Free Under a Vampire Moon by Lynsay Sands Page A

while with her thinking he was gay. God!

 
    Four
     
    “O h, here they come.”
    Carolyn glanced around at Genie’s warning.
    “They’re all coming, not just Julius and Marguerite,” Genie pointed out.
    As if she could have missed that fact, Carolyn thought dryly. Cripes, the men were a wall of male flesh that pretty much engulfed the two smaller females. They were all so tall it was like watching a walking forest.
    “Do you think Gia got the chance to tell him you agreed to be his beard?”
    “I don’t know,” Carolyn muttered, suddenly nervous.
    “I guess we’ll find out soon enough. Gad, you’re so lucky. I wouldn’t mind being his beard. Getting to hang on his arm, and cuddle up to him and stuff.”
    “What?” Carolyn blinked at the words.
    “Well, you’ll have to make it convincing,” Genie pointed out. “You can’t just sit there like a bump on a log. Brent used to put his arm around you all the time. He held your hand and kissed your forehead too when you were doing it for him.”
    Yes, he had, Carolyn realized with dismay. Good lord, she’d forgotten about that part of it. It had just seemed natural with Brent, brotherly affection rather than anything untoward, but then she hadn’t been lusting after Brent, and despite the fact that she knew Christian was gay, she still found him damned attractive.
    “I’m sure Christian will expect the same,” Genie pointed out. “I mean you’re supposed to convince them all that you’re having an affair.”
    Carolyn was just beginning to hyperventilate at that thought, when Genie added, “Of course, you’re not supposed to be having the affair yet, so tonight will probably just be exchanging glances and smiles and stuff. But don’t forget to do it.”
    “Right,” Carolyn muttered, calming a little. She could do glances and smiles. Tomorrow she’d worry about hand-holding and that other business. Maybe once she got to know him, her feelings would shift to the more sisterly affection she had for Brent . . . Right, she thought as her eyes slid over Christian in his tight black T-shirt and even tighter black jeans. He was a beautiful man.
    Gay, gay, gay, she reminded herself grimly. It wasn’t nice to lust after young gay men, no matter how studly they were. Hell, she shouldn’t be lusting after anyone his age to begin with.
    “You’re on,” Genie whispered just before the group reached the table, and then noting the look on Carolyn’s face, muttered, “I’ll wave down the waitress and order you a drink. A nice stiff one.”
    “Thanks.” Carolyn suspected she’d need it as she pasted a smile on her lips.
    Christian was at the head of the group, his eyes locked on hers again, and the moment she smiled, his lips quirked into a responding one. He also moved around the table, his fingers brushing along her back above the chair as he passed behind her to claim the chair on her left.
    Carolyn’s smile became strained as she fought off the shiver that tried to ride up her back at the light—no doubt unintentional—touch.
    “Two slushy lime margaritas,” Genie said as a waitress appeared at their table. Glancing around, she asked, “What else?”
    “I’ll have the same.” Christian’s deep voice sounded by Carolyn’s ear, and she turned with a start to see that he’d turned sideways and pulled his seat closer. He’d also placed one hand on the back of her chair and the other on the table in front of her. It made her feel surrounded. She started to glance nervously away, but paused when he leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
    “Gia told me. Thank you.”
    Carolyn couldn’t stop the shiver that claimed her this time when his breath brushed her ear. She tried to cover her reaction with a nod, but thought, Cripes, what have I gotten myself into here?
    “I know I told you before, but you guys were great,” Genie announced suddenly and Carolyn turned to her gratefully.
    “Yes, you were all very good,” she agreed, frowning when her