The Taste of Magic by Gina Rosavin Read Free Book Online

excruciating.
     
    "Is Olivia Bertrand a…one of you, as well?"
     
    He nodded, not sure where she was heading. He leaned back, frustrated at his difficulty in regaining his composure. Katerina watched him intently, her dark gaze knowing.
     
    "And did you…take her?"
     
    Understanding brought him to his senses. The fear in her eyes mingled with something else, curiosity, perhaps more. But he didn't want her to fear him, and he knew she was worried he would take her by force. He drew her hand to his mouth and placed a soft kiss in her palm. He had to reassure her.
     
    "Yes, Kat. I did offer my gift to Olivia. It was her choice to accept."
     
    "I see. And what about…"
     
    He could hear the question in her thoughts before she voiced it. He lowered his mouth and captured hers before she could respond. But what had been intended as a distraction, ended up making him more crazed than before. The lights dimming finally snapped him out of his reverie. She said nothing more as she turned to the stage, though he sensed she had a lot of questions. Questions he was not prepared to answer now.
     
    He was not comfortable with how easily her presence unsettled him, his hungers rising despite his best efforts to control them. He needed some distance before he did something he would regret.
     
     
     
    * * *
     
     
     
    Katerina wiped her eyes as the lights came up. She should have known this would happen. Mimi's death reduced her to tears every time. Aware Adrian watched her with a bemused smile, she sniffed and lifted her chin.
     
    "You think it's funny?" she asked.
     
    He shook his head. "No, Kat. But it intrigues me to see you feel such emotion for a fictional character. A human foible, I expect."
     
    Annoyance rose at his callous attitude. "Don't you have any emotions? Don't you know what it's like to get drawn in by something so powerful, you can't resist?"
     
    "If this is what Olivia's performance can do, then she will indeed go far."
     
    Katerina shook her head. Sometimes, he was so cold, aloof, at other times, hot enough to scorch her. But whatever he did, it kept her off-balance and totally unprepared.
     
    She remained silent as they walked out of the hall to the waiting limousine. As the mist from the emotional ending of the opera faded, Katerina was glad she hadn't asked her question earlier. There was something different about him tonight, and it made her uneasy. Risking his anger by forcing the issue with her father could backfire in the worst possible way.
     
    He helped her into the car and once he was in, the driver closed the door. The darkness seemed threatening. She turned to face him. All she could see were his eyes, bright blue flecked with gold.
     
    "I had a wonderful time tonight." The attempt to lighten the suddenly heavy tension was phony and she knew it. She knew he knew it. When his hand covered hers, she inhaled sharply.
     
    "So did I. I enjoy your company, Kat."
     
    She looked at her lap. She felt the same, but she couldn't tell him. She couldn't give him the satisfaction, for he would use it to his advantage. Her father was her first priority. She had to focus. Her only bargaining chip was herself, and she wasn't about to give that up. Even so, knowing she shouldn't, she had more to ask.
     
    She lifted her head and met his questioning gaze. "Do you have plans for me, like you had for Olivia?"
     
    His eyes widened, in anger or surprise, she wasn't sure. But his fingers on hers tightened and he drew her near.
     
    "My plans for you are nothing like my plans for Miss Bertrand." Before she could respond, his lips were on hers, his hands cupping her head and holding her still as he ravaged her mouth. She whimpered, as he dragged his lips along her chin, to her throat, kissing and sucking, and her head swam with the dizzying sensations his touch caused. She arched her neck, a low moan escaping her as he drew her more fully against him.
     
    Then suddenly, she was alone, and he had retreated to