Beyond the Grave Read Online Free PDF

off, but...” She exhaled—time for the truth. “Regent made me promise to take you with me."
    She felt like an idiot telling him that. Big bad vampire needs backup to appease her baby brother.
    "I know.” Britt's sexy grin made her knees go weak. “Regent called me. I wanted to give you the option to do what you wanted, not what Regent expected."
    "No wonder you knew I was on the roof."
    "Yeah, I timed you. Knew you'd be here in around ten."
    She shook her head and ignored the warm feeling wending its way through her. “That's what you're wearing, then?"
    He looked down at his attire. “Yeah, we're off-duty, so I thought I'd better wear my civvies."
    "Probably right.” If only those close fitting jeans and T-shirt didn't drive her to distraction. Her gaze swept over him with admiration. Seconds after she'd ogled him her heart started thudding twice as fast, and her skin began to flush with a kind of warmth that wasn't usually possible for her. She'd made a mistake.
    At least until then, he'd been keeping his distance. Now, with an expression as dark and dangerous to her as any vampire, he moved in and molded himself against her. One hand grasped her hip and pulled her closer. The other hand on the small of her back completed the full body press in an attempt to keep her from escaping—as if he could stop her if she didn't want to be here.
    Then the heat of his breath fanned her hair while he slid his hands up her arms, skimming her breasts, then her shoulders before he reached her chin and tipped her head up.
    "Kiss me,” he said.
    "I can't.” She shuddered. She wanted to look away but was mesmerized by his mouth, his eyes.
    He didn't care. His mouth came down on hers, scorched her with a sensual, bone melting kiss that went on and on. Taking pleasure as well as giving it, he groaned against her.
    "Did I mention how much I'm enjoying your outfit tonight?” he said.
    She didn't speak, instead she reveled in the way his hands explored her body with a reverence that both intimidated and excited her at the same time.
    When his mouth sought hers again, she melted into his feverish kisses, returning them with her own intense desire.
    If only he didn't make her feel like the only woman who could set him on fire. Worthy of his every touch, his every wanton need.
    Their bodies strained against each other.
    Suddenly, Britt pushed Jess backwards until her shoulders connected with the wall. He raised both hands and pressed them against the wall on either side of her head and he looked into her eyes. Blue irises burning for her, his mouth open just slightly. His breathing rough and suggestive of what he'd like to do next.
    That half-inch of space left between them made her crazy with the need to experience his warmth, his male intensity. She wanted him against her and he knew it.
    For one sweet second, she closed her eyes and felt his heat and his raw power. She wanted him desperately, would give almost anything to experience everything he was capable of giving her. But in that same instant the old fears intruded.
    She loved him. Dear God, let her have the strength to prove it to him by stopping this madness before it was too late and Britt had to pay with his life.
    She swallowed. “Britt.” Her tone said it all.
    His body stiffened, and he stepped away. He'd given her a choice and she'd damned well taken it. His expression pained her more than anything she'd experienced in the last five decades. His features turned to stone and his eyes became dark and remote. She couldn't read him, but that was the way he wanted it. He'd read the tone in her voice and knew exactly what she was going to say. She'd hurt him—again.
    "I'll go along with your wishes for now, Jess.” His voice held just a hint of anguish. “But my willpower isn't as good as yours. The next time, I might not stop, so decide before then if you care enough about me to show me how you feel in every way."
    "Britt, I..."
    One finger lightly touched her full lower