Dark Rapture by Michele Hauf Read Free Book Online Page A

the door for her. Hand in hand he led her into the house. Two wineglasses waited on the kitchen counter. He filled them, and then led her into the living room.
    “This is a cozy place.” Scarlet surveyed the room and pressed her hand to his, concentrating more on his body heat than on the appearance of the house. “Have you lived here long? I’ve lived in the beach house two years and I don’t remember seeing your car parked outside before.”
    “Actually, I have lived here for a few years, but you’ve probably never seen my car because I like to keep it inside. The rain we’ve had lately works hell on the exterior.”
    “Oh, I know. Isn’t this weather incredible? It’s seems more like Washington weather than a California summer.”
    Sebastian nodded and looked at the fireplace, while Scarlet clenched her fingers around the skinny stem of the crystal wineglass. You’re talking about the weather. How much more boring can you get?
    Yet she sensed his apprehension and shyness, too. Was it possible the infamous Sebastian DelaCourte, prince of rock n’ roll, was also nervous?
    “I should check dinner. It’s done, I’m sure. Won’t you have a seat and make yourself comfortable?”
    Alone for the moment, she settled onto the plush, blue velvet couch and breathed deeply to relax. With a long visual stroll around the room, she decided that Sebastian had a very ancient sense of style.
    Old paintings of Rubenesque women hung within ornate gold frames on the fireplace wall. The huge white marble mantel hosted what appeared to be antique vases and busts of unknown people, possibly composers. What else would a musician have? His walls were covered with the same style paper that had been in the hallways at Vince’s mansion, except here it was a light periwinkle enhanced by gold motifs. He must have had someone do this for him. How could a modern-day rock star have such eccentric taste?
    In the corner of the room, Sebastian had set a small table for dinner. A single candle flame danced in the center of the lace tablecloth, flickering across the silverware and refracting in a kaleidoscope of colors through the shiny crystal glasses.
    Scarlet peeked into the kitchen and saw Sebastian busy over the sink. Deciding against offering to help, she sipped the wine, enjoying its smoothness as it slipped down her throat. Normally she didn’t drink, but she wanted to relax and enjoy the evening.
    She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but something was still making her nervous. Maybe she’d grown so used to the arrogant attitudes of the men she had dated in the past. That must be it. Sebastian’s gentle smile and magnetic charm were a welcome change. It was certain. His charm and personality were infectious and she had caught the disease.
    ***
    This was going well, Sebastian thought as he set the roasting pan on top of the counter. The beef was cooked to perfection, the mushrooms spread artfully across the plate. Now for the bread.
    The food smelled divine, though it did not in the least tempt him. He was in much more control than he’d hoped.
    He set the steaming bread pan on the counter and then stretched his arms before him, feeling his stomach muscles pull tightly from the sides. The churning caldron that lay deep inside him was strangely quiet, yet he knew already that something was not right.
    His skin had seemed extra sensitive when she’d touched him as he’d helped her out of the car. Her perfume, instead of delighting, seemed to pierce right through his flesh, bringing his blood to a slow simmer of desire and downright violent lust.
    Unable to stop what was happening, but not wanting to end the evening, he decided to ignore these signs as he carried the dinner into the living room. “I hope you’re hungry.”
    ***
    Scarlet got up and went to inspect the lavish feast he displayed on the table. Chateaubriand, and a plump loaf of bread expanding with steam, rose up to tease and tempt her nose. A bowl of Waldorf salad