Eve Vaughn by The Zoo Read Free Book Online Page A

treating her differently. Maybe if she could join up with the rebels once she got back to Earth, she could share her story and they’d believe her.
    Unable to remain immobile, she walked around her cell. If she could she would have escaped, but those laser bars gave off a powerful shock when they were touched.
    She’d already tested them with the tip of her finger. It hurt far worse than when she’d been tasered. If she tried to run through them, it would most likely kill her.
    She paced back and forth; any exercise would do at this point. Bella never thought she’d become accustomed to her own nudity, barely giving it a thought, not even flinching when someone came by.
    Bella became aware she was no longer alone when a firm hand fell on her shoulder.
    After jumping in surprise, she stilled. Bella didn’t have to look behind her to know who stood there. She couldn’t forget his masculine scent or the way his touch made her feel. A shiver of remembrance raced up her spine. Slowly, Bella turned around, not knowing whether to smile in greeting or hit him for being so cold to her lately. Instead of doing either, she schooled her features to remain impassive, not giving anything away.
    Why did he have to look at her that way with those intense blue eyes? His nearness was causing havoc to her equilibrium and she lowered her head.
     
     
     
    - 42 -
    He grasped her chin, tilting her head upward and forcing her to look at him.
    “Bella,” his mouth shaped her name.
    “Dar,” she said in return for lack of anything better to say. Yes, he’d ignored her the last several times he’d visited, but her relief to have him acknowledge her again outweighed any other feelings she had.
    He pushed a long length of cloth in her arms and began to speak.
    What was this? The cell they’d put her in was temperature controlled so no blankets were needed. Why did he feel it necessary to give this to her now? Bella shook her head in bewilderment not understanding what this was for.
    Dar paused for a moment before he began making gestures. Taking the cloth from her hands, he wrapped it around her shoulders. The material was large enough to engulf her entire body, falling the length of her frame.
    She’d been without clothing for so long now, Bella wasn’t sure she missed them, but she appreciated his gift. She smiled her thanks, placing a hand on his taut, ripped chest. Temptation was too strong for her not to continue this exploration, allowing her hand to drift along one thick arm, corded with muscle. He was solid without an ounce of fat anywhere on his body.
    God, he was hot.
    Dar backed away with a frown. She took a step closer. There was no way she would let him ignore her any longer. “Help me,” she whispered, taking the chance that he might understand her even though it was a long shot.
    He didn’t.
    She took his hand. “Help me.” He pulled away yet again, making Bella wonder if he’d start ignoring her again. That isn’t what she wanted.
    Suddenly, he captured her wrist and yanked her close. At first, she thought he would embrace her, or at least she hoped he would embrace her, and perhaps bring his demanding lips down on hers as he had before. She’d welcome that pleasure. However, Dar did something she hadn’t thought would ever happen. He led her out of the cell.
    Freedom!
     
     
     
    - 43 -
    Bella’s elation was short lived because after a few short paces he stopped them in front of another cage. Inside was a blue furry creature about the size of a wolf, but it had no legs, and slithered on its belly like a snake. She’d never seen anything like it. The thing sneered at her with sharp menacing teeth, and Bella could only guess that the thing was snarling. It looked as though it was posed to strike.
    She clutched Dar’s arm, despite the laser bars separating them from the creature.
    That thing, whatever it was, gave her the serious creeps. Dar placed a hand on Bella’s shoulder and moved her along to the next