Read Online The Touch Series: Initiation by Cecilia Lonski - Free Book Online Page A

something that is quite beautiful and different.” He shook his head in disbelief. “This generation is filled with over-confident women who always put on a facade when they are in front of men. It can be quite a turn off. Trust me, it's quite nice to see someone natural and still capable of being affected...” He looked like he was going to continue speaking. But instead, he turned and placed his hands on the ledge as he looked at the garden.
                  I wanted to know what he meant so I pressed on, “Affected?... by what?”
                  He didn't look at me but I could see him smirk. “By charms and just a man's presence.”
                  He was certifiably cocky, which was a quality I never really liked in a guy but I liked it on him. Somehow, it made him more attractive. 
                  “Haha.” I never really had a man's attention before like I had his, which persuaded me to go on and tease him further. “Mr. Constane, if you look away one more time I 'll be very angry. I would like to see your face.”
                  He slowly turned his head towards me with his mouth agape. “Very nice, Miss Turner. I applaud  you.”
                  Here we go again with the “Miss. Turner” nonsense. It disappointed me. I wanted him to call me by my first name even if I couldn't call him by his. The disappointment was apparent in my voice as I addressed him, “Why can't you call me 'Quinn'?”
                  He looked at me somewhat confused. “I'm sorry. It's just a matter of respect. I grew up during times of tradition when women were not addressed by their first names by those other than their husbands or direct family. And quite frankly, I prefer it.”
                  “Is that why we can't call you by your first name? Out of respect?”
                  “Would you prefer to call me by my first name?” he responded quickly with his voice softer than before.
                  I slowly smiled and pulled my hair behind my ears. “Yes and you can blame it on the fact that I grew up in a non-traditional society. So, yes I would. If that would be okay with you?”
                  “That's fine.”
                  Did I hear right? Was he allowing me to break one of the rules and so quickly too? “Really? Are you sure?”
                  He was amused at my shock. “Don't make me change my mind.”
                  “Okay.” I felt my heart beat faster than I ever thought possible.
                  After a few seconds, he looked at me seriously, “that doesn't apply to the others so you can only call me 'Josef' when we are alone but not around the others. I need to be fair. Understood?”
                  I nodded quickly. Hopefully, I'll never forget and slip up. I didn't want to lose this privilege.
                  “Were you really mad at me for being late?”
                  “I wasn't mad. I was worried.”
                  “Oh, well, thanks. But I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself.”
                  He gave me a quick stern look. “You are a vulnerable human girl who lives among vampires. And not all vampires are good. They're not all Arties .”
                  “You're good.”
                  Something in his demeanor changed; he became more stiff and his pupils appeared to have dilated. Was he thirsty? Was my scent finally effecting him?
                  “I've made mistakes. And I've seen what other vampires are capable of and they don't flinch. Just do me a favor and call Artie if you need a ride or something. Anything.”
                  His phone buzzed and he looked at it. “Now it's time to call it a night. It's getting late.” His stance and eyes returned to their normal appearance. But