The Undead Next Door Read Online Free PDF Page A

face. “Do you have a cellar I can crawl into for about fifty years?”
    Actually he did, and he was tempted to invite her there. She would certainly brighten up his long exile. But he had no right to imprison a mortal just to entertain himself.
    He sat on the floor beside her. “There’s no need to be embarrassed.”
    “I’m mortified. Just kill me now.”
    He chuckled. “I was saying the same thing earlier this evening. We are too melodramatic, non?”
    “I said some awful things about you.” She lowered her hands. “I’m really sorry.”
    “Don’t apologize for being honest. I like it. In this business, very few people are honest.”
    She sat up and winced when she noticed her skirt. She hurriedly adjusted it. “I don’t understand how you can be so hand—young. You’ve designed clothes for people like Marilyn Monroe.”
    Had she almost called him handsome? His smile faded when he realized it was time to start lying. Zut. She’d been so honest with him. “I’m the…son of the original Jean-Luc Echarpe. You may call me Jean, so you won’t confuse me with my father.”
    “Oh. That’s great that you inherited his talent.”
    Jean-Luc shrugged. He hated deception. That was why he normally preferred the company of Vamps. Any relationship with a mortal required a number of lies, especially now that he had to go into hiding. He handed Heather the ripped sleeve. “I’m sorry it tore.”
    “That’s okay.” She stuffed it into her purse. “Like you said, the fabric is crap.” She looked around the room and grinned. “I can’t believe I’m sitting in a real design studio with a famous fashion designer.”
    He smiled as he rose to his feet. “Are you coming Monday to work?” He extended a hand to help her up.
    “Oh, you bet. This is a dream come true for me.” She placed her hand in his.
    He pulled her up so quickly, she bumped against his chest. His arms instantly surrounded her. She glanced up with her lovely eyes. Such a dark, vivid green. He could hear her heartbeat speeding up now that she was in his arms. He liked that. “Do you know how beautiful you are?”
    She shook her head.
    Apparently he could also make her lose the ability to speak. Desire sizzled through his veins. She felt so warm and sweet, but he had to stop before his eyes glowed red. She was too great a temptation, and he was always careful to avoid real relationships.
    He released her. “I’m afraid I can only hire you for two weeks.” Once the store closed, the only mortal allowed inside would be his security guard, Pierre.
    “I understand.” She stepped back, her face sad. “I realize I have no experience. And I have to go back to teaching in September.”
    “Are you assuming I’ll find fault with you?” Her responding blush indicated he’d touched a nerve. He suspected her feisty attitude was hiding a pit of self-doubt. It was a trick he recognized, having used it himself.
    But why would Heather Westfield doubt herself? Had someone tried to strangle her spirit? If so, he felt a sudden compulsion to ram his fist into that person’s face. “My concern is not that I’ll be unhappy with you. Quite the opposite. I could be too happy with you.” Too tempted to keep her here to ease the loneliness of his exile.
    She gulped audibly.
    “And I have a rule I always follow. I never involve myself with employees. No matter how attracted I am.” He allowed his gaze to wander over her luscious body.
    “Oh my gosh,” she whispered. She took another step back. “I—I’m not looking for—I’m not ready—I mean I—”
    “The idea of a relationship leaves you speechless?”
    “More like horrified!” She winced. “Oh, I didn’t mean with you. I just meant with anybody. I went through a nasty divorce a year ago and—”
    He held up a hand to hush her. “I will behave myself.” He smiled slowly. “Can you?”
    “Of course. I’m always…good.” She looked a bit forlorn about that.
    Did she have a secret wish to