Kai (A Dark Assassins Novel Book One) Read Online Free Page A

back to the present.   “Sorry, what?”
    “I need you to follow me.”
    With a swipe of her hand, she deposited the sugar into a water glass before wiping the remnants away with a damp napkin.   Turning toward the edge of the booth, she waited.   He made no move to step back and give her room to exit the booth.
    Instead of letting him intimidate her, she planted her feet on the floor and glanced up at him, giving him a chance to back up.   His only answer was to lift an eyebrow, but otherwise didn’t move a muscle.  
    She rose to stand in front of him.   Barely an inch separated them.   She felt the heat radiating off of him, and without thinking it through, she reached out to steady her hands on his chest.   His heat seeped into her chilled body, and she clenched her muscles to prevent her from stepping closer to him.   Instead, she removed her hands and sidestepped him, reaching for her coat.
    She smiled at Stella, who stood close with a worried look on her face, and slipped into her coat.   She removed the scarf and gloves from the pockets of her coat and slid them on.   When she was in control, she lifted her gaze to meet his unaffected one, and nodded, indicating that she was ready to go.
    He reached for her forgotten messenger bag before he grasped her elbow and walked them outside.
    He glanced around and her gaze followed his to see whether anyone from the lab had followed her, but at close to nine at night on a Wednesday, they found themselves alone on the sidewalk.
    “No matter what happens, do not scream,” he said, his voice low and menacing.

Chapter Three

    Kai

    Although he could feel her confusion at his last statement, he refused to meet her eyes and explain what he’d meant.   The woman intrigued him from a distance, but when she turned her honey gaze to him and touched him, albeit innocently, he struggled to shut down the pure desire that surged through him.
    It was to better remember why he was there and ignore everything else.  
    Without explaining his actions, he wrapped his arm around her waist and gathered her close to his side.   He walked them around the building until they were covered by the darkness of the alley behind the diner.   As the silence stretched between them, he closed his eyes and listened for anyone who might be near, all the while aware of her body pressed close to his.
    Her heart beat in a rhythm that soothed him, and although he knew that she should be afraid of him, he could sense that she trusted him.   Before he could delve into the reason, he pressed her closer.
    “Ready?” he asked.
    She nodded without understanding.   He slid his arms underneath her legs and back, and cradled her close to his chest.   Without a word and ignoring her gasp of surprise, he dashed through the empty streets and up the mountain to his home.
    Instead of paying strict attention to where he ran, he memorized the feel of her in his arms, her curves pressed against him.   He tucked her closer to his chest to prevent the biting wind from reaching her inside the cocoon of his arms, and within minutes, they stood on his deck.
    Reluctant to set her on her feet, he squeezed her, and waited for her to pierce him with her bright eyes.   When she did, it knocked the breath out of him.
    “Well, that was cold,” she murmured.
    A small grin lifted his lips, taking him by surprise, as he gripped her tighter.   When she made a sound that indicated he used too much force, he set her on her feet.   His fingers interlaced with hers, as if it were the most natural action in the world, and he walked her into the living room and indicated that she should sit by the fireplace to warm up.
    She smiled her thanks as he distanced himself from her.
    His gaze found her several seconds later.   He stood, mesmerized, as she slid her gloves off and waved her cold hands near the fire.   He was silent for several minutes, watching each movement that she made with focused attention.
    Several instincts