Draven's Crossing: Tempestuous Crossings Read Online Free PDF

no clue how this night will end. Rose will be mine. He decided to change his tactics. Instead of trying for a direct seduction, he would aim for destabilizing her by allowing her to see another side of him, show her that this wasn’t all sexual for him.
    “Dinner is ready, sir,” Ross announced.
    Draven held out his hand toward Rose. “Shall we go in?”
    She looked down at his palm and then back at him before gesturing toward the door. “Please lead the way.”
    “My hand is clean, I promise.” He waited, refusing to budge until she took it. Silence descended between them as she continued to gaze at his hand. “We can wait here all night if you want.”
    Emotions flitted across her face. Her lips thinned. She lifted her chin and gazed up at him. “This means nothing.”
    “It’s me being a gentleman.” He tried to sound innocent.
    She snorted in response. “Have you ever been a gentleman? Do you even know what that means?”
    “Of course I do.” He decided to keep his sentences short. Force her to do most of the talking and see what happened.
    “Yeah, probably in your youth. What’s for dinner?” Her hand flexed, and she still looked unsure. Her jaw tightened, and she lifted her palm then dropped it.
    “Scared?”
    She glared at him. “No, I’m just wondering what else I’ll be giving in to if I let you hold my hand.”
    He allowed his fangs to distend fully and grinned at her. Rose gasped and stepped back. Her fear tinged the air, but another softer, muskier perfume joined it a second later. Ahhh, she’s aroused as well. This pleased him. Draven resisted the urge to tease her about it. Instead, he remained silent, waiting for her reaction.
    She licked her lips and held his gaze. Fear flickered in her dark brown depths. “Having fun at my expense?”
    He gave her a nonchalant shrug. “One would think you weren’t use to being around vampires. Raising an eyebrow in question, he waited for her response. She shifted from one foot to the other.
    Rose ducked her head and looked away. “I’ve only been living here for a year and half, and I don’t go out much.”
    That one move constricted his heart. She looked vulnerable and sweet, yet sexy at the same time.
    “If you’d like—”
    She held up a hand. “No dates.”
    “I was going to suggest escorting me to some events, get to really know the locals. I think that’s what you’re missing. You’re suggestions for the campaign is how an outsider would see it, not a local.”
    Rose’s features scrunched up. She bit her bottom lip and tilted her head to the side as if considering his words. Warmth spread through his chest as his heart yet again constricted.
    “So, they won’t be dates? Just meeting the public?” Her words were slow and careful. She was trying to establish that the appearances would be harmless.
    He nodded, not bothering to correct her. To him they would be dates.
    “You need to say they won’t be dates,” she pressed.
    Draven considered lying. He searched for words that would make it sound as if he was saying it wasn’t a date when it was. She placed both hands on her hips. “Say they won’t be dates, and I’ll go on them.”
    Exasperated, he shook his head. “Why is it so important to you that these not be dates?”
    “I told you on the phone, I don’t fuck clients. Technically, with me leaving the firm, you’re my boss now. I don’t need people getting the wrong idea about how I got this job.”
    He sighed. “You care that much about appearances? You’re attracted to me.”
    “And?” She gave him a look that clearly said that part wasn’t important.
    Draven was pleased she didn’t deny it. “To be honest, to me they’ll be dates. You can think of them however you please.”
    “Then I can’t go with you. They can’t be dates in any way.” She shook her head and moved away, much to his annoyance.
    “You are being so difficult.”
    “Says you. You’re not the employee here. You have the