Free Real Vampires Have Curves by Gerry Bartlett Page A

full of warehouses that had once been part of a rough neighborhood. Now it had become trendy to refurbish the aging buildings close to downtown.
    â€œAnd if this doesn’t work out?”
    â€œFull refund. I promise.” Damian smiled. “I want us to stick together, we’re safer that way. You’ll be well protected here. Just like all my friends are.”
    He’s hot.
    The words in beautiful flowing script appeared, written on the dirty glass behind Damian’s head. I blinked and they were gone. Imagination gone wild.
    â€œIt’s a great space, perfect for the kind of shop I want. And Freddy says there are cameras at the entrance with alarms and a panic button in every apartment.” I walked around, touching the few pieces of furniture scattered around the room.
    â€œWe must be careful.” Damian just watched me, a gleam in his emerald eyes. I looked down and saw that my well-worn T-shirt hugged breasts that said “Look at us, we think you’re hot, too, Damian.”
    â€œCareful. Right. A hunter with a vamp detector and a cross-wielding nut job are out to get us. I plan to be careful.”
    â€œYour shop is wired too. As is the coffee bar next door. It’s run by one of the other female vampires who live here, Diana Marchand. I think you’ll like her.”
    He used to like her. Another notch on his belt.
    Different handwriting this time. Crabbed printing. The words vanished. Someone here was trying to tell me something.
    I shook my head. “Diana. Fine. I’ll stop by tomorrow night and introduce myself.” Damian had moved closer. “A building full of vamps and . . . others. You’re really into that hide in plain sight thing, aren’t you?”
    Honey, there ain’t nothin’ plain about that hunk of burning love.
    I grinned. Flowing handwriting again. Obviously there were at least two spirits in here. This message didn’t so much disappear as get obliterated by angry slashes.
    â€œI believe you call it blending. We’re more alike than you realize, Gloriana.” Damian smiled and took my arm. “Shall we go back upstairs? I want to make sure Derek set up your television. You have cable with HBO, you know.”
    Watch his hands, lady.
    I nodded and waved goodbye behind Damian’s back before following him outside and relocking the door. Spirits. At least they definitely seemed to be on my side. I’d deal with them later.
    â€œHBO. Great. First rule of blending is keeping up with the universe. TV is my method of choice.” I headed up the stairs, sure Damian was checking out the fit of my jeans. Maybe he was a butt man. If so, he was getting an eyeful.
    I unlocked my door, then stuck my head into the bedroom to let Valdez see that I was still in one piece. He lay on my bed, looking miffed. Tough. Sure, he kept me safe, but I had to have a certain amount of freedom. He turned his head away and closed his eyes.
    Damian roamed around my living room, his hands in his pockets, straining the fabric over tight buns. He had a really nice build. Not muscle bound, but just powerful enough.
    â€œTwo bedrooms. One for you, one for your dog?”
    â€œNo, darling. One is for me.” Florence breezed through the door and kissed Damian on both cheeks. “Did you bring us a housewarming present?”

Five
    Florence and Damian. I sensed a vibe between these two. Lovers? Former lovers?
    â€œGloriana, you must have sex on the brain. Damian is my brother.” Flo dropped her black lizard tote onto the floor. “But that is our little secret. A few other vampires know, but not many. I share this now because we are to be roomies, no?”
    â€œBrother. Wow.” I looked from one to the other. Yes, there was a resemblance. Black hair, bedroom eyes, though Damian’s were a more intense green. “Why the secrecy? Most of us would love to have family still alive. Like Freddy and his mom.”
    â€œWe love