Read Death Bringer (Soul Justice) for Free Online Page B

scorchingly aware of his need beneath her own skin, of wanting to rip off his shirt and touch his bare chest, to reach lower and grasp—
    “Are you ready to order?”
    Ella jumped and turned to the waitress. “Yeah, I’ll have the cheese ravioli with the Gorgonzola sauce, please.”
    “And for you, sir?”
    “A green salad and a bowl of spaghetti with olive oil. No cheese.”
    “Thank you.” The waitress scribbled on her pad. “Anything to drink?”
    “Just some water, please.”
    Ella dragged her attention away from Vadim. “A soda. Any kind, I don’t mind.”
    “There are about two thousand calories in that ravioli you ordered.”
    “So?”
    “You’re not going to die next week.”
    “We’ve already had this discussion.” She picked up another breadstick and pointed it at him. “What did you think of Mike the bartender?”
    “He seemed to be telling the truth.”
    “That’s what I got, too.” She deliberately crunched her way down the breadstick, sending crumbs flying everywhere. “It fits in with what Brad told us, as well. Don’t you think it’s weird how this Adam guy hasn’t left much of an impression on anyone?”
    “I suspect that’s part of his magic. A creature that steals other people’s faces wouldn’t want to draw attention to his own, now, would he?”
    “True.” Ella contemplated the plate of oil. “I still don’t get what he wants with Brad’s face, though, do you?”
    “It could be for many things. A spell, an offering to a higher being, a collection of curiosities. Otherworld serial killers can be just as inventive as human ones.”
    She shivered. “I know.”
    He reached out and took her hand again. “We’ll work it out.”
    “I’m glad you think so. I’m not so sure.” She tried to ease out of his grip, but he held on and brought her fingers to his mouth. With exquisite care he kissed his way along her knuckles, his tongue always in evidence, his breath warm on her flesh.
    “Don’t play games with me, Ms. Walsh.” He bit down on the fleshy pad of her thumb and her whole body came instantly to life. “You can’t have it both ways.”
    “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “Teasing me, and then talking about work.”
    “I didn’t—” She bit back a moan as he bit and then licked her. Damn, she was wet now, and he would know.
    “ God , I know , and if I had a little less sense , I’d take you outside , back you up against the nearest wall and fill you up with my cock. ”
    “ Shut up! ”
    * * *
    This time she did manage to pull out of his grasp. His gaze dropped to her open coat and the tight buds of her nipples, which were visible through her T-shirt.
    He reached for the glass of water the waitress had placed beside him and drank it down in one long swallow. “You drive me insane.”
    “It’s my fault now, is it?”
    He looked at her indignant face, her flushed cheeks and soft fair hair. He wanted to shove his hands into her hair and bring her mouth to meet his, and then reintroduce her to other, more needy parts of his anatomy...
    “ Stop it , you pig! ”
    He took a slow inward breath and raised his head to look past her. The waitress was approaching with their lunch. Thank the universe for small mercies. Nothing ever got between his mate and her food. For once he was content to accept that. Except that this time, watching her enjoy her ravioli was akin to watching her orgasm. If he wasn’t mistaken, her low moans were more suitable for being naked and in his bed than for a plate of cheese and pasta.
    He eyed her speculatively. Of course, he could make her some pasta from scratch... He shoved his fork into his spaghetti and twirled it. He was behaving like a fool when he most needed to be on his guard. If he wasn’t careful, Otherworld would have no problem dragging him back to face his fate, and Ella would be moaning over her pasta with someone else.
    He finished his lunch and dabbed at his mouth with his napkin. “Are you ready to go? We