Dragon's Lair Read Online Free PDF

been looking for the dank, dark atmosphere of a medieval keep, they’d succeeded.
    Only the registration desk and lobby bar anchored the hotel in the present day.
    She crossed to the desk. When no one came out to greether, Alexia peered over the counter and picked up a map of the hotel from behind the counter. Management offices were down the hall to the left.
    Certain she’d find Braeden’s office there, she headed down the long, dark hall stopping at the first set of huge, metal-studded double doors. If the Lord of the Castle had an office, this had to be it. A quick glance at the brass wall plate confirmed her guess.
    Should she march right in, knock or turn around and leave? Her stomach somersaulted. Her heart raced. She couldn’t decide.
    Why? After all this time, why? She’d successfully squashed her feelings for him—her anger and near hatred had made it easy enough. So why now had her legs turned to jelly?
    She sensed him just beyond the door. The spicy scent of his aftershave swirled beneath her nose, awakening more intimate memories. The gentleness of his large hands brushing against her cheek. She shivered, remembering the feeling of his warm breath against her neck.
    Those tangible memories could easily be pushed back. It was the others, the more recent ones, that threatened to bring her to her knees.
    Her chest tightened as she remembered. When he’d lifted her from the car wreck, his voice had been husky and deep with concern. But when she’d lost the baby they’d both longed for, he’d blamed her.
    And when she’d tried to explain, he’d insisted that her mind was playing tricks on her.
    Alexia lifted her hand to the throbbing in her chest. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t face him. Not even after all this time. She’d have to find some other place of safety—because Dragon’s Lair wasn’t safe, after all.
    Quickly, before she was discovered, she turned and headed back down the hall toward the lobby.
    The door behind her groaned. She clutched the package in her arms to her chest, hoping the pressure would slow her pounding heart.
    â€œLeaving already?” Braeden’s deep voice rippled over her, stopping her escape.
    â€œI don’t know.”
    The carpet beneath his feet silenced his footsteps, but she sensed his approach. And to her horror her body warmed in welcome.
    Obviously perceiving her body’s response, he rested a hand on her shoulder. Then quickly withdrew his touch as if he’d been burned.
    The brief contact had been enticing, yet at the same time it had proved baffling. The sudden urge to run from desires and longings she thought safely put to rest collided with the need to lean into the chest so close behind her. It would be, oh, so easy to relax against his broad chest, tuck her head beneath his chin and let his strong arms enclose her in still-familiar warmth and safety.
    â€œMade up your mind yet? Staying or leaving?”
    Far from inviting, the coldness of his tone suggested her best choice would be to leave. She stepped away and faced him. Without the heat of his body against her back, she could almost breathe again.
    She looked up at him, then swallowed a gasp. Instead of impersonal, the hard, chiseled planes of his face spoke volumes of his anger. But it was the animalistic glitter in his narrowed eyes that threatened to steal the last remaining thread of bravery she clung to so desperately.
    There was no doubt in her mind that safety at Dragon’s Lair would come at a high price. How much would shehave to forfeit to the Master of the Lair for protection against the evil seeking her? Would facing the unknown evil be less dangerous than facing the heartbreaking rage of the Dragon standing before her now?
    Alexia wasn’t at all certain she was up to the challenge of either choice.
    Braeden stared down at her. “Why are you here?” Before she could answer, he stepped aside and