Page 8 of The Vampire’s Prey

Startled, I look up at Green. “Sorry, I must have spaced out.”

She crosses her arms and smirks. “Let me guess, daydreaming about a certain blonde hottie?”

“Was he really hot though? He seems too stuck up to be attractive.”

“Oh don’t you even lie. I saw how you were with him. I bet you can’t wait to have him in your pants.”

Heat engulfs my face. “You’ve got it all wrong. I’m not that kind of girl.”

“Oh please.” She tosses her rag down and puts her hands on her hips. “Not what kind of girl. The type that has no problem going after what she wants?”

Her constant insistence begins to really irritate me. Before I can stop myself, my hands plant themselves on my hips. So much for keeping my head down. “Why don’t you fuck him if he’s that great?” Sighing, I rub my forehead. Green has been nothing but nice to me. It won’t do me any good to make enemies. “Sorry. That’s not what I meant.”

Her eyes lose a hint of hostility as she smirks. “No, that’s exactly what you meant.” Chuckling, she finishes gathering up her things, the tension bleeding out of the air. “Girl, don’t sweat it. I’m made of sterner stuff. If all it takes is a few angry words to make me lose my cool, I wouldn’t be able to work in a bar.”

“Besides,” a gruff voice cuts in behind me. “She already has someone she thinks is great and wants to fuck.”

Cringing, I move aside for the newcomer. It’s clear that they’re a couple, simply by the way they look at each other. The love in their eyes sizzle and snap as they join each other in a tight embrace. I turn away. It’s obvious I’m intruding on a personal moment between them.

“Sorry. I didn’t realize my voice was that loud.”

A look passes between them. What am I missing out on now? Green looks almost sheepish as she tucks her body into the man holding on to her.

“It wasn't that loud. It’s the weird acoustics in the bar.”

The man chuckles, barely missing Green’s elbow as she tries to silence him. I’m definitely missing something. Frowning, I study them for a moment. I hate being left in the dark. Unfortunately, I’m too tired and aggravated to study it even further.

“Are you almost done love? I’m starving and want some dinner.”

He nuzzles her neck. The display of love and affection is so sickening it almost turns my stomach. As I turn to let them have some privacy, one of the flashing strobes turns in one of its rotations and slashes across Green and her man. The light catches his mouth as he smiles against her neck.

Oh. God. He’s one too. The blood drains from my face as I stand there transfixed. This is a big problem. Does Green even know? Judging by the hitch in her breath as his lips work over her neck, not only does she know, she likes it.

Revulsion flows through me. I want to look away, but I’m unable to move. Now I understand the meaning of a train wreck. How can she let him even touch her? I mean, I wanted Adrian to touch me too, but I resisted. I’m not going to fuck a dead guy, no matter how hot he is.

Green’s man brings the count up to three. Or, does Green make four? I saw her drinking virgin daiquiris that didn't even have a hint of red in them, so she can’t possibly be one. Vampires can’t eat or drink. Everyone knows that.

What am I going to do? I stand there, controlling my breathing. This is what I’m here for. I’ve been training years for this. A calm smile eases over my face as I turn away from the two. “Enjoy your evening, I’m heading back out.”

“By yourself?”

I turn at the sudden sound of movement in time to see Green pushing herself off of her man and start towards me.

“Do you want a bouncer to walk you home?” She turns to her hunk, “Maybe you can—”

“He’s hungry. I wouldn’t want to stand between a man and his meal. I have five brothers at home. I know what a hungry male is like. Trust me, you don’t want to be around one.”

He chuckles. “You’re right. We can get downright ravenous.” He smirks at Green.

My stomach turns. If I don’t leave now, I’m going to expose myself. Nervousness bubbles up for a moment, but I finger the charm hanging from my wrist and calm down. “I’ve got mace. I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Trust me, I was raised to always be prepared. Be worried about the person who stumbles across me.”

I wave and head out the door. Three vampires, and this is only my first night. What the hell is happening in Tucson? As I walk to my car, I slip my hand into my bag and grab my keys. As quick as I open the door, I slip into the front seat and reach over to pull the phone out of my glove compartment before starting the car.

Okay… “Siri, call Father.”