The Vampire Bracelet: Erotic Paranormal Romance ( # 2: Blood Genies series) by Sheri Whitefeather Page B

But as much I hate to say this, I’m not convinced that Keith is the right man for you.”
    She frowned. “Why not?”
    “Because if he wanted to marry you, he would have proposed by now.”
    “I told you, he just needs a nudge. A lot of men do.”
    “Yes, but are you sure he’s the one? Love should be wild and consuming. You and Keith seem more like friends than claw-each-other-to-death lovers.”
    Claw? Death? Was he serious? Her uncle wasn’t qualified to dole out romantic advice. He’d never even gotten close to walking down the aisle. “There’s plenty of spark in our relationship. And there’s nothing wrong with marrying your best friend.”
    “If he wants to marry you.”
    She didn’t reply and during the quiet, he continued to eat. Still concerned about her nerves, she did little more than pick at her meal. She hated being single. Everyone in her social circle was married and had kids. With each year that passed, she felt more and more like a spinster, especially when her friends went on family outings together.
    Finally she said, “I love Keith, and he loves me.” Their relationship wasn’t wild and consuming, but it was solid and true. “We’re right for each other.”
    Darrin didn’t look convinced.
    She tried a different approach. “Give me a chance to prove you wrong. Loan me a gen-vamp and let me make my wish.” Cradling her arms, she made a rocking-baby motion. “I’ll name my first-born son after you.”
    He smiled, laughed a little. “That’s quite a bargain.”
    She released the imaginary infant. Funny how she’d changed. How many times during her youth had she claimed that nothing would ever push her in the direction of a blood genie wish? “I want to have a family more than I’ve ever wanted anything.”
    “I know you do.”
    Marie perked up. She could tell that he was considering it. She could see the concentration in his eyes, the melting resolve.
    “All right,” he said.
    She grinned. This was like Christmas, only better. She’d never received a holiday gift of this magnitude. “Thank you, Uncle.”
    He finished his food. “You can borrow Nicholas.”
    Nicholas? “Why can’t I have Anthony?” Her childhood favorite. The one she trusted.
    “Anthony isn’t a gen-vamp anymore. He’s mortal now.”
    “Oh, my goodness, how did he manage that?”
    “There was a spell on the ruby pendant that freed him. It was enacted a long time ago, but none of us knew about it until it recently. The spell was contingent on him finding true love, which he did.”
    Well, then. That explained why Darrin was being so opinionated about matters of the heart. “I’m glad Anthony is free and that he found someone.” It made him seem even more like the prince she’d imagined, only now he was living happily-ever-after with his princess.
    Darrin said, “The same spell was placed on the ring and the bracelet, too. Luckily there isn’t anything Mathieu can do about it. He’s pissed, of course, but the spell is beyond his control. ”
    “How does Nicholas feel about the spell?”
    “He’s eager to become mortal. I think he would take whoever came along if it meant getting out of the emerald bracelet for good. I warned him that true love can’t be rushed. But he thinks he knows it all.”
    Marie frowned. “He better not look my way. I don’t need a supernatural creature trying to romance me.”
    “Nicholas isn’t a fool. He isn’t going to pursue a woman who wants to marry another man. He’ll flirt with you. He’ll probably drive you nuts with it. But it won’t mean anything.”
    “I’d still rather not deal with him.” She contemplated her options. “What about Simone?” The fierce female. That wasn’t appealing, either. But at least Simone wouldn’t make a pest of herself.
    “Simone is on loan to someone else.”
    “Then I guess I have no choice but to take Nicholas. I want to make my wish. Today, if possible.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes.”
    He stood up. “Then