How to Fake-Date a Vampire (Charming Cove, #2)

by Linsey Hall

“They are the prize of our garden.” Bloody hell. No wonder they didn’t want to part with them. If they became more beautiful at night, they’d be a sight to behold.

That day had been…wonderful. It was a ridiculous, soft word, but it was the only one that suited. I hadn’t spent this much time with Emma since we’d met, and I’d liked it. A lot. Especially since she’d been doing her best to be a doting girlfriend. I want it to be real. The thought was loud in my head, and impossible to banish. I tilted my head back and let the shower pound down over me.

Most vampires didn’t drink directly from humans anyway, since it wasn’t a particularly comfortable process for the human. Instead, they preferred to source their blood from magical suppliers, who in turn purchased it from willing sellers.

“Alaric,” she murmured. “You’re looking at me like you want to kiss me.” “I want to do more than that.”

Wanting more of her, I ran my hands down her sides, relishing the smooth curves of her body underneath the silk. The flowers waved around us in the faint breeze as I dragged my lips down her neck, tasting the sweet salt of her skin. I pressed kisses right above the neckline of her dress, holding her waist to keep her close.

A blissful smile curved her lips. I’d never seen anything so beautiful in my life. “Do you want me to stop?” I asked. “You’d better not.” With a groan, I went to my knees in front of her. I wanted to worship her, and this was the best way I knew how. I ran my hands up her legs, looking up to meet her eyes as I pushed her skirt up her thighs. She released a shuddery breath. “May I?” I asked. She nodded, licking her lips as her gaze clung to mine.

Desire gripped me, and I was ravenous to taste her fully. With a trembling hand, I moved her underwear aside and ran my tongue over her folds. She cried out, and a groan tore from my throat. I kissed her deeper, disappearing into the moment and into her. “More, Alaric, I want more.” She pulled away and went to her knees in front of me, pushing the coat off my shoulders and moving to the buttons of my shirt.

“I’d be a sorry witch indeed if I didn’t have that taken care of.” Oh, thank fates. I reached up to run my hands down her curves, and she lowered herself until her warmth hovered over me. Desperation gripped me, making my heart pound and my hips arch just slightly. She sank onto me with a moan, her hands on my chest. The pleasure nearly blinded me, and I began to move beneath her, finding a rhythm that made her cry out. We rode the waves of pleasure as the flowers rose all around us, the moonlight streaming down. She tightened around me, her pleasure sweeping me up in a maelstrom and taking me with her.

“You’ve given me quite a gift. And I must return the favor. For this year only, you may have our entire crop of moon thistle.” I gasped. “Really?” “One good turn deserves another,” he said. “And what you did for me, Emma…it was incredible.” “I’m glad I could.”

Once the blooms were packed onto the boat, we’d left Rupert and Eileen’s island and taken the boat back to Cornwall, where we’d had dinner with Alaric’s family. The entire thing had been like a dream. It certainly hadn’t felt fake.

Of course Lily was at the desk. She gave me a catlike smile as I entered, and it was impossible not to imagine the cunning in her eyes. I was totally losing it. She couldn’t be that bad. “Hi, Lily.” “Hello.” She looked past me toward Vivian and Madeline. “Bringing your friends for show and tell today? Shame the rest of the class isn’t here.” Okay, scratch what I’d previously said. She really could be that bad.

“Oh, darling, anything for you. After the way you’ve made my grandson look, I’d give you rivers of gold.” Rivers of gold. I closed my eyes, at once bemused and guilt stricken. Even if we managed to keep up the ruse and have a civil breakup when this was all over, she would be hurt.

You’ve got this, she said, then immediately fell asleep. “Lazy skunk,” I murmured. I could still feel her power, though, and it enhanced mine. This was probably easier without her squirming, anyway.

Inwardly, I sighed, just so happy to be around them all. When Alaric’s gaze met mine, things were perfect.

I didn’t spend the night at Alaric’s house. We’d agreed that our romp would be a one-time thing, and spending the night was explicitly against those rules. I’d felt him looking at me more than normal, though, and I’d tossed and turned with dreams of him.

“Come on, dear. We need a drink.” Vivian turned and left. “Can we make it wine?” I called after her. “You can. But after that, I want something stronger.” I laughed. She had a point—maybe I needed something stronger as well.

“What?” “Oh, Alaric.” She cupped my cheek and looked into my eyes, a small smile on her face. “Your grandmother isn’t sick. She’s addicted to riveting long-form storytelling as provided by internet streaming services.” “Wait…what?” She nodded. “She didn’t want you to know because she thought you wouldn’t approve. She’s been devouring Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead.”

“Without my mother, it was too sad. But with you here, the place is brighter, somehow.” She looked up at me, a brilliant smile on her face. The sight hit me like a punch to the chest. I’m falling for her. There was no denying it. What I was beginning to feel for Emma was nothing like what I’d felt for Katrina.

For one, I knew it was real. She cared for my family, and they cared for her. And she was strong, smart, and so beautiful, she shone like the sun.

“I might not want you to.” She set her glass on the table and leaned forward, her lips hovering over mine. “In fact, I want to tear those rules up.”

I turned back to the book in front of me. I’d been flipping through for the perfect spell to help me get Barnaby and Vivian together alone, and I was pretty sure I’d just found it. “What’s that smile on your face for?” Holly asked. She stood at the table, assembling more of the joy batteries. I looked up. “I think I’ve found it.” “Oh, yeah?” She grinned at me. “Think you can do it?” “Yes. It’ll take all day, though.”

I took it, and we went to the drawing room, where Alaric poured me a glass of white wine and lit the fire. There was still the faintest chill in the evening air, but I was pretty sure he was lighting it mostly for the ambiance. It sent a golden glow over the cozy room, and I settled onto the couch.

I was falling for her, but it seemed too good to be true. She seemed too good to be true.

“I know, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to sound dismissive of it. I think I just grew up addicted to those movies and TV shows about wholesome nuclear families.” An ache for her settled deep in my chest, and I couldn’t stop myself from reaching out and wrapping an arm around her to pull her close. She curled into me, laying her head on my shoulder, and it felt like the most natural thing in the world, even though I knew it couldn’t last.

Then we repeated the ritual for the next three nights. During the day, I would work until I almost dropped, and then Alaric would come and take me for sandwiches. We’d eat on the hidden bench, and not once did we mention that this was a fake relationship.

As I was letting myself into work the next morning, it was one of the rare cloudy days in Charming Cove. A raincloud hovered out over the sea, threatening to drift over us later. My key stuck as I fiddled with it in the lock, and I felt a presence behind me. I turned away from the shop door to face the person standing behind me.

comment for the Magic Mirror about your relationship with the Duke of Blackthorn?” Oh, bum. “I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about.” “Yes, you have.”

“There’s speculation this isn’t a real relationship,” he said, eyes glinting with interest. “Care to comment on that?” “From where?” “Can’t reveal my sources.” Was he making this up? Did it matter? Vivian would be devastated if she found out through the papers. I couldn’t let that happen. “What do you want? I’ll give you anything I can if you’ll delete that photo.” “You don’t have what I want.”

Besides the joy batteries and my big surprise, we’d done a lot of work to enchant different elements of the party, and they’d all need the perfect setting.

He had a scruffy beard and the ubiquitous big camera carried by paparazzi, and I turned away from him quickly. The spell that had been cast to protect my family and me from the paparazzi should have worked to keep him from taking a direct photo of my face, but everything was fallible. Before I could climb back into my car, he approached. “Your Grace?” I turned to him. “You really don’t need to bother with the honorific if you’re also planning on invading my privacy.” He shrugged. “Thought it might soften the blow.” “Of what?” A chill raced down my skin. “Just a photo I’m looking for a comment on.” “What photo?”

He held out the camera, the screen pointing at me. Emma and me kissing in the doorway of her flat the night after the pub quiz. Her face was mostly visible, while mine was primarily hidden. A child could guess it was me, though. “How’d you get that?”

I’d known it was the case. Emma was so perfect. No one could be that perfect. And I couldn’t trust my own judgement when it came to women—that was clear enough. “No comment,” I said, my heart thundering so hard that I thought I could feel it against my ribs. He grunted and turned away, climbing into a beat-up car. Before I could call him back to ask any questions, he was gone. Fine.

I got into my car and drove back to the estate

“And what about the duke?” she asked. “How is that going?” “I like him. A lot.” Holly grinned. “I thought so.” “Not sure if he likes me, though.” “Of course he does! You’re amazing.” “That’s not enough, you know.” I looked down at Penelope, who had just arrived. She nodded her agreement. “Well, he’d be a fool not to want you,” Holly said, loyal as ever. I shrugged. “We’ll see.”

“I thought you were too good to be true, and I was right.” His tone made a shiver run down my spine. “We’re done. This was never real, and I’m done pretending it could be.” “Uh—“ I looked toward his grandmother, who stood on the steps leading up to the patio. She was too far away to hear, but she had a frown on her face as she watched us. I looked back at Alaric. “Your grandmother is watching.” “Stop using her as a cover. You don’t care about her.”

“Good riddance. He’s clearly a jerk, and you’re well rid of him.” I knew she was right, but I couldn’t feel it in my heart. This had come out of the blue. Maybe there had been a misunderstanding. Had the paparazzo spoken to him, maybe? I had no idea, but I was going to find out. “I’m getting out of here,” I said. “I’ve got something I need to do.” “Want me to come?” “I’d rather be alone, but thank you.”

I’ll come, Penelope said. I insist. You might need backup. “Thank you.” I reached down and picked her up, hugging her against my chest and burying my face in her fur. “I love you.” She wiggled so that she could look at me. I will only get sappy this one time. But I love you, too. Now let’s go find that bastard.

Tell him I’ll stink bomb him if he doesn’t do exactly as you say. “I’ll handle the negotiations, thanks,” I said. “What?”

I spent the next week in the coven workshop, living off takeout and sleeping in the big chair by the window. Obviously, I hadn’t seen Alaric, and I’d only communicated with his family via text, explaining that I was busy with party prep. It was the truth, at least, if not all of it. It had been a week packed with non-stop spell work and battery assembly. I’d also had to

Angry with Emma, angry with myself. Mostly angry at myself. Whenever I thought of her, all I felt was…hurt. I want this life. Her words echoed in my head, nearly a direct parallel to what Katrina had said. She’d been looking at the house when she’d said it. So much for all her protestations of not liking it and wanting a normal life.

“How are you, Granny?” “Fine, dear. You’re a mess though.” She pressed her lips together as she sat in the chair across from my desk. “What’s going on?” “Just busy with preparation for the ball.” “You haven’t done anything for the ball. And I haven’t seen Emma here all week.” “She’s been busy, too.”

“Can we just leave it?” I asked. “No, darling. And I think we should start with why her name isn’t Katrina.” I blinked at my grandmother. “Ah—“ “Close your mouth, you look like a fish.” I snapped my mouth shut. “I never spoke of Katrina by name to you. I’m almost certain.” “True, you didn’t. But there was a little article written about you when you attended the Protect the Bees benefit gala. She was mentioned by name, and I saw it.”

“She’s a good actress.” “Now, that’s an unkind thing to say. And also patently false. She’s a terrible actress, and Madeline will confirm it. We both love her, but she wears her feelings on her face and her thoughts in her eyes.”

“You, silly. You’ve looked a bit down in the dumps, so I asked Holly what was up. She mentioned your breakup.” “She shouldn’t have mentioned it. I’m fine.” I wasn’t. “But thank you so much.” “You’re not fine, because your eyes look sad,” Catrina said. “She’s not wrong, dear,”

“All right. I am bummed. But I do appreciate the wine and chocolate. Those things always help.” “Let me pop it open,” Aria said.

The day of the ball finally arrived, and I woke up equal parts excited and terrified. And then I remembered that I’d forgot to get a dress. It was my first thought upon opening my eyes, and I cursed. A real curse, not just my usual bum. “Penelope?” I asked.

“Have you got an extra dress I can wear?” You’re joking, right? “Sadly, no.” You could wear my bow, but if that’s all you wore, I’m pretty sure the police would pick you up for indecent exposure.

Fortunately, Madeline met me at the door before I had to knock. She wore a huge grin as she welcomed me inside. “Come in. I’m so excited for you to see.”

Descending in a dress like this would be like something out of any girl’s fantasies. Except in the fantasy, the handsome hero was waiting at the bottom. I shoved the thought away and was determined to enjoy the moment, even if I was alone. I reached the top of the stairs and began to descend. I was halfway down when I spotted Alaric. He stood at the base of the stairs, so handsome that he almost didn’t look real. He was dressed for the ball in a glorious tuxedo, and his gaze was riveted to me. “Alaric?” I asked, as if I didn’t believe my eyes. I almost didn’t. Because he didn’t look mad at me, like he had the last time I’d seen him. He looked hopeful.

seen anyone more beautiful in his entire life. The expression on his face made me feel like a queen.