5 - Together To Join by Jackie Ivie Read Free Book Online

obvious. It wasn’t exactly a dining area, but the semi-circular window seat and table would do. Damn. He’d thought his observation powers better. Garrick slid into place on the seat.
    “You joining me?” He asked, as she set the feast down in front of him.
    She shuddered. It was especially noticeable since she’d taken off her apron, revealing way too much creamy flesh above the neckline. Garrick looked away.
    “Oh. Don’t answer. I don’t want to know that you’re planning to dine later. I’m going to try and blank that out while I enjoy this. I get a knife and fork?”
    From over his head she lifted down what was probably a priceless porcelain plate, followed by a knife and fork set that looked like it had been dipped in real gold. Then she made everything real by swiping at his plate with her apron. For the dust, no doubt. It was obvious she hadn’t used them. Probably for centuries.
    She had the steak on the platter before putting it in front of him. Then she sat onto the opposite seat, settling in a whisper of satin. Garrick did his best imitation of ignoring her, transferring just about everything in the frying pan onto his plate where it caressed the steak. He shoved a bite of potato into his mouth. He barely caught the moan of gratification as tastes exploded against his tongue. Damn! But the woman could cook.
    “Napoleon ruined my country. His wars decimated France and everything she stood for. I watched it happen.”
    Garrick swallowed and carved on the steak. “So? Look at what the Nazis did.”
    “They did not destroy my family chateau. Napoleon did, using his soldiers as weapons. He took everything from me.”
    “Weren’t you already dead?”
    He glanced toward her. Her lips thinned, but it was the only sign that he’d annoyed her. Maybe.
    “You don’t understand! He made it so I could never go back!”
    Ah… She was annoyed. Her voice reflected it, the way she snapped her words indicated it, and the quick breaths she was taking that sent her bodice dipping even lower sealed the deal. The trousers might be fashioned of superfine wool, but the crotch was restrictive, and he’d be better off concentrating on anything else. He took the bite of steak and savored it. It wasn’t hard. The woman was an extraordinary cook, even over an open flame without any adjustments on the heat. He was eating the best meal of his life. Cooked for him by a vampire. Nobody would believe him. He swallowed and carved another bite.
    “Nobody ever gets to go back, Sister.”
    Her reaction was a complete stiffening of her entire frame. He wondered what he’d said, and then just stumbled on.
    “And even if you do, it’s not the same.”
    No answer. He scooped some eggs atop his steak before shoving it in, doing his best to ignore the view right across the little slab of wood from him. The odd itch was back, too. He remembered it from their first meeting, but now it was worse. It was more vivid this time, creating a sensation like his skin was trying to relocate and really pissed off at being locked on. He swallowed and speared another bite of potatoes.
    “I’m going to guess that since your home was destroyed and you had years to stew over it, you decided to recreate it. And that explains this place.”
    “Tres bien.”
    He shoved the bite into his mouth before the liquid warmth in her voice narrowed his throat passage, swallowed, and then wondered why he hadn’t asked for something to drink. Like a stiff vodka and tonic. On ice.
    “I’ve been to the Loire Valley. Seen chateaus. They don’t resemble this one. Yours must’ve really been something.”
    Attention on the steak, Garrick. Carve. Soak up a bit of juice. Put it in your mouth. This is not a woman. It’s a dead thing. All decayed inside. Nothing about her is dewy and moist, and supremely sexy. Nothing.
    “I was six.”
    She was also just the slightest bit angry if her tone was any indicator. He had the explanation to the mismatched proportions of