Read Online Real Vampires Have Curves by Gerry Bartlett - Free Book Online Page B

chair and picked up a vintage flapper dress.
    â€œI had one of these. Cute.” She looked at me, then down at her own willowy body. “I don’t think we’re the same size.”
    I wish. “Exactly how antique are you?”
    â€œOld enough to remember when women wore these.” She pulled out a boned corset and wrapped it around her. “I’m sure a man invented this. I’d like to see one pull into a twenty-inch waist.”
    I was really liking Lacy. “You can work a register?”
    â€œOf course.” She tossed the corset back into the pile. “So do I have the job?”
    â€œI’ll give you a shot. I’m planning to be open twenty-four hours a day, Tuesday through Saturday. We’ll have Sundays and Mondays off. Sound okay?”
    â€œAs long as you pay me enough, no problem. We can work out the details later.” She yawned, a huge jaw cracker that showed some pretty impressive canines. “Sorry. I’m beat. Check with me when you wake up.”
    â€œWill do.” I watched her stroll back into her own apartment and shut the door. Click. Click. Double dead bolts. Just like on my door. Nice.
    The whole place was nice in a timeworn, shabby-chic kind of way. Having once been a warehouse it had high ceilings and wide hallways with great hardwood floors that creaked if you stepped just right. Someone had converted the top three floors into apartments back in the days when turquoise appliances had been the hot look. Now they were considered retro.
    I’d already filled a cabinet with junk food for Valdez. Now I lugged a case of Bloody Merry into the kitchen and lined up a dozen of them in the empty fridge. Some vamps drink it hot, but, after living in Vegas and the desert heat, I’ve decided I prefer it cold—not that it’s such a tasty treat to begin with.
    â€œWell, that does it for the kitchen.”
    â€œGlad to hear it. May I?” Damian lounged in the doorway. He nodded toward the Bloody Merry and I handed him one. We both popped tops then he held out his.
    â€œA toast. To new beginnings.” He had a wicked smile but I couldn’t read his mind. Didn’t matter. Whatever he was interested in beginning, was definitely interesting to me.
    â€œTo new beginnings.” We both drank and I sighed. I was getting really sick of canned jugular juice.
    â€œWhat do you think of your new place?” Damian followed me into the living room. The chairs were full of clothes so he sat next to me on the love seat.
    â€œLove it.” His thigh was right up against mine. Not that there was any danger of him being overcome with lust. I looked a fright, my hair a tangle and my faded “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” T-shirt clung in all the wrong places.
    â€œYou look great.” He met my gaze and I felt his power. But I’d lived most of my life with a powerful vamp. I shrugged and looked away.
    â€œSave the sweet talk, Damian. I’m not ready to rebound just yet.”
    â€œBlade.” Damian put his can down on the marble-topped coffee table and took my hand. “I’m not going to tell you that he’s not good enough for you. He’s my friend. I know what kind of man he is. But maybe he’s not the right man for you.”
    â€œAnd maybe you are?” I looked down at my hand resting in his. He was big, strong and masculine in a smooth sophisticated way. Very different from my Highlander who had broken men’s necks with his bare hands. Damian seemed more slice and dice than rip and roar. Though Blade sliced and diced too, actually.
    â€œGive me a chance. That’s all I’m asking.”
    â€œWhy? No other female vamps in Austin?” I couldn’t believe this. I’m okay, but I’m no beauty queen. And I had two handsome men who wanted me? Pinch me.
    â€œThere are others. Right here in this building as a matter of fact.” Damian dropped my hand and picked