Breath of Memory Read Online Free PDF
Author: Ophelia Bell
Queen. If I do this… with you… she’ll help me find Rowan. She asked that I not tell her mate about it until it was over.”
“Rowan? That’s a beautiful name. Have you known each other long?”
Rafe shifted, looking embarrassed. “We were together for only a few days before she disappeared, but she’s like no other woman. No offense… you are beautiful. I understand why Aris loved you and circumstances being different I would not hesitate.”
“But you are hesitating…”
“She’s very young, and not accustomed to dragon conventions. If I’m mated to you, what will she think when I find her?”
“Listen, Rafe. Once this is done, let’s just agree to go our separate ways. You can find Rowan and I’ll… find someone.”
“That’s not good enough.” He startled her with his conviction.
“Why not?”
“You were mated to Aris. That ranks you just below a Queen. I’m not good enough for you, but you don’t seem to realize that. The only situation worthy of you would be exactly what you want. And I mean to make that happen.” He raised a hand up and she held completely still while he let one knuckle graze along the edge of her jaw and down the side of her neck.
The intensity of his gaze held her in thrall, the gentleness of his touch left her breathless. “How?” she asked, catching her breath when he placed an open palm against her chest, just above her breastbone. Her eyes fluttered closed at the feel of him. He shifted closer and let his hand slide back up until he cupped the back of her head, large fingers twining through her hair. His lips grazed her temple.
“You’ll see, but I mean to enjoy the process regardless. To enjoy you just enough to make Corey believe he’s succeeded. He has to be reminded how it feels to lose you.”
Chapter 4
C orey beat them to the apartment he shared with Racha, which surprised him. He wondered what the two of them were talking about and felt a surge of jealousy. Jesus, he shouldn’t be feeling that way if he was giving her away. He hated the fact that she didn’t even have a choice in the matter, thanks to Aris. Jill’s life depended on being possessed. Being owned. The mark was a brand and at the moment it was a time bomb for her. If he didn’t go through with it she would die.
He wished like hell that Racha was here. Her calming breath could get him through the ordeal. He walked into their bedroom, made sure things were in order. It was ridiculous because he’d already gone through the motions earlier. He hadn’t expected the two of them to go off alone, though. They would arrive eventually. Jill’s life still depended on this.
Soon his cell phone buzzed. It was a message from the door man letting him know he had guests. He responded, then opened the door and went to pour drinks. He tried his best not to think about what might happen after.
The pair entered, Rafe’s large arm solidly draped around Jill’s waist. She looked a little flushed, too, like he’d already been all over her for the entire ride. The idea infuriated Corey enough to make him doubt his sanity. He slammed the bottle down a little too hard on the counter and shoved the drinks toward them.
Christ he needed to keep himself under control if he was going to go through with this.
“Thank you,” Jill said, smiling in that way that always made him want to fuck her. She took a sip and licked her lips.
Rafe walked up behind her and whispered something in her ear. Her eyelids lowered and she smiled and nodded.
“Corey, show me where we’re doing this. I’d like a moment alone, if that’s alright.”
Her plaintive tone settled his mood a little. She sounded almost as nervous as he felt.
“This way,” he said, leading her to the bedroom.
“A camera?” she asked, noting the live feed of the room displayed on the widescreen television that hung from the wall facing the bed.
“Racha insisted. She’ll be joining us remotely.” He was at least grateful for that
“Rowan? That’s a beautiful name. Have you known each other long?”
Rafe shifted, looking embarrassed. “We were together for only a few days before she disappeared, but she’s like no other woman. No offense… you are beautiful. I understand why Aris loved you and circumstances being different I would not hesitate.”
“But you are hesitating…”
“She’s very young, and not accustomed to dragon conventions. If I’m mated to you, what will she think when I find her?”
“Listen, Rafe. Once this is done, let’s just agree to go our separate ways. You can find Rowan and I’ll… find someone.”
“That’s not good enough.” He startled her with his conviction.
“Why not?”
“You were mated to Aris. That ranks you just below a Queen. I’m not good enough for you, but you don’t seem to realize that. The only situation worthy of you would be exactly what you want. And I mean to make that happen.” He raised a hand up and she held completely still while he let one knuckle graze along the edge of her jaw and down the side of her neck.
The intensity of his gaze held her in thrall, the gentleness of his touch left her breathless. “How?” she asked, catching her breath when he placed an open palm against her chest, just above her breastbone. Her eyes fluttered closed at the feel of him. He shifted closer and let his hand slide back up until he cupped the back of her head, large fingers twining through her hair. His lips grazed her temple.
“You’ll see, but I mean to enjoy the process regardless. To enjoy you just enough to make Corey believe he’s succeeded. He has to be reminded how it feels to lose you.”
Chapter 4
C orey beat them to the apartment he shared with Racha, which surprised him. He wondered what the two of them were talking about and felt a surge of jealousy. Jesus, he shouldn’t be feeling that way if he was giving her away. He hated the fact that she didn’t even have a choice in the matter, thanks to Aris. Jill’s life depended on being possessed. Being owned. The mark was a brand and at the moment it was a time bomb for her. If he didn’t go through with it she would die.
He wished like hell that Racha was here. Her calming breath could get him through the ordeal. He walked into their bedroom, made sure things were in order. It was ridiculous because he’d already gone through the motions earlier. He hadn’t expected the two of them to go off alone, though. They would arrive eventually. Jill’s life still depended on this.
Soon his cell phone buzzed. It was a message from the door man letting him know he had guests. He responded, then opened the door and went to pour drinks. He tried his best not to think about what might happen after.
The pair entered, Rafe’s large arm solidly draped around Jill’s waist. She looked a little flushed, too, like he’d already been all over her for the entire ride. The idea infuriated Corey enough to make him doubt his sanity. He slammed the bottle down a little too hard on the counter and shoved the drinks toward them.
Christ he needed to keep himself under control if he was going to go through with this.
“Thank you,” Jill said, smiling in that way that always made him want to fuck her. She took a sip and licked her lips.
Rafe walked up behind her and whispered something in her ear. Her eyelids lowered and she smiled and nodded.
“Corey, show me where we’re doing this. I’d like a moment alone, if that’s alright.”
Her plaintive tone settled his mood a little. She sounded almost as nervous as he felt.
“This way,” he said, leading her to the bedroom.
“A camera?” she asked, noting the live feed of the room displayed on the widescreen television that hung from the wall facing the bed.
“Racha insisted. She’ll be joining us remotely.” He was at least grateful for that