Read Online Galin by Kathi S. Barton - Free Book Online

him…but
he believes that you’re simply keeping money that he feels belongs to him. Markum
has no use for either money or drugs. I believe it to be two separate entities.”
    Dusty smiled at him and Galin found himself
wanting to reach for her. He curled his fingers under his leg to keep himself
from doing what he wanted. She nodded toward Riss.
    “Does he always talk like he’s just come out
of a novel? I mean, he could be an English teacher or something.” Galin laughed
when Riss snorted. “He even snorts all proper and English-like.”
    “Riss is my friend, but he is a little on the
stiff side.” Galin looked at Riss and smiled. “I’ve been telling him for
decades that he needs to loosen up more, but the harder I try to make him talk
like a human, the more he resists. I think he’s destined to be proper and
staid. But he is the kindest, most gentle man I know, and will protect you with
his life if need be.” Riss bowed before them both, bending at the waist and
putting out his hand like in a Victorian novel as Dusty had said.
    “Decades?” Galin kept an eye on her as she
got up again and poured the rest of her drink into the sink. “I’m…what are you?
I know you said protectors and Mystics, whatever that is, but truly, what the
hell are you?”
    “Protector of those that need me. A magical
creature that will watch over, care for, and sometimes guide a person in the
correct pathway.” She nodded and he stood up slowly. “I’ve been assigned to
watch over Kip for the rest of his life. I am his protector for all time.”
    “I have one too.” Galin nodded and kept
walking toward her as she stood there staring at him. “You’re not going to…am I
going to die? Soon? Is that why you’re here?”
    “No. Not that I’m aware of.” She backed into
the counter behind her and Galin took the last step to her. “I have a need to
touch you. I don’t know why this is happening but I want to touch your bare
skin. To feel if it is as soft and silky as it looks. To taste it, to see if it
tastes like the flowers in the spring.”
    “I think I’d like that too.” He ran his
fingers down her cheek and felt the heat of her skin as he touched her. Moving
his fingers just a little lower, he touched her pounding pulse at her throat
and leaned down to taste her there. As soon as his mouth touched her skin,
Galin nipped hard at her throat and heard her moan. Lifting his head, he looked
down at her. Her eyes were glazed, darker in color now. Her hot breaths fanned
over his face as he watched her. When she licked her lips, running her moist
tongue over them, Galin had an overwhelming urge to follow the same path and
touch his to hers.
    “I should very much like to kiss you.” She
nodded and tilted her head just a little. Galin lowered his mouth to hers and
brushed it gently over her lips. As soon as he started to rise she ran her
tongue over her lips again and he watched her moisten them. Galin lowered his
head again and took her mouth.
    He’d seen people kiss before. Couples leaving
for the day would peck each other on the mouth or cheek and then turn to go.
Galin had seen lovers kiss as well, passion running high as they devoured one
another. But this was different; this was…this was delicious, amazing, and he
wanted more.
    Galin? He heard his name in his mind but wanted to
ignore it in favor of the woman in his arms. Galin, you are going to have to
let her go. Kala and Judith are here.
    I don’t care. He didn’t either,
and lifted Dusty up and sat her on the counter. You go away too. I like
this.
    She is not yours to take. Galin frowned at the
second voice in his head. Galin, let her go. She is not yours to take. You
cannot have her now, she is…there is no way for you to claim this woman now.
    He looked down at Dusty when Boss told him to
back away. It was the most difficult thing he’d ever done, but he did it. When
he was five feet from her, Dusty looked at him, dazed, then jumped off the
counter and