Read Online Night's Master by Amanda Ashley - Free Book Online

me.” The words came out in the barest of whispers, but he heard them.
    His arm slid around my shoulders, and I leaned into him, closing my eyes as his mouth claimed mine. His lips were firm and cool, his kiss unhurried. I scooted closer, wanting to feel his body pressed against mine. I slid my hand under his shirt, my fingers moving restlessly over his broad back.
    At my touch, he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding over my lower lip, dipping inside to taste and explore. Heat exploded through me, as if I had swallowed a piece of the sun. That quickly, I was on fire for him.
    He cupped the back of my head in one hand while he lifted me onto his lap, so that I was straddling his hips. I moaned softly, scorched by the heat of his arousal. In a distant part of my mind, I remembered my mother warning me to never, ever, sit on a boy’s lap. As I had only been ten or eleven at the time, I had been puzzled by her advice. The reason for her warning was blatantly obvious now.
    “Kathy…” His voice was ragged as he whispered my name.
    Lifting my head, I gazed into his eyes, deep black eyes that seemed to glow with a fire all their own.
    “If we don’t stop now,” he said in that same rough tone, “we’re going to take our friendship to a whole new level.”
    I stared at him, every fiber of my being urging me to take him by the hand and lead him to my bed. It was what he wanted. It was what the woman in me wanted. But a little part of me, that one tiny part that was still rational, warned me that it would be a gigantic mistake. Lust wasn’t love. One night didn’t mean a lifetime commitment. Once I crossed the line and let him make love to me, there would be no going back.
    With a sigh of regret, I climbed off his lap, turned my back to him, and took a deep breath. Even if he hadn’t been a Vampire, I wasn’t about to break my vow and jump in the sack with a man I had known for only a few days. But oh, my, it was tempting.
    A tingle of awareness slid down my spine, and I knew he was standing close behind me.
    “You’re angry.”
    “No.” I turned to face him. “It was as much my idea as yours. But…” I blew out a sigh. “Things are moving a little too fast for me, that’s all.”
    “Still friends?” he asked with a roguish grin.
    “Still friends.”
    Lowering his head, he kissed me lightly on the cheek. “Good night, then.”
    “Good night.”
    I accompanied him to the door, then stood on the porch, thinking that he looked just as good walking away. I liked the way he moved. I liked the way his jeans clung to his long legs and lean hips. I liked his tight butt. It took all my willpower not to call him back.
    He turned when he reached his car. “Like what you see?” he asked, his voice tinged with amusement. Even in the dim light, I could see the smug look on his face. “It’s not too late to change your mind.”
    I felt my cheeks flame with embarrassment. How had he known I was checking him out? Or that I was having second thoughts about sending him away?
    I shook my head. It just wasn’t fair! Not only was he sexier than any man on two legs had a right to be, but now he was reading my mind!

Chapter Eight
    I was unloading a box of new paperback releases on Monday morning when Susie arrived. I was relieved to see that, for once, her boys weren’t trailing at her heels. Not that I have anything against kids, it’s just that her three seemed more like six. Every time they came into the store, I was afraid they were going to break something, tear something, or just drive me crazy with their constant bickering and punching. I didn’t know how she stood it, day after day.
    “Hi,” I said. “What brings you here so early?”
    “Oh, nothing. I was just taking a walk. It’s supposed to be good exercise, you know, and…did you hear anything out of the ordinary late last night?”
    “I don’t think so.” When Raphael was kissing me, the whole world could have blown up and I’d have been none the