Read Online The Vampire's Fake Fiancée (Nocturne Falls Book 5) by Kristen Painter - Free Book Online Page A

have one.”
    “Not much of a drinker?”
    She bobbed her head back and forth. “I prefer to remain in control of my faculties.”
    Which confirmed his earlier thought about her. “I can understand that, but one won’t hurt, will it?”
    She made a face that was a cross between a smile and a grimace. “I haven’t had dinner yet.”
    “And yet, you just had cake.” He smirked. “Isn’t having dessert before your meal breaking some sort of rule?”
    “Yes, but, well, I was hungry and there wasn’t much else to choose from but sweets.”
    He put a hand to his chest. “Barely engaged an hour and already I’ve failed you. How about some dinner, then? To go with our drinks.”
    “Okay. That would be great. You have a place in mind?”
    “I do.”
    And ten minutes later, they were walking into the Poisoned Apple, the local pub. Or the nearest thing to one. It wasn’t a place he frequented often, but neither was any other place in town. He’d heard Delaney mention it and her taste was decent enough.
    He slipped the hostess some cash to get them a good table quickly. Unlike his brothers, he wasn’t as well known and couldn’t trade on his name as easily to curry favor, but he was fine with that. Privacy was more important to him.
    They were seated at a booth in the back corner. It was quiet, unlike the bar, and secluded enough to feel like a safe space to carry on a personal conversation. He looked at Tessa as the server greeted them. “What would you like to drink? A nice red?”
    Her mouth curved up on one side. “Beer.” She glanced up at the server. “Whatever lager you have on tap will do.”
    The waitress nodded. “And for you, sir?”
    “The best whiskey you have. Neat.”
    “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
    As the girl left, he leaned toward Tessa. “I hadn’t expected you to drink beer.”
    “What did you think I’d order?”
    “White wine? Or maybe a wine spritzer. But definitely not beer.”
    She laughed. “It’s a valkyrie thing. We have fairly simple, rustic tastes.”
    “Simple and rustic now seem the least two likely adjectives I’d use to describe you.”
    She smiled and went a little shy at the compliment, which was oddly endearing. Then he realized she probably didn’t get many compliments. The thought that she was being underappreciated by those around her bothered him.
    She smoothed the edge of her placemat. “We should work on our stories.”
    “Our stories?”
    She nodded. “How we met, how you proposed, those stories. They seem like things your ex will ask about.”
    “Ah, yes, very good. I’m sure she will. We ought to figure out what we want to eat first. I’m having the steak, I know that much.”
    “The sirloin?”
    He scoffed. “Not hardly. The aged porterhouse. It’s the only choice if you like steak, which most vampires do. It’s one of their specialties.” At least that’s what he’d heard from Hugh.
    Her gaze slid down the menu until she found it. No doubt she was looking at the price. It was the most expensive choice. “That’s a lot of meat.”
    “You can take the leftovers home to your sister. Proof that I fed you, in case she asks.”
    Tessa smiled. “Okay. Oh, that reminds me. I should text her that I’m eating out.” She closed her menu, pulled out her phone and sent the message. After she tucked her phone away, she gazed at him, her line of sight going right through him. “Where on earth would we have met? You said you don’t like to leave the house.”
    “Easy. We’ll say we met at one of my grandmother’s social functions. She hosts them all the time. Balls for all sorts of things. Charity events. Whatever the town needs. I think it’s one of her best ways of gleaning gossip. We’ll say you were there as a guest of your sister.”
    Tessa nodded. “That works, but we should be specific. Which event?”
    “How about the Black and Orange Ball? While it’s not actually a charity event, it is one of the most popular things