Crimson Vengeance by Sheri Lewis Wohl Read Free Book Online Page B

she gasped.
    Adriana laughed and slid down on the bed until her face was between Riah’s legs. She licked her clit, teasing with her tongue as her fingers continued to move in and out, in and out.
    Sensation built inside, growing with each touch of Adriana’s tongue and fingers. Riah breathed more rapidly as she tensed at the incredible feelings flowing through her body. She pulled against the restraints and then, when she thought she couldn’t stand it a moment more, she screamed and her entire body went limp.
    Her breathing was just beginning to slow when Adriana moved next to her on the bed and kissed her gently. She tasted sweet, hot.
    “I love you, Riah.”
    She didn’t know what to say, though she knew what Adriana wanted her to say and couldn’t. She’d loved once and lost. Wasn’t sure it was possible to find love again. Riah always believed her chance had come and gone. Except, tonight something wonderful had happened. This was so much more than sex, although she wasn’t sure why. She didn’t think she loved Adriana. Not in that way. She certainly loved her as a friend. Yet, this was different from anything Riah had felt in such a long time.
    “I…” Riah didn’t want to lie or force something that might or might not be real.
    Adriana put a finger to her lips. “Shhh. Don’t ruin it by saying something very Riah.” She pulled the blindfold from Riah’s face.
    What did she mean? Adriana rolled away and began to untie Riah’s hands and feet. She wouldn’t meet her eyes.
    “Adriana?”
    “No, Riah. I mean it. Don’t say anything.”
    Riah rubbed her wrists, slight red marks where she pulled against the restraints. Not a problem, they’d be gone within minutes.
    It just gave her something to concentrate on besides the troubling questions in her mind. Better yet, she opted to change the subject.

    “What about the blood?”
    Adriana paused and looked up from the foot of the bed where she’d just untied the last scarf. It hung forgotten in her hand, a quizzical look on her face. “The blood?”
    “The blood from the guy Ivy brought up from Moses Lake.”
    Adriana laughed and slapped her forehead. “Oh, yeah. Kind of forgot about him.”
    Riah smiled and pushed her damp hair off her forehead. “Well, so did I…for a little bit anyway.”
    “Okay.” Adriana sat cross-legged on the foot of the bed and looked at Riah, obviously trying to concentrate. “I’m confident I’ve finally isolated the protein that causes the change. Now, I’m on my tenth-generation serum and I’m waiting to see how this guy’s blood reacts. I’ll know more tomorrow.”
    Riah sighed. “So nothing yet.” She tried not to feel disappointed and failed. Each time she hoped it would work and each time something went wrong.
    “No, no, Riah, that’s not true. We’re closer than we’ve ever been. At least we know what puts the change into motion.”
    “But if we can’t stop it or reverse it, we’ve got nothing.” She didn’t mean to sound bitter.
    Adriana scooted back up and took Riah into her arms, kissing the top of her head. “I promise, I’ll find it.”
    Riah wished she could believe Adriana. Unfortunately, she knew how easily heartfelt promises could turn to ashes.

Chapter five
    Ivy bolted upright when the bedside phone rang and shattered the quiet night. “Hernandez,” she mumbled into the receiver as she tried to shake off the fogginess of sleep. She hated these calls, even if they were standard operating procedure for someone in her position.
    “Ivy.”
    Daryl wasn’t a quiet guy, and the fact he was speaking so softly sent a chill up her back. She was suddenly wide awake. “What is it?”
    “We have a situation.”
    She swung her legs off the bed, pressing the phone to her ear, with a death-grip on the receiver. “Just tell me what it is. You have another body?” Not a big leap, considering these calls usually came with a dead body. Especially right now since it seemed as if it was open