Read Online Stone Passions Trilogy by A. C. Warneke - Free Book Online

lose themselves in a kiss, he reluctantly pulled away. Resting his forehead against hers, he clenched his jaw, “I have to go.”
    “I understand,” she whispered, surprised to find that she did understand. Kissing his knuckles, she smiled, “Your brothers are probably looking for you and I suppose my friends are wondering where I am, as well. But first tell me your last name.”
    His gaze swept over her face but it took him a long, drawn-out heartbeat to answer. “Nosuntres.”
    “Vaughn Nosuntres.” She let his name roll over her tongue, tasting it with her mouth, liking the way it felt. Smiling, she looked up at him, “I like it.”
    Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her against him, resting his cheek against the top of her head and he held her close. There was something almost desperate in his hug and his voice rasped when he murmured, “I don’t want to leave you.”
    “But I’ll see you again, right?” she asked, returning his hug, wanting to hold on for a while longer as well.
    He closed his eyes for a moment before meeting his gaze in the mirror. Patches of naked skin peeked out at him from beneath the dark strands of her hair. Her slender waist and the curve of her butt were completely exposed, her ass enhanced by the straps of her garter belt. How was he expected to give her up? “Yes, you will.”
    But if Armand had his way, she wouldn’t recognize him. He knew it was the right thing to do but his body didn’t agree. His heart didn’t agree. Kissing the top of her head, he whispered, “Happy New Year, Melanie.”
    She kissed the skin over his heart before turning her head and resting her cheek against his chest, “Happy New Year, Vaughn.”

Chapter Four
     

     
    At three in the morning, Vaughn leaned against the door jam, his arms crossed over his broad chest as he frowned at his brother. Armand, who sat on the floor with his long legs folded beneath his butt. The black haired bastard was wearing the silk ceremonial robes in order to cast the spell that would erase Melanie’s memory. Had he been thinking, he would have cast the spell after he had made love to her, when she was open and vulnerable. It's what he had planned on doing. But then she told him she wanted a gargoyle and his brain blanked as surprised joy slammed him upside his head and piercing his heart.
    Even if he had cast the spell, he doubted it would have worked because his heart wouldn’t have been in it. He had no choice but to allow Armand to do what needed to be done, for her sake. It was too dangerous for a human to live in such close proximity to the creatures of their world, no matter how infatuated with her he was, not unless he was willing to give up his night and he wasn’t. Yet. At least his brother wouldn’t be able to erase his memory. He’d be able to relive his time with Melanie and no one could take that away.
    “I told you it had to be taken care of and since she has proven impervious to our other, less invasive methods this is the only way.” Armand opened an eye and looked at Vaughn, “Every moment she spends in this building the risks increase. What if she sees something that her human brain cannot comprehend? Given enough time this place will drive her mad.”
    “It is not necessary to explain it to me,” Vaughn growled. “I know the reasons and I agree with you that it is necessary to keep her safe. I just wish there were another way.”
    Armand’s teeth ground together as he bit out, “I will not allow you to give up your nights for a human. They are fickle and treacherous.”
    Vaughn’s brows drew together as he shook his head no in automatic denial, even if he briefly weighed the possibility. “If I made that choice you wouldn’t have a say in the matter.”
    “You’re too optimistic for your own good, Vaughn,” Armand said calmly, which only emphasized the seriousness of his words. “You’ll lose fifty, sixty years of your life just when things are starting to get