Quinn's Lady Read Online Free Page B

tattoo on his shoulder. She curled her hands into fists to keep from running her fingers over his arm.
    His knowing smile infuriated her.
    She didn’t know who was more surprised when she slapped him, Quinn or herself.
    Shocked, she stared at the bright red print of her hand on his cheek. She had never struck another human being in her life.
    He had the audacity to grin. “Feel better now?”
    She shook her head, horrified by her loss of control.
    “Your tea’s getting cold.”
    Afraid of what she might do next, she dumped the tea into the sink and fled the room.
    The sound of amused male laughter followed her.
     

Chapter 4
     
    Quinn stared after her. He couldn’t remember ever being so anxious to get to know a woman. Serepta didn’t count. He knew now that his feelings for her hadn’t been real. She had enchanted him, turned him into a vampire, and trapped him inside a stone prison. He doubted the woman knew the meaning of love. But Seleena…she was sexy. Mysterious. Soft-spoken, but not soft. He wanted to know her in every way a man could know a woman. Explore every inch of her. She would be a generous lover, as eager to give pleasure as receive it.
    But he would never get to know her as long as she was afraid. But was she afraid of him -- or of her attraction to him?
    He took a deep breath as he stepped outside. He felt at home in the darkness. But then,  that was probably to be expected, now that he was a vampire. If not for Seleena’s spell, which would allow him to walk in the sun’s light, he would be alive only at night. He owed her big-time for that. Maybe he should do her a favor and just walk out of her life.
    He glanced back at the house. She was in her room, asleep. He could hear the slow, steady beating of her heart. Smell the blood flowing through her veins. Would her life’s blood really sicken him to the point of death? Or was that just an empty threat -- a way of protecting herself from his bite? For a moment, he considered taking a sip while she slept. And then he shook his head. She had saved his life, given him shelter. He wouldn’t break her trust by stealing her blood.
    And he wouldn’t leave her. Not unless she told him to go.
    #
    Seleena woke before dawn after a restless night. Her dreams had been filled with images of Quinn. In the most bizarre dream, his dragon came to life and chased her through Serepta’s garden. In the last, and most pleasant, Quinn had seduced her with sweet words and honeyed kisses. She’d awoken in the middle of the night, a smile on her face, only to spend the rest of the night trying to find her way back into his arms. In the dream, of course.
    Rising, she drew on her robe and padded into the corridor. She paused at his door. Was he still asleep? Her hand curled around the latch, then she jerked it back. What was she doing?
    Hurrying into the kitchen, she made a cup of hot chocolate and carried it into the living room. Freyja trailed at her heels, meowing softly.
    “Yes, he’s still here,” Seleena said, lowering herself into the rocker. “And no, I haven’t decided what to do about it.”
    Freyja curled up at her feet, a sure sign that she wasn’t happy with her indecision.
    “I know you don’t like him, but it’s nice to have company. Human company,” she added, when the cat hissed at her.
    Rocking gently, Seleena sipped her chocolate. It was very dark, very decadent. An old recipe known only to members of her family. Her thoughts turned to the man sleeping in her guest room. What was she to do with him? She liked having someone to talk to, but sooner or later, she was afraid words would lead to something far more intimate. She was all too aware of the sexual attraction that hummed between them, that sense of inevitability. He wanted her. And she most definitely wanted him. Her dreams had proved that beyond doubt! It had been years since she had been close to a man, felt a man’s touch, his skin against hers…
    A flush warmed her cheeks as she