Forever Kiss by Dawn Michelle Read Free Book Online Page A

the east coast.
    "We can still have sex," Penny said after several seconds passed.
    "Gross! I don't want to have sex with you."
    "I meant people like us. Well, women like us."
    Beth turned her focus away from the coverage of the salvage company working to recover the mystery ship. "Women?"
    Penny looked in the mirror, her eyes glancing about to insure there was no one within earshot. "There are no men."
    "What? Why?"
    "A long time ago we came together and decided the blood couldn't be trusted to men," Penny said. "They spread it without fear of consequence and nearly undid us all. People knew of us and they were banding together to seek us out and destroy us."
    "Okay, so what about all the male vampires out there?"
    Penny winced. "Don't use that word."
    "What? Vam— why?"
    "It is an uncommon word and people can overhear it more easily. It brings attention and awareness, two things we do not want."
    "I saw what you did to those assholes that attacked me," Beth hissed. "What are you afraid of?"
    "The sun," Penny stated. "At night we are strong but not invulnerable. We can be worn down and incapacitated. There is a reason that stories speak of destroying us by a spike or a bullet that lodges in our heart. That or cutting off our heads. Either will disable us until the sun, a fire, or something else destroys our bodies."
    Beth blinked and shook her head. "Holy shit. I can't believe I'm having this conversation."
    "It's real, Elizabeth. And you will soon be bound by this reality."
    "This is too much. And you calling me Elizabeth makes me feel like I'm in trouble."
    Penny smiled. "I'm sorry, I want you to understand the importance of what I'm saying."
    "Oh, I get that," Beth agreed. "So, um, what happened to all the males?"
    "We killed them."
    Beth stared at her, expecting a smile or a wink to show she was kidding. Penny's face remained emotionless. "Holy shit! All of them?"
    Penny nodded. "A few may have escaped, but we haven't heard or seen anything of the ones who are missing and it's been nearly five hundred years."
    Beth frowned. No male vampires. That meant she was going to live forever but she'd only have Penny and any other vampires she met as companions. If she wanted to mess around she'd have to find a guy. A living, breathing guy.
    "You said we can still have sex?"
    Penny nodded. "Yes, everything feels the same. You can't get pregnant or catch any diseases. Built in safe sex."
    Candy signaled and walked towards them. "Hey Pen, I know you're busy but Scarlet was asking about you earlier. She looked upset."
    "Scarlet?" Beth asked, turning her gaze on Penny.
    "One of the dancers," Penny said. "She's been having problems with her son."
    "And you help?"
    Penny offered a wry smile. "I do what I can."
    "I've seen what you can do," Beth hissed.
    Penny shrugged. "Sit tight and think about what I've told you. I'm going to see what Scarlet needs."
    "Wait—" Beth said and then hesitated. "If there's no guys… I'm confused."
    "You flirted with me, Pet," Penny said. "You told me about loving your friend and wanting more, and experimenting to learn more. You told me how you admired pretty girls and couldn't stop being attracted to them."
    Beth gulped. She started to shake her head and stopped. There was a sense of familiarity to Penny's words. It felt right, like she'd done or said those things. "That sounds like me, but I don't understand. I mean, I'm not gay."
    Penny smiled. "We can talk later. You don't have to be gay. Now or ever. I didn't give this to you so we could be lovers. I did it because I enjoy you. I'm smitten with you, Pet, but soon you will learn that lust and passion for the flesh are not what drive us. It was your experiences and your closeness with another woman that influenced you, I think. And your desire to have the body you wanted, rather than the one you have."
    Beth swallowed as Penny's words sank in and resonated with her. Everything the woman said sounded so true. So perfect. Like it was everything she'd