Forever Kiss by Dawn Michelle Read Free Book Online Page B

known all along, even if she couldn't quite remember it. She offered Penny a smile, releasing the woman to go and check on the dancer with the problem. Beth turned back to the bar and stared up at the television. The news report had moved on to something else, an update on the affairs of diseases in Africa that the world was struggling to contain.
    She sighed. Everything was falling apart. The world was filled with chaos. Not just her own life, but everyone's. Disease, terrorism, corruption, drugs, taxes, and a few dozen other problems she couldn't imagine. And she was going to be able to watch it all happen while she existed outside of it. Her and Penny, her immortal companion.
    Something flashed on her left, drawing her attention. Her eyes narrowed, there was nothing shiny on the two people that stood near the bar, but they looked different. Clearer maybe? No, brighter. Something about them drew her to them and made her ignore the people around the couple.
    The man wore an suit that looked expensive. It was tailored to fit his body and give him a presence that made him stand out in the room. Salt and pepper hair rested atop a face that looked chiseled and ready for anything. His eyes searched the room while the woman beside him, a trophy wife-style blond in a dress that had more curves than a two snakes wrestling each other, turned and looked straight at Beth.
    The blond tugged on the man's hand and nodded at Beth. His eyes locked with hers and Beth found herself staring back. She had to remind herself to breathe as he smiled and revealed gleaming teeth. They weren't as perfect and white as Penny's, but they were close.
    "Hi there, are these seats taken?" the man asked her.
    Beth's eyes widened. She hadn't even realized they'd walked up to stand next to her at the bar. She shook her head to clear it and said, "Yes. I mean no. One is."
    "Which one?" he asked and then paused. "Pardon me, how rude! This is Tiffany and I'm Hunter. We're celebrating Tiffany's recovery from a nasty bug that she picked up. Wasn't sure she was going to make it, but she's one tough bitch."
    Tiffany laughed, flashing her teeth and glancing at him with a sparkle in her eye that seemed possessive and dangerous. "I am a bitch, but I'm your bitch," she confirmed.
    Beth fought back a gag as she watched them. Hunter smiled at the outrageous blond and turned back to Beth. "Care to join us? I'd love to get you a drink?"
    "What? No, I'm not thirsty. Thanks," Beth fumbled. "I'm just—"
    Penny swept in beside her and laid her hand on the small of her back. "Is everything okay?"
    "Penny!" Hunter said. "I was hoping you'd be here. I was telling my girlfriend about you and she wanted to meet you."
    "You know these two?" Beth asked.
    Penny tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. "You were here a while ago. Before Christmas?"
    Hunter's smile was magnetic. "I'm impressed. Tell me, how are things with your brother?"
    "Fine," Penny answered in a neutral tone. "Can I show you to a table?"
    "We were thinking of sitting at the bar," Tiffany said. She extended her hand to Penny, "I'm Tiffany. Hunter was right, there's something about you that takes my breath away."
    "You have no idea," Beth mumbled under her breath. Both of them laughed at her private joke, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.
    "My partner and I are going over some job details," Penny said. "I'll show you a table and arrange for someone to take good care of you."
    "Your partner?" Hunter asked.
    "Yes," Penny said without giving anything away. She stepped between Beth and Hunter and gestured towards the tables  towards the back. "Shall we?"
    Hunter watched Penny and nodded. Tiffany's eyes dropped and checked out Beth from her new heels all the way up her stocking clad legs, skirt, and new corseted top. She smiled, baring her teeth and then winking before she turned and followed Hunter.
    Beth watched her hips sway as they wound through the growing crowd in the club. Her dress probably cost a thousand bucks