The Vampire's Mail Order Bride

The deep bass thump of club music rocked the place, but not at the ear-splitting level she was accustomed to. She leaned her back against the bar, too busy taking the club in to pay attention to ordering. “It’s nice that you can actually talk in here.”

Hugh tapped his ear. “Supernatural hearing. We don’t need the music blasting.”

“Neither do humans, but the clubs we go to seem to think we do. I take it you don’t need as much lighting either. I can’t see much more than what’s under the spotlights.” But as her eyes grew accustomed to the dim lighting, she started seeing the faces around her in more detail. Faces that were not quite human.

She inched closer to Hugh.

He put his hand on her arm. “You okay?”

“Just…adjusting.”

“What would you like to drink while you adjust?”

“Wine. Red.”

“Keep in mind that this place allows a certain amount of laxness most supernaturals would never adopt while in mixed company. What you’re seeing are some half forms and some true ones.”

Her gaze skipped from face to face. With some she could easily tell what they were. The werewolves had a very canine look about them. A few others looked more feline—cat shifters of some sort, she guessed. Another group had Hugh’s luminescent eyes and fangs, so they were clearly vampires. The women who looked human might be witches.

Hugh placed their order with the bartender, then canted his head toward hers. “If you’re uncomfortable, we can go. Just say the word.”

“No, I’m fine.” Even better since he’d said that. “It’s just weird to be in a joint where being human makes me the minority.”

“Don’t be afraid. You’re here with me.”

She took him in: his gorgeous face and broad shoulders and the smile that seemed just for her. Her heart went a little achy at how beyond it all he was. Don’t go falling in love. “So are you the BMOC around here, since you practically own the town?”

“The BMOC?”

She twisted to face him and rested her elbow on the bar. The move put his arm directly beneath her leather-wrapped chest. “Big Man On Campus.”

He snorted. “I guess you could say that. I am one of the oldest supernaturals in this town.”

“Not to mention one of the richest.” Her fingers went to the dragonfly around her neck. He’d kind of skimmed that part.

“I don’t know about that.” Then the bartender arrived with their drinks and Hugh handed over a black American Express card.

She laughed. “They give those Centurion cards to just anyone these days?” Not even Rastinelli had one of those.

He handed her glass of wine over. “I’ve had plenty of time to get my financial house in order.”

A gorgeous redhead in a simple black dress and patent heels came up to them. She carried a black leather portfolio and black leather clutch under one arm. Oddly business-like for a night club. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but can I have a moment of your time, Hugh?”

“Delaney, this is Pandora Williams. She’s a witch. Pandora, this is my guest, Delaney James. She’s human.”

“Thanks for the species update,” Pandora said with a laugh and a wink at Hugh.

“Nice to meet you.” And it was. Even if the supermodel-beautiful witch was being awfully familiar with the man Delaney had just been kissing.

Pandora smiled back. “You too. Great necklace.”

“Thanks.” Delaney wanted to say Hugh had given it to her, to make it clear what kind of relationship she was in with him, but then she reminded herself that the jewelry was only a loan, and she had no clue what kind of relationship they were having.

“Are you new in town? If you’re looking for a place, I’d be happy to help you out.”

Hugh smiled politely. “Pandora is Nocturne Fall’s most-well-known Realtor. She caters to our kind.”

Delaney grinned. He’d said our kind. Like she was a supernatural too. “Well, I’ll store that away if the need to buy a town house pops up.”

“Excellent.” Pandora shifted back to Hugh. “Again, sorry to interrupt your evening out, but I was here talking to a client and saw you, so—”

Hugh shook his head. “If this is about Stanhill dating your mother, I swear I knew nothing about that.”

Pandora laughed. “No. My sisters and I love Stanhill. Especially when he makes pancakes.”

Hugh winced. “That was more information than I needed.”

Pandora pinched her lips and nodded. “Got it. Keep the sleepovers to myself.” She looked at Delaney. “Not that my sisters and I sleep over. We have our own places. But on Saturday mornings…” She made a face. “Sorry, rambling.”

Hugh slid his arm around Delaney. It was a sweet gesture, but she still felt like a third wheel. His fingers rested on her shoulder and drew lazy circles. “What can I do for you, Pandora?”

“I see there’s a vacant store across from the Hallowed Bean. That’s your building, isn’t it? Any plans to list it? With me? I don’t usually do commercial, but I’d really love to broaden my reach.”

Jealousy poked at Delaney, but that wasn’t an emotion she had a right to. Before she did something she might regret, she put her hand on Hugh’s arm. “While you two talk shop, I’m going to find the ladies’ room.”

Pandora pointed across the club. “Back corner.” ns class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true">