Desire After Dark by Amanda Ashley

Author:Amanda Ashley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2006-03-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Bobbie Sue stood in the middle of her living room, trying to decide which costume to wear to work, when Duncan came to call.

“I didn’t expect to see you today,” she said.

“If you’re busy, I can come back later.”

“No, no, nothing like that. I’m just surprised to see you, that’s all.” She smiled at him. “Surprised, but pleased.” She took a step back. “Come on in.”

He followed her into the living room, noting the bright yellow walls, the white wicker furniture, the colorful throw pillows.

“What’s all this?” He gestured at the sofa, which was covered with brightly colored dresses, hats, scarves, and a variety of wigs.

“Oh, that. I’m trying to decide whether to be a cheerleader, Cleopatra, or the bride of Frankenstein.”

“Oh, right. It’s Halloween.”

“Gus likes us to wear costumes to work.” She held up a slinky black dress and a long black wig. “I could go as Vampira…Oh, geez, that would be in really bad taste, wouldn’t it?” She tossed the dress and the wig aside. “I suppose I could just go as a waitress.”

She sat on the love seat and patted the cushion beside her. “Come, sit down and tell me what you’re going to do tonight.”

“Nothing much.”

“You look a little blue. Is anything wrong?”

“I was hunting Falco last night and found Battista instead.”

“Found him where?”

“With a dead girl in his arms.”

“Oh, no! Poor Vicki. Does she know?”

“I told her about it last night. I just hope she takes my advice and stays away from him.”

“I think she’s in love with him.”

Duncan grunted softly. What was it about vampires that women found so irresistible? He thought of Marisa and Kelly. Did they ever regret accepting the Dark Trick to be with their vampire lovers? He couldn’t imagine giving up his humanity, or never again watching the sun rise on a new day. Nor did he want to give up the pleasure of eating a good steak, or enjoying a good cup of strong black coffee first thing in the morning, or an ice-cold beer on a hot summer day.

He grunted softly. “Do you think she knows where his lair is?”

“I don’t know. I could ask her.”

“Thanks.” It was a slim hope. Even if Vicki knew where Battista took his rest during the day, he was pretty sure she wouldn’t tell him. That was another thing about women who were infatuated with vampires. They were fiercely loyal. Still, asking Vicki couldn’t hurt. He needed all the help he could get, because he sure wasn’t having any luck on his own. “I haven’t been able to find Falco’s resting place, either,” he muttered glumly. “The man’s as elusive as quicksilver.”

“I guess you’ll be leaving town after you find him.”

“I was planning to, but now…” Duncan took a deep breath. He had never been at ease with women. Give him a stake and show him a vampire and he knew what to do, but put him in a room alone with a woman he was attracted to, and he behaved like a bumbling, tongue-tied idiot.

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