Read Online Passion Ignites by Donna Grant - Free Book Online Page B

through Hell and back. “I’m fine.”
    Lexi winced at the croaking that was her voice. What had happened to her? She rubbed her throat and glanced into the kitchen.
    Warily, she walked in a wide circle around him until she reached the kitchen. Using the counter as a crutch, she got a glass off the shelf and filled it with water. Lexi kept her eyes on him as she drank four glasses.
    The stranger remained where he was, silently watching her with his cool gaze. This was the third time she had encountered him. No longer could she call it coincidence.
    She set the empty glass down and braced herself against the counter. “Where am I?”
    â€œThis flat belongs to a friend named Darcy,” he replied.
    â€œHow did I get here?”
    His lips compressed for a heartbeat. “I brought you.”
    Lexi gripped her knife tighter.
    He held up his hands, palms out. “I’ll no’ hurt you, lass.”
    â€œWhat did you do to me?”
    He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I caught you when you fainted.”
    â€œI don’t faint.”
    One dark brown brow lifted. “I beg to differ. You were sick. I brought you here and nursed you.”
    She put her empty hand against her stomach. That meant he’d been the one to undress her.
    â€œYou’ve been out for three days.”
    Her gaze snapped to him. Three days? She couldn’t have lost that time. She needed it to find Christina’s killer. Lexi looked at the wardrobe. Surely there was something in there for her to wear. At least something that would do for her to get to her flat and change.
    â€œI know you want to leave, but you might want to rethink that, Lexi.”
    She jerked at the sound of her name.
    He pointed to her jacket. “I had to know who you were. Your money is still there, by the way.”
    â€œSince you know my name, I think it’s only fair I know yours.”
    He glanced away, as if trying to come up with a reason not to tell her. “It’s Thorn.”
    Why did she look at his mouth when he spoke? She couldn’t deny there was something altogether alluring about his mouth.
    Lexi mentally shook herself. What was wrong with her? She didn’t have time to ogle a man, no matter how good-looking he was. She had a murderer to catch.
    â€œI need clothes,” she said.
    He looked at the door, then slid his gaze back to her. “I wouldna advise leaving this flat just yet.”
    â€œI’ve already lost three days. I can’t lose any more.”
    Lexi made her way to the wardrobe and threw open the door. She was looking through the clothes when she heard him come up behind her. She turned around to tell him to back up when her knife sank into his side.
    Thorn sighed loudly and looked at the ceiling as if to ask for help. When he lowered his eyes to her, she was trapped in his gaze. His fingers gently wrapped around her wrist and pulled the blade out.
    â€œThat’s the fourth time you’ve stabbed me,” he said flatly.
    Lexi couldn’t believe he was so glib about it. Didn’t he feel any pain? She looked at the wound to see how deep the knife went.
    She felt light-headed when she found the wound and watched it close up. The knife clattered to the floor as it fell from her numb fingers.
    â€œEasy,” Thorn said as his hands gently took hold of her. “Look at me, Lexi. Look into my eyes.”
    Somehow, she dragged her gaze up to his face. Her brain couldn’t process what she had just seen.
    â€œI didna wish for you to see that.” His face scrunched. “You’ve had a wee bit of bad luck recently, it seems. I would’ve spared you witnessing any more than you already have.”
    â€œYou healed.”
    His face smoothed of all emotion. “Aye,” he answered firmly. “You sense evil when you’re around what you call the Red Eyes. Do you feel that with me?”
    Lexi felt the warmth of his hands on her arms, the strength