“Here? Now?” I looked around the room, checking to see if anyone was watching.
“I’m told the flavor isn’t great, so you can mix it with whatever you want.”
That must’ve been why Stark had given me the strawberry protein shake. He’d wanted to mask the flavor.And provide me with twenty-seven essential vitamins and minerals. Howthoughtful, I thought sarcastically.
“Why put a pig in an Easter dress?” I grabbed the vial and removed the small black cap. The smell hit me like a bag of dirty underwear.
“Damn. What’s in it?” I asked and then swiftly held up my palm. “Wait. No. Don’t tell me.” Because it was probably something gross. At best, moonshine was an ancient narcotic, and like I’d said, I just wasn’t a fan of drugs. Doctor’s orders only, and even then, I was a pill about pills. Mother Nature had given me a fully functioning body, and I trusted her more than humans.
Except when it comes to the fact she made vampires. Why?Wasn’t like we humans didn’t have enough challenges.
Lately, we’d been turning against each other. Right, left. Young, old. Rich, poor. Those who were still drinking the Kool-Aid and those who were pretty darn pissed off at the masses drinking said Kool-Aid. All brought to us by the powers that be, just hoping we’d be too busy fighting amongst ourselves to notice they were about to help vampires conduct a major power grab, one that would put us all on the chopping block.
The only thing that could save us now was uniting against a common enemy. But could we get the word out around the entire world in time? And if we did, would enough people believe the truth?
I had to admit, either way I sliced this turd, it was still a turd.God, if we beat the vampires, you’dbetter not have ET showing up on my doorstep next.
“Here goes.” I threw back the vial of moonshine and swallowed, instantly gagging.
“Drink this.” Charlie pushed my coffee toward me.
I grabbed the brown mug and chugged, super thankful it was our normal lukewarm sock water. People didn’t come to the Flaming Rooster for a caffeine fix. They came for the strong drinks, new chest hair, and no-frills atmosphere.
“Bleh!” I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
“How do you feel?” Charlie asked.
“Like I licked an overripe ball sack.”
“I won’t ask how you know what that tastes like, but any effect?”
I waited a moment, trying to gauge any changes in my mood. “I feel…nothing.”
“You sure?”
I nodded. “Yep.”
Charlie took his phone from the table and dialed a number. “It’s me. I need you to tell her to stand up and kiss me. Tell her to do everything I say.”
“Wait. What?” I snapped.
Charlie put the phone on speaker, and a deep unknown voice came through. “Miss Kicklighter, I want you to rise to your feet and kiss Mr. Cross. Obey him until he tells you otherwise.”
I hopped from my chairand licked my lips.Oh no.His recipewasworking. And who the hell was on the phone?
“Thanks. I’ll text you the results.” Charlie ended the call and stood with squared shoulders. “You heard him. Kiss me.”
My entire body tensed, attempting to resist. He was doing exactly what I’d feared. This wasn’t sex, but a kiss meant something. Especially a first kiss. It was a thing two people did in a moment when their desires overcame their fear of rejection. That kiss could change two people’s futures and set them on a path together.
Despite my thoughts, I stepped towards Charlie, my lips doing that duck thing. One step closer and his tonsils would be going through the Masie carwash.
He pressed his palm against my shoulder, holding me back. Maybe he wanted to see how hard I would fight to obey the command.
“Stop doing that. I really have to kiss you,” I complained.
He moved his hands on my upper arms and smiled down at me, amused. “That’s because you really want me, don’t you?”
I mean, you’re cute and all, but no. I just had my heart broken by a nasty old vampire.“Yes.” I nodded dumbly, my mind in a serious fog.
