Page 55 of Ghoul Kisses

“It’s Vanessa,” I can’t tell him about the message because he will not let me go without him. Right now, I need some girl time.

“We can get a tattoo tomorrow,” Eric says.

“We?”

“What will you get?” I question.

“A hawk.”

“Why a hawk?”

“It’s my kingdom’s symbol.”

“Do you miss living in Venice?”

I have never been to Italy, but I would love to go. I heard they have good food, and the city is pretty.

“Yea, I do. It used to be my home.”

“Used to be?”

“Home is where the heart is; you’re my home now.” My heart swells at his words. For a ghoul, he knows what to say to make me fall in love with him again.

After work, I change into a white sweater and black yoga pants. I am eager to find out what Vanessa is going to tell me. I don’t care what it is, I just want to be there for her. How will I leave the mansion without getting caught? In the kitchen, I notice a cupboard with different keys. I see a servant stacking dishes in the dishwasher. I lightly tap him on the shoulder. A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.

“How can I help you, Miss?”

“Give me a pair of car keys, please?” I ask.

“Does King Eric know you’re down here?” his face turns red.

“Yes, of course,” I say, tapping my freshly manicured nails against the counter.

“If you give me the keys to Eric’s SUV, I’ll tell him you are a good servant and to give you a raise,” I say, fixing his black tie. His face turns beet red.

“King Eric left in it,” he answers.

“What about the red Porsche?” I bat my eyes and smile. My flirting skills suck.

He opens the box and tosses me the keys. I kiss him on the cheek and head to the garage.

Fifteen cars are lined up in a row on both sides. I spot the red car. Opening the car door, I tap the start button. The engine hums to life. Heavy metal booms through the speakers. The music is giving me a headache, so I turn the knob on the radio to low. Eric’s taste in music sucks. I strap my seatbelt on. Shifting into drive, I race out of the garage. I hope I will get home before Eric does.

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