Succubus On Top by Richelle Mead Read Free Book Online Page B

this early on, and the good ones move with a grace few mortals can match. I, who had danced well before becoming a succubus, knew I was among the best when it came to body language. Watching us was irresistible. A turn-on in itself.
    After a while, we split up. The results of the succubus game distressed me sometimes, but the game itself was fun. Very fun. I moved from partner to partner, thriving on the effect I created, on the desire I could see mounting in those whose bodies mine toyed with. It was why, despite my frequent bitching, I had given up my mortal soul for this vocation.
    I confess, that the thought of going home with someone grew tantalizing, my body warming to the idea of someone’s hands upon me, but then I thought about Seth and his determined adherence to the arrangement we’d entered into. No. No superfluous victims for me tonight. I could be good. I wanted to be good. I’d wait until I actually needed a recharge.
    From across the room, Bastien inclined his head to me when he left the club, his arm around a small, entranced blonde. When he turned, I noticed a brunette in his other arm.
    Overachiever.
    It was two in the morning when I finally made it home. I woke aching and tired the next day, the weather making me feel worse. Rain formed a steady gray curtain as I walked to work. Everything seemed colder. I had been raised in a warm Mediterranean climate; I could never quite accept these kinds of temperatures.
    When I showed up at the bookstore, it had once again opened without me. Oddly, though, despite exactly the same staff working today, I didn’t get the same boisterous greetings as yesterday.
    Casey and Janice, on the registers, paused in their work to watch me walk in, their expressions enigmatic. Janice leaned over, murmuring something in the other woman’s ear. When they noticed my curious look, they both forced smiles. “Hey, Georgina.”
    â€œHey,” I responded, puzzled and slightly uncomfortable.
    Passing by the information desk a moment later, I found Beth regarding me with an equally peculiar look.
    â€œHow’s it going?” I asked when she didn’t say anything.
    â€œFine.” She hastily turned to the computer screen in front of her.
    Now, I’d been subjected to my share of strange looks upon coming into work before, but this was weird even for me.
    Sometimes, after being with a lover, their absorbed life energy gave me a glamour that unconsciously attracted mortals. It was the same glow that Hugh had teased me about during poker. That was not to blame now, however. My last fix, as I’d told Bastien, had occurred a few days ago. The glow would have weakened by now. Besides, I know entranced looks when I saw them. These were not it. These were curious, what-is-she-doing looks. The kinds of looks you get when you have food on your face or a missing button. The likelihood of either of those seemed low, but I ducked into the restroom anyway, just to check.
    Nope. Flawless. A long denim skirt and a navy, off-theshoulder sweater. Both smooth and perfect. Makeup in place. Unbound hair hanging to the bottom of my shoulder blades. A typical look for me. Nothing to warrant this attention.
    Assuming I was reading too much into things, I continued on to the café, getting a friendly nod from Seth as he worked in his corner. At least he was behaving normally.
    A new barista bustled at the espresso bar, and she nearly dropped the cups she held upon seeing me.
    â€œH-hi,” she stammered out, wide-eyed, looking me over from head-to-toe.
    â€œHi,” I returned. This woman didn’t even know me. Why was she acting weirdly too? “Medium white-chocolate mocha.”
    It took her a moment to churn into action, writing my order on a cup. As she rang it up at the register, she asked curiously, “You’re Georgina, right?”
    â€œUm, yeah. Why?”
    â€œJust heard of you, that’s all.” She looked back down.
    She said