Fever (Blood Moon Rising, #1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Who
knew where her dad was. She’d given up looking for him after ten
years of no contact. Some people didn’t want to be found. She
wasn’t sure what she’d say to him if she did.
    Pushing back those depressing
thoughts, she lost her breath again when Gage led her to a
beautiful room dripping in crystals.
    “ We call this the Crystal
Room,” he said.
    “ No kidding. It’s so
sparkly.”
    Crystals were embroidered in the
silver curtains and along the silver and champagne-colored
comforter. The four poster bed was surrounded by crystal beads, as
was the huge circular whirlpool tub she could see in the adjoining
bathroom. Several pillar candles and candelabra had been lit,
giving the room a soft, feminine feel, and pitching rainbows along
the floor and walls when the light caught the crystals. Double
French doors stood at the opposite end of the room, leading to the
balcony. Malcolm knelt before the fireplace, getting a fire
started.
    “ Is this her?”
    Danica turned as an elderly woman
dressed in a simple black dress with red trimmings scurried up to
her. She looked about ninety, considering all the wrinkles folding
her tanned skin. She gripped Danica’s hands, tears shining in her
eyes. “Bless you, dear! I was worried our poor master wouldn’t find
his mate in time!”
    “ Um,” Danica said, smiling
because she didn’t want to be rude, “I’m sorry, I think there’s
been some mistake.” She looked to Gage, raising a brow.
    Gage rested a hand on the lady’s
shoulder, smiling kindly. “Mary, Lady Danica doesn’t know all the
details yet.”
    Mary, frowning, turned to Danica - and
sniffed her hair.
    Danica’s brows shot up. Were all these
people on crack? She’d been reading too many fantasy books
lately.
    Mary gasped. “Oh. I see. How
surprising.”
    Danica nearly growled from
frustration. “How? How is that surprising? Is she talking about the
type of conditioner I use? It is surprising it works so well, being
as cheap as it is.”
    Gage sighed and rubbed his temples.
“I’m sorry, Danica. I’ll explain everything later, after you’re
rested. Mary’s prepared a bath for you, if you’d like to get clean
and take some time to relax. I’ll find a doctor and have him tend
to your injuries afterward.”
    “ I’m fine,” she said, not
wanting to be a bother. Which was stupid, because this was a dream,
anyway. My, how polite her fantasy men were!
    He frowned, not looking like he
believed her, but he didn’t push the topic. “I also believe you
said you wanted water, am I right?”
    “ Um, sure. Please.” She was
parched. Must be the
happy-beer .
    “ Miss Mary,” Gage said,
“would you please get Lady Danica a glass of ice water?”
    Mary smiled. “Sure.” She patted
Danica’s cheek before scampering out of the room.
    Lady Danica. Hmmm… must be
part of some weird custom rich people do .
    Malcolm, having finished the fire,
left with Mary. Gage turned to Danica. “I know this is a lot to
take in, but know while you are under my roof, you will come to no
harm.”
    “ Sure. That’s why you
kidnapped me, to protect me, right?”
    “ You didn’t seem to object
back in the car,” he said huskily.
    No, she sure hadn’t. Her cheeks heated
at the reminder he hadn’t kissed her. Clearing her throat, she
looked away, thankful the lighting was dim so he wouldn’t see her
blush. Licking her lips, she said, “So, are you going to watch me
undress, or give me some privacy?”
    “ Which would you
prefer?”
    There was that teasing,
sultry tone again. Why was he flirting if he wouldn’t take
advantage of what she was putting out? It was her dream, dammit! The sound of his
voice made her sex quiver; it hadn’t stopped tingling since that
weird Mark appeared on her hand. “A gentleman would leave.” It was
the wise response. All she wanted to do was invite him to join her,
but she knew so little about him.
    Didn’t stop you from
wanting to tongue him in the car .
    Good grief, her conscience