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The phone rang two seconds later.

“Oh my God, this is getting beyond pathetic,” I hissed. “Wow, you totally fooled me, calling from another number so I’d pick up! What is it going to take to get you to leave me alone?”

“Olivia?”

I smacked myself on the forehead. Hearing his rich, velvety voice took the wind right out of my infuriated sails. “Robert? Hi.”

“Yes. Is everything all right?”

Damn Nick and his idiotic path of destruction!

“Oh, yes. I’m great. Pesky telemarketers.” I laughed nervously.

Sure, it was a boldfaced lie, but I felt it best to leave out the trashy Jerry Springer-esque details of my past relationship. I doubted that a debonair vampire like Robert would have any similar experiences of his own to impart. Frankly, I was embarrassed to have a guy like Nick in my dating history, since he in no way reflected what I believed to be positive traits in a romantic partner, or any human being in general.

I also didn’t want Robert to think that I had low standards. Had Nick shown his true colorsbeforewe’d entered a relationship, he wouldn’t have managed to get my phone number, let alone a first date. However, people (or as was the case here, vampires) can sometimes forget that lovers change, that the man you fell in love with is not the same man you broke up with. Like anyone could anticipate such incomprehensible behavior from a lying, narcissistic individual like Nick who was so skilled at portraying himself as decent. Until he isn’t.

“So, I spoke to Michael,” I said, quickly changing the subject. “He said you booked me three more times?”

“Yes, I do hope that was okay?”

I wanted to burst out laughing. Was that okay? Like I hadn’t been obsessing over him since we’d parted. “Of course!

“I rather enjoyed our time together, but I do wish I hadn’t carried on so much about myself. It was improper of me. I scarcely know a thing about you, yet you know an awful lot about me.”

“To be fair, I did interrogate you,” I said. “And your history is a lot more interesting than mine.”

“Looks like I’ll have to see for myself if that’s true.”

“Well, I hope I don’t disappoint you,” I said teasingly, but I was uneasy. How could I compete with Robert’s rich history? My childhood in the trailer park would fall flat when compared to his vivid past. He’d lived through some of the most exiting events in human history—hell, during our time at Locomotive, he’d nonchalantly mentioned meeting both Abraham Lincoln and Jim Morrison like they were merely acquaintances he’d run into at the post office. What was I going to do in return, regale him with anecdotes about the crazy customers I’d had at Budget Mart?

“Unlikely,” he purred. That was quite a talent he had, making even the blandest of words sound so damn sexy.

“I’m wondering, though, why you booked me for so many times outright. What if you stop having fun with me?” I asked playfully, though I remained baffled by what he saw in me that was so different than the other decoys.

“If I am to be perfectly candid, my motives are selfish.”

“Oh?”

“I want to keep you all to myself. I can’t get you out of my head, Olivia,” he said, and I wondered if I might be hallucinating. This stunning immortal couldn’t get me out of his head?Me?

Did that mean he wanted to get romantic? I wasn’t sure how I felt about it if he did. Excited, obviously, but also scared. Not of him, but intimacy. I didn’t want to get hurt again, not after the way Nick had done such a number on me. I also didn’t want to be just another notch on Robert’s century-long belt. Did sex mean anything to him anymore?

“But I’m also aware of Dignitary’s policy regarding the two of us.” Dryly, he added, “Rather, I should say that I’ve become aware now that Marlena has called.”

“She . . . called you?”

He grunted. “She can be quite unpleasant.”

“You have no idea.”

“Anyway, I figured the only way around our obstacle was to book more outings with you—through Michael, of course, who advised me to keep the details from Marlena. I would feel terrible if you lost your job because of me.”

I was touched. And shocked. I still couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

I ran a hand over the borrowed Dignitary outfit that was nicer than anything I’d ever had in my own closet. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow, but I don’t know what it is that we’re doing. Want to give me a hint?”

“I’m taking you to the theatre. It’s a playhouse run by vampires, so I thought you might find it interesting. The show we’re seeing is a satire of sorts.Interview with the Human, it’s called.”