Fated by Alexandra Anthony Read Free Book Online Page B

t-shirt over his head and slid his feet into his shoes.  He glanced at Georgia with a mixture of amusement and annoyance in his sparkling blue eyes.  “Georgia, I sense either you and I will either be great friends or we will constantly be at each others’ throats.  For Josephine's sake, we should attempt to be friends.”
    The double meaning of his words was unmistakable to me.  I instantly had a mental picture of what Stefan meant about being at her throat and felt a cold shiver run down my spine.  She had no idea she was testing the patience of a vampire that could literally and figuratively rip her throat out.
    Georgia tapped her finger on her chin, her eyes twinkling.  “I suppose we could be friends. You're much too pretty to maim permanently.”
    Stefan crouched his six-foot-four frame down in front of me.  He put his finger under my chin to raise my eyes to look into his.  A beautiful smile broke over his lips, making his face almost glow.
    “You need to talk to your friend.  I have issues that require my attention,” Stefan murmured quietly.  “I will be back in a few hours.  Will you be safe?”
    “Stefan, I managed to stay safe for 28 years.  I think I can manage for a few hours,” I retorted indignantly as he rose to his full height.
    When had my life turned into concerns about my safety and having cryptic conversations with secret vampires?  Oh, that would be last night when I brought one home and had mind-numbing sex with one.  That's when it happened.
    “I will see you soon, Josephine.  Until we meet again, Georgia Turner.”
    “You need to stop calling me by my full name, smart ass.  It's just Georgia."
    He gave her a dry smile, slightly inclining his head.  Stefan winked at me, quietly leaving the villa.  I heard his car start, the purr of the motor disappearing as it got farther away from the house.
    Georgia settled into the chair across from me and scrutinized me.   I mentally prepared herself for the laundry list of questions she had ready for me.
    “Well honey, I have to give you credit.  You know how to pick 'em.  Tall, blond and delicious.”  Georgia was just getting warmed up, rubbing her hands together as her eyes gleamed.  “So, how was it?”
    Crossing my legs, I looked at the ceiling in exasperation while making a calculated decision to play stupid. I knew it would do two things simultaneously: stall her questions and piss her off. “How was what?”
    Georgia let out a loud sigh, taking the time to adjust the ponytail that was perched high on the top of her head.  “Darlin', let's not play stupid.  You're much smarter than that and we both know this.  So make it easy on momma and tell me the details.”
    I pursed my lips.  “ It was wonderful.  End of story.”
    Georgia stood up, padding around the living room and glanced out the window. “He said he's coming back here in a few hours.  Care to share why that is?”
    I could feel the muscles in my shoulders tensing.  I wasn't ready to have a conversation with her about Stefan, what his coming back meant or what potential we had as a couple.  Did we have potential?  I never thought I'd be worried about having a relationship, but here I was thinking about having one with an almost millennia old vampire.
    What a difference a day makes.
    Now it was Georgia that crouched down in front of me, her dark blue eyes concerned. “Honey, we talked about this last night and you insisted you didn't date or mix with men.  Mr. Hunky McHunkerson sweeps in last night, brings your home for some wonderful 'whatever', and he's telling you he'll be back in a few hours.  You have to see why I'm confused, sweetie,” Georgia paused, patting my leg. “This isn't like you and I just want to know that you're okay with all of this.  You are okay with all of this, right?”
    I couldn't help but smile at Georgia.  She was one of the few friends I'd managed to keep over my years of travel.  She could drive you to the edge of