Page 9 of Another Curvy Girl and Grumpy Vamp

“Yeah, well,” I say, trying to lighten the mood, “you’re missing out on some really cool stuff. Like Charlie Cart. You’d probably be terrible at it, though.”

His lips quirk up into a smirk. “Is that a challenge?

“Maybe.” I grin. “But you’d lose.”

“I don’t lose.”

“Not yet. But give me a controller, and I’ll make sure you do.”

He chuckles softly, the sound low and almost… human. It catches me off guard, but in a good way. For a moment, I forget that we’re sitting in a mostly empty café, that he’s a vampire, andthat I’m supposed to be keeping my distance from him. For a moment, it’s just… us. But then the moment passes, and reality settles back in. I can feel the pull between us, the tension that’s been simmering since the elevator incident, but I can’t let myself fall into it. Not again. I clear my throat, forcing myself to focus.

My phone buzzes and I’m saved by the bell. I gulp down the last of my latte and start packing up my latte. “Speaking of apps—that’s work. Gotta run.”

“Work?”

“Yes I drive forPick ups.”

“What’sPick ups?”

I pause mid-motion, my hands freezing over the zipper of my bag as I glance up at him. “You know, Pick Ups. The ride-share app?” His brows furrow. How does he not know this? Guess it’s one of the many perks of being mega rich. You never have to call for a Pick Up and you definitely never have to give a Pick Up. “It’s basically like Uber. People request rides, I pick them up, drop them off. You know, basic stuff. It’s a great job for a student. Should’ve been in that little background check you ran on me.”

His nostrils flare at that. “It wasn’t.”

I grin in victory and give a little fist pump. “Huh. Guess your detective missed a spot.”

But he doesn’t laugh or even seem remotely amused. His eyes narrow and his voice lowers to a near growl. “You do this alone? Late at night?”

“Yeah.” I shrug. “I mean, it’s a job. I’m not the only one out there. People do it all the time, Baden.”

I’m fascinated by the nerve ticking in his clenched jaw. It’s all kinds of seductive. So sexy, I almost miss the possessive edge to his voice. “It’s dangerous.” He eyes me up and down before adding, “I wondered if you had a man. Now I know you don’t.Because what kind of man would let his woman wander the streets at night picking up random strangers?”

My eyes nearly bulge from my head. Like seriously, pop out and roll across the floor like two boiled eggs. I can’t believe I almost forgot who orwhatI was talking to. “Excuse me? If I had a man? Really? As in a keeper? What century are you from again?”

“A century where we didn’t let our women—”

“Stop.” I cut him off. Seriously afraid he will choke on the foot he’s stuffing in his mouth if I let him. “Just stop. Men don’t let women do anything. We don’t need their permission. I know you haven’t kept up with the times but I hope you at least got that far. It was a whole movement. If you missed the first one, there was another every fifty years or so. You can’t have missed them all.”

“Are you saying women don’t need men?” He stands when I do.

“I’m saying I’m not about to argue the point with a five hundred year old vamp.”

“Four hundred,” he corrects.

“Potato, po-tot-toe,” I mutter before wiping a hand over my face. The only thing that dampens my rage is that he seems genuinely concerned and befuddled at the same time. And befuddled is not a word I use casually, or at all. “I’m fine. It’s just driving people around. I’ve never had any problems. Don’t worry, Grandpa.”

His silver eyes glint but he stays focused. Of course he does. “You could get hurt. I don’t like it.”

Which is probably a good argument in his mind. Maybe if he thought I was his… Except I’m not. And even if I were… I haul my backpack onto a shoulder and fold my arms across my chest. “I’m not going to stop driving because it makes you uncomfortable.”

“Merri—”

“No.” I cut him off before he can go full broody on me. “I don’t need an overprotective man in my life trying to tell me what I can and can’t do. I’m not about to change my life because you’ve got a thing about danger.”

His lips press into a thin line, and the sexy tic in his jaw jackhammers. The silver in his eyes flashes, and I wait for him to lash out, to push harder. But he doesn’t. Instead, he just watches me, his gaze intense and unreadable.

“There are other ways to make money,” he says quietly. “If you need help, I could…”

I shake my head and back away my palms lifting as if I’m warding off a…. Well, warding off a vampire.And where’s a wooden stake and some garlic when a girl needs it?“Um, thanks. But no thanks. I got this.”

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