Read Online Firestorm: Heart of a Vampire #5 by Amber Kallyn - Free Book Online Page B

tonight?”
    “Aye.”
    “Do you need anything else?” she asked.
    “Gracious, aren’t you?”
    “My parents brought me up to be so.”
    “And yet, you’re not quite the genteel southern lady. Getting drunk, cussing up a storm. And mouthy most of the time.” He softened his words with a slight grin, and was rewarded by another smile.
    She leaned back, pulling her legs up on the chair, revealing her toes were painted a rainbow of colors, each one different.
    “I control my temper.” She batted her eyelashes as she added, “When it’s proper.”
    “Ah,” he stated, unable to deny he enjoyed the banter. And that it took his mind off darker things. “You keep growling at me.”
    She shrugged. “You deserve it.”
    “Perhaps. How’s your neck?”
    Cat reached up, tracing her fingertips over her throat. “Fine.”
    His breath caught as her movement raised her thin nightgown. Firelight shone over her, turning the satin and lace nearly see through. His body flared to life, blood surging, making him instantly hard.
    He couldn’t look away from the sight of her tanned breasts, their large rosy nipples. Her waist tapered thin, then flared into generous hips. A ruby sparkled at her navel, in the center of a tattoo that he couldn’t quite make out. The woman had a wild streak inside her. She was gentle, but still a warrior. The way she’d commanded her men was brilliant. It was an amazing mix. She was definitely no pampered princess, as he’d first assumed.
    Memories hit, this time of holding her in his arms as they crossed the dance floor. Of her body pressed against him. Her skin, smooth as silk.
    “Fuck,” he muttered, clamping tight on his errant thoughts. This wasn’t what he was here for, and he damn well had no interest in this woman, even if her concern and laughter had eased the ball of tense pain that was his constant companion.
    “What?” she asked, thankfully oblivious to his traitorous mind.
    “Nothing. I’m tired.”
    Her eyes flashed at his obvious dismissal, but she merely stood. The nightgown caressed her skin, no longer sheer. Raising her chin, her expression polite, yet unemotional. “Good night, then. Sleep well.”
    She walked out of the room, closing his door gently. He listened to her steps as she entered her own room. A muffled curse of frustration came. He ignored the tinge of regret filling him.
    They weren’t friends.
    She was merely his charge to protect. But the better he got to know her, he found more admirable qualities. The way Cat had tried to comfort him... it was confusing. He’d acted like a jerk, and she didn’t seem to care. It was as if she saw past the barriers he’d erected between them. Between him and everyone.
    She was sensitive. And too damn sexy. Too much of a distraction to his peace of mind. He wouldn’t go down that road. Beauty and temptation only led to pain. To betrayal. To destruction.
    * * *
    Two days later, Cat strode into her living room, biting her lip to stop a sarcastic comment at the way Eric had transformed the area into a hub of paperwork, maps and outlines pinned to the walls.
    He’d unceremoniously pushed all the furniture against one wall, then dragged a large table into the middle of the room. He currently sat in front of the table, going over all the reports he’d taken the last few days—from her and any other coven member he’d been able to interview.
    “You heard the information, and have reread it multiple times. I doubt you’ll find anything new.”
    She sounded cranky, and cringed. Being cooped up in this house was beginning to drive her insane. At least Irish was recovering, though he still hadn’t woken, which meant she’d stayed home, just in case. But she had to get out of here. Find something useful, not all these stupid reports that told her nothing.
    Eric slowly turned in his chair, his face molded into a nearly blank expression.
    The same dismissive, uninterested look he’d been giving her since the night she’d