Read Online Deadly Pursuit (A Blood Hunter Novel, #2) by Nina Croft - Free Book Online Page B

married.”
    “Yeah, I remember—to God, right? And he’s obviously not giving you any.”
    “I don’t even like you,” she continued, deciding to ignore his comment. “But I don’t happen to have a lot of options here.”
    He regarded her, his head cocked to one side. “Doesn’t it bother you that I’m a werewolf?”
    She smiled sweetly. “No, I always wanted a pet dog.”
    An expression of outrage flashed across his features, and she had to bite back her grin. “Besides,” she added hurriedly, “as I said—I don’t have a lot of choices.”
    “And you’re desperate, right?”
    She thought about the question for a second then nodded. It was sad but true, and she wasn’t going to get what she wanted by lying about it. “Yeah, I’m desperate.”
    “Jesus,” he muttered again. “Let me give you a word of advice. Real men like to do the chasing.”
    “Real men?”
    “Look, you’re obviously a good girl. Why don’t you go back to where you belong? Back to the Church, like a good little virgin priestess.”
    The last words were sneered and twenty-four years of pretending rose up inside her. “I am not a good girl. For one thing, I’m not a girl—I’m a woman. For another, I am not good. I’ve never been good. I’ve just pretended, and I’m sick of it.” Alex took a step toward him, and he backed up. She prodded him in the chest—it reminded her of solid rock. “Do you know what it was like?”
    He shook his head, a slightly panicked look on his face.
    “Every single day. For twenty-four years. I pretended to be good. And every single day I thought of new bad things I wanted to do. I wanted to do them so much that sometimes I would scream inside. And soon, I’ll go back, and I’ll pretend to be good again—”
    “Why?” he interrupted. “Why go back?”
    She thought of all the people who had given up their lives for her, of Sister Martha who had basically raised her. Alex was the center of their universe—their reason for being. They believed in her—that she was God’s chosen emissary. Even if she didn’t believe it herself, could she abandon them?
    But there was more to it than that. This time away had made her see things clearly for the first time. One of the reasons she’d hated her life so much was because she’d felt like some sort of drone-droid, unable to take control or change anything. And there were so many things within the Church that needed changing. As High Priestess, she could become a force for good, make things better. But she wasn’t telling him that.
    “Just because,” she mumbled. “The point is, I will go back. I’ll do my duty, and I’ll make believe I’m good. But before I do, I’m going to do a few of those bad things. All I’m asking for is a little cooperation.”
    He was silent as he studied her. Alex held her breath.
    Finally, he shrugged. “Much as I appreciate the honor, I don’t do innocents. And I especially don’t do needy innocents.”
    Her fists clenched at her side. “I am not needy.”
    “You’re about as needy as they come, darling. Now I’m tired. I’m going to lie down—perhaps you could close the door on your way out.”
    Jon strolled over, settled on the bed, and closed his eyes as if to shut her out. His muscular body stretched out, his hands clasped behind his head, showing the dark tufts of hair in the hollows of his armpits. There was so much of him.
    “Quit staring,” he murmured.
    Alex sighed. She wanted to argue the needy thing some more, but what was the point? She picked up her bag of cleaning things and trudged to the entrance.
    “Hey, Al.”
    She paused, turned back to face him, a little flame of hope igniting in her chest. “What?”
    “Maybe I am feeling a little horny after all. You think you could get me a date with that other