Read Online The Undead Next Door by Kerrelyn Sparks - Free Book Online Page B

with them.
    Angus turned to Heather. “We’ll bring someone here to help you during the day, too.”
    Her eyes widened. “Is all this really necessary?”
    “Yes,” Jean-Luc answered at the same time Angus said, “Aye.”
    Angus opened the door. “I’d like a moment alone with my wife before I go. Good night.” He led Emma onto the front porch.
    She glanced back at Heather, smiling. “I’ll be back in just a moment.” The front door shut.
    There was an awkward pause while the others waited in the foyer, then some sounds drifted through the closed door—a squeal from Emma, followed by masculine chuckling and feminine giggling.
    Jean-Luc sighed. “Newlyweds.”
    Heather nodded. “That much cheerfulness can really get annoying.”
    “Oui.” Jean-Luc crossed his arms. “Especially when it is not possible for the rest of us.”
    Fidelia snorted. “You two are so depressing, you’re driving me to drink.” She headed for the kitchen. “Anyone else want a beer?”
    “No thanks.” Heather watched the kitchen door swing, then slanted a curious glance toward Jean-Luc. “You sound almost…envious of Angus and Emma.”
    “What man would not wish to be loved with a passion as great as theirs?”
    “Some might find that kind of passion too confining.”
    “Only if love was used to imprison them.” Jean-Luc watched her closely. “Is that what happened to you?”
    She shrugged and looked away, but he could sense that was a yes.
    He stepped toward her. “I think love should make you feel more powerful and strong, more free and capable of achieving whatever you desire.”
    Her gaze met his. “A love like that is very rare.”
    “Do you have that kind of love with your daughter?”
    Her eyes widened, then glimmered with moisture. “Yes. I do.”
    “Then it is possible for you.”
    She bit her bottom lip. “Why do you think it’s not possible for you?”
    “I never wanted to expose a woman to Lui’s deadly vengeance.” Even with Lui gone, there would still be the problem of his being undead. But Roman and Angus had worked around that problem. Maybe he could, too. “It would be difficult to find a woman who could love me as I am.”
    Heather’s mouth quirked. “Are you that hard to get along with? Let me guess. You snore like a buffalo stampede.”
    “No. I’m actually rather quiet in my sleep.”
    “You don’t stay up all night polishing your fencing trophies?”
    He grinned. “No.”
    She spread her hands in exasperation. “I give up. I can’t tell what’s wrong with you.”
    He stepped closer. “Then you are ready to admit that you like me.”
    Her cheeks blossomed a pretty pink, and the sweet scent of Type AB blood wafted toward him. She lifted her chin. “You’re awfully sure of yourself.”
    He smiled slowly. “An unfortunate by-product of my arrogance.”
    Her mouth curled with a reluctant smile. “I’m having trouble disliking you.”
    “Give it time. You’ll come around.”
    She laughed, and the happy sound filled his heart with warm joy. He hadn’t enjoyed a woman’s company this much in years. Hundreds of years. He realized with a jolt that Heather was a rare woman. Her quick mind was a delightful challenge. Not only was she beautiful and intelligent, but she possessed a courageous and caring heart. She’d come to his rescue tonight when she hardly knew him. And even though he owed her, she refused to take advantage. There was an old-fashioned nobility about her that touched his soul.
    The phone rang, and she jumped.
    “Good Lord, who would call this late? It’s just after midnight.” She dashed into the living room and grabbed the phone from the small table next to the wingback chair. “Hello?”
    With his superior senses, Jean-Luc could hear an angry masculine voice on the phone. He hovered by the room’s entrance, close enough that he could eavesdrop, but far enough away to look like he wasn’t.
    Heather’s shoulders tensed. “Do you know what time it