Aflame (Apotheosis) Read Online Free PDF

“No. No, I can’t do this, stop.” With a disapproving groan, he released her lips. Eyes closed, he pressed his forehead to hers.
    “I knew it,” he groaned between clenched teeth. Grayce was still pinned to the door. Every nerve ending in her body on fire with his erection shamelessly and unapologetically pressed against her now moist and throbbing special place.
    “What? Knew what?” Grayce gulped and gasped, trying desperately to catch her breath. What the hell? Her cursed body betrayed her again.
    “It’s you. You’re the one. I knew it.” He eased her down the length of his arousal to the floor. “I’m sorry, that wasn’t a very gentlemanly thing to do.” With palms against the door, he braced her between his arms and lowered his head to capture her gaze.
    “I’m lost here. Please, do explain. What did you know?” she asked in a whisper, thankful for being propped against the door so her jiggly legs didn’t collapse. He pushed away from the door, engulfed her trembling hands in his own and led her to the couch.
    * * * *
    “Sit down. Please.” After she obliged, he knelt on one knee at her feet. Even kneeling, he towered over her. Intimidating as hell, but damn she felt safe. One hundred percent safe and protected.
    “Do you believe in fate? Or destiny?”
    Grayce shook her head, not quite sure what to say, or where this conversation was headed. Still reeling from the kiss, she struggled to believe this powerful man who had held her with such tenderness, was here in her apartment. Holy fuck. A man was in her apartment. What was she thinking?
    “I do. I believe in destiny.” His penetrating gaze pierced her fragile soul. “I’ll cut right to the chase.” Tension laced his voice. “I don’t believe you’re a girl who likes to beat around the bush.”
    Damned straight about that one, she thought, and nodded again.
    With a deep inhale, he continued. “I’m different from most people. I’m sure you’ve noticed.” She attempted to speak and he raised a finger to her lips. “I believe humans, but especially people like us, have soul mates, one person we are meant to be with for eternity.”
    People like us? Grayce let free an exasperated giggle. It was too strange hearing words like “soul mates” coming from the man who knelt before her, so big and strong. His eyebrows furrowed. Oh shit. He was serious.
    “You are my soul mate, Grayce. I’ve been searching for so damned long now.” Shoulders slumped, he ran a hand through his scruffy locks. “I can’t even begin to tell you how frustrating it’s been.”
    Grayce’s hands trembled and her head spun. She was pissed. Pissed because of the undeniable attraction to this man and pissed for putting herself in this situation. And why did she want to believe him so badly? God, how could she be so stupid?
    Really? Soul mates? Yeah right. Shit like that never happened in real life. Perfect men didn’t appear out of the blue and kiss a woman like his very existence depended on it. There sure as hell wasn’t a world full of hearts, roses and chocolate truffles where lovers went to live in bliss. Soul mates? Sounded like a pathetic fucking romance movie. Was the word imbecile tattooed across her forehead?
    She fell for that load of crap once. Been paying for it ever since.
    The memory of Tyr’s seduction all those years ago snapped her back to the reality that was her life. “Is this a fucking joke?” She spit. “Did Tyr send you? Did that mother fucking psychopath send you? How the hell did he find me?” Panic bubbled its ascent from gut to brain, stifling her ability to breathe. “Did he think I’d fall for this load of shit?” She punched him hard in the chest. “Ow, dammit.” May as well have been a steel beam.
    “Grayce.” Grabbing her shoulders, he tried to calm her. Electricity passed between them again, angry and violent this time. “Listen to me. This isn’t a joke. I...I...” He shook his head, disbelief etched in his