Kiss of the Night Read Online Free Page A

change?”
    “Unless you’re offering to lose the sheet, the answer is no.”
    Holding back a grin at his arrogance, Bree admired the seductive grace with which the vamp took the seat next to her. Dressed in a deep red torso-hugging vest and loose flowing pants, Alexei Night was the epitome of flamboyant male sex appeal.
    “Drakish,” he said in answer to her unspoken question about his heritage. “On my mother’s side.” Lifting the lid on the warming pot, he ladled her food into the shallow bowl in front of her before relaxing.
    “That explains your coloring. I’ve never seen such beautiful skin on a vampire before. It’s very appealing.”
    “Would you like to see more of it?” he asked solicitously, his long fingers reaching for the single button that held the flaps of his vest together.
    She gave a breathless laugh. “Behave.”
    “Why?” Sprawling loose-limbed in the chair, he reached for the glass in front of him and then draped the arm that held it over the backrest, canting his body toward her. The pose caused one side of his vest to gape open, affording her an unhindered view of his powerful pecs. The air around them was thick and humid with his blatant sexuality. Her mouth watered.
    Swallowing hard, Bree forced her gaze away. She had a goal and she was sticking to it, even if her pussy disagreed by throbbing and growing damp. “Curried fowl is my favorite.”
    “I know.” The deep tone of his voice swept across her skin and left goose bumps in its wake.
    “Did you read that in my mind too?” she asked, reaching for the spoon.
    “No, I read it in your bio in the Council database.”
    “Really?” She stared at him. “It has such personal stuff in there?”
    “Really.” He took a sip and wrinkled his nose. As he righted his goblet, she watched the way the viscous liquid clung to the side of the glass.
    She had yet to meet a vamp who didn’t dislike the taste of stored blood. “No groupies?”
    Alex chuckled at her irreverent reference to the vamp followers that offered their blood in return for sexual pleasure. Most vamps had one or two with them at all times. Highly sexual beings by nature, vampires relished the opportunity to have fresh blood and easily accessible orgasms. “Not on this trip, no.”
    “You’re either a masochist or awfully sure of yourself where I’m concerned.”
    “ ‘If one believes strongly in a cause, one should dedicate themselves to it fully. By leaving room for failure, you invite it to occur.’ ”
    Briana stared. She’d given that speech last year at the dedication of the new vampire embassy built adjacent to Council headquarters. “I’ve never had someone quote me to my face before.”
    “Does that bother you?” he asked, twirling his goblet by the stem.
    She shook her head. “No. Actually, I’m really flattered.” Scooping up some curry, she brought it to her lips. The richly spiced broth exploded with flavor in her mouth and she moaned her appreciation. “You’ve got a great cooking unit. Most can’t get the curry ratio right.”
    “I don’t have a cooking unit.”
    She frowned. “You don’t?”
    “What would I do with one?”
    “Oh yeah…”
    He must have cooked the meal himself then. After researching her favorite foods. Her stomach fluttered and she set her spoon down. “What do you want from me, captain? Blood? Sex? Both? And why go to all of this trouble?”
    Alex studied the contents of his glass with undue attention. “Does my occupation bother you?”
    Bree tucked the sheet tighter between her breasts and avoided his question as he’d avoided hers. “Does my occupation bother you ? Considering what I do for a living, does it make you uncomfortable to have me on board?”
    “No.” He took another drink. “I admire you, Briana. I respect you and the strength of your convictions. Even if you championed a different cause I would still feel the same.” The quiet dignity of his tone told her he was serious.
    She bit her lower