Free Blood Lily (Lilith Adams Vampire Series Book 1) by Jenny Allen Page B

microwave, so the blood packs were out for now. She couldn’t take the stuff cold, it was just repulsive.
    She grunted something in agreement and dug out four of the gel caplets. It would hold her over until she could borrow a microwave somewhere.  Alvarez was still droning on about the case and Lilith was only half listening as she downed the pills. She heard the groaning of the ancient pipes as the shower started up.
    “So the place is finally going to be gutted. It’s about time I say . That damn Italian pit is a hazard, just a haven for squatters and gang members. So when is this conference over? I’m not used to doing the legwork.”
    A deep yawn interrupted her. “Sorry, Alvarez. The trip wore me out. I should be back after the weekend but I’m hoping to be back by Sunday. You just can’t tell how these things will go. I’ll keep you posted and tell Gloria to stop worrying about me. She has her hands full with Erica anyway. Oh and if you want me to take a look at that case, just email me the report and crime scene photos.”
    “That’s my girl. Take care, Lil.” Alvarez hung up before she could say anything else. Lilith flipped through her messages on her phone, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes. It was eleven o’clock at night and she still felt exhausted. The shower stopped while she was digging through her suitcase.
    The bathroom door opened releasing a cloud of steam and Chance strolled out with a towel wrapped high around his waist. All his lean muscles glinted with water and his skin was flushed pink beneath the even tan. Lilith quickly glanced down at the pair of comfortable black flats in her hands as if they were the most fascinating thing on the planet and not the incredibly handsome, half-naked man standing in the middle of the room.
    “So who the hell calls you at eleven o’clock at night?” Chance growled as he shook a second towel through his auburn-flecked hair. “Boyfriend checking up on you?”
    She swallowed the lump in her throat and finally made her muscles move. “Alvarez. He just wanted advice on a case.” She grabbed a long sleeve black t-shirt, a darker pair of jeans and the black shoes before closing her suitcase. “I do typically work nights, so it’s not that unusual.”
    “Oh?” There was a curious tone in his voice as he threw his duffle bag up on the bed. “So what’s the case?”
    Lilith slowly stood with her armful of clothes and started for the bathroom completely avoiding looking in his general direction. “I can’t discuss open cases, Chance. Protocol.”
    Chance huffed and rooted around in his bag. “Oh come on. We’re all the way in Tennessee. Besides, what am I gonna do? Go run screaming to the reporters for a tell-all?”
    “Good point. I still can’t tell you. I was half asleep and didn’t pay attention to a word he said. I’ll look at the files when he gets around to emailing them.”
    Chance let out a howl of laughter that followed her into the bathroom. “And here I thought you were some sort of perfect computer. Wow… I’m so disillusioned right now. Hey, before we play mission impossible out at Duncan’s place we should rustle up some food.”
    Lilith peeked out of the cracked door to see Chance’s muscled back leaning over his suitcase. The casual t-shirts didn’t do him justice. “Um, yeah. That’s probably a good idea. Maybe we can find an all-night diner or something.” Reluctantly, she pulled herself away from the door and finished wiggling into her jeans.
    After grabbing a greasy breakfast with coffee strong enough to burn through linoleum, they were back in the clown car. The food may have been horrible but the conversation was surprisingly comfortable. Apparently, Chance had a very keen interest in photography. Seeing as that was a hobby of hers, they’d had plenty to talk about. She’d even promised to brave photographing his building, during daylight hours of course.
     
    An hour later they had the car packed and were