Vamps And The City by Kerrelyn Sparks Read Free Book Online Page A

earth.”
    Vanda propped an elbow on the table. “What about you, Darcy? What do you think is sexy?”
    “Well, let me think.” She recalled her sunny, carefree days on the beaches of southern California. Which guys had made her heart rush like the pounding surf? “He would be intelligent, kind, honest, and have a bright sense of humor.”
    “Boring.” Vanda yawned. “Tell us what he looks like.”
    Darcy narrowed her eyes, envisioning the perfect man. “He’d be tall with broad shoulders and golden skin bronzed by the sun. His hair would be blond, no, light brown, but with blond streaks, bleached by the sun. He’d have blue eyes that sparkle like a lake when the sun is setting. And his smile would be bright—“
    “Let me guess,” Vanda muttered. “Like the sun?”
    Darcy grinned sheepishly. “Well, you asked. That’s my idea of the perfect man.”
    Maggie shook her head. “Darlin’, that’s not a man. That’s Apollo, the sun god.”
    Vanda snorted with laughter.
    Apollo, the sun god? Darcy groaned. Maybe the perfect man was a myth, a false hope that would never see the light of day.
    A knock sounded on the door. A young woman peeked in. “Hi, I’m Michelle.” With her nice suit and her brown hair pulled back into a bun, it was obvious the secretary was emulating her boss. “Your first applicant is ready. Bobby Streisand.”
    Darcy picked up her pen to take notes, then froze. A tall woman with broad shoulders had entered the room. Her red evening gown sparkled with sequins. She flipped a red feather boa over one shoulder and struck a dramatic pose.
    What? Darcy’s mouth fell open. Didn’t Ms. Stein know she was like the army—looking for a few good men? “I’m sorry, but we’re looking for a male—“
    “He is male,” Vanda whispered.
    Darcy blinked and looked more closely. Oh, dear.
    Bobby sauntered toward them, his hips swaying in the tight red dress. “I’m all male, darling,” he said in a deep, husky voice. “Would you like to hear me sing? My rendition of ‘Memories’ is guaranteed to make you cry.” He set an eight-by-ten glossy autographed photo on the table and patted it gently. His red nail polish was an exact match to his dress.
    Darcy stared at her, or him, for a moment. How could this happen? She’d made it clear that they were searching for the sexiest man on earth. “I—I’m afraid you won’t be suitable for the role we have in mind.”
    Bobby’s face crumbled. Sniffling, he drew a lace-trimmed hanky from the bosom of his evening gown. “It’s always the same. People never understand me.”
    Darcy groaned inwardly. Shoot, now he was going to cry.
    “I only want the chance to prove myself. Is that too much to ask?” Bobby dabbed at his eyes. “Why can’t I be considered for a leading male role?”
    “It might help if you dressed like a male,” Vanda muttered.
    “But I am male. I’m all male,” Bobby insisted, then leaned toward Darcy. “Is my mascara running?”
    “No, you look… great.”
    “Thank you.” Bobby smiled sadly, his red lips trembling. “Don’t worry about me.” He held up a hand as if to ward off their sympathy. “Somehow, I will survive. I’ll continue the struggle. After all, I’m an artiste. And I must never sacrifice my personal style.”
    “Of course not, Mr. Streisand. If I need someone with your… style, I’ll be sure to give you a call.”
    Bobby raised the hanky high into the air, then yanked his arm down to clutch the hanky against his chest. “I thank you.” He glided out the door.
    Darcy shook her head. “It’s gotta get better than this.”
    Michelle opened the door. “Chuckie—” She glanced at the clipboard and frowned. “Badabing.”
    “Must be a stage name,” Maggie whispered.
    A slim man sauntered into the room. His silk shirt was half unbuttoned to show off curly chest hair and three gold necklaces. He tossed his eight-by-ten glossy on the table. “Whoa!” He eyed them, his grin flashing a gold