So he only had to live with Brian for one month? Brian didn’t have to tell him that. It was a mark in the man’s favor. “Thanks.”
Brian stood, preparing to go. “Well, it was nice—”
“Wait! Remember, Terri is bloody dangerous. If you see a crazy woman sprouting dandelions, run like hell, got it?”
Brian laughed. “That will be more of a pain than you imagine, since a number of our inhabitants have sprouted something over the years. What does she look like? Can you sketch? I bet I could convince the sheriff to put up a Wanted poster if you like.”
“Oh yes, brilliant idea. Not. Terri has killed anyone who’s tried to stop her.”
“Other than Greg.”
“Greg could protect himself.”
Brian put his hand on Parker’s shoulder. Parker jumped as something passed between the two of them, something strange. Something that brought a look of warmth and satisfaction to Brian’s face. “Don’t worry. We take care of our own around here.” He stepped back, but the connection didn’t break. “Do yourself a favor. Let Amara Schwedler know about this Terri person. I have the feeling she’ll be more than interested in helping you.” Brian winked and sauntered toward the door. “Be back soon.”
Brian shut the door, leaving behind one confused vampire and his little ghost too. “What the fuck?”
Parker rolled his eyes and headed back to the kitchen. “At least he didn’t bring me flowers and a fruit basket.”
Parker pretended to gag and stuck his fingers in his ears. “Lalalalalalala!”
“Lecherous old goat.”
“Stay away from my man-bits, perv.”
“Sure. But I think he likes them better when they’re capable of passing him the salt.”
“What did I say about my man-bits?”
Parker would have given Greg a look if he’d been able to see him. “Why?”
Parker was out the back door so fast, not even Greg could keep up.
Amara took a deep breath. A serene smile slowly crossed her face. On nights like this she always felt so alive with the beauty of the mountain above her, the moon shining its silver light across her garden, the crickets chirping their song of spring. She turned, only to find herself staring at a pair of fangs.
“Hi.”
Amara screamed and lashed out, punching the toothy trespasser right in the chest.
“Well. That’s a greeting I’m much more familiar with.” Parker grinned and eased back until he was leaning against the fence. With a bemused look he rubbed the spot she’d nailed.
“Sorry, but you scared the shit out of me.”
He chuckled. “I noticed.”
“You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that. What if I’d had a stake in my hand?”
“I’d be dust in the wind?”
Amara shook her head. Her heart was going a mile a minute.
“You smell wonderful tonight.”
Before she could think twice about it, Amara covered her throat with her hands. “I have the feeling I wouldn’t taste very good.”
His grin turned feral, his fangs peeking out. “Someday I might be the judge of that.”
She tilted her head to the side. “Who says I’d let you?”
His shoulders shook. Was he laughing at her? He seemed oddly happy. “Has the town welcomed you yet?” Brian hadn’t been in Parker’s house as long as she’d thought he would be, but she hadn’t stopped to talk to him. Maybe the two men hadn’t clicked? It could be difficult for a vampire to find the right Renfield, but Brian was among the few she’d trust with someone she cared about. Too bad Dragos already had one, or she would have recommended
He sighed, some of his cheer fading. “Yes, they have, in their unique way.”
She didn’t want him to know she’d been spying on his house earlier. “Who did they send?”
“Hmm?”
“To be your Renfield. Who did they send?”
He blinked, shocked. “Brian Cunningham.”
“Did you like him?”
“Was I supposed to?”
Not quite the answer she’d hoped for, and his wary expression hadn’t changed. Maybe he was waiting to see if he’d bond with Brian? “He’ll take good care of you.”
“So you approve of him?” She nodded, and something in him seemed to ease. “Then I’ll learn to live with him.”
She was charmed her opinion carried such weight. “Have you been to MM Night yet?” She blushed. Of
“What’s that?” He stepped forward and took her hand. She allowed it, surprised at how right it felt. The only other person who’d touched her so easily was Glinda. She hadn’t realized until now how much she missed that.
“MM Night is Monster Movie Night. The whole town gathers once a month and puts on an oldie-but-goodie. Then we ridicule it relentlessly and laugh our asses off at how much Hollywood got wrong.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“It is.”
“When is the next one?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“Excellent.” He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. Butterflies danced through her at the touch of his lips. His faint British accent rolled through her, warming her from the inside out. “Then it’s a date.”
She blinked up at him, shocked. When had she agreed to go out with him? She wasn’t
He bowed. “I look forward to seeing you. Good night, my sweet.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but he kissed the back of her hand again, effectively filling her stomach with those damn butterflies. What on earth was wrong with her? She never had trouble telling a man no.
She watched him walk away, drawn to his strong shoulders and sculpted ass. “Oh boy.” She drifted back into the house and curled up on top of the covers, barely remembering to kick off her shoes first. The memory of Parker’s touch lingered as she tried to drift off.
She had a
It shouldn’t have surprised her when she smiled, but it did.
Chapter Three
“I have a date tonight.”
