Read By the Horns for Free Online Page B

he’d kissed her out of the blue, a confession on the edge of his tongue she hadn’t stuck around long enough for him to complete. He’d held back from making any declaration of love, but had he felt that way about her? Six years, she’d twisted the possibility over in her mind, yet she had no right to the answer.
    Not with how she’d hurt him.
    This close to him, the urge to nibble his bottom lip, to taste him again, overwhelmed her. She’d never forgotten how he’d made her body come to life. How sparks had lit up between them and—
    Kassian cleared his throat. Loudly.
    She whirled, cursing under her breath. The blunt reminder of his vows stabbed guilt into her. The pressure of her own overlaid them.
    “The Matchmaker wants us at Kek Lok Si as soon as possible.” Was that a husky note in his voice?
    Kek Lok Si was the Hai San Kongsi ’s main residence in Penang. Where the Chosen hung out and trained. “Oh, good. Let’s get going.” She hopped off the edge of the bed and made a break for the bathroom. Inside, she spotted her black duffle and whispered a prayer of thanks.
    After she’d showered and dressed, she emerged from her hideout in the bathroom and found Kassian sweeping up the remnants of the shattered glass.
    “Ready?” His simple question carried much more meaning than he’d ever guess.
    She offered him a bright smile. “Am I ever.”
    After piling into Kassian’s red Lamborghini Diablo—such a guy car—they drove to the island of Penang. The trip culminated four of the most awkward hours of her life. Kassian’s large body was squeezed inside the tiny red car, and his hand brushed against her thigh every time he reached for the gear shift.
    The beat of the music didn’t help. The drone of the air conditioning didn’t conceal. Every breath she sucked in was laced with the words they’d spoken…and the ones they hadn’t.
    They arrived at the temple carved into the mountainside, and Nat’s shoulders sagged in relief. She’d toured Kek Lok Si on many occasions but, today, this visit signaled the beginning of her new life.
    A few weeks. It shouldn’t take long to learn to control the spirit, and once she did, she’d be ready for her final task. If she survived being in this place with Kassian, that was.
    ***
    “Home sweet home.” Kassian parked inside the underground level of Kek Lok Si and switched off the ignition. He swallowed back the apprehension clogging his throat and snuck a glimpse at Nat. Her brows were drawn together as if she were deep in concentration. That mind of hers, always calculating.
    What he wouldn’t give to follow the direction of her thoughts. They might lend clarity to his because, as it was, he was bloody torn.
    Nat was a Chosen. Family.
    Again.
    This time, they’d be together for the rest of their lives. Their very long lives. While not quite immortal, Chosen lived an indeterminate number of centuries.
    She was a member of his family, but he didn’t have to treat her as his sister. His mind drifted to Sheng and Lucy… Sheng hosted the Tiger, Lucy the Rabbit. Both Chosen, yet they’d determined the boundaries of their relationship. Their very intimate relationship. Yep, there’d be wedding bells soon enough.
    A picture of a bride focused in his mind but, as she lifted her veil, her face belonged to Natalie. Fuck. He muttered a curse for even considering the idea of a relationship with Nat. She didn’t seek a romantic future with him. She’d made that damn clear the day she’d left him.
    Kassian didn’t intend for that future either. He’d taken vows to ensure he remained single. That no one would ever hold the power to shatter his heart again. He opened his door and strode around the car to get hers as well, but she exited before he had the chance. In silence, they headed toward the elevators and up to the third level. The Chosen would be in the training center.
    As frustrated and angry as he was with Nat, his arms still ached to hold her again. He