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

Natalie broke. She stepped onto the porch, forcing the ghost the backwards, and shut the door behind her. No ghosts allowed. She didn’t want Kenny or his mother showing up at her door again. So she latched on to the lie that worked so well before. “I’m engaged. My fiancé’s name is Matt Dennison. And he’s big. Huge. And jealous.”
    “Mother will be very disappointed.” His gaze darted around as he scurried off the porch. “And really, you shouldn’t be dating if you’re engaged.”
    Duh.
    Kenny disappeared, and Natalie slumped against the door.
    “Hello, dearie!”
    “Hi, Bettie.”
    The little old fae’s eyes glinted gold. “Oh my dear. I couldn’t help but hear you toss that ghostly gentlemen on his ear, poor soul.” Bettie held up a spade and gardening gloves. “I was working on the rose bushes, and I just couldn’t help ... Matt Dennison! You lucky thing! Now, have you talked to Lilly Halperger about your dress? She’s the best seamstress in town, you know. And for the chapel, we’ll have to do orchids. I love orchids. When did you say the date was?”
    Natalie’s thoughts whirled. “The date of what?”
    Bettie beamed. “Why your wedding, of course!”
----
    M ATT HEARD THE phone ring as he exited the shower. The machine kicked on, then Natalie’s voice filtered into the living room.
    “I’m being kidnapped,” she whispered. “By a crazed fairy in a wedding-planning frenzy. Please help me.”
    Her breathless, panicked voice clawed at him. He lunged for the phone. “Natalie? Are you all right?”
    “I’ll be downtown at Lilly’s Dress Emporium. Get there and rescue me.” The phone clicked, and Matt stared at the receiver for several seconds before hanging up.
    He didn’t know what had happened last night. He hadn’t meant to let things get so heated, but Natalie was intoxicating. Her vulnerability had drawn him in. He’d wanted to soothe her, to show her ... well, that had been a mistake. He had no right to push the idea of a relationship on her. Especially when physical intimacy came at too high a price. Love with a vampire risked more than the heart, it risked the soul.
    All the same, he needed to go rescue his damsel in distress.
----
    W HEN MATT ARRIVEDhen Matt arrived at the Emporium, he entered the building and peered down the hall. People entered behind him, and Matt moved to the side to allow them to pass. He caught sight of Natalie rushing toward him.
    She wore a short, white dress and sandals. Her toenails were painted pink. She’d worn her hair down, and it draped her shoulders. For a moment, he was utterly struck by her beauty, and it made him mute.
    “Matt!”
    His name was a rush of relief from her lips, but he wanted to hear her call his name in passion. Need tightened him. What was wrong with him? He wasn’t going to seduce Natalie, despite the fact that he very much wanted her. Damn it. He’d already had this conversation with himself.
    She took his arm and dragged him down the hall, through a dark, musty-smelling corridor and into a tiny room. “They’re going to notice I’m missing soon,” she said. “Something terrible happened this morning.”
    Matt covered her trembling hands. “What?”
    “Another ghost wanting to date me. I, er, put him off by saying I had a fiancé.” She nibbled her lower lip. “I didn’t know that Bettie Smith was standing behind her rose bushes listening.”
    “Bettie?” Matt sucked in a breath. “The fae woman who headlines gossip faster than TMZ! ?”
    Natalie nodded. “That’s the one. She thinks we’re getting married. I couldn’t untangle myself long enough to explain it was a ruse, and the next thing I know, she’s arranged a dress fitting and has ordered orchids for the church.”
    Natalie’s cheeks flushed, and Matt tried not to think how lovely it made her look. She was still talking, and he realized he hadn’t heard a word she’d said.
    “Wait. What?” he asked. He swore she said something about a