“I’m not exactly good company in restaurants either. I can eat a little human food, but that’s it.”
“A guy’s dream—I can have my plate and most of yours too. I have quite the appetite, in case you haven’t noticed.”
“I have. In more ways than one.” I gave him a flirtatious smile. “And I like it.”
“So what do you think? You want to give us a go?”
“Don’t you think we should find our own kind so we don’t have to deal with these obstacles?”
“If you’re trying to let me down gently, just say it straight out.”
“I’m not. I’m just pointing out that life with me presents certain—challenges.”
“Just like life with a shapeshifter presents its own set of challenges. I figure we’ll learn about them as we learn more about each other. I’m a guy who likes excitement and I love challenges. I’m looking forward to learning more about you. Our life together will never be dull.”
“We live and work on two different continents.”
“That hasn’t stopped us from crossing the ocean yet. We’ll figure out a way. We’re both transient types, moving around often for work, to explore new places. Why not do so together?”
“Good question, Devon. In fact, there’s nobody else I’d rather travel the Earth with than you.”
His smile started at his lips and extended to his eyes, lighting up his entire face with expectation. “So you want to give us a go?” He moved closer to me.
“More than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.”
He picked me up in a bear hug and whirled me around with such a giant yelp that other pedestrians stopped to look. I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re causing a scene.”
“I don’t care,” he said, putting me back on my feet. “I’ll announce to everyone how you’ve agreed to be my girl and it’s the best damn day in my life.”
“Don’t,” I said with a laugh. “No public declarations of love, please.”
When I looked up at him, my eyes searched his for what I’d been seeking for years, although I never knew until now what it was. I’d been alone for so long. I hadn’t realized how I wanted someone like Devon. A companion, a friend, a lover. Someone who cared about me and would risk his life for me and I’d do the same for him. Someone I could love unquestioningly and he’d love me back the same. I found the answer there in Devon’s eyes.
“You’re the one, Devon. My one and only.”
“Will you come to England with me?” Devon asked. “Meet my family?”
“Introducing your vampire girlfriend to a family of shapeshifters? That sounds like it will go over smoothly.”
Devon laughed. “They’ll get over it quickly since they’re so eager for me to settle down.”
“Oh Devon, I think I might need some convincing. Something that will take my mind off all the obstacles. Something that will make me focus on other parts of my body—the ones that have yearned for you since I left England.” I glanced up at him with a naughty glint in my eye.
Devon leaned in to kiss me on the lips, my jaw, moving over to my ear. Then he whispered, “My hotel is right around the corner. And I have a king-sized bed. Let’s go and I can show you how convincing I can be.”
“Ooh, that sounds like it could be promising.”
Devon led me out of the Public Garden back to his hotel.
“By the way, I have a little surprise for you.”
“You do? What is it?”
“Since you left England, I’d been trying to get my mind off you. It was impossible. So I went back to figure out a mystery we’d been trying to solve together—before we ran out of time.”
I furrowed my brows.
“Since I had a better idea of whose bank accounts to look in, I was able to track down most of the money that was transferred through your account. Gayle and Jon won’t be needing it anymore and who’s going to be looking for it? I think you’ll be surprised by a nice little chunk of change back in your bank account. After all, don’t you deserve it since they used your account and framed you for it anyway?”
My mouth dropped, unable to find words.
Devon continued. “You know you always have a home with me in England. Now you have more than enough if you want to buy a place of your own in Boston. In fact, wherever you choose.”
“Thank you, Devon. I can’t believe you did that for me. You could have kept the money yourself and I never would have known. How can I thank you?”
“You already did.”
My brows furrowed again in confusion. “I did? How?”
“By agreeing to give us a chance.” Then he laughed. “But I’m sure I can think of some other ways you can thank me back in the hotel.”
I scanned the scenery of the city around me. So many possibilities lay ahead. Both in my own life and with Devon. What I looked forward to most right now was starting this new life with Devon back at his hotel.
“You’re lucky there are people around. I might be tempted to thank you right here.”
Devon moaned. “Don’t say things like that. You’ll give me a raging hard-on as we walk through the streets of Boston.
I squeezed his hand, smiled sweetly and said, “Lead the way.”
About Lisa Carlisle
Lisa has loved vampire stories since she was in third grade, when she had a crush on Dracula. She has traveled around the world while in the Marine Corps or backpacking on her own and she draws from her experiences in her writing. Lisa is a multi-published, award-winning author. She now lives in the Boston area with her husband and two children and enjoys writing in local cafes.
Lisa welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Lisa Carlisle
Underground Encounters 1: Smoldering Nights
Underground Encounters 2: Fiery Nights
Underground Encounters 3: Rock Me Tonight
Print books by Lisa Carlisle
Underground Encounters 1 & 2: Night Encounters
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
www.ellorascave.com
Bloodlust and Metal
ISBN 9781419946134
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Bloodlust and Metal Copyright © 2013 Lisa Carlisle
Edited by Raelene Gorlinsky
Cover design and photography by Syneca
Additional cover photography by DWP/Fotolia.com
Models: Nick and Rrenee Azalea
Electronic book publication May 2013
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