Read Online Cursed by Diamonds (A Dance with Destiny Book 1) by JK Ensley, Jennifer Ensley - Free Book Online Page B

for me to believe I have finally found you.”
    “Y-you were l-looking for me?”
    “My whole life… yes.” He moved closer. “Does that scare you, Jenevier? Have I said too much too soon?”
    “…N-no.”
    She blushed and looked down. He gently lifted her chin.
    “I have waited for you for so long, Milady.” He moved to kiss her, pausing just before their lips touched. “Please,” he whispered against her waiting mouth. “Give me the chance to know you.”
    His kiss was… utter euphoria. She could feel the tingle all the way down to her toes. All those little electrical currents—the ones she had been desperately trying to suppress—exploded within her.
    When Dante started to move away, she grabbed the back of his neck, pulling him to her. She wasn’t ready for this feeling, this magic, to end. When their lips finally parted, he rested their foreheads together.
    “…Jenevier.”
    She watched the rapid rise and fall of his perfect chest.
    “I have never felt such undeniable passion from merely a kiss,” he whispered, breathlessly.
    She closed her eyes, holding back the burning tears. He lightly placed his lips to the top of her head, remaining there for several heartbeats.
    She heard the soft click of the door as he left. Her heart wanted so badly to go along with this madness. She wanted to put aside her fears and that little lingering doubt running around in the back of her mind. If she were being honest with herself, she wanted to know love—wanted to know its glories, its pleasures, even its pain. She wanted it all. And she wanted it with Dante.
    Ugh! Again I ask… What the hell is wrong with me? She blew out a long breath as she picked up one of the pretty pink rose petals. She smiled. Why is this happening to me? And so easily, at that. Who is this man? How is it he holds such sway over my heart? He makes me tremble inside—quiver from his mere touch. And I love it! By the gods… I love the way he makes me feel—giddy with euphoria, smiling ‘til my cheeks hurt. I cannot say if such a thing will lead to love, not truly. But this is definitely desire, true desire.
     
    *****
     
    An involuntary smile was spread across her face as she walked into the kitchen, twisting her curls up in a towel. When she noticed the note stuck under the edge of an empty plate, she released a long breath, blowing her joy out with it.
    Dante was gone.
    She carefully unfolded the paper and read the scratchy handwriting… “Apologies, my love. I promise to return when I can.”
    She sighed, disappointedly. “I knew I’d have to wake at some point… dammit.”
    Tossing the note aside, she spread jam on a slice of bread, poured some tea, and walked out onto the patio.
    “ This is one of the very reasons I don’t like people.” She spoke aloud to her steaming teacup. “If you have no one, then you have no one to miss. Remember how pleasant it was yesterday morning? Just you and me and the sunrise. Yesterday at this time I was happy and thankful. One single human later… I feel lonely and abandoned. What good are people anyway?”
    Jenevier was still talking away when she noticed a small package lying on the banister beside her.
    “Here now, what’s this?”
    It was wrapped in brittle old brown paper and tied with a string. She blew the dust off and examined it closer.
    “What an odd way to wrap a gift,” she mumbled.
    Odd wouldn’t even begin to describe what she found inside.

Chapter 6
    Alastyn
    (ah-LASS-tin)
     
     
     
    The handsome young man with the emerald eyes grabbed Jenevier as she began to swoon. He swept her up in his arms.
    “I have you, Milady. Be calm. I will keep you safe.”
    The remaining villagers looked sympathetically toward them. In their hearts they wanted to help, yet they knew better. Hurriedly gathering up their children, they headed for home. Leaving behind the three bewildered young people… standing beneath the last lit lantern remaining from the now forgotten