Free Vampire King of New York by Susan Hanniford Crowley Page B

“May I pick you up at the library at five?”
    “Yes.”

    “Thank you, my Goddess.” He hung up. She couldn’t suppress the giggle.
    “Is something wrong?” Mrs. Jepsen asked.
    She almost jumped out of her skin. “No. It’s this book Superstitions Are Us . It’s funny.” Evelyn turned and shelved the book. When she turned back, her boss was gone. Two hours left before Max’s arrival. She didn’t want to admit she missed him, but she did—terribly. While shelving the rest of the books, her thoughts drifted to those last moments in bed with him. The part where he bit through the strap of her nightgown.
    “Mrs. Beaumont!” Evelyn almost toppled over the book cart, when she emerged from the stack. Mrs. Jepsen was having a fit at the reference desk. A strange bush had grown in the center of it. When she came closer, Evelyn was better able to see what it was. Max had sent her a giant rose bouquet.
    “Mrs. Beaumont, this is highly inappropriate. We cannot have such displays. What if a patron was allergic?”
    Evelyn scanned the area. People appeared amused. She didn’t see anyone sneezing. “I’ll take it with me when I go home.” Grabbing another loaded cart, she headed for the suspense section.
    When Max finally arrived, she was relieved and ready to go. Even dressed in a dark blue business suit, he was gorgeous enough to eat. The color brought out those eyes that warmed her from head to toe. Evelyn went to the reference desk and attempted to lift the vase containing the huge rose display.
    “What are you doing?”
    “I’ve been asked to take your tribute home.”
    “Allow me.”
    She stepped aside, and he easily lifted the vase without losing a single rose. He led the way out of the library and even managed to open the door for her. Outside, one of the horse-drawn carriages from Central Park awaited them. He put the rose bouquet in first and then helped her in, climbing in after.

    Oh, she loved this. The roses on one side. Max on the other. She was snuggly in the middle, and the summer night breathed its cool breath over her.
    Max put his arm around her. “Driver, away.”
    In her time in New York, she’d never taken a carriage ride. It was wonderful riding through the streets, people bustling about in their efforts to get home from work, the fragrance of a hotdog booth stirring her hunger. She didn’t get a chance to eat lunch that day.
    “Stop,” Max yelled. He turned to her. “You’re hungry.”
    “I can wait until we have supper later.”
    “Of course, you won’t. What would you like?”
    “A hotdog with mustard and an orange soda.”
    He hopped down, went over to the vendor with the silver cart and bought two of both. Then Max handed her the food, before stepping back into the carriage. “Drive on.”
    The carriage was in motion again. “I thought we’d have a little something to tide us over.” He took a big bite of his hotdog. Evelyn licked the mustard on her hotdog, and noticed she had caught his eyes. He squirmed uncomfortably and she chuckled. How phallic of her, though she didn’t intend it. The hotdog tasted sinfully good. She turned her head and inhaled the intoxicating fragrance of the deep red-purple roses. If only she could dwell in that fragrance forever. Between the stimulating flavor in her mouth and the dizzying scent engulfing her, Evelyn was glad that they were in the middle of a busy city. Otherwise she might rip his clothes off. Evelyn didn’t have any idea why this all translated into wanting Max urgently, but the raw lust inside her was undeniable. She bit into the hotdog again to stave off the urge.
    He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “It’s a good thing we’re in the middle of a crowded square, or I’d rip your clothes off, my Evelyn.”

    She trembled. Was he reading her mind?
    Gulping she turned her face into the roses again. “Max, the roses are amazing. What kind are they?”
    “Damask roses. Imported. Nothing but the best for my