Dark Deception (Vampire Royals of New York #1) - Sarah Piper Page 0,45
like #4.
I see you’ve given our relationship a lot of thought.
You’re the one who called me your wife.
Married within an hour of meeting. Yet, sadly, a relationship unconsummated.
Charley could practically hear the teasing sigh in his voice.
Pro tip, hot stuff, she replied. If you want your wife to put out, take her to a hotel. Or on a cruise. I hear the ladies love that shit.
You’re dreadful!
Sooo not what you said last night.
You’re lucky I couldn’t find any closets in the museum. Today might’ve turned out differently for both of us.
The idea made her stomach flip. Charley couldn’t decide whether she was relieved about the lack of closets or disappointed.
Pretty cocky for a man sitting home alone while his wife’s out on a date, she replied.
At least tell me what you’re wearing.
You already know. You saw me earlier, remember?
How could I forget? Seeing your ass in those tight jeans distracted me so much I missed my 2:30 meeting. So tell me again.
Charley sent him the shrugging emoji.
Well, he replied. You’re not very fun.
Really? Even though I’m not wearing underwear? I bet the rest of the guys here think a girl who goes commando to a movie in a public park is LOTS of fun. Maybe I should take a poll?
Just so we’re clear, I’ll kill the first man who answers that question. Wait… does this mean you weren’t wearing panties at the museum?
BRB—just got to my favorite part in the movie.
Which movie?
Sleepless in Seattle. Empire State Building scene.
I knew it! You’re a hopeless romantic. A sexy-as-hell, hopeless, panty-less romantic who drives me—
“You are so busted!” Sasha swiped the phone from Charley’s hand, her eyes lit with mischief as she scanned the screen. “Is this Mr. Already Forgotten?”
Charley reached for the phone, but Sasha wouldn’t relent.
“I can’t believe I’m watching this movie while you’re sexting some guy like it’s no big deal.” Sasha glanced down at the phone, her expression souring. “You’re not wearing underwear?”
An older couple on a blanket in front of them turned around to give Charley the evil eye.
“Sasha!” Charley whispered. Her cheeks burned, but Sasha only giggled.
“He thinks you’re romantic,” she whispered. “Obviously he doesn’t know you very well. Oh, he sent a new one!” Sasha glanced again at the phone, eyes narrowing as she read the latest message. “Wait. Now he sounds like a psycho.”
“Give me that.” Charley swiped the phone back and checked the screen.
I need you here ASAP, Charlotte. Nonnegotiable. Find a cab—my driver is unavailable.
It wasn’t her man. It was Rudy.
“It’s the boss,” Charley said, unable to keep the disappointment from her voice.
“Good ol’ Uncle Rudy.” Sasha rolled her eyes. “We already know he’s a psycho.”
Everything okay? Charley texted back.
Be here in 30 minutes. Time to talk about your future.
Charley’s stomach bubbled, threatening to revolt against the milkshake. She was already on Rudy’s shit list, and she’d completely forgotten to report in on her museum findings. There was no telling what he wanted now.
“You need to ditch that gig,” Sasha said. “I know he’s your uncle, but still. You’re super smart, talented, driven. Why stay in a crappy job when you can find something awesome?”
“It pays really well, Sasha. I can’t just walk away.”
The movie credits were rolling, but the sisters were still drawing nasty looks from everyone around them.
“So that’s the most important thing?” Sasha asked. “Money?”
“It is when you don’t have any. And that’s not something I want either of us to worry about—not ever. Okay?”
It wasn’t the first time they’d had this argument, and Charley knew it wouldn’t be the last. But for now Sasha dropped it, gathering up their trash and helping Charley fold the blanket.
“Guess I need to grab a cab,” Charley said. Rudy lived in a massive steel-and-glass tower in the no-man’s land between Chinatown and the Financial District, arguably the most inconvenient location in Manhattan. Getting there in thirty minutes was about as likely as finding that awesome new job Sasha thought she deserved, but she had to try. “You heading home?”
“Nah, I’ll see if Darcy wants to meet up.” Sasha linked her arm with Charley’s. “Come on, I’ll wait with you. Forty-Second Street?”
“Let’s try Fifth,” Charley said. On Fifth, she could at least wait in front of the library, one of her favorite buildings in the city.
They packed up the rest of their things and threaded their way through the post-movie crowd. Traffic on Fifth Avenue was a nightmare; every cab that passed was already occupied.
“Figures.” Charley sat on the library steps, gazing up at