Read First Drop of Crimson for Free Online Page B

Spade ignored that, clasping her hand and pulling her out of her chair. He didn’t let go once she was on her feet, either, despite her tug.
    “Let’s go to my room, darling,” he said, making sure his voice was loud and clear.
    Her eyes widened. She’d slept in her own room since they arrived, because demons couldn’t enter private residences, even if Raum had managed to follow them across several states. But it didn’t do for there to be doubts among the people here as to her station with him.
    To her credit, Denise didn’t sputter out an indignant refusal. She pressed her lips together and let him lead her up the stairs. If he didn’t know better, he’d think her temperature flared a degree in just the time it took them to get to his room.
    Once inside, she shut the door and then pulled her hand away. “There are limits as to how far I’m willing to take this act.”
    He didn’t show his irritation at her implication that he’d use the circumstances to coerce her into bed. “Name them.”
    From the way her mouth opened and closed, she hadn’t expected that response. Finally she said, “It would take less time to list the things I would do.”
    “So list that, and I’ll tell you if you need to add to it.”
    That challenging look was back in her eye. Spade smiled inwardly. Anger was good for her spirit. It was bad for his plan if she couldn’t balance it with common sense, but time would prove if Denise was as smart as she was lovely.
    “All right.” She squared her shoulders, her dark hair rustling with the movement. “Obviously I’m willing to bunk with you when the circumstances call for it. I can act subservient if necessary, but don’t expect it once we’re alone. I can act affectionate and even kiss you to make things look real. But it stops there, and I’m not letting you drink from me.”
    Spade couldn’t help himself. “With all that delectable garlic in your blood? I shed a tear.”
    Her gaze narrowed. “You’re making fun of me.”
    He allowed himself a smile. “A little.”
    “Are you done?” Her chin thrust out, as did her shoulders. Spade’s smile widened. If she knew how her aggressive stance made her breasts jut out even more enticingly, he rather doubted she’d keep it.
    And far be it for him to say such an ungentlemanly thing out loud.
    Spade pushed that thought aside, because it led to other musings best not explored. “As to your limits, they should suffice, though you need to get over your aversion to close proximity with me. Vampires are often affectionate in public with their property. If I should lean close to you, or put my arm around you, it would look odd if you jumped like you’d been stabbed.”
    Denise had the grace to look abashed. “Sorry. I’ll work on that.”
    “Indeed.” He couldn’t keep the dryness out of his tone. “And while I’ll confess it was fun watching you choke yourself on garlic the past few days, you need have no fear of me biting you.”
    So much relief crossed her face that he was torn between being amused and being insulted. Had she been about to invest in a silver neck brace next?
    “As for things going further than kissing, you need not fret about that, either,” he went on, raking her with a gaze. “I don’t lack for bed partners, so I don’t need to scrounge for unwilling scraps.”
    Her breath sucked in, those hazel eyes looking greener with her anger. It had to be a trick of the light, but again, they reminded him of a vampire’s. He gave her another rake of his gaze, more slowly this time. Pity she wasn’t a vampire. If so, he might forget Denise was under Crispin’s protection. He might forget he shouldn’t mix pleasure with business, and he might test whether she was over her grief for that poor bloke who was torn to pieces.
    Spade took a step closer, something inside him flaring when he noticed her breathing change. It became faster, as did her heartbeat. He took another step and then her scent changed, too,