Read Online Sleeping Beauty and the Demon by Marina Myles - Free Book Online

the point is: Drago isn’t a warlock or a sorcerer of the dark arts. He swears there’s an explanation for every trick he performs.”
    “Do you really think there is?”
    “Yes.”
    Olivia sighed. “It seems you’ve got it bad for him, Rose. If I can’t talk you out of avoiding him, promise me you’ll be careful.”
    Grateful that Olivia cared so much, she gave her a smile. “I promise. Now, how do I look for my interview at the paper?”
    “Very professional. The Gotham Times will be lucky to have you as a journalist’s assistant.”
    “Richard Bellum is interviewing me himself. Turns out he needs a helper. I only hope I’ll be promoted to bona fide reporter someday.”
    “You know you don’t have to work at the newspaper. My father offered you a post in his import company.”
    “And it was very generous of him. But I think I’ll leave the pasta business to the true Italians.” Rose laughed. “Besides, you know me better than anyone. I’ve always been a truth seeker. Do you remember when Frank Del Gado stole your lunch sack in fourth grade and said he didn’t?”
    Olivia giggled, too. “Of course I remember. You investigated his whereabouts, interviewed the other children, and didn’t give up until you got him to admit he was guilty.”
    “Exactly. And I’ve used those skills to research Richard Bellum. Let’s see.” She ticked off the facts with her fingers. “He’s worked for the newspaper for three years, is an avid collector of historic artifacts, and smokes like a fiend.”
    “Well done!” Olivia clapped her hands together. “Now you need to uncover more about Dragomir Starkov.”
    Rose rolled her eyes. “That may be more challenging.”
    “Best of luck,” Olivia said. Glancing down at the clock pendant pinned to her blouse, she gave a little start. “Now off you go! The Printing House Square isn’t close by and you don’t want to be late for your interview.”
    Rose hastened into the bright daylight and considered her conversation with Olivia. She was honest when she promised Olivia she would be careful. On the other hand, she lied when she claimed Drago didn’t frighten her.
    The worst part was she yearned for more of his magical wiles.
     
    Drago awoke with the taste of Rose on his lips. Moonlight streamed through the cracks of the dark curtains and he wondered if he’d been too bold with her in his workshop last week. Had he scared her off with his forwardness? But wasn’t that impossible? She was, after all, under his spell.
    What she couldn’t have faked were her moans of delight when he kissed her. Furthermore, he could read her body language. She was ready to become a woman. And his kiss had set her every sense aflame.
    To win her over, Drago decided he must do something about her beau, Patrick O’Leary. He’d known about Patrick before, but he’d feigned ignorance at dinner. He wanted to hear what Rose had to say about her ardent suitor.
    Drago pulled himself out of bed and reached for his tuxedo. No doubt this Patrick was a man with many allies—so Drago needed to be careful.
    I won’t allow any real harm to come to him .
    After all, the young man was innocent enough. Still, Drago could certainly arrange for the policeman to become disenchanted with Rose. How? By convincing naïve O’Leary that she has become interested in me instead .
    It was deceptive, yes . . . but the burning need to have Rose was an utmost priority. It pulsated through his veins like an insane craving.
    As the newly-married Greek couple next door broke into one of their heated arguments, Drago shaved. Every line and groove of his own face was familiar . . . even memorized. Yet his inability to cast a reflection bothered him to no end. He was tired of paying barbers to cut his hair in the latest, ridged style, away from the mirror, during closed hours.
    Once he finished dressing, he splashed cologne over his cheeks and smoothed his hair with a palm-full of pomade. Then he exited his