Broken Heart 07 Cross Your Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

thing.”
    He laughed, and the sound vibrated all the way through me. “By the way, I’m Tez. Tez Jones.”
    “That’s the most suspect name I’ve ever heard,” I said, which garnered another laugh from the so-called Tez. I bristled. Then I straightened and inclined my head. “I’m Elizabeth Bretton.”
    “Perfect name for you. Sounds prissy,” he said. “You live in the Victorian house up the hill, right?”
    “Yes.” He’d done enough snooping around to realize my house wasn’t too far. Yet, he hadn’t known that I lived there. I simply had to trust him. Either that, or risk being exposed to the sun. I was too weak to use my vampire speed to get home.
    He scooped me into his arms, and I yelped.
    “Better hang on, Ellie Bee.”
    “Ellie Bee!” I repeated, horrified. I looped one arm around his neck, and clung to the skull with my free hand. “That’s a terrible nickname. Don’t you dare call me that again.”
    “Seriously. I’m gonna kiss you.”
    He ran all the way to my house.
    Tez refused to put me down, not until he’d tucked me into bed himself. No amount of protests would make the man leave or do as I bid. I had no choice but to accede to his wishes, which I must say was rather unusual. I was used to being fully in charge of my own life; not even Henry had argued with me.
    I was filthy, but I had no time to shower—and I’d rather walk into the dawn than allow Tez to undress me while I was passed out. So, there I was, caked in mud, hair wet, and gown ruined, and I didn’t even care. I hadn’t even the merest second to shed my nightie.
    Tez pulled the covers up to my chin and tucked me in. I refused to give up the skull, so Tez propped it ghoulishly onto the pillows next to me.
    Then it was simply too late to worry about Tez or his intentions.
    I fell into dreamless vampire sleep.
    When I awoke in the darkened room, I was met with the gaping stare of a dirt-crusted skull.
    I screamed.
    “Princess!” I heard Tez’s cry all the way from upstairs. Then he was hurrying down into my room, where he smacked into something and cursed a blue streak. “Damn it! Where’s the light switch in this mausoleum?”
    Trembling, I flipped on my bedside lamp and saw Tez rubbing his shins.
    “I thought cats had excellent night vision.” I flinched at the rudeness of my tone, but I was off-kilter. At least he wasn’t naked anymore. No, he was wearing the matching robe to my ruined nightgown. I tugged the covers back up to my shoulders. I felt grimy. My sheets were now as ruined as my clothing. I wanted a shower. And blood. And to regain some control.
    “Screaming women tend to make me panic.” He grinned. “Okay, not all screaming women.” His gaze flicked to the skull sitting on the pillows. “You having morning-after regrets?”
    “Your humor leaves much to be desired, Mr. Jones.” I leveled him with a suspicious look. “If that’s your real name.”
    “My real name is Tezozomoc Abraham Elvis Jones.”
    I blinked. “I see why you prefer Tez.”
    He laughed. He started to cross the room, but I held up my hand. “I’m sure you understand my need for caution, Mr. Jones. I don’t know you, or your purpose. And I only have your word that you—” I couldn’t get over what he was wearing. “The only suitable attire you could find was my robe?”
    “I didn’t want to leave you alone. I ditched my clothes in my car, which is still parked by the Thrifty Sip. I didn’t want to dig through your stuff,” he said. “Well, except your panty drawer. I couldn’t resist. Nice undies, Ellie Bee.”
    “Mr. Jones!” I struggled to regain my composure. The robe fit atrociously. It didn’t even close at the top; he had too much chest and too many muscles. On me, it swept my ankles; on him, it barely reached his knees. The belt, cinched around his waist, just added to the ridiculousness. I tried to stop staring at his chest. I’m afraid I wasn’t successful. Of course, the natural progression of my