Moonlight and Diamonds & The Vampire's Fall Read Online Free PDF

Stryke’s sensual prowess. She’d wanted to linger.
    Really? Linger against his heat, his overwhelming essence of man, sex and muscle? Sounded delicious. But indulgence in what her heart desired was something she never allowed.
    Stryke passed her and slowed, as if he wanted to say something to her, but with Lorcan standing in the doorway, his eyes respectfully gliding along the door frame, Stryke simply nodded and walked out.
    â€œDon’t go back into the gallery!” she called after him. “Please.”
    He nodded as his strides took him down the hallway and away from her.
    And she turned and strode back to the desk, palm pressed over her heart and biting her lip to prevent the tears.
    Tears? What had he meant when he’d insinuated she was lost? Perhaps he hadn’t been such a wise choice, after all. It was too late to alter her plan. She’d already completed the main step.
    She would have to see Stryke again. And she looked forward to it. She dreaded it, as well.
    â€œEverything all right, duck?” Lorcan asked.
    She nodded. “I’m sorry. You know sometimes I just...”
    â€œNo need for an explanation. I’m headed out myself with a pretty young thing. Wanted to let you know I’m leaving. Unless you need me to stay and lock up?”
    â€œNo. Thank you, Lorcan. I’ve the security guard and the waitstaff will be around, as well. Go have some fun. I’ll see you in a few days.”
    â€œYes. We’ll cement our plans for the showing then, eh?”
    She nodded.
    If all went well, that showing would never occur. And the only one aware it had failed would be her. She had a plan for keeping Lorcan in the dark about it.
    He left the office door open, and Blyss bent and peered past her assistant to see if she could still see Stryke’s back, but he was gone.
    â€œThe Île Saint-Louis,” she whispered. “Now to step three in the plan. This will be the most difficult.”
    And if her heart got in the way again she truly would be lost, as he’d guessed.
    * * *
    Talk about the cold shoulder.
    Stryke actually shivered as he strode down the darkened hallway, passed by the gallery and aimed straight for the exit.
    Outside, he shrugged off the uncomfortable suit coat and tossed it over a shoulder. He should have hailed a cab, but he could see the river Seine from here. One thing he’d learned since arriving in Paris: if a man could locate the river, he’d never get lost. There was the left bank and the right bank, and the river. And he knew the island where he was staying was to his left.
    It would be about a twenty-minute walk. He could use the fresh air. It was July and even nearing midnight the air was sultry. But not as sultry as the sexy handful he’d just held up against the wall.
    â€œBlyss,” he murmured.
    And yet.
    â€œWhat happened back there?”
    Earlier this evening he’d donned a borrowed suit, met Blade on the street before the chocolate shop and entered the gallery with hopes to view some interesting artwork. A couple of rednecks mingling with the snooty set. It was supposed to be a kick. Stryke hadn’t expected to pick up the hottest chick in the place.
    And to have sex with her.
    Blade and his miniskirted twins had nothing on what he’d scored.
    But the craziest thing of all? There had been something about her. And it wasn’t her beauty or her bold tease or the quick but satisfying liaison. He toggled the cuff link she’d returned to him. Her scent had been... Well hell, he didn’t know how to categorize the uniqueness of her. Beyond the sweet flowery perfume, he had scented something deeper. Intriguing. Familiar?
    â€œCrazy,” he muttered as he strolled along the river. Lights on the buildings cast a spectacular show across the Seine’s darkened waters. He marveled that tourists were out in full force. The City of Light truly never slept.
    â€œI was caught in the moment. And