Dracul's Revenge 01: Dracul's Blood by Carol Lynne, T. A. Chase Read Free Book Online Page A

beans is enough to last you a weekend?” He shook his head. “No wonder you’re so tiny.”
    For some reason, the remark cut Nik deep. How many times, growing up, had he run home to get away from bullies who tried to pick on him for his small stature?

    DRACUL’S BLOOD
    Carol Lynne and T.A. Chase

    37

    “Hey, I’m sorry. I was just teasin’.”
    Nik glanced up and saw the concern in Bobby’s big hazel eyes. “It’s okay. I’m used to it.”
    Bobby started to reach across the table but pulled his hand back before it reached Nik’s. “Being small isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Think of all the things you can do that I can’t.”
    Nik snorted. “Yeah? Like what?”
    Bobby appeared to be searching for examples. “Well, you can rescue kittens from drainpipes.”
    Nik laughed. “Yes, because there’s a real need for kitten rescuers.”
    Bobby shrugged. “You could easily be swept off your feet and carried to bed. Can you see someone trying to do that to me?”
    Nik tried to think of the last time he’d even had a lover, let alone one who’d tried to sweep him off his feet. “I had a boyfriend in college who pushed me onto the bed several times. Does that count?”
    Bobby’s nostrils flared briefly before he took a bite of his chicken fried steak. “No. You deserved to be carried, not pushed.”
    “It wasn’t a mean push.” Nik couldn’t believe he’d just defended his ex. On second thoughts, maybe it had been a mean push. James liked to exert his power over Nik. It was what had ended up breaking them apart.
    At only five-six, Nik may be small, but he was no weakling, and he’d hated when James tried to treat him like one. So why did the thought of Bobby carrying him to bed cause his cock to stir? Strange.
    Nik moaned as he took the first bite of meatloaf. “Oh my god, this has become my new favourite place to eat.” He licked his fork before he was aware Bobby was staring at him once again. “What? Do I have ketchup on my face?”
    Bobby shook his head. “Nope. Guess I’ve just never heard someone enjoy meatloaf so much.”
    Nik rolled his eyes at himself. Could he possibly be any more socially awkward?
    “Sorry.”
    Bobby went back to his dinner, and Nik tried to keep his noises under control. He’d become so used to eating frozen dinners, he’d forgotten what real food tasted like. “What’s DRACUL’S BLOOD
    Carol Lynne and T.A. Chase

    38

    the address of this place?”
    “Why?”
    “I want to find out if it’s at all on my bus route,” Nik admitted. He hadn’t been kidding when he’d told Bobby it was his new favourite restaurant.
    “Bus route? You don’t have a car?” Bobby looked shocked.
    “I’m a New Yorker. I don’t even know how to drive, what would I do with a car?
    Besides, parking costs a fortune in the city.”
    Bobby finished his lunch and pushed his plate to the centre of the table. Nik missed his mouth with a forkful of food when the big man began to rub his own stomach.
    Not only did the fork hurt like hell, but Bobby had witnessed the whole thing. Yep. I’m socially awkward. Deciding to quit while he was ahead, he signalled the waitress.
    “All done?” the woman asked.
    “Can I get a to-go box, please?” He’d managed to eat about a third of his lunch before embarrassing himself too badly. Better to take the rest home than risk further humiliation.
    “You sure you’ve had enough?”
    Nik nodded, thanking his lucky stars Bobby had stopped with the belly petting routine. “I’m fine. If I eat too much at a sitting I get an upset stomach.”
    “Well, we wouldn’t want that. We’ve got a bott…er, cask to study.”
    Nik pulled his battered backpack closer and unzipped the side pocket to get to his wallet. He waited while Bobby studied the bill before reaching out to tally up his share.
    “I got it.” Bobby laid cash on the table along with the cheque.
    “Don’t be ridiculous. I can pay my half.” He started to reach for the bill, but Bobby’s