Tempted by the Night by Colleen Gleason Read Free Book Online Page B

snoot.”
    â€œThe snoot?”
    â€œYeah—you know, Ian and his goons. That’s what they call them over in Yellow Mountain and Envy. The snoot.”
    â€œYou’ve been to Envy?” The only thing she knew about Envy was that was where the Waxnicki brothers were from. And it was where the legendary city of Las Vegas used to sit before everything was destroyed. Its official name was New Vegas, but everyone called it N.V., or Envy.
    â€œA few times. I know a couple of guys from there, and…listen, Marisa, I’m really sorry you got involved in this.”
    â€œYou showed up here asking for my help,” she hissed over her shoulder. “You came to the library, to my house…what did you think was going to happen if the MITs were after you?”
    â€œI didn’t know they were going to move in with you! I figured they’d look around, not find me, and be on their way. I really am sorry.”
    A shadow fell over them and she looked over. Ian was edging around the back of the crowd, moving slowly along the perimeter. He didn’t seem to be interested in watching the movie…he was looking at the audience.
    Was he looking for her? Or for Luke?
    â€œEasy,” Luke whispered in her ear, gathering her close again. Really close, so that she leaned back into his chest and his arms came tightly around her shoulders and crossed in front of her. Oh man, he was so warm and solid, and she swore she could actually feel the outline of his biceps against her.
    â€œDon’t do anything to attract his attention,” Luke said quietly. “It’s dark. There are a lot of people here. Ian Marck has no reason to suspect I’d be just sitting out in the open like this. He’s not even sure I’m here.”
    Marisa tried to relax, but it was damned difficult. Whether it was Luke and his proximity—something she’d only imagined and dreamed about for years—or the very real threat from Ian, she wasn’t certain…but she greatly feared it was the former.
    Plus…he’d hung on to the back of a truck while it was driving along? Bouncing around? Jolting and speeding and rumbling over the uneven ground? Um…wow. Her arms hurt just thinking about it, but at the same time, she felt a little breathless thinking about how strong and coordinated he must be.
    â€œWe just have to blend into the crowd,” he murmured, his mouth brushing her cheek. Warm. Soft. Tender. A prickle of desire rushed through her, settling in her belly and flushing heat through her limbs. Then she realized he was sliding the band from her hair. “And let’s get rid of this. That ponytail gives you away. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without it.”
    She bit her lip and focused very hard on the movie—although she had no idea what was going on; a really perky blond actress was babbling on about something—as he gently combed his fingers through her loosened hair. It was ridiculously difficult to keep her breathing steady, and she was certain he could feel the hard thud of her heart reverberating through her body. There was no hiding her reaction to him, and that realization made her cheeks heat with embarrassment, along with acute awareness.
    He sat there for a moment, his legs still bracketing her on either side, his hands having slid down along her arms after stroking her hair into place. Now his arms curved around her midriff in a loose embrace, his strong wrists crossing over her middle. To anyone else, they most definitely looked like a couple enjoying each other’s company while watching a movie about not being kissed. How damned ironic.
    And then, as if reading her mind, he buried his face in the delicate, sensitive side of her neck and began to move his lips over her skin…licking, nuzzling, nipping in a way that definitely was not an accident.
    Marisa could hardly breathe, because Luke Desmond was kissing her neck.

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