Secrets of the Jaguar (Crimson Romance) by Jaye Shields Read Free Book Online

conversation.” Duncan fished a wallet out of his black jeans and dropped a twenty on the table before ushering her out the door.
    “Um, my place?” As the duo stepped out of Ole’s Waffle House and onto Park Street, she asked, “How do I know I can trust you?”
    “Because I tip well?
    Duncan’s attempt at humor was lost on Michelle. “How do I know you don’t have mind control abilities?”
    He kept walking, his hands in his dark jean pockets. “I guess you’ll just have to trust that, like you, I can’t stand to feel I’m evil.”
    That sentiment caused her to breathe in deeply. Maybe she would be wrong to trust him, maybe she would regret it, but she knew how hopeless she felt wondering if
she
was evil.
    Before she could reply, Duncan leaned down so that only she could hear. “I can’t stand that I have to drink blood. I can’t describe how I feel violating people’s privacy, violating people’s bodies like a thief. I can’t stand that I can’t survive without lurking around and taking from people. But that is my lot, and has been for quite some time now.”
    Michelle also lowered her voice as they continued to walk. “Have you ever fed from me?”
    He shifted their path off of the busy street. “Let’s go this way, it’s more private.” She nodded and they began down the Victorian-lined avenue toward her house on San Jose. “No. I’ve never fed from you.” He cleared his throat. “But I’ve tried to.”
    Michelle whipped her head to stare at the vampire. “What? How?” She fought the urge to beg the many questions that would only make him feel guilty about his vampiric nature.
    “In order to prepare a person to be fed on, vampires can excrete venom from their lips, their saliva. If I want to, with one kiss I can put a trance upon the, uh, victim. Then I just take a little blood and nobody is the wiser. It appears as just a kiss and some nibbling on the neck. The venom in my saliva also heals any wounds inflicted by my fangs, which show up when I’m excited or thirsty.” Duncan took his hands out of his pockets and ran them through his hair as they walked.
    “I’m sorry, Michelle. That day in the coffee shop I was so attracted to you, so curious about your essence. When I got your drink from the barista, I took a sip, and that’s when I tried to sneak some of my venom into your system.”
    She glared at him.
    “But it never seemed to take effect.” Duncan laughed and Michelle punched his shoulder. This was the first time she had ever touched him and she found herself relishing the experience. Duncan also seemed pleased. “I’m sorry, it’s just that, at the time, I wondered if you had a vampire lover and were immune.”
    She was shocked. “You thought I had a vampire lover? What happened to my wholesome girl-next-door image? Wait — so if I don’t have a vampire lover, why was I immune to the venom?”
    “Must be a jaguar thing.”
    • • •
    Rounding the corner where her house waited for them, they walked up the wide blue flight of stairs and Duncan seemed to be admiring the intricate gold leafing that decorated the house as they approached the stained glass double doors.
    “So do I have to invite you in?” She paused at the doorway.
    “No, I’m not sure where that notion came from. I have no problem coming and going as I please.” His dark eyes bore down into hers, and she was nearly at a loss for words. But then he brought her back to the topic at hand. “Does that frighten you?”
    “Not at all, just wondering if I had to worry about any other neighborhood vampires who might want to pay me a visit.”
    Duncan took a step forward toward her, his body filling the large space in the doorway. “You shouldn’t worry about anything at all, I’m here.” His gaze smoldered, and Michelle became a pathetic puddle of awe at his dark, brooding handsomeness. One minute, he was lighthearted and teasing, and the next, he was dark and full of danger, seductive.
    “Well even