Demon Blood: A Demon Soul Prequel (The Caine Brothers) Read Online Free Page B

grabbed his hand.
    “Damn it, you need to keep that mask in place, or...” her voice trailed off when he brought her hand to his mouth. Kissed each of her fingers before pressing a kiss to the center of her palm.
    “Or what?” The words were said against her palm, and she shivered in response.
    “Wine after, then,” she said, and grabbed the hem of his scrubs shirt and pulled straight up. He helped her by leaning forward and raising his arms. She flung the shirt to one side and spread her hands across his chest, greedy for the feel of him.
    For the smell of him. She leaned forward, inhaled his scent before he caught her face in his hands and kissed her. Deeply. Thoroughly. Passionately.
    Made her forget her name.
    She held onto his broad shoulders as she returned his kisses, separating from him only when he lifted her shirt up, let out a hiss of pain as she raised her arms to allow him to take the shirt off her. Felt his gentle lips on her wounded shoulder as an apology.
    “It’s a good thing that demon is dead.” His tongue skimmed lightly over the deep purple bruise and she wondered how he knew where she hurt.
    Marie-Therese shivered. “You make it feel better.” She framed his face with her hands, wishing she could see his eyes, and kissed him. Excitement and fascination bubbled up in her, tempered with just a bit of fear.
    He put his hand between their mouths. “Hold still. Let me heal you.”
    Marie-Therese stiffened in shock. “You cannot.”
    He tilted his head. “Oh, but I can.”
    “But you can’t see.” Panic wormed its way through her and she moved back.
    “Stop.” Command rang in his voice and she froze. “I will not hurt you, Marie-Therese. You have my word. Do I have your consent to heal you? Unless you prefer being in pain.”
    Her heart pounded and she wrapped her arms around herself. “I…I guess you can try.”
    “You’re scared. Why?” His voice gentled. “Don’t look at my hands, look at my eyes.”
    “Your eyes are covered.”
    “Put your hands on my waist, woman, and look at me. Come on, my warrior. You can do this.”
    Marie-Therese unclenched her fists and settled her hands at his waist. Lifted her gaze to where the black satin sleep mask covered his eyes. “So.”
    “Okay. Now talk to me. Anything. Whatever you’re thinking about, just let it out. Keep your gaze fixed on my face.”
    The rumble of his voice, the warmth of his skin settled her. “I can talk about anything?”
    “Anything,” he said.
    She felt the ridge of his erection beneath her and blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “I don’t want to be mated. Not yet, not for years. There is so much of the world I want to see, and much more to do more with my life than merely fight demons. I have a witch heritage that I have neglected, with my father’s blessing, in order to add to the ranks of fighters in my country.”
    She was aware of a gentle coolness stealing through her wounded shoulder, caught a glimpse of blue light out of the corner of her eye.
    “Keep going.” Gideon’s voice softened. “What would you do with the time, were you to have it? If you weren’t a Warrior Fae.”
    With effort, she refocused on her life-long dream. “I want to learn more about my heritage. Learn what the differences are between witches of the land, and the Fae. There are so many spells to learn. Think of all the ways I can use them to help people. Bring peace to the angry and courage to the weak. I would love to paint again. Take simple designs and infuse them with soothing magic. Maybe hang them in hospitals to calm those in need. I want to give, to help, to succor. I am good at spellcraft, but there is more for me to learn. Always.”
    Her face saddened and she licked her lips before continuing. “I love fighting demons, killing demons, but it is grueling and I’d like to believe I am worth more than my killing abilities. And when the time is right and the thrill is gone, I want to pursue other avenues.