Fatal Desire by Valerie Twombly Read Free Book Online

isn’t born in the healing waters of her home. I’m not willing to find out either.”
    “You know the guardians can’t come back here to watch over you. Too many of us and we would be detected,” Gwen said.
    “They would think nothing of Baal or I being here.” Lileta smiled. “And they would never suspect a thing if Caleb were here.”
    The other two women looked at her then smiled.
    “Do you think he would do that?” Cassie asked.
    Lileta folded a blanket and placed it in the box she was packing. “I intend on paying him a visit later today. I’m sure he’d be willing to help.” If he wasn’t, she was going to make sure he reconsidered.
    “That’s kind of you, Lileta, but really, you don’t need to go out of your way,” Cassie said.
    “It’s no trouble, and I want to help. This baby is a miracle.”
    Cassie smiled. “Well, all right then. Thank you.”
    Several hours later, when the final boxes had been packed and transported, Lileta kissed Cassie on the cheek. “I’ll check on you later.”
    “All right, try not to kill Caleb while you’re there.”
    Lileta laughed. “I make no promises.” She flashed from the room and back to the human realm. Outside the stone house, she debated on knocking or simply zapping herself inside. She flared her senses out and detected only one Draki. Caleb was alone.
    Flashing to him, she spotted Caleb wearing only a pair of black sweatpants. His chest shone with sweat as he lifted the weights off the bench. Muscles flexed with every move. She licked her lips.
    “Why do you bother with human rituals of working out?” Dragons certainly didn’t need to lift weights to stay in shape. Hell, no immortal needed to worry about diet and exercise, a good thing since she had grown a fondness for chocolate.
    “Why are you here?” he asked.
    “I think I asked a question first.”
    “Fair enough. It takes my mind off of other matters.” He grunted as he bench-pressed two hundred pounds over his head then set the weights in their rack. “Now, your turn. Why are you here?”
    “I came to thank you for releasing me.” She leaned against the wall, hands shoved deep into her jeans pockets. It seemed like the safest place to keep them, else she would run her fingers up and down his chest.
    One brow rose. “That’s it? You could have sent me a card rather than risk coming here.”
    “Am I at risk?” She let her power flare, sending it across the room with a snap. Let him experience a demon at full strength.
    “Ah, I sense your power. You think to scare me off with child’s play?” He moved off the bench and grabbed a towel, wiping his chest.
    Christ, does he really have to do that in front of me?
    He advanced until he stood only inches from her. “You forget”—he leaned in closer—”I’m much older than you.” He let his power slide across her skin then pin her in place. “Are you tempting fate, Lileta? Do you want to hear what it is I really wish to do to you?”
    She swallowed the lump that crept up her throat. “No.”
    His eyes flashed green before turning back to brown. “Then I ask again, why are you here?”
    She dropped her hands to her side. “I’m here to ask for your help.”
    He snapped the towel over his right shoulder and released his power, giving her freedom back. “Really?”
    She didn’t like the smirk on his face and itched to smack it off, but realized his power was far greater than her own. She’d best tread lightly. “Cassie is only weeks away from giving birth and needs to do so back in the caves. I was hoping you might be kind enough to stand guard over them when the time comes. I’ve offered to help, but no one will question—”
    He held his hand up. “No need to explain. I would be honored to assist. It’s the least I can do for all the problems my people have caused them.”
    She smiled; deep down he had a soft spot. “Thank you.”
    He turned and walked away from her. His ass flexed in the tight sweats, and she gave a