Read Online Earth Bound by Christine Feehan - Free Book Online Page B

known.
    â€œIt does,” she admitted. “But I feel safe when I’m outside.”
    â€œWe’ll have to see what we can do to change that.”
    â€œThen you’ll stay?”
    Her green gaze collided with his. His palm itched. His body hardened. She was beautiful from the inside out.
    â€œDo you actually have even an ounce of self-preservation left in you?” he demanded harshly.
    She winced. Her gaze skittered away from his. She shrugged. Gavriil cursed himself. He hadn’t meant to hurt her, but what she was doing, knowing what he was, was just plain stupid. Or she had a death wish.
    Lexi turned to walk out of the room, but he shackled her wrist, careful to be gentle when he wasn’t feeling that way at all.
    â€œI didn’t mean that the way it came out.”
    Her gaze jumped to his again and he found himself falling into her green eyes. He wasn’t certain which one of them was the prisoner. He had her by the wrist, preventing movement, but he couldn’t get out of her eyes.
    â€œYes, you did. Don’t patronize me, Gavriil. I’m not a little puppy you just kicked. I’m a grown woman and Imake my own decisions. I choose to let you stay here with me because when I look at you, I see myself. I was given a chance here. I’m just extending that same chance to you. Take it or leave it. That’s up to you.”
    They stared at each other a long time. He found himself smiling. For the first time, his smile was actually genuine. “Believe that’s the only reason if you like. I’ll let you get away with it for a little while. And next time I hurt your feelings, kick me.”
    She raised her chin. “I’d probably break my toe.” A small answering smile curved her soft mouth, drawing his attention to her lips. “In any case, I’m supposed to be teaching you, by example, that violence is not the answer.”
    â€œIf I stay with you, are we going to have rules?” Now he was just plain amused. He lived a life without contact with others and he certainly wasn’t civilized, nor did he follow rules.
    â€œI’ve been giving that some thought,” she admitted, watching him as he crossed the room to look into the closet.
    The northern bedroom was the largest of the three, with a private, very spacious bath and an enormous walk-in closet. He glanced inside. She didn’t have much in the way of clothing. Old faded jeans with holes in them and soft flannel shirts seemed to be her apparel of preference. Well . . . he might change that as well. At least put a dress or two in her closet.
    â€œGavriil.”
    Her voice was tentative, as if she wanted to say something but was shy about it. She looked shy, faint color stealing beneath her skin. She put her thumbnail in between her teeth and bit down.
    Gavriil gently tugged on her wrist until she released the thumbnail. “There isn’t anything you can’t talk to me about. It’s just us. You and me. Say it.”
    â€œI know you’re in pain. I can see it. I was told that you’d been stabbed several times and that the wounds were extremely severe.”
    â€œIt was a long time ago,” he said, keeping his tone neutral, not understanding why she was having such a difficult time coming out with whatever she had to say.
    â€œI know. And sometimes when a wound is too old, there’s nothing I can do about it, but once in a while, I can do some good.”
    He tilted his head to one side and studied her face. She was really embarrassed now. Her face was red and she definitely avoided his gaze. He caught her chin, forcing her eyes up to his face.
    â€œAre you telling me you think you can do something to reduce the pain? When every doctor I’ve gone to says I have to live with it and take drugs to get by?” There was no way he could take drugs or drink. That would get him killed eventually.
    She nodded. “I hope I can. I can sometimes