Read Everlasting Hunger (The Hunger Mate Series) for Free Online Page B

fascinated with pictures, ever since I discovered painting as boy.  When cameras were developed, there was no stopping me since I wanted to capture as much history and beauty as I could on film.”
    “They are breathtaking, Jasper.  You have a true talent for it and please call me Ellie.” 
    Jasper opens the door at the end of the hall and holds the door of the limo that’s parked on the curb.  Ellie climbs in and slides over when she realizes that Jasper is coming with her. 
    “What’s the address, Ellie?” 
    “502 Parkwood Avenue.”
                  The driver slips the car into gear and they glide smoothly forward.
                  “I think there are a few things about Ian that I should tell you about, Ellie.”
    “I don’t want to hear about the other women in his life. I’m just a one night stand . It’s none of my business.”
                  Jasper turns toward her and states in a clear voice, “You are not a one night stand.  He has mentioned you to me several times over the last year.  He just doesn’t want to put himself out there for fear of rejection.  Vampire or not, we still feel that bittersweet sting.”
    Ellie shifts uncomfortably in the plush, leather seat.  “I’m sorry. It has just been a long, confusing night and I don’t know what to think about all this.  I came out to have a good time and have a one night stand if I was lucky and instead I get a huge dose of vampire 101.”
                  “How familiar are you with the life and relationships of vampires?” 
                  “I pretty much know only what is common knowledge in society.  I wasn’t even sure what a vampire bar was until Ian explained it, and what exactly is involved when you are being tasted.  I thought Everlasting was just a bar that vampires and wannabes hung out in, got drunk, and found someone to take home.  You can imagine my surprise to learn I was wrong.”
                  Jasper smiles. “You can imagine how surprising all of this was to me in the beginning when vampires where the devils minions and those who were turned were hunted.”
    “Ellie, vampires are just like everyday humans.  I mean, we all were humans at one point in time.”
    Ellie nods her head in agreement at his logic.
    “The difference is the Hunger,” says Jasper. 
                  Ellie looks at him in confusion. “The Hunger?  Is that what you call the craving that vampires have for blood?”
                  “Sort of.  When a vampire is turned, who and what they are stays the same.  If you were a killer, you stay a killer.  If you were a doormat, you’ll be a vampire doormat.”  Ellie grins at him.  “The Hunger is what we are trying to satisfy.  We need blood in order to survive but that’s not a secret.  The secret is that with every taste we are looking for the other half of our vampire soul.  The one person that can satisfy the thirst and craving that we all feel.  When we find that person we hold onto them for all that we are worth.  That person is worth their weight in gold and then some.”
                  Ellie looks at Jasper with a quizzical look. “I don’t understand something though.  Does this person who satisfies their Hunger cure them?”               
    “No, Ellie.  There is no ‘cure’ for vampirism , but the person that is their Hunger mate is like an extension of himself or herself.  It’s like finding the missing piece of a puzzle.  The best way to describe it is like this: vampires go through life drinking soda trying to find a glass of water to quench their thirst.  The person that can satisfy their Hunger is like a glass of water.  They can always have a glass of soda but the water is what they crave.” 
    “How many times do you run across these people?” she asks.
    Jasper sighs as he sits back against the seat. “It’s very rare to find