Free Blood of the Maple by Dana Marie Bell

taste delicious, as he’d expected. Whether it was her dryad blood, her “something more” or the fact that he was kissing Amara, he wasn’t sure, but he could easily become addicted.
    The best part? She hadn’t frozen up on him, hadn’t tried to stop the kiss. No, she parted her lips, inviting him inside the lush warmth of her mouth, dueling with his tongue until the only thing he could hear was the beating of her heart. She grabbed his biceps and pulled him as close as the theater seat would allow. He followed where she led, more than ready to move with her.
    “Go, Parker. Go, Parker. It’s your birthday. It’s your birthday.”
    Parker froze. His eyes flew open. Oh no. No way. They couldn’t be.
    “Be nice, Greg.”
    Fuck. They were.
    He ripped his mouth from Amara’s and glared over his shoulder. Brian sat with his arm around an empty seat, his attention seemingly riveted to the screen.
    “Parker?”
    He turned back to Amara. “Ah. Brian and Greg are behind us.”
    She waved. “Hello, Brian.”
    “Amara. How are you this evening?”
    “Fine. You?”
    “Good. This is my, um, friend Greg.” Brian pointed toward the empty seat, an adorable blush staining his cheeks. His normally pristine hairstyle was mussed, and his lips were swollen. Parker had to wonder what they had been up to before Greg had made their presence known.
    “Greg?”
    Parker’s head fell back against his seat. “My Casper.”
    “Hey!”
    Brian’s laugh was almost as loud as the howl the weres sent up as the bad guy was finally defeated.
    “Oh. Nice to meet you, Greg.” She held out her hand to the empty seat, pretending to shake someone else’s hand.
    “Parker? What the hell is she doing?”
    “Shaking your ectoplasm.”
    “That’s my job,” Brian muttered, but there was laughter in his voice.
    “Well.” Parker clapped his hands loud enough to make some of the surrounding audience jump and grinned weakly at Amara. “Not that this isn’t humiliating or anything—”
    “I’m having a good time.”
    “—but would you like to get out of here?”
    Amara stood and grabbed her purse. “Have fun, Brian.” She waved goodbye to the empty seat, stealing a bit more of Parker’s heart. “Nice meeting you, Greg.”
    “You too.”
    Parker shook his head and followed Amara out of the theater. So much for our first date. He hoped she’d be up for a second, and a third.
    Was it too soon to ask her to move in?
     
    Amara pointed toward the ice-cream parlor. “It’s open late on MM Night. So is the candy store. Sometimes we leave hungry despite the free popcorn.”
    “Hmm. I’m not certain they’ll have anything for me.”
    “What’s the worst that can happen? You go home without ice cream?” She grabbed his hand and dragged him inside. “Quick, before everyone else gets here.” She did a goofy victory dance when she saw the place was empty. “Yes! We’re first in line.”
    Parker sighed but allowed himself to be danced along. She got the impression he was used to leading.
    “Evening, Ken.” Amara smiled at the teenager behind the counter. The Madisons were one of the few families around town who treated her as if she were like everyone else, and for that they had Amara’s undying loyalty. “Can I have Chocolate-Covered Cherry, please?” Amara bounced at the counter. She loved ice cream; it was a special treat for special nights. Even after Glinda’s death she’d continued the practice, rewarding herself with the creamy delight when something good happened in her life.
    Tonight was special, and she deserved her special treat.
    “Got anything both bloody and green and leafy?” Parker didn’t sound very enthusiastic, but Ken nodded.
    “Dr. Hollis, right? I’ve got something you might like. You’ll have to let me know if we can improve it, though.”
    Parker’s expression was comical. “You actually have an ice cream you think I can eat?”
    “Well, it’s technically not ice cream per se, but…well.