Real Vampires Have Curves Read Online Free PDF Page B

about her son’s looks. He was pale, with bright blue eyes that could mesmerize you if you let yourself look into them too long. He was handsome, sexy and I’d have invited him into my bed in a heartbeat if I thought he’d be interested. He reached out to stroke my cheek.
    â€œNice to know, sweetheart.”
    â€œDamn it, quit reading my mind.” I would have flushed if I wasn’t about a quart low. I pulled a can of Bloody Merry out of my bag and popped it open. The older I get, the less often I have to feed. But smelling Derek . . . I took a swig, then sighed. “It’s not the same, you know.”
    â€œDon’t I just.” Freddy grabbed my can and took a deep swallow, then handed it back. “You run out, just ask. Mother’s got about fifty cases stockpiled. ‘In case of emergency.’ She still doesn’t trust the Internet.”
    â€œWho does?” I sat on the bed and watched Freddy pace. It didn’t take a mind reader to know he was still upset with Derek.
    â€œMaybe you should hunt with him. Then you can control the situation.” I sipped again. I could feel my strength returning.
    â€œHe’d love that, but been there, done that. You know?”
    â€œYeah, I know.” It was so much easier to pretend you were normal when you didn’t hunt. Sorry, but the thrill of being vampire can wear off, at least it did for me. Like, oh, two hundred years ago. About the time Blade and I split the first go round, actually.
    Freddy was nodding. Of course he’d been reading my mind. I called him a name in there and he grinned.
    â€œSorry. Bad habit. Forget hunting. Now about this shop of yours.” He quit smiling. “Maybe I shouldn’t help you with it. Mother’s right. Go back to Blade. He still wants you and can well afford to support you.”
    â€œNot up for discussion, Frederick. Go to bed, make up with Derek and leave me to my canned”—I wrinkled my nose—“elixir.”
    â€œStubborn wench.” He kissed my cheek then walked to the door. “It is good to see you again. Rest well. I’ll see you in the evening. Your bathroom’s next door.”
    â€œRest well yourself, Freddy, and thank you for having me here. You’re a good friend.”
    I sat on the bed and took another drink. They made a Bloody Merry lite but I’d learned the hard way that no matter what I did to lose weight, I woke up the same old same old. The down side to our healing sleep.
    â€œFriend? That guy’s nuts. Turnin’ down a fine lookin’ woman like you.” Valdez bumped my hand with his nose and I buried my fingers in his fur.
    â€œHe called you a damned dog.”
    â€œWhich I am. Scratch my ears. Yeah, just like that.”
    I sat there with Valdez close to me. He was warm, alive. As morning approached I felt more and more dead despite the rejuvenating effects of the Bloody Merry. I finished the drink and rummaged in my bag for a cotton nightgown. I was into comfort these days and looked about as sexy as a tree stump once I was ready for bed.
    I found the bathroom and washed my face, studying my arms in the harsh light. CiCi was right, I looked stupid. I’d shower when I got up and use one of the loofas next to the tub/shower combo to start ridding myself of my loathsome tan. I felt pale, I should look pale.
    What had happened to my high spirits? My optimism? I staggered into the bedroom and turned off the light. The room was black, just the way I liked it. I don’t usually dream when I sleep, but I have to admit that knowing Freddy and his lover were down the hall in each other’s arms got me all nostalgic.
    Okay, okay, jealous. I needed a new lover, someone who would worship me and do whatever I wanted. Not someone like Blade, who knew just how to make me—God, yes— come apart in bed, but treated me like a lowly woman the rest of the time we were together. The next affair I had,