The Demon Hunter by Lori Brighton Read Free Book Online Page A

started toward the door that should lead into the hall.
    “I’m calling the police,” she whispered.
    He knew she wasn’t serious. Ellie had secrets of her own, secrets she wanted to keep hidden. As he stepped into the foyer, thoughts of the woman faded. His heart hammered wildly, his throat going dry.
    Home. How many times had he run up those wide steps as a child? He’d carried his wife up that staircase when they’d married. Emotion welled within and he had to lean against the wall, his knees suddenly weak. The cookies in his fist tumbled to the ground. Being home was far more difficult than he’d ever imagined.
    “Hey, seriously,” she whispered. “I’ll…” She paused, and even in the dark he could feel her astute gaze searching his face. “Are you all right?”
    Warrior or not, the woman was much too soft for her own good. A creak sounded from above. They froze, jerking their attention toward the staircase.
    “Someone’s coming,” Ellie whispered.
    Footsteps thumped, making the ceiling tremble. Desperate, Devon reached for the closest door, pulled it wide, and shoved Ellie inside. A small linen closet, stuffed with coats and smelling of old man and moth balls. It would have to do. He moved into the alcove, forcing Ellie back with his body, and closed the door. Big mistake. Secluded inside the small area with her so close, he could barely think.
    “What are you doing?” she hissed, shoving her hands between them, a pathetic barrier.
    “Quiet, or I’ll tell him you wanted to take me in the linen closet.”
    Her hands fisted against his chest. “Are you kidding?”
    “I’ll tell him you wanted to seduce me.”
    She gritted her teeth. He could actually hear the grinding sound. “He won’t believe you.”
    Footsteps thudded down the steps. “I bet he will.”
    “Damn you!”
    “Shhh.” He pressed her up against the wall, holding her in place with his body, and slapped his hand over her lush lips. “Cease your prattle.”
    He felt her mouth move, then the hard nip of her teeth, so hard his skin tore. Devon hissed, and jerked his hand away. The little minx. Anger mixed with shock and her fury only added to his emotions.
    “Don’t you dare tell me what—”
    Devon gripped her shoulders, jerked her forward and crushed his mouth to hers. He wasn’t sure why. Perhaps he wanted to taste a woman. Touch another human. Perhaps he merely wanted to shut her up. It wasn’t the best kiss, for his lips were merely pressed to hers like a youth in his first throws of passion. But it didn’t matter, his starved soul drank her in.
    Ellie growled something low in her throat, no doubt a threat, but he wasn’t one to give up easily. Not now, not when he could feel something other than pain again. Devon wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her up against his body. Boldly, he slid his tongue over that plump lower lip. Check mate. Her body melted into his, fitting perfectly to his form.
    Unable to stop himself, he slid his hands up her back, pressing her so close he could feel the rapid beat of her heart. He wanted more. Like a man starved, he couldn’t hold back. He thrust his tongue into her warmth. Lord, she tasted lovely. So clean, so sweet, so innocent and pure.
    Growling low in his throat, Devon shoved his knee between her thighs, spreading her legs as much as her skirts would allow. Any humanity within him was gone. The urge to take her, to lose himself completely within her, overwhelmed him. He pressed his pelvis to hers, his hard erection throbbing against the odd trousers she’d given him. Her fingers tightened in the hair at his nape, pulling him closer, urging him forward as her tongue met his thrust for thrust. God help her, she wanted him as well.
    “ Oh Danny Boy ,” the murmured song whispered through their lust-filled cocoon, shattering any sense of intimacy.
    Coming to his senses, Devon tore his mouth from hers.
    “From Glen to Glen…” The maid strolled through the foyer, her