The Original Sin (Skye Morrison Vampire Series, #3) by J.L. McCoy Read Free Book Online Page B

“He’s also a friend of mine and an acquaintance of Archer’s.  He’s welcome at our table.  I invited him earlier today.”
    He looked down at me, an unhappy low growl still emanating from the back of his throat.  “He stays across the table from you,” he said as he put his hand on my back and lead me to the booth.
    When we got to the table, Dean stood up to greet me.  “Hey beautiful girl,” he smiled.  “You look gorgeous.”  Zephyr rose to stand next to him and Emrick growled loudly as Dean leaned in to hug me.
    “Emrick!” I admonished as I turned back to him.  “Please!  Nothing is going to happen to me.  Will you try to chill?  These men aided in my rescue a few weeks ago.  They are friends of ours.”
    Emrick’s back straightened at being scolded by me.  You could tell he was displeased with having a human correct him, but he wisely let it go.  He regarded Dean and Zephyr coldly, but allowed Dean to hug me.
    “I’m sorry about him,” I whispered as I hugged Dean’s neck.  “Archer has us guarded around the clock now.”
    Dean smiled as he pulled away.  “As he should.  You forget I tangoed with that asshole.  He’s no joke Skye.”
    I frowned as I remembered Amun and my time spent in that east Austin basement.  “I know,” I shuddered and unconsciously hugged my stomach tightly.
    Dean smoothed my hair with one hand and kissed my temple.  “I know you know, babe.  That was insensitive of me.  I’m sorry I brought it up.”
    “No,” I shook my head, snapping out of my inner distress.  “You don’t have to apologize, it’s alright.”
    I introduced everyone to Emrick and Dean introduced his friends as well.  I already knew Zephyr and surprisingly, he greeted me warmly.  His other friend was his cousin Dylan.  Dylan and Dean had similar features and could easily pass for brothers.
    Tori brought us another round of drinks and I could see that she was in hog heaven.  Dylan, Zephyr and Dean positively fawned over her and it was amusing to watch. 
    As the minutes passed, Emrick started to relax more and stopped scowling at everyone so much.  The conversations from then on were a lot more lighthearted and playful.
    Dylan spotted a cute girl on the dance floor and excused himself to go talk to her.  Zephyr followed to play wing man with her friend and left us as well.  Dean politely smiled at Emrick and asked his permission to dance with me.  Emrick nodded his head and Dean slid out of the booth and extended his hand.
    “May I have this dance?” he grinned playfully and I took his hand and allowed him to lead to the dance floor. 
    Emrick took up station a few feet from us and swayed distractedly to the beat as he scanned our surroundings.
    “I’ve been dying to do this for weeks,” Dean said as he twirled me around.
    “Me too,” I admitted honestly as I followed his lead.  “I really missed seeing you at The Mausoleum.  Don’t disappear like that again.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” he chuckled.  “I’m sorry.  I just thought that maybe I should give you a little time to come to terms with my…condition.”
    “I didn’t need three weeks,” I frowned up at him as he dipped me.  “And there’s nothing wrong with you.  You’re a werewolf, so what.  I’m used to the idea now.”
    “You know, you’re awfully cute when you’re angry,” he chuckled, his eyes dancing.
    “Oh, bite me,” I rolled my eyes as I playfully hit him on the arm.
    The song ended and Jameson addressed the crowd, telling us that the band was taking a short break.  He put his guitar on the stand, hopped off the stage and strolled over to us.
    “Dean,” he greeted him as he shook Dean’s hand.  The move shocked me.  Normally vampires and werewolves hate each other.  I had never seen one of them touch the other before.  My eyes got wide as I looked back and forth between them.
    “How are things at Tricky Dic’s?” Jameson asked politely.
    “Business is very good