TheBrokenOrnament by Tianna Xander Read Free Book Online

though, realization dawned.
    “As I said, Cherie, I will not force you to kiss me again. However, I will reserve the right to compel you when you would put yourself in danger.”
    She wasn’t facing him so he could only assume she scowled as she replied, “I don’t see how anything I do is any of your business. Besides,” she added rather caustically, “how is leaving your hotel room putting myself in danger?”
    Did the woman have no sense? He lifted a brow and gave her a once over. “I’m sure that the fact that you have no coat and no shoes, to speak of, can qualify as putting yourself in danger if you leave this hotel. You’ll freeze to death, woman!”
    “And that affects you, how?”
    “You’re my mate, damn it!”
    She looked nonplussed at his declaration. Hell, he hadn’t even meant to make it. The last thing he wanted was to scare her off, but not telling her why he thought he had the right to hold her here was also frightening her. For Hunter, it was a lose-lose situation.
    For a moment, Cherie stopped trying to break his mental hold on her and looked at him. “What makes you think I’m your mate?” She pulled her hand away from the doorknob and crossed her arms. “Just because that psychic or whatever she was said I was here for a vampire, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s you.”
    “I think it does.”
    “Why?” She stared at him through narrowed eyes and tapped her foot. “Perhaps you should enlighten me.”
    “Because I’m not only a vampire like she said. I can’t wipe your memory which, apparently, is another sign for a woman like you from another world.”
    “How do you know that?”
    “Because that’s the way it was with my friend, Gregori, and his wife, Kaylee.”
    Cherie stumbled at his words. “What did you say?”
    Hunter reached out and pulled her into his arms to keep her from falling. “Are you okay?”
    “I don’t know.” Tears streamed down her face as her gaze darted around the room. “Could it be true?” She shook her head. “No. It’s not possible. How many alternate realities could there be?” Cherie looked at him her expression full of hope. “Kaylee was my sister’s name. It can’t possibly be her.”
    Hunter took the opportunity to hold her close, though he was certain his next words would break her heart. “As much as I would love to tell you that I think it is so, I do not think it is possible.”
    “Oh.” She swiped at her cheeks. “I didn’t think so.”
    “Kaylee looks nothing like you.” He paused to access her coloring. “Though, her hair is of a similar shade.” He released her stepped back. Crossing his arms, he cupped his chin and continued, “But she looks nothing like you and her eyes aren’t even close to being the same as yours. “Kaylee’s eyes are a deep, chocolate brown where yours are such a vivid violet, I think of the flowers my mother grew along the side of the manor where I spent most of my formative years.”
    Cherie grasped his arm, her eyes wide and filled with fresh tears. “You have to take me to see her. She has to be my sister, she just has to be.” Her hand slid down his arm to his hand. “I’ll do anything, be anything you want, if you’ll just take me to see her.”
    She pulled him toward the door. “I’ll even let you compel me to kiss you, to do anything.” She gave him a look that left nothing to his imagination. She was telling him she would sleep with him if he would only take her to meet Kaylee.
    The odds of the two women being sisters was slim. Yet Hunter was tempted. Just a bit.
    “I cannot allow you to do that.”
    “What do you mean you can’t allow me to do that?” She stared at him for a moment, obviously weighing her options. “You have no say in what I do. You have no right to tell me what I can and can’t do.” She stood up straight, her back rigid. “I’ll do what I damned well please.”
    “I’m sure you will, little one, but I cannot, in good conscience, allow you to offer