Page 43 of Ghoul Kisses

“I have my ways. Now talk.”

“The Hudson coven,” he says.

I want to ask him more questions about being a slave, but I don’t want to open up old wounds. I am happy he admitted that he was a slave. I was testing him to see if he would tell me something about himself. I lay my head on his hot chest.

“You can always talk to me about anything, Eric,” I say sweetly.

He doesn’t respond. Instead I feel his lips brush against my forehead.

Today, Odessa and I meet with the construction workers that are supposed to build the health facility. Since the sun is out and the weather is chilly, I decide to wear a yellow long-sleeved shirt with white pants and knee-high boots. It fits my mood. I comb my curly hair and head downstairs. Outside, Odessa stands by the statue where I met Clayton. And speaking of Clayton, he never gave me his blood sample. He is the most fascinating paranormal creature I’ve ever met. Things have drastically changed since my arrival. I went from not wanting to be around Eric to falling in love with him. I can’t believe I just thought that. Yep, I am in love with him. I haven’t told him yet, because he might not feel the same way.

Odessa wears a sweater dress with knee-high hooker boots. She speaks to a short guy. He studies me from head to toe and offers his hand.

“Hi, my name is Milton, I am an architect, It’s nice to meet you, ma’am,” he says, shaking my hand firmly.

“Sarah, it’s a pleasure to meet you as well,” I say through a smile.

“What do you need me to do?” I ask Odessa, and she hands me a picture of the blueprint of the building.

“Where do you want your office?” she asks as I scan the design.

“I want my office to be in the front of the building.” I tap my index finger on my chin. “I was thinking that we should start hiring ghouls to work at the facility, so they can feel close to home. I believe it would give them a place where they don’t have to hide from the world.”

Odessa’s face pales with shock.

I forgot that humans don’t know about the ghouls. The worker looks at me like I’m crazy, and I shake my head.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been watching too many horror movies,” I lie. I didn’t mean to give away the secret. Odessa yanks me into a hug. Did I miss something?

“You’re a freaking genius, Sarah, I haven’t thought about employing our kind.”

The worker gives me a devilish grin.

“Yeah, we ghouls want to be under our own roof for once. The humans are cool, but it would be nice not to hide.” He is amused that I thought he was human.

“You know what else we can do?” I ask, they both wait for me to answer.

“We could start opening a few shops just for the ghouls on the island. I know you guys can’t move back to Italy, but you could try to make a home here, too. Start rebuilding your kingdom.”

“You’re right, Sarah. I will talk to Nicholas and David and see what they say.”

My good deed is done for the day. My phone chimes with a message, and Eric’s number pops on the screen. I smile like a hormonal teenager as I click on the notification icon.

Sarah, come with me to New Orleans.

I grin at the text message.

When? I have to tell Dr. Edward.

Eric responds almost instantly.

Don’t worry. I already spoke to him. We will be gone for a few days. I need to talk to a witch about the box. C U in an hour.

Saying goodbye to Odessa, I rush upstairs to my room. I check the weather for New Orleans and it’s still warm on that side of the United States, so I pack summer clothes. There is a knock at the door, and Eric stands there looking sexy and dangerous with his bag draped over his arm. He bends down and kisses my lips. I pull away, trying to keep my composure.

“You ready to go, love?”

I nod as I smile.

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