Dark Daze Read Online Free PDF Page A

Teeth and claws were
ready to catch…to tear. A shriek welled in her throat but wouldn’t
come. Her chest constricted, and her lungs burned from the cold
air. A loud squeal behind her and something solid slammed her to
the ground.
    Pillow-like softness met her when she landed.
She rolled on the mattress, looking up at the man who held her. Not
the demon with the empty black hole sockets, but a man with the
most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. Deep green, flecked with
every color known to man. He smiled, and she calmed in an instant.
He would protect her…Keep her safe. Things would be okay if he
stayed with her.
    Terror flowed from her in a rush of laughter
and relief flooded in to replace it. His masculine scent, mixed
with pine and some fabulous spice, made her breathe deep. She
pressed her nose to his strong neck and closed her eyes. Her body
warmed at his closeness and wet in preparation for him. She wrapped
her legs around his waist, bringing her hands to his hair. His
mouth met hers, and she slid her legs up and down his thighs,
enjoying the amazing sensation of his hard muscles beneath her soft
skin.
    Their clothes were gone, and he devoured her
like a starving man. His mouth left hers to slip over her jaw and
find the sensitive spot on her throat. The menace faded into a
memory long forgotten as she ran her hands over him, playing across
the muscles. Arching her back, she offered herself to him.
    Brie opened her eyes, her breathing ragged.
She pushed up from the floor, probing the painful bump on her head.
The abrupt change in her flip and her current sprawled position
told her she must not have managed to keep her feet after all.
Instead, she’d been dreaming about something wonderful. A smile, a
beautiful warm smile, promising nothing but happiness and peace.
She’d never had a prophetic dream before, but she couldn’t help
feeling it belonged to someone real.
    No. That would be too crazy.
     
    <><><>
     
    Ian tossed the last of the empty moving boxes
on the pile in front of his new three-bedroom house. He’d found his
secluded home while working in the hills outside Apple Valley and
snatched it up quick. Most of the time, it was just Buster and him,
so the remote location worked out great. Less people to worry
about, if he should have a relapse. Plus, he loved the view. Past
the bay window and out toward the “high desert” lights twinkled
from the houses below like Christmas lights in late December. It
epitomized what he wanted in life—peace, quiet, and normalcy. All
the things he could never have. Not after what he’d become.
    “Come on, Buster.” Ian shook dog food into
the bowl. A blur of excitement skidded around the corner at light
speed and wolfed the food down in what seemed to be just three
bites. Ian patted Buster on the head and moved to the reclining
chair. He sat down and turned the television on, finding a local
sports station.
    He’d never even liked playing sports, but for
some reason he didn’t want to change the channel, so he sat through
the recap of the football game. His chest swelled when the
television sports anchor announced the Raiders had won.
    “Oh Yeah. Did you hear, Buster? The Raiders
won!” He pumped the air twice, then glanced at Buster, who yawned
and rested his chin on his paw. “Wait? The Raiders? I know they
play football, but why should I care when I never cared
before?”
    Buster blinked at him.
    “Do they play for this state? Or is it by
city?” Ian put a knuckle to his chin, but couldn’t come up with the
answer. “Oh well, they won, and the win is all that matters.”
    He got up and went to the fridge, taking out
the fixings for a turkey sandwich and slathered mayonnaise onto the
bread. A sudden craving for a beer struck him. He grabbed a bottle,
popped the top on the edge of the counter, and took a swig. The
bitter taste made him wince, and his stomach rebelled.
    “Where did this come from?” Ian stared at the
bottle. Odd. He’d never even drunk