Forever Kiss by Dawn Michelle Read Free Book Online

how to encourage people not to look at you. Some people see through the aversion, but they are very rare. You were one of those that saw me and I recognized it. That was one of the first signs I had that you were special."
    Beth gulped and dropped her face to try and hide her smile. "I'm not some stupid puppy you can win by praising me."
    "Good," Penny said. "If you were I would have made a terrible mistake."
    "Why did you do this to me?" Beth asked. "I mean, all of it?"
    "That's two questions," Penny warned. "But I'll allow it. I did it because I'm lonely. I want someone to spend my time with and I saw in your eyes a spark that called to my heart."
    "Called to your heart?"
    "Figure of speech," Penny said with a wink.
    "Wait, are you telling me you're crushing on me?" Beth gasped. "Oh my god! I'm not even a—"
    Penny stepped up to her and rubbed her hand against Beth's cheek, cupping it gently. "You don't remember everything yet, do you?"
    Beth's breath hissed through her nose. She inhaled the faint perfume Penny wore, something from yesterday? "Remember what? You said you tried to make me forget, but then you said I was getting them back. I— I've had questions about things. Crystal, she was my friend, right? But then I thought she hurt me or something? I don't remember. There's something about her."
    Penny pulled her hand back and nodded. "There is. You'll remember soon. When you die, if not sooner."
    "Jesus, that sounds bad!" Beth said.
    Penny smiled. "It's not. It's a horrible thing to go through, but I believe you will rise stronger for it. Not just your body, but your soul."
    Beth stared at her and shook her head. "I was so mad at you. Scared too. Of you and of what was happening to me. I felt like you trapped me. Like I didn't have a choice."
    "You forced my hand," Penny said. "You'd already turned me down when I offered my gift to you."
    "I did? When? I don't rememb— oh, that's part of what you made me forget?"
    Penny smiled. "Are you still mad at me?"
    Beth hesitated. She wasn't. She wanted to be, but she wasn't. "I should be, but I'm not."
    Penny smiled. "Good."
    "Why? Because you've got a girl crush on me?"
    "You flirted with me first," Penny said.
    Beth gasped. "I did not!"
    "There is much you don't remember," Penny said. "I've lived thousands of years. I can wait."
    "Oh my god," Beth groaned. She shook her head but a fluttering in her stomach made her doubt herself. Had she flirted with Penny? She remembered the girl at the frat party. She'd been okay with letting that bitch touch her. More than touch her, she'd used her mouth and—
    "This is too much," Beth mumbled.
    "Clothes?" Penny asked.
    Beth glanced down at her outfit and nodded. Clothes were a great idea. She looked up to Penny and saw Penny's hand was extended to her again. She sighed and placed her palm in Penny's. "Clothes."
     
     

 
    Chapter 7
     
    Beth slid into the seat at the bar with a soft groan. After all the shopping and trying on different things, her muscles ached and she was thirsty. Penny had assured her that the clothes would be delivered by the time she got to her room, sparing her that misery at least. The bartender, a tall blond woman with several thousand dollars invested in her chest, sent a smile her way and started to walk towards her.
    "We're good, Candy," Penny said as she slid into the seat next to her.
    "Oh, okay," Candy said. "Friend of yours, Penny?"
    "Yes," Penny said. "A very close friend."
    Candy's eyebrow rose and she smiled. "Good for you!"
    Beth turned to look at the smiling vampire woman. "Very close?" she asked.
    Penny winked. "Let her think what she wants."
    "I'm not gay," Beth said.
    "Pet, that doesn't apply to us. Not anymore."
    Beth tilted her head and glanced away. She wasn't sure what Penny meant by that, or if she wanted to find out. She looked up at the flat screen television mounted above the mirrors behind the liquor bottles. She read the caption stating that an unknown shipwreck had been discovered off