Page 3 of Another Curvy Girl and Grumpy Vamp

Javier: What’s up, boss?

I stare at the message. I texted him from the elevator. But I debate replying. Part of me wants to know everything about her. Where she goes, who she spends her time with, what she dreams about at night. But another part of me—the part that’s spent centuries detaching from everyone—senses catastrophe. I shouldn’t dig deeper. I’ve walked this painful path before.

I type out a quick response.

Me: Check the feed. Girl in my reserved spot. Get everything we have on her.

I slip the phone back into my pocket. The hunger claws at me, stronger now, sharper than it’s been in centuries. Alive and pulsing with life. I haven’t craved like this since I was made. When the ravenous thirst for blood would call me through the night until I answered it. A hunger that eviscerated the last dregs of my humanity. Turning me into an animal hunting until satiated. I hated being at the mercy of my desires. Hated the things I would do to get what I desperately wanted. I took the vaccine so that I could stop the hunger. And yet, here I am…

Craving.

Merri

If life is a video game, I’m playing it with no cheat codes, no respawns, and definitely no time for unnecessary distractions—like, say, a tall, dark, and humorless vampire.

Grad school is kicking my ass. My part-time ride-share job is more grind than gig. And now, on top of all that, I need to remind myself a hundred times a day that I don’t have time for men. Especially not the dangerous, possessive kind. I’ve had a front-row seat at that shit show since I was born, and I’m not about to repeat history. But damn, that vampire was hotter than summer sand.

The second I stepped out of my car and saw him standing there, all black suit and smoldering, I fought the urge to drop my books and take him. School be damned. I’ve never had such a panty-soaking reaction to a man before. Broad shoulders, chiseled jawline, tall enough to make me feel small—which, as a curvy girl, is a list topper. And those silver eyes with the crimson rings called me even when his lips didn’t move. His eyes could make a girl say, “Yes, sir,” to any request. Any.

Of course, he ruined it by being all surly. His words came out like nails raking a board. Even without his rude words, his red gaze—the undeniable sign of a vampire, was enough to warrant a refusal. Not that he’d asked me, but I had zero desire to be his personal blood bank. Gross.

I mean, he was sexy as hell, hello—tall, dark and muscular, but there are limits. And mine end right at the blood-sucking, immortal undead boundary.

The traffic light turns red. I drum my fingers on the steering wheel as if I can tap him out of my mind. Would it be different if he wasn’t a vampire? If he was just some regular guy with no dark, dangerous strings attached? Probably. If he wasn’t a vampire, I’d be all over him. But knowing what I know… Yeah, it’s a hard pass. No matter how good he looks in that suit.

My phone buzzes on the passenger seat, Nina’s name flashes on the screen. I glance at the road, waiting for the light to change, and quickly swipe the call.

“Merri, girl, tell me you’re not still working,” Nina’s voice booms through the speaker.

“Why are you even asking. You know I only have two modes. Work or school,” I say rolling my eyes.

“Uh-huh. Well, you better shut it down, ‘cause we’re having margaritas tonight. You, me, and Greer.”

“Can’t, I have a paper due. And I still need a few more rides to hit my bare minimum goal for tonight.”

“Yeah, your daily goal. Got it.” I don’t even have to see her to know she’s eye rolling and air quoting me. I’ve told them a thousand times. I have a daily target. Until it’s met, I can’t turn off the app for the night. I need the cash, even if they don’t. “How much is it again? Can we just request your time?”

I’ve explained this as well. They can’t just buy me for the night. They either wait or party without me. “Um, nope. Besides, I’m not that far off. One or two more rides and I can visit MargaritaVilla. Hell, if the tip is big enough I may have enough to move in.” It’s a lame joke, and she knows it. My condo was a gift from an aunt who passed away. It’s prime real estate and if I live in it until I die, I’d be totally okay with that.

“Merri, please. You’re gonna burn yourself out.” Nina’s voice softens, and I know she means well. “One night off won’t kill you. Besides, Greer’s already planning an intervention. You know how over the top she gets.”

I laugh and switch lanes. Waving at the sweet grandma, who let me merge. “An intervention for what?”

“For you. Running yourself into the ground. When is the last night you had off? God forbid you have a date.”

Of course, my mind veers back to the vamp. “Only a year of school left. There’ll be plenty of time for that after I’m finished.”

“Not if you’re dead,” she grumbles under her breath. Nina is also over the top, especially on my dating life—or lack thereof.

“Besides, guys are too much trouble, and I got reminded of that last night.”

“What happened?”

“I’ll tell you when I see you guys, so I don’t have to repeat myself.”

“Didn’t you say we might not see you tonight? Spill girl and give us something to talk about.”

“Nothing much. I parked in some guy’s spot, and he got mad. That’s it. Nothing to report,” I say flatly, so I don’t encourage her.

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