Romance, Zombie Exterminator Style

by Karina Fabian

It takes a special kind of person to be a zombie exterminator: strong, dedicated, courageous and perhaps a bit twisted in their tastes.  Neeta Lyffe has her own particular, shall we say, preferences, and when potential love interest Ted stumbles upon it, she's not quite ready for her own reaction. You can read more about Neeta and Ted's adventures in the Neeta Lyffe novels, but for now, enjoy this scene from Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator:

The limo disgorged her at her 2-bedroom cottage with the large airline-hangar style shed that marked her home and office.  She waved at everyone as the car drove off, then turned to see Ted sitting on her porch, polishing the flamethrower he held cradled in his arms.

For a moment she paused, stunned.  Her head swam with a vision of the two of them field-stripping the tool.  He'd lean his bare chest up against her back, arms reaching around her to remove the nozzle from the hose, the Righteous Brothers singing Unchained Melody in the background.

She shook herself.  What kind of wine was that?

She stormed up the steps, ignoring the singers crooning in her mind.  He looked up at her with that rakish grin, and suddenly the day felt too warm for her t-shirt and jeans.

"Enjoy your interview at the radio station?"

"You didn't hear it?" She couldn't stop looking at his hands caressing the nozzle.  Bobby Hatfield was singing about hungering.

He shrugged, not apologetic at all.  "Had to go do some location work.  I was in the field all day."

"What are you doing here?" she demanded more harshly than she'd intended.

"Time for my first lesson." He swung the nozzle like a guitar, and Neeta felt a bass playing to her heartbeat. 

...and time can do so much...

"That's a BelchingDragon M2-7." She couldn't believe how rough her voice sounded.  She couldn't believe she'd managed to talk at all.

If he noticed, he was as good at ignoring it as Dave.  "Yep!  Bought her the day after you agreed to tutor me."

I need your love...

Shut up!  She snapped at the ghost of Bobby.  Lessons!  Get with the game, girl!

"Have you read the manual?" she demanded.

He rolled his eyes.  "Have I read the manual?" he scoffed.

She made him read the manual while she changed into work clothes and splashed her face with a lot of icy cold water.