The Vampire's Fake Fiancée (Nocturne Falls Book 5) Read Online Free Page B

he’d made and his old-fashioned sense of responsibility.
    He stopped at the driver’s door to his car, seething with rage. His heart was irreparably broken. He’d acknowledged that years ago. He’d learned to live with the pain of her abandonment and betrayal. But this assumption that he was waiting with open arms to take her back, no apology needed, this was galling.
    He got in and slammed the door shut. She’d see how wrong she was. How he truly didn’t need her anymore. How very over her he was. Tomorrow night’s dinner would be the absolute end of his emotional relationship with Evangeline.
    Or perhaps… Perhaps it would be the start of a new relationship with her. One in which he held the upper hand and she finally saw him as more than just a…loyal dog. Tomorrow night’s dinner would change everything one way or another.
    He could always tell her about the promise. But that wasn’t part of the deal he’d made and he was a man of his word. That promise would remain his secret. He’d kept it these many years, he could keep it awhile longer.
    He shut his eyes and swallowed as the fine points of the impending dinner came back to him. There was one small detail he’d have to work on. Quickly.
    He did not actually have a fiancée.

    Tessa had thought being the dean of library studies at a private academy sounded intriguing, but after Jenna had given her a tour of the campus and allowed her to linger in the utterly gorgeous library that she’d be in charge of (three floors, stained glass windows, dark wood paneling, antique tapestries, and the most up-to-date touch-screen catalog system she’d ever seen), Tessa thought she might weep if she didn’t get the job.
    She couldn’t stop smiling. If this actually happened, moving to Nocturne Falls might be the smartest thing she’d ever done. She nudged her sister. “The rare-book room has medieval manuscripts.”
    Jenna nodded. “Cool, right?”
    “Cool? Don’t be such a Philistine. They’re priceless works of art that give us a glimpse into another age. They’re the ability to time travel on a page. And I would be in charge of them.”
    “Like I said, cool.” Jenna pointed ahead. “That’s reception. I’ll just tell her we’re here for the interview, then I’ll introduce you to the Ellinghams and you’re on your own.”
    “Thank you.” Tessa sighed. She couldn’t expect her sister to understand. Jenna was a cop. The things that excited her were guns, catching criminals and cold beer. And those things were great, if you were a cop. But Tessa’s mind needed art and literature and beauty. Those were the things that kept her sane and reminded her of all the good life had to offer. Those things and her pursuit of them helped balance the parts of her she wasn’t so fond of.
    Jenna nudged her. “You ready?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then let’s go. They’re waiting. The receptionist will take us back.”
    The woman smiled at them. “Right this way, ladies.”
    Nerves seized Tessa, but she reminded herself that she was smart and capable and she knew her library sciences. Not only could she do this job but she could do it well.
    She and Jenna followed the receptionist to a door near the end of a long hallway decorated with oil paintings of past deans. Not one of them looked fully human. The woman knocked on one of two doors in an alcove.
    A voice called for them to enter. The receptionist smiled, opened the door and stood out of the way.
    Jenna went in first. In her uniform, she was an ever greater presence than she usually was. But then, Jenna had embraced being tall and beautiful and a valkyrie.
    Jenna nodded at the imperious man on the other side of the table. “Hugh.”
    “Deputy Blythe.”
    “I know we’re early, but I thought it would be you and Sebastian.”
    Hugh smiled tightly. “It will be. He’s running a little late. This is your sister?”
    “Yes, this is Tessa Blythe. Librarian extraordinaire.” Jenna smiled at her. “Tessa, this is