Night's Surrender by Amanda Ashley Read Free Book Online Page B

halt.
    â€œEasy, now.” Taking a firm hold on her wrist, he drew her back toward the cottage, pulled her gently up the porch stairs, only to stop at the threshold. “Are you going to invite me in?”
    â€œNo!”
    â€œWe need to talk.”
    â€œWhat are you doing here?”
    â€œLooking for you, of course. Why else would I be here?”
    â€œYou drank my blood, didn’t you? That’s how you found me.”
    â€œI only took a little.” And he had been wanting more—much more—ever since.
    She glared at him. “How could you do such a despicable thing?”
    â€œDespicable?” He lifted one brow. “Coming from a family of vampires as you do, I wouldn’t think you’d give it a second thought.”
    â€œWell, you thought wrong!” She tried in vain to wrench her arm from his grasp, but he had a grip like iron. “How do you know about my family?”
    â€œI can smell them on you.” It was the truth, but it wasn’t how he’d known that she was related to the Cordovas. Her mind was an open book. Someone really should teach her how to block her thoughts.
    â€œLet me go!”
    â€œCalm down, Abbey. I’m not here to hurt you.”
    â€œWhat do you want from me?”
    â€œHow about that second date you promised me?”
    Abbey stared at him. A date? He had caused all this trouble and confusion for another date? “My father thinks you want something else from me.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œDo you? Want something?”
    A smile twitched his lips. “Maybe a kiss good night when I bring you home?”
    â€œStop joking! This is serious.”
    â€œI’m not after anything, Abbey. I just want to get to know you better.”
    â€œMara thinks . . .”
    His hand tightened around her wrist, his gaze spearing hers. “Mara’s here?”
    â€œYou’re hurting me!” Abbey exclaimed.
    â€œI’m sorry.” He released her immediately. “What is she doing here?”
    Abbey shook her hand, which had gone numb. “She’s a friend of the family.”
    Nick stared at her as if he had seen a ghost. “Mara. Here. After all this time.” His nostrils flared. “How did I miss her scent?” he wondered aloud.
    Abbey took a step backward. When he didn’t seem to notice, she took another. And then another. Reaching behind her, she opened the door and darted across the threshold. Inside, she breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he couldn’t enter without an invitation.
    Nick shook his head as if to clear it; then, regarding her across the threshold, he said, “So, how about that date?”
    â€œI don’t think so.”
    He leaned one shoulder against the jamb, ankles crossed negligently, as if he was prepared to stay there all day. “What can I say to change your mind?”
    â€œHow do you know Mara?”
    â€œIt’s a long story. Maybe I’ll tell you about it one of these days.”
    Intrigued, Abbey cocked her head to the side. “Why not now?”
    â€œI don’t think so. Not until I know you better.”
    â€œMy father said you’re an old vampire. Is that true?”
    A shadow passed behind Nick’s eyes, and then he shrugged. “I guess it depends on what you call old.”
    â€œJust tell me!”
    â€œDoes it matter?”
    Abbey nodded, her hands clenching. The man was impossible. “I’m afraid so.”
    â€œI’ve been a vampire almost as long as Mara.”
    Feeling suddenly light-headed, Abbey swayed on her feet. Mara had been alive during the reign of Cleopatra. She wasn’t sure why she was so shocked to learn that Nick was ancient, except that Mara had always been a law unto herself. One of a kind. And Nick was almost as old. What had he seen in that vast amount of time? How many lives had he taken? How many women had he loved and lost?
    Nick pushed away from the jamb, his eyes narrowing.