Aflame (Apotheosis) Read Online Free Page A

her petite, curvy stature, exotic hazel-green eyes and lips that begged to be devoured. Damn.
    Unable to peel his eyes away, it didn’t take long to notice the changes in her demeanor anytime a man approached. Her body tensed, tone of voice faltered, facial expressions darkened, even her posture altered with the slightest touch. Where did this fear take root? Who did this to her?
    It was his fault. If he’d found her sooner, tried harder, maybe she would’ve been spared whatever anguish haunted her spirit.
    Grayce cleared glasses behind the bar, and occasionally shot a glance his way. Wielding a wet towel and a bottle opener, a voluptuous redhead worked alongside her and gawked like a lovesick teenager. A couple of young women made their way to his table, flirty, underdressed and confident that at least one, if not both, would be invited home with him. Not taking his eyes off his woman, he shot them down and turned them away. If he wasn’t mistaken, Grayce fought back a smirk at the shattered expressions on their faces. Made his heart swell. She cared. Just didn’t know it yet.
    As the night rolled on, Zander’s agitation became unbearable. The urge to castrate every man who entered was irrepressible. A feat he could easily accomplish in the blink of an eye. Shit. They wouldn’t leave her alone. Every male who walked through the door made a pass at her, whether they came with a woman or not. Fuck, she was like a douche bag magnet.
    He growled under his breath but didn’t act on his protective instinct. Watching her defend herself proved more entertaining as the evening progressed. Her foul mouth and steely glare were enough to turn any would-be-suitor into a cowering little boy. Her razor sharp tongue had wounded many souls.
    If one more drunk asshole made a move on Grayce, Zander was in danger of claiming numero uno on the FBI’s Most Wanted List for murder, as well as a dozen other crimes he could imagine committing all in the name of defending his lady. If he had his way, he’d throw her over his shoulder and march straight out of there. Never let her come back.
    The decision to leave pained him, but Zander decided it safer for everyone within a two block radius of the bar if he did. He scribbled a note on a napkin and snuck through the back door when she wasn’t paying attention. Yeah, it was better that way. If he’d waited to say goodbye, there wasn’t a doubt in his mind he’d be taking her with him whether she consented or not.
    * * * *
    “Grayce, I don’t know what the deal is, but if you don’t take that sexy beast home and fuck the holy living shit out of him, I will.” Jane winked and tugged Grayce’s braid. “Where’d you find him, anyway?”
    “Well, um, he kinda found me.” She pondered the day’s events. Her brain reeled from her near abduction, but mostly from her overwhelming attraction to the blond warrior sitting in her bar. Oh, what she wouldn’t give for a rewind button. If she’d stayed in bed, well, shit, would another woman have been attacked instead of her?
    For a fleeting moment, Grayce felt an ache in her gut when she realized Zander’s chair was empty. The ache turned to anger as she pushed through the drunken crowd to clear his table. What the hell? Emotions like these were not her style. A note was scribbled on a napkin with a generous tip folded underneath.
     
    I would love to sit here and watch you work all night. It’s hypnotic. You are, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. However, a superhero’s work is never done, and alas, I’ve been called away. Here’s my number, call me when your shift is over. I’ll drive you back to your car. Z
     
    “Seriously? Hypnotic? Beautiful?” she asked, grumbling to no one. “Must be drunk.” She crammed the note and money into the pocket of her too-tight jeans.
    “Grayce.” A sharp stinging smack to her backside caused her to knock a half empty glass of beer to the floor. A flood of fury