Sex in a Coffin (Kismet Knight, Vampire Psychologist) Read Online Free Page A

us and shoved the laughing vampire backward. “Behave!”
    While Devereux was talking to Laurence, the red-haired man – whom I assumed was Elliott – darted in and lifted me off the ground. “My turn.” He swung me in a circle. “Wooo!”
    “Put her down this instant, Elliott!” Devereux’s voice sounded stern but he was smiling.
    My head spun and my stomach lurched when Elliott released me. I grabbed onto Devereux’s arm to keep my balance. If this was Devereux’s idea of controlling his children, I was in trouble.
    The two vampires laughed and bumped fists.
    “If you will act like adults for a moment, I will introduce you.” Devereux glared at his offspring as he waited for them to settle.
    “Yes, Sire,” they said in unison, and lined up next to each other, straightening their clothing and smoothing their hair – both struggling not to smile.
    Geez. These two really are thirteen. Maybe there was a glitch in the transformation process.
    “Hey! What an insult!” Elliott yelled. “She just said we’re thirteen, and that something’s wrong with us. We demand an apology.” He crossed his arms over his chest and scowled.
    Crap! How could I forget? All the old ones can read my mind.
    “Yes we can,” Laurence said, pouting.
    “I’m so sorry, Laurence, Elliott,” I said, slipping into therapist mode. “I didn’t mean to offend you. That was very rude of me—”
    They burst out laughing and high-fived each other.
    I startled and took a step back, wanting distance from our unstable company.
    Devereux turned to me and shook his head. “I apologize for the poor manners of the children, my love. They were playing with you.” He shifted his gaze to them. “Stop right now. Go back to the booth and sit down. We will join you momentarily.”
    They did as he asked, shoving and punching each other on the way.
    “They were right, Devereux. I did think that. It’s so hard to remember that my thoughts aren’t my own.” I sighed, already wishing the night was over so I could crawl in bed and pull the covers over my head. I spent enough time with the chronically mentally ill while working with clients. I didn’t need more of the same during my off hours.
    Sometimes the new world I’d fallen into could be draining.
    Remind me why I signed up for this. Okay. Research into an unknown species, new explorations of common diagnoses, spending time with a gorgeous male...
    “This is my fault. They know that I often describe them to people as ancient children, so they make a point of acting out whenever possible, just to fulfill my expectations. They never behave this way when the three of us are alone. Hopefully, they have the foolishness out of their systems now. Come.” He took my arm and guided me to the booth.
    “I wish to present Dr. Kismet Knight, the woman I love,” Devereux said dramatically in his most formal, antiquated style.
    Geez. Was Devereux ever a Shakespearean actor? If he wasn’t he missed his calling.
    Laurence and Elliott smirked at me, no doubt having heard the thought.
    “Yes,” Laurence said. “Our father is a very serious, intense fellow. That’s one reason we enjoy rattling his cage. Please. Join us.” He shoved at Elliott to move over so Devereux and I could sit.
    As soon as we slid into the booth, Laurence snaked his arm around my shoulders and tugged me against him. I was immediately overwhelmed by a strong combination of smells: a subtle and spicy aroma similar to Devereux’s, the coppery odor of blood, and a mega-dose of Aramis cologne, a scent that reminded me of a predatory undergraduate biology instructor and a close call in an empty lab.
    I used my elbow to push him away. “Hey! Let go of me.” My head pounded with the beginnings of a headache from the potent mix. It was as if he’d bathed in the sweet fragrance. I almost choked on it.
    How polite am I willing to be? I’m all for getting along with my boyfriend’s pals, but where’s the line?
    “Laurence!”