Free The Mortal One (The Mortal One Series) by Shannon Bell Page B

too late, I dressed and headed to Via Tornabuoni. I knew I should be saving some of the money towards paying the hotel bill and getting food, but I couldn’t resist a little shopping spree. Even if I could only afford a few new tops, it was worth it.
    As I entered in my jeans and cotton t-shirt, I was having a Pretty Woman moment where the store clerks sort of stared at me, wondering what brought me in here dressed as I was in their stores. Suddenly I wish they were all too busy arguing with boyfriends on their cell phones to pay any attention to me.
    I gave them a slight smile and quickly headed towards the discount racks in the back. After a few minutes, a tall, very thin woman in a tight black dress and strappy heels came up to me and asked if she could help. Her English was better than my Italian was, so I felt comfortable talking with her. I showed her some of the tops I had on my arm, which, while discounted, were still very expensive. She escorted me to the dressing room where I checked the price tags a little more closely and did the math. Yikes! The tops were cute, but at these prices, I could only buy one, so the major decision was the black button down or the red one with silver straps.
    After careful deliberation, I brought the red one to the counter and paid for my purchase. The clerk was unable to hide her shock quickly enough for me not to see when I paid in cash, but she was nice enough. She also told me about a few stores in North Centro, which were a little more affordable. I thanked her profusely for the tip and took a walk up to the area.
    Several hours and a large shopping bag later, I was happily walking back into the hotel to unpack my purchases. I had grabbed lunch on the way and was looking forward to an evening of hanging out. There was no work today and getting a distraction from the events of the last few days was much needed.

Chapter 7
     
    A KNOCK AT my hotel room door startled me awake. I had fallen asleep without realizing the time. I had time off from work and last night had exhausted me more than I had realized. I wiped my eyes and looked at the alarm clock next to the bed. It was eleven.
    It couldn’t be the maid and I was pretty sure that I didn’t order room service. I opened the door to find Nico dressed in a red button down and black pants that made him look absolutely delicious. The colors accentuated his pale skin, but rather than looking suspiciously pale, it made him look warmer and more alive. I suddenly cursed myself for not looking at myself in the mirror before opening the door or for shaving my legs in the shower earlier. Dressed in plaid boxers and a tight-fitting green tank top, I was a strong contrast from him.
    I should have set an alarm or at least slept in something a little sexier. I pushed my fingers through my hair in an effort to smooth out my bed-head and hoped that he wouldn’t notice. I was tempted to tell him to come back in fifteen minutes and close the door, but I kept it open and faced him while still groggy.
    “Can I come in?”
    His question made me realize the door was still only cracked open. “Of course.”
    Curiosity was getting the better of me on this one. “Do you have to be invited in before you can enter?”
    “You never stop, do you?” He grinned, shaking his head. “No, I don’t have to be, but it’s nice. Another old wives’ tale to make people feel safer.”
    Safe. That’s such an odd term now I think of it. I’m dating a vampire…yeah, that’s safe .
    Nico closed the door and the distance between us. “I’m not going to hurt you. You know this, right?”
    “Y-yes,” I whispered. I prayed like hell I was right on this, but I was too far gone. There was no way I was going to push Nico away.
    “Not on purpose, anyways,” he said smiling, his fangs just slightly visible. “Cute outfit. It’s not what I expected.”
    I let out a soft sigh. I was nervous but in a strange, butterfly-in-the-stomach sort of way. It was hard to