Up in Smoke Read Online Free Page B

“I was a young man when I was attacked and turned against my will. And even though I was as mean as a snake to him, Walter was the only one who could take care of me. I called him, and he came and picked me up. It wasn’t until after we got back to his place and he had all of my wounds cleaned and bathed that he sat me down and informed me that I was a vampire. He told me everything he could think of and explained what being a vampire entailed. I remember thinking I would have to leave and deal with this news on my own when he dropped the bomb on me that he, too, had been turned.
    “Those first few days were some of my worst. I don’t remember much, but evidently I didn’t take to be turned all that well. Walter had to keep me restrained most of the time, fearful that I would go crazy with bloodlust. After about the second or third day, things started calming down and I became more of my old self. That was many years ago. I decided since I had abilities that humans didn’t, why not put them to good use for the sake of mankind? So, I went back to school and then into law enforcement. For the past ten years, I’ve been sheriff of a small town in Wyoming, but as you know, our kind doesn’t age. So when I started dodging questions about how I stayed looking so young, I decided it was time to move on. And here I am.”
    “So, how old are you really?” Susan inquired softly. They were the first words she had spoken since sitting down.
    “I’ll be fifty-one next month.” He watched her eyes grow big over that information, knowing full well he didn’t look a day over twenty-five.
    He cautiously scooted a bit closer so he could reach out and pick up her hand. “How old are you, darlin'?”
    Tears sprang to her eyes and it confused him. Why was she upset? He watched as she tilted her pretty, little head upwards, her long, blond hair cascading down her back. She closed her eyes for a moment, pulling her emotions back in check. He watched her the entire time, gently rubbing his thumb over the pulse on the inside of her wrist.
    Finally, she inhaled a shaky breath and opened her eyes, looking over to him. “Sorry, it’s just that I’ve been through a lot over the last few months. Every time I think I’ve got myself pulled together and moving on with my life, something happens that reminds me of the past few months.”
    She stopped and gave him a wobbly smile. “I’m twenty-eight.”
    “Walter told me about your husband. I’m sorry for your loss.”
    She looked over at him for a moment. He could tell she was debating whether she should open up to him or not. He waited, not wanting to push her.
    “Would you think me a horrible person if I said I’m not?”
    “No, there is no way that I would think you’re a horrible person period. It sounds like you were in a very unhappy relationship.”
    She shrugged her shoulders, but he watched as she leaned his way a bit. Ah, so she was being affected by the mating call, she just didn’t want to admit it. He took the chance and scooted even closer, until they were sitting next to each other. She placed her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her, drawing her up tight against him. She sighed deeply and then buried her nose into his shirt. He watched her with a grin on his face as she rubbed her cheek against his chest. He leaned his head down and placed a small kiss on the top of her head.
    “What is it about you that makes me feel so comfortable? We just met, and yet, I feel so comfortable with you one minute and so aggravated with you the next. I’ve never felt this way, it’s confusing. And your scent, whatever cologne you’re using, it’s potent.”
    “Babe, it’s the mating call. I don’t wear cologne, because then I wouldn’t be able to stand myself.” She looked up at him with a puzzled look on her face. He tapped his nose. “Increased senses, remember?”
    She laid her head back down on his chest. “Oh, yeah. That makes sense, I