Fireworks for July: A Holiday Bites Vampire Paranormal Holiday Romances Read Free

turned over and her lungs seemed to stall, and she wanted to feel her lips on Carter’s flesh, July lacked the courage to follow through.
    She shook her head. “I appreciate the offer.”
    “It’s an open offer, doll.” His wicked smile electrified her. “Tell you what. I bartend at the Shadows—it’s here in the hotel. You change your mind, come to the Shadows for my specialty.” He winked and walked away.
    And just how many girls fall for that, Mr. Mattison? Plenty, she bet. Her heart still hadn’t slowed its frenetic beat. What a delicious man.
    Feeling unsteady, July hurried into another aisle and looked over the vibrators. She chose a small bullet-shaped one, which already had the batteries installed.
    After she paid for her purchase, she returned to the casino floor and went to the ladies room. She removed the bullet and its wireless remote from the plastic and tucked it into her small gold purse.
    Glancing at her watch, she realized she had some time to kill before her midnight dinner. A fancy meal for one had lost its appeal, especially after meeting the mysterious Carter. Well, he had invited her to the Shadows for one of his specialty drinks.
    It’s open offer, doll.
    Did she have the courage to go for it?

    F rom a hidden distance , Carter watched the beautiful woman exit the shop. His nostrils flared as he thought about her and the necklace. He’d felt the curse the moment he’d laid eyes on the pendant. He’d never forget how it had played a part in his downfall.
    She hadn’t been lying when she said it was a gift from an aunt. He would’ve have sensed deception. But he wondered what kind of game she played? Had the whole damsel in the cab thing been a ruse?
    He didn’t think so, but he didn’t have time to work it out now. He knew where she was staying, so answers could wait. His job, however, would not.

Chapter Three
    T he bar was low lit , crowded, and loud. All the same, July spotted Carter right away. He was behind the bar, his jacket and tie off, his shirtsleeves rolled up.
    He spotted her and smiled. He patted the bar top. The people pushing in to get drinks immediately parted and allowed her to sit on the now vacated stool.
    “Neat trick,” she said as she slid onto the leather seat. “Got any more?”
    He rested his elbows on the counter. “Yes,” he said, flashing that wicked grin that made her stomach flip-flop. His eyes were such a vivid blue. There was something animalistic about their shape. Come to think of it, his whole demeanor was animalistic. The idea of being his prey both terrified and exhilarated July.
    If he were chasing her… what would he do when he caught her?
    She leaned forward and Carter ducked down so he could hear her. “You said you had a specialty,” she said.
    The words were barely out before his lips captured hers. He swiped his tongue into her mouth, a slightly naughty incursion that made her knees go wobbly. She grabbed the edge of the bar to keep from toppling over. The mad kiss went on for longer than all of eternity. She felt like a ball of fire burst inside her, its heat radiating to every point in her body.
    Carter let her go. Shaking and discombobulated, she nearly fell off the stool. She couldn’t quite get her breath back. Against the wall, a mirror ran the full length of the bar. She saw her own shocked reflection—the dazed look in her eyes, the swollen, wet look of her lips.
    He studied her. “How was that?”
    “I thought you were talking about a drink,” she said, her voice quivering.
    “It helps if you’re specific. That way we both know what you want.” He whipped out a cocktail shaker and poured liquid into it. Out of the five liquids he mixed, the only one she recognized was pineapple juice. He also added a pinch of pungent black powder.
    “Is that pepper?” she asked. She didn’t know much about alcoholic beverages, but really, who put pepper in their cocktails?
    “It’s not pepper. It’s my little addition of