Read Online Eat Prey Love by Kerrelyn Sparks - Free Book Online Page B

“But only when they’re in human form. Once they transform, I’m never quite sure how much control they have over the beast.”
    Caitlyn shivered. She knew her sister was trying to scare her away from Carlos. But the lure of the exotic always pulled at her. God help her, she knew the truth about Carlos, and it only made him more exciting.
    Â 
    â€œToni, pick up. I know you’re there.” This was Carlos’s third attempt to call Toni MacPhie.
    She’d returned to Dragon Nest Academy after the party had ended last night. A group of Vamps had teleported the mortals and shape shifters who lived at the school back to the dormitories. His adopted children had gone back.
    Carlos had remained at Romatech, spending the night in one of the bedrooms in the basement. He hadn’t slept well because of her. One minute he was chastising himself for kissing her, and the next he was replaying the kiss in his mind and wanting more. When he finally fell asleep, he dreamed about her. And him. Rolling aroundnaked in the jungle. Then he woke with an erection and started the whole process all over again, beginning with the chastising.
    During the day, he was on guard duty at Romatech, protecting the Vamps who were death-sleeping in the basement. Howard, the other day guard, was usually at the Draganesti home in White Plains, so he could guard Roman and his Vamp bodyguard, Connor. This left Carlos alone all day, bored and yawning with sleepiness because of her .
    He couldn’t allow himself to get involved with her. He had to get away. He’d spent the last few hours planning his trip so he could leave tomorrow. But before he left, he needed to make arrangements for his adopted children. And he needed to patch things up with his friend Toni.
    â€œ Menina ,” Carlos continued to talk to Toni’s answering machine. “How long are you going to stay mad? Do you need to slap me again?”
    There was a click as someone picked up the phone.
    â€œI ought to clobber you,” Toni said. “You deserve it.”
    â€œOh come on, you always knew I was naughty.” He lowered his voice. “Would you prefer to spank me?”
    She snorted. “Bad kitty. I still haven’t forgiven you.”
    â€œWhat if I told you that out of all the girls I’ve ever helped dress, you were the prettiest?”
    â€œGee, thanks,” she muttered. “And what about the ones you helped undress?”
    â€œI made them purr.”
    She scoffed. “Do you realize how pissed Sabrina’s going to be when I tell her?”
    â€œSabrina’s always pissed.”
    Toni laughed. “Yeah, but at least now she’ll be pissed at you and not me.”
    He shrugged. Toni’s former roommate was still struggling with the fact that her best friend had married a vampire and become the headmistress of a school for shape shifter and hybrid children. “How is her orphanage coming along?”
    â€œShe’s doing great,” Toni replied, “but she’s still mad that I’m working here and not with her. So why did you mislead us, Carlos?”
    â€œI was worried about the two of you living alone, especially with Sabrina being a rich heiress. I was afraid someone would try to take advantage, so I wanted to keep an eye on you. At the same time, I didn’t want you to interpret my concern as something romantic. I have to keep myself unattached until I can find a were-panther mate.”
    There was a moment of silence while Toni considered his words. “You did a good job of convincing us you were gay.”
    â€œI’m good at pretending.” For five years he’d been pretending everything was fine and life was one big carnival. The daily deluge of pain threatened to break loose. Merda. Couldn’t he go one day without having to relive the Summer of Death? “My…twin brother was gay.”
    Toni gasped. “You have a twin? You never told me