Taken By Surprise by Nichelle Gregory Read Free Book Online

her sister’s surprise, she stopped in her tracks unable to breathe, unable to move as he stared at her, so sexy and tall in the shadows a few feet away.
    How could she think she could ever erase him from her mind?
    His dark brown eyes penetrated her soul, stripped her bare and in that moment, Zori knew she had to talk to him, if nothing else thank him for helping her out of the ocean. Maybe a civilised conversation with him would break the spell he had over her so she could go back to life as it was before.
    “Zori, what’s wrong?”
    Tamera’s voice pierced through the fog, but she didn’t respond as Greyson’s eyes raked over her trembling body and back up to her face.
    “It’s him.”
    Zori heard Elena say to Tamera, “Him who?”
    “You know…the one she—”
    “Oh, God!” Zori breathed, straightening her back as Greyson started walking towards her. She wanted to talk to him, but she was still trying to wrap her brain around the fact he washere and he was coming towards her now .
    “Here he comes.”
    Every fibre of Zori’s being cried out for her to go to him, but she stood her ground as he approached with purposeful strides, his coffee eyes never leaving her face. He was close enough for her to see the hard line of his sensual mouth, a mouth she knew could kiss so softly.
    What would she say to him?
    The thudding of her heart was the only beat she could here in the noisy club as he drew closer.
    Almost close enough to touch.
    There wasn’t enough oxygen around her, she couldn’t find her breath, then she gasped as he strode past without so much as a nod in her direction. Sadness, an emotion she now knew because of him, swallowed her up whole and made it hard to think.
    “And there he goes,” Tamera said, pivoting to watch him.
    He might as well have killed her. Zori felt like she was dying, the pain was all consuming, taking her by surprise. She let out a low moan and swayed in her heels.
    “Whoa…let’s get you some water.”
    Zori let them lead her to the crowded bar, half-listening to the two of them fuss over her.
    “Here, sit.” Elena offered her a tumbler of water from the bartender.
    Zori sat down and took a sip from the glass. The cool water burned like alcohol going down her dry throat and she coughed, tears blurring her eyes. A sob that sounded like a laugh erupted from her parted lips. Harpies hardly ever cried. She couldn’t remember the last time she had given into such a weak human emotion.
    I will not cry in front of my sisters over a man. I will not cry in front of my—
    “Zori, it’s okay, you know.”
    Tamera wrapped her arms around her shoulders.
    “What’s okay?” She blinked back the tears threatening to fall and looked at her sisters who were leaning towards her to talk over the blasting music.
    “There’s no law saying harpies can’t love someone.”
    Elena laughed, but abruptly stopped when Tamera flashed a look that would kill a mortal. “You fell in love , Zo?”
    “It’s not a dirty word, Elena!”
    The two sisters glared at one another before turning their attention back on Zori.
    “Well, did you fall in love, Zori?” Tamera asked again, her hazel eyes filled with concern.
    “I—I don’t know.” She didn’t. And if the searing ache in her heart had something to do with the “L” word, she wasn’t sure she wanted any part of it.
    “You’re mine, Zori.”
    She could hear Greyson’s claim as clear as day, mocking her emotional distress and harpies didn’t suffer from frickin’ emotional distress! He didn’t want her. He had walked right past her. It was unbelievable. It was unforgiveable.
    She deserved it after the way she’d treated him on the beach.
    More tears tested her resolve and Zori stumbled to her feet. “I gotta get out of here.”

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    Elena reached out to her. “We’ll come with you.”
    “No! I need to be alone.” She could see the hurt in her sister’s eyes. “Please. I’ll be all right.” She