Synnergy, Chaos Time Book 3 by Marie Hall Read Free Book Online

“Why did you buy me this, Slayde?”
    No longer was there a teasing glint in his eyes, he
looked nervous and even slightly crestfallen. “Hunter and I were
scouting through the cribs today and I came across a woman trying
to sell it to me.”
    He was looking through baby cribs? She was having the
hardest time picturing that. “This belonged to a baby?”
    “No,” his chuckle was weak, “they call the section of
whore houses belonging to the Chinese cribs. Anyway,” he shrugged,
“she seemed to need money and when I saw the bird and remembered
that you said it was your birthday, I bought it. But it’s lame. You
can throw it...”
    She placed her finger over his lips to stop him from
talking. It was ugly, hideous even, but she loved it. “It’s not my
birthday for two more days, Slayde.”
    His lips were warm pressed against her finger, but
she didn’t move and neither did he when he said, “I know.”
    She hugged him. He wrapped his big arms around her
and she thought, if she could, she might have melted right then.
Her body warmed and curls of heat gathered beneath the large
billows of her skirt. He sighed and stepped in closer and she loved
that he didn’t mind her fire. For the first time she thought maybe
someone might actually like her the way she came.
    “I’ll treasure it forever, Slayde. Thank you.” Though
she knew he wouldn’t feel it, she pressed a soft kiss against his
vest, right above the spot of his heart.
    She could have stayed that way all night, but he
dropped a peck on her forehead and then grunting, stepped back. “So
I paid for the night.”
    “I know.” She fought the grin and slipped the ring on
her index finger. It was too large. She wore it on her thumb
instead. He watched her do it and she could swear his chest puffed
out. “Why’d you do it?”
    He seemed more at ease now and scooted back until he
could sit on the edge of her bed. He yawned. “I heard a rumor that
these were the best beds in town. You don’t actually think I came
here to spend time with you, do you?”
    She licked her lips, trying and failing miserably not
to wear a large Cheshire grin. “The thought crossed my mind.”
    He snorted and started kicking his boots off. Her
heart skipped a beat. Then he undid his vest and unbuttoned his top
button and was it hot in here? She walked over to the window and
shoved it up. Hard.
    The salt tinged breeze rolled in, cooling her body
instantly.
    He shook his head. “I’m tired, Sable. I was traipsing
all over God’s green earth today with the boy scout and I’m ready
for bed.” He patted the mattress. “Promise I won’t bite.”
    His blue eyes twinkled and she crossed her arms. “You
know I only slept with you before, Slayde, because you were dying
and needed me to stay warm.”
    He brushed his fingers through his hair, forcing a
few strands to poke up in different directions. “Yeah, I also heard
that pissed Arianna off. Something about causing infection to
spread quicker.” His eyes narrowed to twin slits.
    She shook her head. “I have no idea what you’re
talking about.”
    He got up off the bed, there was a large dip where
he’d been sitting. He walked to her. “Turn around. I’ll help you
take this thing off.”
    The warmth of his body invaded hers and her breasts
felt suddenly heavy and they tingled. She didn’t know where to look
or how to act. He turned her around and she didn’t have the
strength to resist him.
    “Slayde, please.” Her voice cracked. She had no idea
what she was pleading for, all she knew was she was both elated and
terrified. Her skin was awash with goose bumps and the large muscle
of her thighs started to twitch.
    “I swear,” the warmth of his breath caressed the nape
of her neck like a tender stroke of fingers, “I won’t do anything.”
His hands rubbed her arms and she hung her head, exposed, but
trusting him not to hurt her. “I just want to keep you safe, Sable.
I just don’t...I don’t like this.”
    She craned