Demon Seed Read Online Free PDF Page B

missed his warmth immediately. “Hang on.”
    She watched in confusion as he unlocked the door, vanished, and reappeared seconds later carrying a few bags. “I bought you a few pairs of new contacts. Put them in while I have a shower.”
    “I hate the contacts.” She unclenched her fists.
    “You must wear them. These are the extended-wear kind that you don’t have to take out for a week.” He tossed three plastic bags on the bed—two large and one small—and secured the door once more. “I bought you a treat. After you put in the contacts, take a look in the little bag.”
    A treat ? She eyed the smallest bag but forced her concentration to the hated lenses. The contacts went in easier this time, and she studied the package on the bed for long moments before reaching for it. She peeked into the bag, and her eyes misted. An iPod.
    All the day girls had them, and Jacinta had been saving for one. A tear trailed down her cheek. Her very first present. She held the smooth metal to her chest and closed her eyes, savoring the moment.
    “Like it?” Demon, towel wrapped around his waist, one shoulder braced on the doorway, stared at her.
    She nodded, too worked up to trust her voice, but kept her head averted. Jacinta didn’t want him to see her damp cheek.
    “Good. It’s already registered, and I put one hundred American dollars in your account. Why don’t you download a bunch of titles while I shave? The Wi-Fi reception isn’t great, but it’ll go entirely the minute we leave town.”
    “One hundred American dollars?” Jacinta wished she hadn’t squeaked on the word American . She’d never be able to repay him. Not in this lifetime. “I can’t possibly accept this.”
    “Stow it, Jacinta. I don’t want to argue. It’s yours. Do what you want.” He ignored her after that until he wiped the last bit of foam off his jaw. “Do me a favor. Take the tags off the black pants in the other bag.”
    Glad to have something to do, Jacinta found the scissors they’d purchased at the pharmacy and worked on the three pairs of trousers in the bag. “Shall I hang them up?”
    “Toss me the black ones and hang up the others.”
    She handed him the pants, and by the time she shut the wardrobe, he had finished dressing. Black suited him to perfection. The somber color and severe lines of the trousers, and the loose linen shirt, brought out the gold in the sandy hair brushing his shoulders. He had left the shirt unbuttoned to midchest.
    “Come to me.” He crooked a finger.
    Up until that moment, she hadn’t quite registered the difference in their heights. Her nose would meet the spot bared by his shirt. She tilted her head and stopped when about a hand’s width separated them. “Thank you for the iPod. I’ll treasure it always. I’m sorry I shouted at you.”
    “I deserved it. And you’re welcome. After dinner tonight, I’m going to make love to you. I promise you, I’ll erase all the memories of last night.”
    Jacinta wanted to burn the moment into her brain: the glint in his chameleon eyes, now a warm caramel hue, the tender expression, and his fierce declaration. “I don’t want to erase it. I have never felt safer and more cared for than after you rescued me last night.”
    She hoped he understood, and that she hadn’t hurt his manly pride. But the one thing she did not want to repeat was that .
    “Let’s go before I change my mind and order room service.” He urged her forward. “Rules are in effect from the minute we step out the door.”
    The humidity hadn’t lessened with nightfall. Stepping out of the air conditioning was akin to falling into a bowl of tepid broth. He twined their fingers together and led her down narrow streets littered with cigarette cases, empty soda bottles, battered cans, and crumpled paper. People of all shapes, sizes, and colors sat at sidewalk tables. Music—a samba here, a calypso there, Frank Sinatra crooning a tune she didn’t recognize—blared from cafés,