“A Mister Pinxton is here for you, Wren. He’s a walk-in. Should I make an appointment? I know you’re not feeling too hot.”
Actually, at the moment, she was all about the hotness. “No, it’s fine. Have him complete the intro packet and I’ll be out in five minutes.” In today’s real estate market, Wren had to jump on any leads that came her way. The rhythmic buzz of Wren’s cell phone snagged her attention and she glanced at the screen and winced. “Make it ten. Tell him…something that doesn’t make me look like an ass. I’ve gotta take this other call.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
Releasing the button on her desk phone, she snatched up her cell and answered. “Hey, Tory. What’s up?”
Look at her, she could pretend to be all perky and everything.
“So, I’ve been looking into our little problem.”
“Is that the royal ‘our’?”
“Shaddup. I’m talkin’ here.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Wren slumped into her chair. “Carry on.”
“Bitch. Anyway. It’s all the vamp’s fault.”
Wren snorted. “Because I got vamp-nookie-defied I’m sick?”
“Yes, I’ve been reading and—”
She couldn’t hold back her groan. Reading. It was one of Tory’s things. If she didn’t understand something, hell, if she was curious, she hunted and dug until she was satisfied. The woman had taught herself several languages. It started with Korean because she found those soaps interesting. Then web and graphic design because she thought it’d be neat to have a pretty website even though she didn’t really need one. It got even better when she discovered fun tricks to do with a bank’s computers.
“I’ve been reading and—”
“On Snopes dot com?” Because she could believe what she read on Snopes. It was like, unstupify people gospel or something.
“—and I think you’re, like, addicted to the fang-flinger now.”
“Fang flinger?”
“Do you prefer Count Suckula? Oh, Sucktastic One?” Tory huffed. “We could go with the standard Bite-n-Banger, but I didn’t think you’d appreciate that one since you’re in this situation ‘cause he, uh, bit and banged.”
“Right. Let’s go with Count Suckula then.” The last thing she needed was the greatest night of her life (evah) thrown in her face. Especially since said best night evah ended with her waking in her apartment. Alone. And sticky.
“Good. So, Count Suckula did some weird, voodoo blood exchange thingie and now you are jonesing for your next fix. This is withdrawal or something.”
Wren scrunched her face. “God, the doc who thought I was going through alcohol withdrawal was almost right.” She sighed. “So, I just have to work through this and I’m golden? How long do your little vamp-chaser friends think it’ll take before I get over this?”
“Hey, we prefer Vampstorians. And I’m the founding member and president of the Atlanta chapter.” Tory sounded haughty enough that she figured that pronouncement deserved a little something.
“Um, congratulations? Oh! Is this a membership of one by any chance?”
“You’re a bitch, you know that? I love you, but you suck.”
Wren giggled. “No. That’d be those peeps you hang out with. I’m all about blow—” Her desk phone buzzed, cutting off the rest of her thought. “Gotta go, chickie. I’ll call you later to finish talking about Count Suckula.”
Ending her call with Tory, she answered her admin. “Is Mister Pinxton ready?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Perfect. Maybe she’d find something for this guy and snag a decent commission out of it. “Go ahead and bring him on back.”
In mere moments, Lynn brought back the second most gorgeous man she’d ever seen. Griffin being the first. Even if he was a blood-sucking, undead asshole.
Not that she was bitter or anything.
This guy had Griffin’s height, but not his build. Mister Pinxton was slim, body like a swimmer, hiding all the strength that she was sure he possessed. His hair was a deep red, almost burgundy, and his eyes were a bright, shining green, drawing her in as their gazes clashed.
It felt like he dragged her to him and held her fast with those near glowing eyes. “Hello, Miss Minix.”
Well, then.
His voice had a musical quality, soothing and tempting at the same time. She was sure that if she hadn’t had Griffin on the brain twenty-four seven, she would be an aroused puddle at this man’s feet.
“Nice to meet you, Mister Pinxton.”
He extended his hand and she accepted the gesture, blushing when he brought her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “Hyde, please. And it is very nice to meet you. Now that I’ve found you.”