Breath of Memory Read Online Free PDF Page A

“I believe the Queen deserves my undivided attention.”
    Rafe raised an eyebrow. “Either this woman is too awful or too perfect. If she was mated to Aris, I doubt it’s the former. I’d be honored to take her, but I don’t believe you really want to give her away.”
    Corey was about to object when the subject of their conversation walked in. Jill paused in the doorway. When Corey saw her, the room seemed to close in on him. Her golden waves draped over bare shoulders in the summer dress she wore. She’d been out in the sun today for a bit. He could tell from the flush of heat on her cheeks that caused the smattering of freckles across her nose to stand out.
    Rafe turned to look at her, too, and turned back with a hard look. “You are a fool if you’re giving her up.”
    “It has to happen.” He stood to greet Jill. She came forward and accepted his embrace and the kiss on her cheek. She seemed to linger in his arms for a second before pulling away. She looked at Rafe, who had stood and was looking expectant.
    “Jill, this is Rafe.”
    “You’re the dragon who’s going to save my life, aren’t you? Because this asshole can’t find the guts to do it himself.”
    Rafe grinned and looked at Corey. “See. She’s attuned to the situation as well as I am.”
    “It’s not open for discussion,” Corey said, sitting down again. “Are you both amenable?” he asked when they were all seated and Jill had made her order from the perplexed barista who’d decided to attend to them personally.
    Rafe and Jill looked at each other and some silent message seemed to pass between them. Corey tried not to be irritated by the way the other man was looking at her. He could tell Rafe found Jill attractive, but the dragon still seemed somewhat resigned to the transaction, which puzzled Corey.
    “Yes,” they said in unison.
    “Let’s just get this over with,” Jill said, grabbing her purse and tossing a tip on the table.
    ~~~
    Jill pressed her hand against Corey’s chest before he could get into the limo with them. “I need a few minutes alone with him if you don’t mind. I get what you’re trying to do, but if you’re in the middle of us the entire time, it will never work. Okay?”
    She pushed back a little harder when his expression grew dark. He glanced behind her into the interior of the limo…his limo… that was ready to carry her to her salvation, and her demise, all at once. She may live, but what good was a life when the man she loved rejected her? She would willingly give herself to this other dragon, not only to save her own life, but to make Corey happy. He didn’t want her enough to keep her, but he loved her enough to save her. She had to accept that.
    “Take a cab, Corey. We’ll meet you there, alright?”
    Finally he nodded and stepped back.
    The air conditioned interior of the limo made her skin prickle instantly into goosebumps. It felt good after the summer heat outside.
    “He loves you too much,” Rafe said unexpectedly. She stared at him.
    “He’s afraid of me now. I hurt him, so I deserve it.”
    “I need you to know something before we do this.” Rafe glanced out the window, then back at her. The limo lurched slightly, pushing her closer to him. He caught her, his hands warm and soft on her skin. Their faces were millimeters apart. He could have kissed her, but he just shifted back in the seat.
    “What is it?”
    “I’m in love with a dragon. This… transaction is a way to keep the Council off my back. A formality. Marriage of convenience if you want to call it that. I suspect that’s what it would be for you, too.”
    Jill sank back against the leather seat and sighed. “You’re right. Don’t get me wrong, you seem great. More than great, but no. I’m still in love with that bastard. Tell me about your dragon lover?”
    She shifted in her seat to look at him. His brow clenched in dismay for a second. “She’s lost. I need to find her. It was part of my bargain with the