The Girl & the Vampire (The Embassy #1) Read Online Free Page A

someone’s most intimate mental workings is included in that rule.”
    “Can you do that? Influence people?”
    The words were out before I could hold them back, making me blush immediately. Great—now he had to think that I was a bumbling idiot.
    Lewis shrugged as he leaned back, draping one arm over the back of his chair in a casual gesture.
    “Most women consider me more than average as far as attractiveness goes, which makes them act much more favorably toward me. Beyond that…”
    He trailed off there and gave me another one of those fang-y smiles, leaving me with the sudden impression that he was playing with me.
    “Let me guess… most of that gets quickly negated when they realize what a cocky bastard you are?”
    I got a much brighter—and strangely less intimidating, even if it showed both of his fangs—smile for my trouble.
    “Pretty much. See, you can do it, too—watch people, judge them, react to their reactions. No mind control needed.”
    “So giving straight answers isn’t sealed in the contract, I presume?”
    He went on grinning, but looked away in what I realized was an attempt not to laugh at—or rather, with—me.
    “Let’s just get some things out of the way before we waste each other’s time, okay? I’m happy to answer any questions that you may have, but if talking is all you have in mind, I’ll do the rude thing and just go.”
    His rebuke made me self-conscious rather than angry.
    “Sorry. I always babble when I’m nervous. Some people call that endearing, but I hate when it happens. Like right now. Sorry.”
    It was easy to shut up when he leaned forward, then reached out toward me so he could press one cool finger gently against my lips.
    “I’m sure we can find ways to shut you up. Either by alleviating your fears, or, you know, the obvious, really crude suggestion that goes with that really bad pick-up line.”
    Despite my embarrassment, his words made me smile, and I really liked how that got his eyes focusing on my mouth and remaining there for a little longer than was strictly decent. He withdrew his finger then as he leaned back, but seemed as reluctant about it as I felt at the loss of contact.
    “Talk first?” he suggested, settling back comfortably into his seat. With his jeans and leather jacket, that was an easy feat to pull off, and I didn’t try to imitate him as I crossed my legs and put my hands atop my knee.
    “I do have a few questions first,” I admitted, then wondered if I should have written them down as I’d come up with them throughout the day.
    “Shoot.”
    I had no idea where to start, but the fact that he didn’t seem in a hurry made me feel a little better about drawing things out a little.
    “Is there anything specific that you require of me? Like that I shower first, or eat or drink something? I know that you have heightened senses, and I guess something like sugar or alcohol would show up in my blood…”
    Now it was my turn to trail off, and for a moment his amused grin actually pissed me off. Before I could tell him to wipe it off his face if he wanted to get any, he did so unbidden, but the twinkle in his eyes remained.
    “If you’re hungry or thirsty, call room service. If you want to shower or take a bath, do so, but I’m impartial to all of that. I do intend to do things to you that make you hungry, thirsty, and in dire need of a shower, though, if you were wondering.”
    I didn’t know whether to blush or get irritated at that.
    “Is the reason why you use the Embassy the fact that you utterly rebuke women with comments like that?”
    He graced me with another smile, and I had to admit, I started to like drawing those out of him.
    “It might have come up in conversation that I’m a taste to be acquired, and many don’t take the time. I can tone it down if I actually make you uncomfortable, but judging from the fact that your heart rate has evened out over the past few minutes and you don’t look quite as ready to bolt as