Read Online Twilight Illusions by MAGGIE SHAYNE - Free Book Online

callous, wishing she felt that way. She didn’t want to think maybe she’d been wrong about him. She didn’t want to let her defenses down. And she sure as hell wasn’t going to trust the man. She didn’t trust anyone. She and Tawny…they’d trusted no one but each other.
    â€œWhat was that?” His sable brows rose slightly, and his jet eyes probed. He came toward her, then stopped.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou looked…” He licked his lips, shook his head. “Nothing. Never mind. It’s none of my business.”
    â€œProbably not.” She turned and ran her fingers over the dusty spines, glanced at titles. Sumerian Mythology, The Gods of the Ancients, The Epic of Gilgamesh…
    â€œI know you think I killed your friend. But since I know myself better than you do, I’m inclined to disagree.”
    He came up behind her as he spoke. Too close. She felt his nearness like static electricity, raising the fine hairs on the back of her neck. She tried to focus on the titles instead of on the physical effects of being so close to him. A newer volume about Gilgamesh. And another. He had several versions of the same story.
    â€œThat in mind, I have to assume someone else is responsible for her murder. If I’m right, then you’re at risk.”
    â€œ If you’re right? Sounds like you’re not even convinced you’re innocent.” She turned in time to see him blink when she said it, as if she’d poked a raw spot.
    â€œI thought you might be in danger. That’s why I followed you home last night. That’s why I brought you here when I saw that you were too sick to defend yourself. I was only trying to protect you.”
    She met his gaze, fighting to keep her own hard, not let it soften the way her heart had begun to do at those last few words. She swallowed hard. In all her life no one had ever thought to protect her. No one had cared enough to. She’d had no shelter against the cruel realities of life. She’d had to face them all, head-on, and her only protection had been her own strength. “Yeah? Why should I believe that? You barely know me, why would you want to protect me?”
    â€œWhat was the alternative, Shannon? Stay here and let you die? Read about your body being found in the headlines of tonight’s paper?”
    â€œTonight’s, tomorrow night’s…what’s the difference?” Someone would be finding her body one of these days. After this last attack, she figured it wouldn’t be much longer.
    He frowned, his gaze probing so deeply she had to turn away. “What do you—”
    â€œLook, I have to go. Is there anything else you want to say before I do?”
    â€œIf you go, and there is a killer stalking you, you’ll be defenseless.”
    â€œI’ve been called a lot of things, Damien. Never defenseless, though.”
    â€œShannon—”
    â€œIf I stay here, he won’t try anything.” She squared her shoulders, lifted her chin. “If he doesn’t try anything, I won’t be able to take him out. You get it?”
    He blinked twice, understanding dawning in his black eyes. His hands went to her shoulders. Strong hands. Hard and warm and urgent. The urge to lean closer whispered across her mind. Stupid. She must still be slightly off kilter from last night.
    â€œYou want him to attack you.”
    â€œYou’re damned right I do.”
    â€œThat’s insane. You’ll get yourself killed.” He appeared shaken by the idea.
    â€œIt’s perfectly sane from my point of view. And so what if I do? I’ll take the bastard with me.”
    â€œYou’re risking your life—”
    â€œIt’s not so much to risk. Let go of me.”
    He looked down at his hands, as if he hadn’t been aware of the way they’d been holding her shoulders, the way they’d begun to pull her just a little closer. The way that scared