Rion by Susan Kearney Read Free Book Online Page A

close.” Rion humanshaped and tugged on the clothes he’d left behind.
    She flung herself into his arms. “You idiot. You could have died.”
    His arms closed around her, warm and powerful. She felt safe as he gathered her close and murmured, “You’re shaking.”
    She stared at Rion, marveling that she hadn’t been roasted alive, that he’d risked his life to save hers. “If you hadn’t been
     here…”
    He placed an arm over her shoulders. In the distance a dragon roared. With a puzzled glance at the dragon, Rion removed his
     arm from her shoulder. “You would have found another way to calm them. That’s some skill you have.”
    While she appreciated his admiration, she immediately missed his touch. “I still don’t understand what set them off.”
    “I have a theory.”
    Several of Marisa’s team members approached, their faces filled with awe and fear. “Ma’am, we need you.”
    “I’ll be right there.” Wishing she didn’t have to work, Marisa turned to Rion. “I have to give instructions and fill out reports.”
    Rion nodded, his tone warm and understanding. “I’ll see you later.”
    Marisa arrived back at the hotel to find Rion had left her a message, saying he’d take her to dinner tomorrow at someplace
     casual. After being up all night, Marisa slept most of the day. When she woke at six, she showered, then dressed comfortably
     in jeans, layered tank tops, and a soft jacket.
    She took extra time with her hair and makeup. Humming happily, eager to see Rion again, she remembered his sexy kiss, his
     sexier touch. How he’d saved her life—by risking his own. She was so looking forward to seeing him again.
    Sure her hormones were in overdrive, their chemistry amazing. But he’d shared so much with her, talking about his family,
     his past, his flashes.
    Reminding herself she still didn’t know him that well did no good. Her hopes were high. She hadn’t felt so filled with eager
     anticipation in years.
    At exactly seven, Rion knocked at her hotel room door and handed her a bouquet of stargazer lilies. Dressed in jeans and a
     black V-necked T-shirt, he looked sexier than ever.
    “Hi.” His greeting was casual, but his gray eyes reminded her of thunderclouds filled with heat lightning.
    Surprised to find herself slightly uncomfortable under his intense gaze, she dipped her face into the flowers and breathed
     in one of her favorite scents. “Thanks.”
    On street level, a rental car with a driver and a huge picnic basket on the front passenger seat awaited them. Wonderful aromas
     wafted through the vehicle, and she appreciated that Rion had planned a romantic evening for them.
    The car took them to the London Victoria railway station. After less than an hour’s train ride, they were back in another
     car with another driver. Having lived in England only a few months, Marisa didn’t know British geography that well. But when
     she glanced out the window and saw the Salisbury sign, she looked at Rion in surprise. “We’re picnicking at Stonehenge?”
    “I have special permission.”
    Marisa was impressed. The ancient site was a political hot potato, and until the United Nations decided who should gain admission,
     no one was supposed to be allowed near it.
    The car stopped. Rion retrieved the basket of food and escorted her from the parking lot to Stonehenge. As they walked the
     path toward the site, the megalithic stones towered out of the rolling hillside.
    As she stood staring at the site, she had no difficulty imagining primitive people coming here to worship, thanking their
     gods for the end of winter or celebrating the spring planting or autumn harvest. However, the idea of people using Stonehenge
     as a spaceport thousands of years ago seemed like something out of a science-fiction movie.
    When she and Rion reached a grass knoll, he stopped, pulled a green-checkered cloth from the enormous basket, and floated
     it over the ground. “I was hoping we’d arrive in time to