AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Carlos ate some cereal. "You might consider wearing pajamas now that there's a female training in the basement."
"Snap!" Phineas whirled around. With a grin, he pointed a finger at Carlos. "You are busted, bro. You just failed the Love Doctor's test."
"What test?"
"I purposely wore those shorts to see if you would object to the lovely Caitlyn Whelan observing my abundantly sexy body. You are one jealous man, bro."
Carlos scoffed. "I don't care what you sleep in. If you want to offend Caitlyn, go ahead."
Phineas smirked. "Then you won't mind if I sleep on my back, stark naked."
"Then you won't mind if I let Caitlyn use your body for target practice. You know where her bullets and knives always end up."
Phineas grimaced. "Don't let that wild woman near me."
"Then wear some clothes," Carlos growled.
"Okay, I will. But you're still busted, bro. I know you have the hots for her. The Love Doctor is finely attuned to all matters of the heart."
Carlos sighed. Everyone seemed to know he was attracted to her.
Phineas went downstairs to the basement. A few minutes later Ian and Toni arrived. Ian grabbed a bottle of synthetic blood from the fridge, then headed upstairs to the fifth floor bedroom for his death-sleep.
Toni fixed herself a bowl of cereal and sat at the kitchen table across from Carlos. "So what's going on? Why can't you train Caitlyn?"
"I need to go on my trip. You're a damned good fighter, so you'll make a good teacher."
"I can't do this every day." Toni ate some cereal. "I need to be at the school. It's a full-time job."
"I'll talk to Angus tonight. We'll figure something out." Carlos rubbed his brow. This whole situation was so damned frustrating. Attracted to a woman he couldn't have. Forced to scour the jungles of the world, searching for a were-panther mate to help his species survive. Cursed with the need to continuously reject Caitlyn.
How could he risk her life? He already lived with the ghosts of his twin brother and parents. He already struggled with the memories of seeing two tribes of were-panthers slaughtered. Their deaths haunted him, but if Caitlyn died, it would be even worse. It would be unbearable, because it would be entirely his fault.
He turned his head as Caitlyn shuffled into the kitchen, barefoot, wearing jeans and a T-shirt. She looked tired, sleepy, and as adorably sexy as ever.
Frustration ripped through him like a physical pain. "You're late. Again. All the Vamps have gone to bed." He immediately felt bad for snapping at her, but the damage was done.
Anger glinted in her eyes and she scowled at him. "Good morning to you, too."
Toni chuckled and extended a hand. "It's good to meet you, Caitlyn."
She shook hands. "You must be Toni. I'm sorry Carlos forced you to be my trainer when he chickened out."
Carlos stiffened. "I didn't chicken out."
Toni's eyes widened.
Caitlyn heaved a tired sigh. "I'm afraid I won't do very well today. Carlos left me so sore." She gave him a pointed look. "Even my lips are worn-out."
"Enough," he growled.
Toni's gaze switched back and forth between the two of them. "What is going on here?"
"Nothing," he said. When Caitlyn snorted, he added, "She's just tired and cranky. She stayed out too late last night."
"I was home by midnight," Caitlyn protested.
"It was 12:23," he muttered.
She arched a brow at him. "Were you watching the clock? Maybe you're jealous."
"Of what?" he snapped. "A fake date that was arranged for the sole purpose of tormenting me?"
"Good grief," Toni whispered. "I feel like I've stepped into a war zone."
"We're not at war," he grumbled.
Caitlyn lifted her chin. "He's in denial about us."
"I deny nothing." He stood, pushing his chair back with a screech. "Half the vampire world knows we're attracted to each other."
Toni sucked in a breath. "Oh my gosh."
Carlos gritted his teeth. "But nothing will happen between us. I'm going on my trip to find a were-panther mate, and you're not coming with me."
Caitlyn's eyes narrowed. "We'll see about that."
"Okay, truce." Toni took her cereal bowl to the sink. "Carlos, leave. Go make yourself useful. And Caitlyn, I think we'll start with pummeling the punching bag."
"Sounds good to me." Caitlyn grabbed a granola bar and bottle of water, then stalked out of the kitchen.
Toni headed for the door, then glanced back at Carlos with a sly grin. "That was quite a catfight. I think you've met your match."
"No." He glowered at her. Nothing on earth could make him endanger Caitlyn's life.
"Dammit," Caitlyn muttered. She'd tried three times to throw a knife at Igor, but each time the results remained the same.
"Well, at least you're consistent." Toni yanked the knife out of Igor's groin.
"I really was aiming for his chest."
Toni strolled toward her with an amused look. "Are you sure you're not still harboring some anger toward Carlos?"
"No. Okay, yes. But I don't have a secret desire to castrate him. It would sorta defeat the purpose of lusting for him, don't you think?"
Toni chuckled as she set the knives on the billiard table. "I am still in shock. I can't believe you two are...involved. Just two days ago, I thought he was g*y."
Caitlyn's gaze wandered to the mat where she and Carlos had rolled around in passion. "Definitely not g*y."
"I can see that. The sparks were flying off you two."
With a shrug, Caitlyn slumped against the billiard table. "You heard him. He's determined to reject me."
"Ian didn't think I was right for him either, at first, but I changed his mind."
"How?"
"Fight for him and don't give up." Toni yawned. "These men can be a little slow, but eventually they come to their senses."
"Well, that's reassuring." Caitlyn folded her arms across her chest. "How long have you known Carlos?"
"About five years. He was my next door neighbor when we were going to NYU. You couldn't ask for a better friend. He helped me rescue my roommate when she was in trouble. And he saved my life once."
He was a true hero, Caitlyn thought. She'd accused him of being a chicken, but she knew better. She knew he was brave and strong and everything she'd ever wanted in a man. "He rescued the were-panther children, too."
"Yes. I don't know much about that other than he and Fernando ended up as the kids' guardians."
"Is Fernando a were-panther, then?" Caitlyn asked.
"No, he's mortal. I don't know how he fits in exactly. Carlos has always been very close-mouthed about whatever happened in Brazil. But you should be able to meet Fernando this evening. He's flying in to stay with the kids while Carlos goes on his trip."
Caitlyn nodded. "I would like to meet him. And I'd like to see Raquel and Coco again."
"They told me about you. They really like you." Toni yawned again. "I'll make sure you get to visit the school this evening."
"Thank you. Where is the school?"
"The location is secret. A Vamp will teleport you there."
Teleport? Caitlyn smiled. That would be an adventure in itself. "Great. I'm looking forward to it."
Toni headed for the door. "Let's take a break. I'm used to taking a nap in the middle of the day, so I can stay up late at night with Ian."
Caitlyn followed her up the stairs. "A nap sounds wonderful. I didn't get much sleep last night."
They crossed the foyer to the main staircase and found Carlos on the landing. He appeared to be sanding a spot on the banister.
"What's wrong?" Toni asked.
He straightened with a jerk. "Nothing."
A surge of tenderness spread through Caitlyn. How adorable could he be? He was repairing the holes he'd made with his claws. She wanted to run up the stairs and smother him with kisses. She wanted - Her thoughts jolted with a sudden realization. She wanted to love him. She wanted to take him to her bed and never let him go. This was more than an attraction. More than lust. More than curiosity. She was falling in love.
He came slowly down the stairs. "I just checked on Angus and Emma. They're fine."
