“It’s fine. I wouldn’t say I really enjoy it but then again, I don’t need it to survive.”
I grinned, throwing an arm over Vincent’s shoulders as I checked the time on my phone. It was just after 1:00 a.m. as we walked back toward his house. “I tell you what. I have to get up early and go to work. Why don’t we just grab my truck and spend the night at my cabin. I’ll get something to eat at home.”
Since we’d first met, Vincent and I had spent most nights together at his house. Being naturally nocturnal, my vampire had been raring to go whenever I came over. It made for some amazing sex and I realized in a very short time, I’d become very addicted to my vampire. Realizing he hadn’t replied, I looked over to find him glancing at me dubiously. “What?”
“Your house isn’t light tight, Romeo. Normally, that’s not a problem for me because of my age. I mean I can tolerate walking about in sunlight for short periods. You’ve seen me in town at the antique store during the day when by all rights I should be asleep. But honestly, I hate waking to bright morning sunlight because the need to find shelter can be very fatiguing. That’s why I built my underground bedroom. Besides, it’s just safer.”
I stopped walking and turned him to face me. “In what way?” I asked.
Vincent sighed. “I can lock it up completely and no one even knows it exists unless they go looking for the private elevator. An enemy—and we both know I have a powerful one—could burn my house to the ground and then I’d be trapped.”
“You’re right.” I stepped closer, sliding my arms around him to draw him up against my body. “I’m being selfish. Your safety must be my only concern.”
Vincent grinned. “Imagine a human telling me he wants to keep me safe. It’s ironic.”
“But I’m not human and we both know it.” I cut off whatever he was going to say as my mouth crashed down on his. He opened for me and instantly our tongues tangled. Vincent tasted so good, like a cross between mint and tea. He moaned as I deepened the kiss. He clutched my shoulders with strong hands, kneading my biceps as we stood in the woods. As if both realizing that we might just be in peril if we lost our focus out in the open, the kiss ended a moment later.
We stood panting, gazing at each other.
Finally, I grinned as I slung my arm back over his shoulder.
“Let’s talk about this more at your place. Maybe I can find a place that delivers,” I said.
“At one in the morning?” Vincent asked, sounding incredulous.
I chuckled. “If not, I’m thinking beer with a ketchup chaser is on the menu.”
We laughed all the way back to Vincent’s place.
Chapter One
Prosper Woods Chronicle. Letters to the editor:
“This morning I’m sure I saw a hummingbird where a man had been moments before. What’s the next town fad gonna be? A ring that can tell if you’re mad? A rock that comes in a box? How about a plastic utensil that’s half fork and half spoon?” Signed, “Mullet Michael.”
Romeo
I drove into town and parked my truck in front of Todd’s Hash House, sighing as I got out and slammed the door. I’d left my vampire tucked up in bed after a late-night snack of Cheetos and beer, the only food he had in his house. As much as I wanted to stay with him and sleep all night at his place, I knew I’d be starving once I woke up, and I had to be at the station early.
For the first time since moving to Prosper Woods, California two weeks ago, I hadn’t wanted to go to work. Since I was normally an early riser, I’d decided to stop into the local diner and start my day with a big breakfast. Maybe that would put me in a good mood.
The diner was located two doors down from Prosper Wood’s Antiques—Vincent’s store—and as I got out of my truck, I noticed the older man who ran the store in my lover’s absence, on the sidewalk. He raised his hand and waved as soon as he saw me, sending me a wide smile. I waved back, trying to remember his name. I knew Vincent had told me at some point. I locked up the truck and walked over to him, sticking out my hand and taking his.
“Good morning,” he said. “Scott Templeton.”
“Nice to meet you, Scott. I’m—”
“Oh, I know who you are. You’re the new sheriff. Everyone in town is talking about you,” he said, interrupting me.
I shook and then dropped his hand, returning his smile. “I see word gets around.”
He shrugged. “Small towns. You know how it goes.”
“To be honest, Prosper Woods is the first small town I’ve lived in.” I smiled, hoping I came off as folksy and not stuck up.
He nodded, knowingly. “Sure. I heard that as well. You used to be a cop with the LAPD and before that you were a Marine.”
I shouldn’t have been surprised but I was. I knew small towns like Prosper Woods had a gossip chain. And I’d seen posts in the daily Chronicle that pretty much read like a gossip column but still, I was just a little surprised that everyone seemed to know my business or would even care. Then again…small town.
“That’s right. Anything else? My shoe size maybe?”
Templeton glanced down at my feet before looking back up at me with a smirk. “Thirteen?”
I chuckled, unable to be angry. I’m sure he meant no harm, but it was still weird to know I was the subject of gossip around town. I wondered how long it would last.
