Read Online Exist (Vampire Assassin League Book 30) by Jackie Ivie - Free Book Online Page A

real. There were little LED lights in their centers, some were still flickering. It was dim, but that didn’t hamper her vision. She could easily see. A lot. And with perfect precision. As if she viewed things through telescopic lenses that adjusted at her whim. She’d been right. There weren’t any windows. A lot of material covered the walls, in lengths of unbroken silver. It was echoed in the furniture. She picked out a chaise lounge chair. Two sofas. A loveseat. White wooden tables accented the setting. It looked elegant. Cold and aloof. As if it awaited the presence of a king.
    Like Anso.
    She didn’t have to guess where he was. His weight compressed the mattress, making a well in the midst of the bed. She’d been sucked into it. She’d have a hard time moving away. She had her back to him, spooned in place, while one of his legs and an arm wrapped about her, as if making certain of her proximity.
    This was so crazy. Nice, but crazy. She’d really like to stay here. Enjoy it. But that depended on the man holding her so tightly. And how reasonable he was willing to be. She didn’t know if he was sleeping. He didn’t snore. He didn’t make any sound at all. She decided to test it.
    “Anso?”
    “Yes?”
    The instant reply answered that question. He wasn’t sleeping.
    Leah rolled onto her back. His arms flexed to allow it. She looked up at him. Her heart dropped. Her breath caught. Her throat closed off. All physiological omens of something bad. She’d been afraid Anso would ruin her sex life with a real male in the real world. Falling in love with him would be beyond stupid. That was bound to give her a Dissociative Disorder. She’d need pharmaceutical treatment. Years of therapy. She’d have to quit her practice. Sell her condo. Change her phone number. Cancel her social networking accounts...
    “You are very beautiful this morning.”
    Shit.
    Her heart reacted with a thud that lodged it in her throat. Or something as powerful. It hurt to swallow.
    “How do you know it’s morning?” she asked.
    He smiled. “Instinct. Preservation. Experience.”
    “You could just put in windows.”
    “Sunlight is not a good idea.”
    “Really? Why not?”
    “Vampires—”
    She interrupted him. “Don’t do the vampirism thing again, Anso? Please? I feel too good. It’s too soon. We can make it a ground rule. No mention of vampires. Or blood-letting. Or Succubus. Or...mental break-downs. Okay? Can we agree on that, at least? Please?”
    His lips twisted. She caught her breath in the event he grew fangs. Nothing happened for long moments. Except their breathing. The sound of their hearts beating. In perfect sync. She needed to stop envisioning that particular affectation. It was too weird.
    “You feel good?” he finally asked.
    “You are so gorgeous,” she answered.
    One of his eyebrows lifted, and he glanced away. His cheeks darkened as if he flushed.
    Her canine teeth tingled oddly.
    Leah ran her tongue along her upper teeth, and then chided herself for the instant need to check. Nothing was out of order. Everything felt exactly normal...in her mouth, anyway.
    Anso turned back to her, affecting her without doing a thing. Leah’s heart gave another couple of quick beats. Damn thing.
    ”My appearance...pleases you?”
    “Well. Yeah. And then some.”
    “Some?”
    “Yeah. As in...some more.”
    “More?”
    Leah sighed. “And here I didn’t think you suffered a Narcissistic Disorder.”
    He narrowed his eyes. His long dark lashes shadowed the light in them. That sent a rocket-load of sensation shooting through her innards. Leah’s eyes widened.
    “I do not understand,” he told her.
    “You’ve never heard of Narcissus? And Echo? The Greek legend?”
    He shook his head.
    “Really? Fine. I’ll explain. Narcissus was a major babe in Ancient Greek mythology. He was totally hung up on himself. Wasted away staring at his image. Beautiful men are usually well aware of the fact they are beautiful. I’ve