Read Online Calico Cross by DeAnna Kinney - Free Book Online Page A

think I found something,” she called to me from another room.
    I located her in one of the bedrooms. She was staring down at a piece of paper. “Look at this.” She handed it to me.
    As I read it, my heart broke. It was an obituary of his parents. They were both killed in what the paper described as a freak hunting accident, but I knew the truth. That meant that a were-creature had killed his parents; just like what happened to Blake and us.
    “Cali!” Fancy’s voice was alarmed. I heard it too; a car door shut.
    I put the paper back in its place and grabbed Fancy’s arm. We rushed for the window, but it was too late. He was on the front porch, fondling his keys.
    “Fancy, you have to leave out the back. I’ll distract him. I’m sure he’s caught my scent by now anyway.”
    “But…”
    “I’ll be okay. Now, go.”
    She headed for the back door just as Dane entered the front door.
    “Cali?” He said into the air as he came into the living room.
    I took a deep breath and tried to steady my heartbeat. I knew I was gonna have to wing it. “Yes, it’s me. I’m right here,” I responded, planting my butt quickly on the sofa.
    He turned on the lamp beside me and stared down at me. “What are you doing here?” He then studied the open window behind me. “I see how you got in.”
    “Yeah, umm, sorry about that. I needed to get out of the house, you know, all the girl drama and stuff. When I saw that you were gone, I thought I’d come in and wait for you. I know it’s not cool. I’m sorry. I went against my better judgement.”
    “No, it’s okay,” he was saying as he glanced around the room. “I smell Fancy.”
    “Oh, well I was with her right before I came here. You probably smell her on me.”
    He nodded slightly, eyeing me with suspicion. “Yea, you’re probably right.”
    My breathing slowed a little at the thought that he was buying my story. Whew!
    “Are you sure you’re not here for another reason?” he asked, his voice turning stern.
    I followed his gaze to the mantel. Oh crap! One of the photos had fallen over!
    “Oh, weeeeell…” I stood and began to walk backward.
    He approached me with fervency in his stride, and within seconds had me backed against the wall with both hands placed on either side of me.
    I was trapped. 
    “Why is it that you’re really here?” he asked, his warm breath brushing against my face like a caress. His rich golden eyes peered deeply into mine, and I was lost.
    I couldn’t think. My brain had turned to a thick mush and I went on mere instinct. My lips brushed against his, quick and soft. I pulled back and peered into his eyes, questioning. The look in his eyes had changed. The anger was gone, replaced by desire. I had never seen it in the eyes of a man looking at me before, but there was no mistaking it now.
    His response was swift and scary. His lips came down on mine hot and hard as his arms wrapped around me, pulling me against him.
    I inched my hands into his hair as the kiss continued to deepen.
    “Mmm, you taste like candy,” he whispered, not even breaking the kiss as his grip tightened around me.
    I knew I was gone, because I could no longer feel anything but his lips and hands on me. I never wanted the moment to end…and then it did, quickly and abruptly. He pulled away from me and stepped back a few feet.
    He rubbed his hands through his hair as if he was distraught. “I’m sorry about that, Calico. I-I lost control. I try never to do that.”
    “It’s okay, Dane. It was more me than you.” I tried to approach him, but he backed away.
    “I’m sorry, Calico. This is not about you. It’s just better if we stay friends. Trust me, you don’t want a guy like me. I have a hard time staying in control.”
    I approached him this time and he didn’t back away. “You should let me be the judge of that. I’m not a little girl anymore. I can take care of myself.”
    His eyes softened and compassion filled his expression. “Yea, I can see