package tastefully tucked into the pair of Calvins I’d picked up on my way over.
    “Okay, so why is it I have to stand here in my skivvies?” he asked.
    “First off, they’re not called skivvies. No one calls them that anymore. Second, I need to know what we’re up against.” I circled him, noting his arms and chest. A semi-broad chest, as a matter of fact, with nice pecs. “Not bad.”
    “What?” His gaze swiveled to mine as if he couldn’t quite believe his ears any more than I could believe my eyes.
    “I said, your physique isn’t too bad. You actually have muscle definition.” Thank you, thank you, thank you.
    “I do?”
    “Of course, it’s all sort of pasty white, except when you blush, but the pastiness can be overcome by your powerful aura, which will make you intriguing and magnetic even if you do look like an extra from Night of the Living Dead. ”
    “I have an aura?”
    “Actually, no. Not yet. That’s something that we will have to work on. Along with the blushing. Look, Francis, I know all of this is blowing your mind. I mean, standing here with a really hot girl in nothing but your undies, but you’re a vamp, for heaven’s sake.”
    “What did you just say?”
    “Hell,” I blurted. “I meant for hell’s sake. Now, a vamp should act like a vamp.” I came this close to touching his arm, and his cheeks fired a vivid red. “That means plenty of eye contact without getting embarrassed.”
    “But I’m not good at eye contact.”
    “Then get good. Just take the bull by the horns and stare directly into my eyes.” I moved in closer, caught his stare, and refused to let go.
    “Don’t do that.”
    “I’m just looking at you.”
    “It makes me uncomfortable.”
    “But it shouldn’t.” I stopped when we were nose to nose. “You should like this.”
    “It’s making me dizzy.”
    “Tough it out. Use your mind. Most of being a hottie is mental.”
    “I don’t know—”
    “Lose the uncertainty.”
    “I’m really not sure—”
    “And the doubt.”
    “Maybe I’m not really cut out for this.” Francis voiced the one thought that had been niggling away in my own head since I’d handed him my card in the subway. “Maybe I’m a lost cause.”
    If I hadn’t known better—namely that vampires didn’t cry—I would have sworn I saw