You’ll Understand When You’re Dead: Broken Heart Vampires Book 12 by Michele Bardsley Read Free Book Online

out the kinks, smoothing away tightness, helping her relax. She sighed deeply and leaned into the massage. Slowly, Natalie became aware of the change in Matt’s touches, how his fingers stroked long lines down her back and up her arms. His warm breath stirred the hair at the nape of her neck.
    His proximity did funny things to her stomach. She smelled his earthy, masculine scent, with a hint of vanilla left over from the pudding dunk. Her skin warmed where his hands touched her. Her body felt hot, tingly.
    She stilled, afraid he wouldn’t move—afraid he would. An aeon passed, and then Matt’s hands trailed up her ribcage, stopping under her breasts. She felt the barest touch of his fingers. Her gasp was sharp.
    “You’re beautiful, Natalie,” Matt whispered. His lips found the curve of her neck, and his tongue traced a path to her ear.
    Natalie didn’t want him to stop, even though it was foolhardy to even think of consummating their fake engagement. She turned in his arms and pressed against his chest. She heard his heart double its already frantic beat as he lowered his mouth.
    His lips covered hers. His mouth was warm and tasted like coffee. When he teased her with his tongue, heat speared her. She felt drugged as her hands sought the firm muscles of his chest then crept higher to trace his collarbone. Her fingers slid into the soft thickness of his hair. Natalie deepened the kiss, pulling Matt closer, meeting his desire with her own. His groan sent sparks dancing down her spine.
    She felt shattered and whole at the same time.
    “Natalie.” Matt pulled away, his heated gaze filled with a hunger that weakened her knees.
    “We can’t,” she said.
    “I know.” Matt released her and retreated across the kitchen. She watched him run a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry.”
    “Me, too.” Her chest constricted. Stupid vampire rules. She hadn’t been touched or kissed or taken in far too long. Still, Natalie knew pleasure for the sake of pleasure would never be enough, so it wasn’t like she would fall into bed with him even if she could. Probably. She knew her own heart too well. Even if she could have sex without mating to Matt, she wouldn’t have a fling. Her emotions would get tangled into the sex. Where Matt was concerned, she knew hurt would be swift and deep when they couldn’t make it work, whether he wanted it to or not.
    “Good night, Natalie.”
    “Good night, Matt.”
    He nodded and left the kitchen. Moments passed before she heard the front door shut. The solid click echoed through the house.
    Well, she thought. That was that.

Chapter Six
    T HE DOORBELL RANG , and Natalie burrowed under the covers. She wasn’t leaving bed today, she thought. She wasn’t leaving bed ever again. The doorbell dinged two more times and Natalie groaned. She almost called out to have Kimmie answer it when she remembered her daughter had spent another night, well, day at Tilda’s. If she didn’t know better, she’d think Kimmie was avoiding her.
    Bing Bong. Bing Bong. Bing Bong.
    “All right!” Natalie huffed as she scrambled out of bed. She slipped into her pink house shoes, put on a robe, stomped up the basement stairs.
    She shuffled to the door and flung it open. If it was Jerry, she was going to punch him in his doughy face. A short man with gray hair and a pencil thin moustache smiled at her. He held roses in one hand and box of candy in another.
    And yeah, he was glowing.
    “Natalie Haltom,” he said in a timid voice. “I’m Kenny Rogers.”
    “You don’t look anything like Kenny Rogers.”
    “Not the singer.” He sighed. “It’s unfortunate. I’ve spent my entire life and afterlife with that name. It’s not easy living in that guy’s shadow.”
    “Yeah. Sorry.” She started to close the door, but Kenny shoved the roses into the gap.
    “Mother so wants to meet you. She’s waiting for us.”
    He brought his mother from the afterlife to go on a date? Was he crazy? Something inside