Page 44 of Just the Pool Boy at Vampire Mansion

“I can do kind, you know.”

I unbuttoned my wet shirt, peeled it off, and towel-dried my arms and chest. Theo watched openly. His warm gaze made my skin heat. I knew he was bi, knew he liked to enjoy good things and was a hopeless flirt. He’d said a few things that had sounded like flirting, but it was just a game to him. And I could not afford any games. Still, I didn’t mind being admired.

I fumbled the buttons on the clean shirt, trying to get them open so I could actually put the damn thing on. Who washed a shirt and buttoned it up before folding it away?

He came over to help, and took the shirt from my fingers to quickly unbutton it. I looked up, watching his face as he focused on the buttons. The way his eyebrows creased in concentration, and how his dark lashes fluttered. That mouth, and its quirky almost-smiles. Soft lips, ripe for biting. I could have watched him all night, I realized, and looked away.

Oh, hello . . . not going there. I needed to calm the heck down right now.

“I can unbutton a shirt,” I mumbled.

“Just looked like your stumpy human fingers were having trouble, is all.”

Because I’d been distracted by his stare-fest.

“What you did, diving into the pool earlier. That was a good thing.” He handed the shirt back. Our fingers brushed.

My heart started to race again. Was he going to step back? I thrust my arms into the shirt and shrugged it on. The cool, clean, expensive fabric kissed my skin. Theo’s shirt, on me.

“It suits you,” Theo said, finally turning away. His low drawl suggested this shirt would look better off me.

Stop it.

I had more important things to be thinking about than getting my hands on Theo. “Why didn’t you pull her out of the pool? She’s alive, somehow, but she might have died.”

“I don’t know.” He flopped onto the couch in his default pose, taking up both cushions. Arms spread, knees parted. Sprawling. “I panicked, maybe? I knew she was alive.”

“Was there something in the pool?”

His gaze flicked up. “That is a weirdly specific question.”

How to explain my possibly imaginary near-death experience with next door’s pool? “It’s just, next door⁠—”

I cut off as the mystery woman emerged from the bathroom, her hair now a damp, frizzled mop. She wore one of the gowns Theo kept in the pool house and carried her clothes bundled over her arm. “Hey, so, thank you, guys, I guess.”

Theo straightened, going from relaxed and calm to tight and wary. He stood and offered her the couch, but his gaze caught mine, sending out silent questions.

She sat and looked around her. “Where am I, exactly?” Her gaze settled on Theo.

“Coconut Grove, outside Miami,” he replied. “You really don’t remember anything? You don’t know how you got in my pool?”

“I have no idea. I’m so sorry, though. It seems like I maybe ruined your day?”

“Not really.” Theo smiled. “Had you died, then yeah. But you’re alive, so that takes the pressure off.” He crossed the room to the mini fridge and took out a couple of beers. He offered the mystery woman one, but she shook her head. He crossed to me, held out the beer. I took it without thinking.

“At least you guys seem nice. I could have woken up with some weirdos.” She laughed nervously.

Were we weirdos? Probably only when you got to know us.

“What was the whole ‘foul beast’, you mentioned?” Theo asked, as he leaned against the table and casually drank his beer. Or tried to appear casual. He clearly didn’t trust her or her answers.

“I don’t know, honestly. It was just there, in my head, when I saw you. Sorry, it’s kinda rude, I guess. You must get it a lot, being a vampire.” She glanced at me, looking for answers. “Maybe we should call the police?”

Theo glanced at me then too. Why was everyone looking to me for answers? “Uh, we could do that?” I said. “Or you’ll probably remember everything soon, so we don’t need to waste their time? I’m sure they’re super busy. And you’re safe here. Theo said you can stay, if you like.”

“Really?”

“Sure,” he said. “Nobody comes out here. Avoid my family and you’ll be fine. Take as long as you need.”