Rylie Cruz 2 - How to Date a Vampire (3 page)
Read Rylie Cruz 2 - How to Date a Vampire Online
Authors: Rose Pressey
Tags: #paranormal romance vampire romance vampires werewolves rylie cruz rose pressey paranormal romance paranormal mystery
“You can sleep here.” I pointed to the bed.
My heart thumped. “I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
He shook his head. “No way. I’m fine,
Rylie.”
“But I want to look after you. It’s the
least I can do after the mess I got you into.”
He brushed a strand of hair off my cheek and
tucked it behind my ear. “Did I ever tell you how beautiful you
are?”
My cheeks grew hot. They weren’t the only
things hot in the room, either.
“Your hair is the most beautiful shade of
brown. When the sun shines across it I can see the different
shades.” He looked down when he said the word sun.
Would Jack ever see sunlight again?
He placed his hands around my waist and
pulled me close. My chest pressed against his hard pecs. A tiny
moan eased into my throat. Suppressing the urge to howl was never
easy with Jack around. He gazed into my eyes, then lowered his lips
to mine. My pulse quickened, pulsating rapidly with every touch of
his tongue. As his mouth moved from my lips to my neck, I inhaled
his electrifying scent.
He leaned back. As I looked into his eyes, I
remembered. Vampire. Neck.
“Your skin is like silk.” His eyes glazed
over. Jack swallowed hard as he stared at my neck. “I’m so
hungry.”
Chapter Three
How to Date a Vampire, Rule #3:
Refrain from mentioning the whole ‘stake
through the heart’ thing.
His eyes held a yearning that I’d never seen
before.
I stumbled backward, holding my hand across
my neck, concealing my veins. “I can get you something. A sandwich,
maybe?” Anything other than my neck.
As I sidestepped Jack and made my way toward
the door, he followed. Jennifer had already gone to bed. Better she
not see Jack like this anyway. What was I going to do with him?
Damn. Just when things had taken a turn for the better, this
happened. Poor Jack. He didn’t deserve this. He should have stayed
away from me when he had the chance.
“I’m not sure what you’re in the mood for.”
Ugh. Did I just ask him that? Of course I knew what he had a
hankering for—it was red and had a coppery smell. I opened the
pantry door, trying to ignore the comment I’d just made.
“You’re welcome to look in the fridge,” I
said over my shoulder.
The next thing I knew, Jack had pulled out a
steak that I’d put in the fridge to defrost and begun drinking the
blood. Ew, ew, ew. Okay, I know I’m a werewolf, and I like my steak
just as much as the next werewolf, but I didn’t like drinking the
blood. It just wasn’t my thing.
“Um. Okay. Steak is good. Do you want me to
cook that for you?”
His eyes lost the sheen and he threw the
steak down. “I… I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” He
wiped his mouth.
“You need to lie down.” I grabbed his arm
and led him toward the bedroom. He didn’t resist. “You’ll feel
better in the morning and we’ll figure this thing out.”
Lying next to Jack, listening to his steady
breathing and looking at his hard muscular body, was tough. It
didn’t make falling asleep easy, not to mention the million
thoughts racing through my mind. But I managed to drift off at some
point in the night. One, two, three a.m.—I wasn’t even sure. The
steady tick from the clock on my nightstand had lulled me into
la-la-land, but the sleep wasn’t restful. The early signs of
morning had begun. The sun peeked through a few selective rays
through the gray clouds.
“Jack.” I shook his arm gently.
He didn’t budge. His hard arm felt
wonderful, making my fingers tingle.
“Are you okay, Jack?
He still didn’t answer. There was just the
steady up-and-down motion of his chest. He looked so relaxed and
peaceful.
Jack hadn’t slept much during the night,
tossing and turning. A few times when I woke, I found him staring
out the window. Kind of creepy. I’d tried to stay awake so he
wouldn’t leave—slip out and hit the meat section of the local
supermarket, or worse. He didn’t need to be out there in the big
bad paranormal world without knowing anything about his condition
or how it all worked. But he didn’t need a babysitter, either.
Well… technically he did need one in his current state, but I
digress.
I had to figure out how to get him out of
this mess. After all, I’d gotten him into it. I knew I shouldn’t
have allowed him to come with me to my parents’ home. In order to
not be the clingy girlfriend type, I decided I’d go to work—try to
make the day as normal as possible.
I wasn’t sure how long Jack would sleep.
Until sunset? This was going to be bad for his business. Maybe as
soon as his new secretary came in, I’d tell her to cancel his
appointments for the day. Was that out of line? I would probably be
way overstepping my boundaries by doing something like that.
Regardless, I needed to figure out how to fix this mess before he
lost all his clients.
A pounding on our apartment door startled me
out of my musings. I jumped up and stared at the red letters on the
clock, trying to focus my eyes and read the time. Five a.m. Nothing
good could come from someone pounding on your door at that hour. I
heard Jennifer stumble from her room and to the door. Before I got
to the hallway to warn her not to open it, she’d opened the
door.
As I opened my bedroom door and made it
halfway down the hall, Jennifer called out with a slight alarm in
her voice, “Someone is here to see Jack.”
When I reached the living room, I stopped in
my tracks. Panic mode set in and I felt the familiar animalistic
sensation begin its steady climb through my body.
“We’re here for the human.” The men pushed
past Jennifer and stepped into the room, standing with military
precision side by side. They were the same men from my parents’
home. One of them was responsible for Jack’s current condition. My
anger level grew, and soon it would boil over.
There for the human? They made it sound as
if they were picking up a special delivery. No way would I let them
sink their fangs into my new boyfriend again. I had to get Jack out
of there. I didn’t know these men prior to seeing them at my
parents’, although I thought I might have recognized one. Their
appearance didn’t necessarily give away that they were paranormal,
but their gleaming fangs let me know their vampire status. Both
were dressed in black to fit the vampire persona, I guess. One
vampire had brown hair with a buzz cut and the other
shoulder-length blond hair.
“We don’t have all day.” The brown-haired
vampire looked at his watch pointedly. “We want Jack Chandler.”
We were trapped like helpless flies in a
spider web. With Jack in the bedroom at the back of the apartment,
and the men standing guard at the front door, there would be no
escaping. I doubted Jennifer would be able to ward off a couple of
large vampires. What could she do, attack them with her fuzzy bunny
slippers?
Running away from them wasn’t an option.
Shifting was an option, but would I be able to fight two vampires?
My only way out of this mess was to act dumb. My brother would say
it wasn’t an act, then I’d kick him in the shins, but I digress.
I’d hate to have to fight a couple vampires in front of Jennifer.
Not to mention getting my nails messed up when I clawed their eyes
out.
“Jack who?” Jennifer asked, trying to sound
innocent.
Oh, great move. I wanted to stuff a pillow
in her mouth.
“I think you know the Jack we’re looking
for. Don’t make us use violence on such a pretty girl.” He reached
out and stroked Jennifer’s cheek. She jerked away.
Vampires sure were the touchy-feely
type.
“Jack isn’t here. He lives across the hall,
but he's not home,” I said without missing a beat.
“Where is he?” the tall blond asked with a
scowl.
“How should I know? I’m not his babysitter.”
I folded my arms in front of my chest.
“Well, you won’t mind if we look around,
then?” he asked.
“As a matter of fact, I do mind. How dare
you come in here in this early in the morning and act like a couple
of thugs? Now get out before I have to get violent.”
Jennifer nodded in agreement. “Yeah, get out
of here.”
They laughed. “Isn’t she cute?” the
brown-haired one asked the other.
I didn’t like being patronized. I felt the
familiar itch on my hands. Hair was sprouting. I didn’t want to
shift before I’d had my morning coffee. Being a werewolf was such a
pain, but it looked as if these idiots would give me no choice. I
guess they were mad because I’d ignored their invitation to bring
Jack into their deathtrap.
“I said get out.” My voice raised a couple
of levels. “Leave before I have to rip your eyes out with my dull
Lady Bic razor.” I didn’t back down, although they might have heard
my teeth chattering from where they stood.
“Don’t make threats you can’t back up,
little werewolf.”
“You’ll think little when I kick your ass,
you bloodsucking freak. Who sent you here? And why are you looking
for Jack?”
My stall tactic. Could they sense my fear?
They moved forward and I felt my eyes turning the amber hue, the
hair growing, all of the usual stages. How would I fight two
vampires? Sure, I had werewolf strength, but there were two of them
and one of me.
Before I had time to contemplate the thought
any further, the vampires moved forward and my pulse thumped
wildly. Just as I was about to yell for Jennifer to run, a werewolf
lunged through the open door to my apartment.
Chapter Four
How to Date a Vampire, Rule #4:
Skip the garlic bread with your spaghetti
dinner.
Something was familiar about this werewolf;
the ginger-colored fur reminded me of Lily Friedman. She was a
former client who had become unhappy with my matchmaking skills
when her date hadn’t been interested in happily-ever-after with
her. The werewolf I’d fixed her up with had been interested in me
instead. So much so that he’d tried to kill me. Yeah, nothing says
I love you like a silver bullet through the heart.
For that reason, I knew there was no way
Lily would lunge at a vampire, unless she had returned to fight me
and gotten the vampire instead. Why else would she be in my
apartment now? Then I saw the signature necklace around her neck.
She had a strange habit of wearing a gold chain around her neck
with her current love interest’s name emblazoned across it. The
gold letters with the name “Phil” glistened under the light. Yep,
that was Lily, all right. She had recently become involved with my
creepy next-door neighbor, Phil. He lived in the building next to
mine.
This current turn of events left me with no
choice but to complete my shift. I really didn’t want this crap.
This was the exact reason I tried to hide away in my bedroom during
a full moon and ignore all of the paranormal shenanigans. I had
never liked being a part of the horrendous paranormal world. That
was why I’d always stayed barricaded in my house during a full
moon. I’d only come out for a natural disaster. But no, they
wouldn’t leave me alone, they forced me into their sick little
games.
Whose idea was it to start a dating service
for the paranormal anyway? Oh yeah, I was the guilty party. Not one
of my better plans. I should have locked myself in my room and
never poked my head out.
My fingers tingled and I could no longer
control what happened to my body. I bent over as my arms and legs
took on the werewolf appearance. My skin itched even more as I
glanced down at my arm and watched as dark hair spread over my
once-smooth skin. Once the transformation was complete, I hopped up
in one swift motion, the pads of my feet landing securely on the
ground. I hated to change form in front of Jennifer, but this was
life or death. With my feet firmly on the floor, I assumed my fight
stance.
I winced as I ran my tongue across my teeth
and felt the sharp fangs filling my mouth. If only I could have put
off my transformation. My bones cracked loudly. Claws erupted from
the tips of my fingers. The fur covering my body grew hot and all
the more tingly. I was more than a little crabby. Who wouldn’t be
cranky while wearing fur in this kind of situation?
“I’ll call Stephen,” Jennifer yelled.
Oh, great, Detective Smooch-a-lot would be
on the scene soon. I didn’t want Jennifer’s new love interest
involved. She’d met Detective Stephen Peters when he was
investigating the death threats against me. He’d been dragged into
the paranormal world when everyone had thought I was crazy and not
really a werewolf. He wouldn’t help. No, we needed the pack
police.
Lucky for me, werewolves’ vocal cords
weren’t altered with the change since we kept some human features,
enabling us to retain our speech, so I said, “Call the pack police.
Stephen won’t be any help.”
I hoped she wouldn’t take offense to that,
but I needed someone with experience in dealing with supernatural
creatures.
I pounced on the brown-haired vampire while
Lily clawed at the blond. Only Lily would be crazy enough to take
on two vampires with no guarantee that I’d step in and help. Lily
tumbled to the ground with the vampire and he came to rest on top
of her while I struggled to keep the other vampire from sinking his
fangs into me.
I needed to convince these vampires that
werewolf blood had a nasty aftertaste.
When I rolled to my side, the vampire got
the advantage and tumbled on top of me. He grabbed my arms. Was
this some kind of joke? Was I on a hidden camera show? This was
insane. I would not be his prey. Frantic, I struggled trying to
think of what to do. Bring my knee up into his groin? If only I
could get to his neck.
“You’re sexy when you fight,” he said with a
devilish smirk. “I don’t want to hurt you. Just give us the human
and I’ll let you go.”
Yeah, right. As if I’d believe anything he
said.
“What the hell is going on? Get off her,”
Jack yelled. I’d never seen his eyes have such ferocity. The blue
of his irises almost turned to an icy glow. He stood as if ready to
pounce.
Jack must have startled the vampires,
because they both stopped their attacks and turned to look at him.
Without notice, they stood, then disappeared out the door in a
flash. I’d never seen anyone move that fast. Not even Lily when
there was a sale on flea shampoo.
Lily and I both shifted back to human form.
How did she change forms without ruining her clothing? I always at
least busted a few seams.
“What just happened?” Jennifer asked,
staring at the door, then back at me.
I shrugged and blew out a deep breath. “I
have no idea, but thank goodness they’re gone.”
“I thought we were goners,” Jennifer
said.
Jack stood at the end of the hallway in the
same position as when he’d first emerged from the bedroom. His eyes
were wide and his mouth hung open, stunned by the events. Honestly,
he shouldn’t be surprised.
“Rylie, are you all right? Why was that man
attacking you? Jesus. They were the same people looking for your
uncle, weren’t they?”
“Yes, they’re the same people.” I blew out
another long breath. I wished I could have made up an elaborate lie
to make the situation seem better than it actually was, but that
was impossible and I knew it.
“We have to put a stop to this craziness
before you or someone else gets hurt. And why did they storm out?”
he asked.
That was a question I couldn’t answer. My
mind was still trying to process what had happened. Why would they
leave when they saw Jack? They were looking for him. Why not take
him? A look of terror had flashed in their eyes when they saw
him.
Now that the vampires had disappeared, Lily
turned to me and said, “Don’t think because I helped you that we’re
friends now. I still don’t like you.”
I snorted. “Don’t worry. I didn’t get the
impression that I’m your favorite person now.”
She glared as if daring me to criticize her.
Lily would take any excuse to fight me she could find.
“But why are you here?” I asked.
She walked over to my living room window,
peering out. Over her shoulder she said, “I can’t let you embarrass
werewolves everywhere. Werewolves are supposed to be able to fight.
If you won’t do it, then I’ll have to do it for you. We have a
reputation to uphold.”
Jennifer quirked a brow.
“I’d hate to embarrass you, Lily. Heaven
knows you haven’t embarrassed yourself with your public make-out
sessions on my neighbor’s balcony for the whole world to see.”
Without an answer, Lily turned and stormed
out of the room.
“She is insane,” Jennifer said.
“I’ve stopped trying to understand her
logic. There’s no explaining the madness of Lily Friedman.”
Jack plopped down on the sofa. “I have no
idea what is going on. I thought I heard the men ask for the human.
Who were they talking about?”
Honesty was supposed to be the best policy.
So why did I feel as if I’d regret what I was about to say? “They
wanted you. They were looking for you.”
“Why? Why me? Who are these people? I should
go to the police.” He leaned forward to stand.
I gestured for him to remain seated. “No,
no. The pack police are on their way. They’ll take care of it. I
think the vampires are just trying to scare me now by talking to
you. I’ll find my Uncle Ernie and all of this will be taken care
of. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
I was an evil woman for lying to Jack, but I
didn’t want to worry him with the truth. Not until I knew what the
truth
was.
Jack ran his hand through his hair. “It was
so strange. I was in the bedroom…the weirdest feeling came over me.
It was as if I sensed the vampires were here.” Was it because
they’d bitten him? “I don’t know what to do. I slept, but it
doesn’t feel as if I did. I’m still so tired.”
“You need to get some rest.” I wasn’t sure
what Jack’s body was going through. Was this some form of slow
turning process? “You obviously aren’t feeling well.”
He glanced over at the clock on the mantel.
“I have work today. I have appointments all day. It’s almost
daylight. I'm going to shower, dress, get some breakfast, then get
to work. Do you want to go to breakfast? We can get a beignet.”
“Are you sure you’re up to it?” I moved
closer and placed my hand on his shoulder.
“I’ll be fine.” He managed a weak smile, but
at least he seemed more normal than when I’d brought him home. “I
just need to get back to work. Make things normal again.”
My heart sank with his words. Life would
never be normal for him again, just as it had never been normal for
me. Guess that was why they called us paranormal.
“Are you sure you’re okay to work?” I asked.
“You look, um, pale.”
“I’m fine. I’ve worked through much worse.
It’s just a little bug, I’m sure it’ll be gone by tomorrow.”
Had I really expected to climb into a giant
white carriage and ride off into the sunset with Jack? I was the
last person who should be offering dating advice—much less running
a matchmaking service. One step closer to the curse, I reminded
myself.
Maybe he truly was feeling better, though.
He’d mentioned eating a beignet instead of sucking on blood. That
was a good sign, right? I bet the little bite was just a temporary
thing. Whew. Yes, he’d be fine.
“If you’re sure. I can be ready soon.” Poor
Jack. I could barely look him in the eyes. Being bitten by a
vampire had probably freaked him out; it had freaked me out.
Speaking of which, his eyes had returned to their normal azure
hue.
“Great.” He hopped up from the sofa.
Jennifer sat quietly taking in the mess of
our relationship. I saw her shake her head a few times. She’d let
me have it as soon as Jack was out the door. Should I allow Jack go
alone to his apartment? What was I saying? Again, I couldn’t be his
babysitter. Maybe the vampires would leave him alone now.
Obviously, they’d changed their minds about taking him away. Never
mind why. I was just grateful. Thank goodness, that bite hadn’t
done any more damage.
“I’ll see you in a few.” He kissed me
lightly on the mouth and smiled. The cold of his lips made a tingle
run through my body. I wanted and
needed
more than one
kiss.
“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk,” Jennifer said when Jack
walked out the door.
“What does that mean?” I asked, avoiding her
stare.
“You can’t let him roam around like this. He
can’t go out into the sunlight. He’ll spontaneously com—”
“Stop right there.” I warned with a point of
my finger. “Don’t say those two words. You know that has always
freaked me out.”
“Okay. How about if I say smontaneously
combust?”
I stuck my fingers in my ears. “La, la, la.
I’m not listening.”
“Okay, okay. I won’t say it, but do you
think it’s safe to go out there after what happened this morning?
Not to mention you don’t know what’s going on with Jack.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let him turn into a
charbroiled slab of beef.”
She shrugged. “If you say so. Did you see
the look in his eyes? And why did the vampires take off? It’s like
as soon as they saw Jack they freaked out.”
“Well, I wish I had answers to your
questions. I heard about this thing…” I shook my head. “Never
mind.”
“What thing?” Jennifer frowned.
