Read Online Cassandra's Dilemma by Heather Long - Free Book Online Page A

below. She loved her house, standing on its struts above the Pacific Ocean as though it had every right to be here. The ocean called to her, provided comfort and solace. She’d never thought about the why of it. It just did.
    The water foamed white below where it slapped at the rocks. She took a long sip of the coffee and swallowed it with pleasure.
    Three-quarters of the way through her cup of coffee, Helcyon appeared at her elbow with a second full, steaming cup and a bagel. He gestured to the table. She drained her first cup of coffee, suitably mollified to acquiesce to his unspoken request.
    Sitting down, she took a bite of the bagel, thick with fresh blackberries and cream cheese. The tart and the sweet met in fierce battle on her tongue. A look of pleasure crossed Helcyon’s face as he watched her eat. He sat across from her at the white-oak table with its blue-cushioned chairs, saying nothing while she polished off the bagel and second cup of coffee.
    “Better?”
    “Much, thank you.”
    “More?”
    “No, two is good.” Energized, she was ready to kick the day into gear. “Let’s begin with the parts you didn’t tell me yesterday. For example, what’s the deal with the Wizards, and why did the Danae have a bodyguard at my bedside from the moment I was loaded in the ambulance?”
    “You remember?” Surprise mingled with pride in his question.
    Cassie met his gaze evenly. “Some of it. Most of it is still vague. The explosion, the paramedics, and even the ambulance. But, Helcyon, I’m not deluding myself. You’re some kind of Duke in her court. You’re a nobleman and a warrior. You’ve got a lot of magic, and you oversaw most of the plans before they were passed to the Danae. She assigned you to me either to protect me or to kill me.”
    “You forget there is a third option.”
    “A third?”
    “I could seduce you.”
    “That would be for you and not for her.” Cassie waved her hand dismissively. And it wasn’t like he had to try that hard. At just the mention, her gaze slid down the length of his body to the cock hidden by his slacks. It was so damn tempting to say the hell with the rest and sample more of that fabulous cock.
    She cleared her throat. “She instructed me to find the bomber, to identify him and turn him over to my authorities or…”
    “…or to me,” Helcyon finished. “Yes, I do recall. You forget, Cassandra, I was present when she spoke to you. I know exactly what my Danae requires. If the beast that attacked the conference was from Underhill, then it will be my justice they meet.”
    Although his tone and expression didn’t change, the cool delivery carried the promise of danger. Her womb clenched, and she forced her gaze away. The promise of personal mayhem should never be such a turn-on.
    “But you will let me turn over any humans to our authorities.”
    “If they do not try to harm you again, although you must accept that the Wizard will be looking into that side very closely. He will be ready to scoop up any human offenders.”
    Cassie sighed. “Is there a reason she gave such a strict deadline?”
    “You worry that we will not be able to complete the task in the time she has given us?”
    “I worry that I’m a media consultant—I do public relations, handle negotiations, and make people look good or at least not as stupid as they might. I am hardly some kind of police officer or detective. Agent Book might be our best chance of catching these guys.”
    “You have no way of knowing this for certain, nor do I. For all we know, the Wizard was involved.” He reached across the table, covering her hand with his.
    She jumped at the thought, despite how alien it seemed. Her skin chilled under his far-warmer hand. “That’s wrong, Helcyon.”
    “Is it?” he challenged, turning her cool hand over in his. His thumb brushed along the tender skin on the palm of her hand. “You don’t know the Wizard.”
    “Neither do you!” she fired back. Her pussy wept at the