Read Tame the Storm: 2 (Cinder Mated) for Free Online Page B

mage like Clarissa could risk touching a syphon.
    It didn’t need to be said. Griffin would never touch Astrid, even in such a casual way. The possibilities were all bad news for the weather mage.
    Her stomach hollowed and she dug into the pasta to fill it.
    They grew quiet as they ate. Astrid kept her attention narrowed to her plate, only pausing long enough to do as manners required. “This is quite good.”
    And she meant it. Her mother never cooked like this.
    Clarissa murmured her thanks as noise from the hallway echoed into the dining area.
    “Ah, they emerge from their honeymooning,” Griffin murmured.
    Curious, Astrid turned in her seat.
    A beautiful young woman in a flowing dress and long, curly hair sauntered in with a striking man of indeterminate age walking so close to her they appeared joined at the hip. He smiled at Astrid and she smiled back.
    A growl from Griffin sounded through the room and the newcomer woman laughed. Sound rolled through the room and Astrid’s hair stood on her arms. “Uncle, don’t tell me you’re jealous.”
    “Not of Sean. The man is wrapped and everyone knows it.” Griffin settled back in his chair.
    Sean—he was the telepath that had mated with Daisy, the one she’d been briefed on—signaled a reply with his hands. Astrid had no idea what he’d said, but whatever it was made Griffin laugh and Ray frown.
    Clarissa, as cheerful as ever, offered, “There’s still more pasta. Dig in.”
    “Gladly.” Daisy gave a wolfish grin. “Breaking in Sean as a partner has been quite a workout. I’m famished.”
    Astrid fisted her hands next to her plate and refused to blush at the overt sexuality in the couple’s words and stance. Constantly touching, they moved to fill plates. When they sat at the table, Sean took a chair and Daisy did not. She sat in his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him deeply and passionately.
    Ray cleared his throat. The two reluctantly pulled apart—it was almost as if the deaf telepath could hear. Was that possible?
    Daisy raised a brow at Astrid. “So who are you?”
    “Don’t be rude, brat,” Griffin scolded.
    Astrid squared her shoulders and introduced herself.
    “The old bat Collins actually had it in her to procreate? Who knew?”
    “Really, Daisy, if you can’t be polite to our guest, you’ll have to leave.” Ray didn’t put much heat into the censure and Astrid wasn’t sure what to make of that.
    Clarissa tried her best. “Astrid. Daisy says whatever pops into her head, the ruder the better. It helps us remember what a handful she is, as if we could forget.”
    “Pfft. You’re just jealous I have a hot man in your bed. I’m not uptight like you are. Instead of waiting, I went out and…”
    Sean’s hand reached around and covered Daisy’s mouth. She relaxed back into him and he let his hold fall away.
    “Listen.” She stopped for a moment to kiss a clearly amused Sean’s cheek. “I’ll just shovel in some grub and take Sean back to bed.” She picked up her fork and reluctantly added with another glance at Sean. “And thank you so much for making this fantastic meal, Clarissa.”
    Sean patted Daisy on the back and picked her up, depositing her in the empty chair next to him, and with a nod at Astrid, ate his food.
    “Wonders never cease. Maybe he can get her to behave.” Griffin’s expression lightened and he also returned to eating.
    “All I ask is she be polite at dinner,” Ray added.
    Unsure of the dynamics at play, but taking an instant liking to the couple and their obvious devotion, she followed the lead of the others and concentrated on her food. A companionable silence fell and she ate so much she thought she might need to be rolled back up the stairs to her room.
    When Astrid finished, she waited for the others, careful to keep from staring at Griffin. The draw to memorize his tanned features was nearly impossible to resist. Tension tightened her shoulders and the pasta sat heavy in her