Heart of a Warrior Read Online Free Page A

me.”
    “He never fucked you?” He’d recovered, breathing slower and eyeing her. He had to hand it to Draco; he had always picked beautiful converts.
    “He threatened to a lot. He just never would admit he was gay, come out of the closet, you know. It was fine with me.”
    Ivan didn’t understand about being gay or not being gay. A fuck was a fuck, a suck a suck, and he didn’t care who was on the other end. After you live a few hundred years, gender just doesn’t mean shit. Sex was nothing but release.
    She shook her head. “But he liked to watch, you know, his male slaves with me. One time, Vlad visited, and he ordered me…” Her voice trembled as it faded, and she hugged herself.
    Ivan turned away so she couldn’t see his reaction to her. Her vulnerability got him, just begging to be protected and cared for. Bad idea, man . No fucking way. He’d just gone through hell with his apprentice, David, and look what happened.
    Six long months wasted.
    He did several push-ups as he leaned against the wall.
    If he was smart, he’d get rid of her as fast as he could. He could smell trouble all over her.
    “You want to stay here?” Ignoring his own advice, he waved his arm at the room as he continued pumping up and down, burning off the anger.
    “With you?” Her eyes narrowed. “As what?”
    “My slave, of course.” He stopped and looked over his shoulder, surprised she’d asked. Draco had spoiled her, the stupid fool. However, since he hadn't turned her, Ivan had no hold on her; she’d have to stay voluntarily.
    “Hell no.” She shook her head. “I’m not going to be anyone’s slave. Ever. Draco’s dead, and I’m free to choose. That’s how it works, isn’t it?” She jerked her chin up, but there was a waver in her voice, an almost childlike defiance.
    “Yeah, that’s how it works.” He didn’t want her to go, but letting her know that would give her the power. He'd grown to hate being alone, which is why he'd taken an apprentice for the first time in fifty years.
    “Just give me some clothes, and I’m out of here.” She jerked her thumb at the door.
    “Do you have somewhere to go?” He shouldn’t care.
    “Draco’s place. I guess I could walk there.” She shrugged her shoulders, and the shirt flashed a glimpse of blonde hair in the V of her long legs. The hem hit her at mid-thigh. She looked so small, so vulnerable, standing there engulfed by his shirt. He swallowed and locked down his feelings.
    “Fine. Do what you want.” He turned away from her again, his back muscles tense, his body rigid. Every part of him wanted her. He stole a glance at her from over his shoulder.
    She unbuttoned the shirt, slipped it from her shoulders, left it in a pile on the floor, and went to Ivan.
    She placed her hands gently on his back.
    “Don’t touch me! I didn’t give you permission,” Ivan snarled and extended his teeth. She jerked her hands away as if she’d been burned.
    Pushing past his threats and killer teeth, she reached out again. He could kill her easily, rip out her throat or snap her neck with his bare hands. She skimmed his skin with her fingertips. Under the steady pressure of her palms, his muscles began to relax.
    “You don’t need this anymore.” Moving in slow motion, she reached around him and found the buckle holding the scabbard. She drew the leather strap from the buckle, freeing him. The scabbard and sword dropped to the ground with a solid thunk .
    He took a deep breath and held it as she placed her hands on his back again.
    “I said don’t touch me.” A long growl rumbled in his chest, but she didn’t remove her hands. She had more guts than he’d given her credit for.
    Kneading hard muscles, she massaged his shoulders. He dipped his head forward as her strong fingers climbed the tight cords in his neck, and his continuous growl lessened.
    “Let’s get rid of this toga.” She hooked a finger under the fabric and slipped it off his shoulder. It joined the