Necessary Passion [Alchemy Mates 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Read Online Free PDF

deplored physical contact, he and Sky were going to be practically groping one another.
    “Are the vampire, Jessup, and his servant lovers?” Aidan inquired, he had an uneasy feeling eating his gut. There had to be a reason the best combatants were linked in such an intimate fashion.
    Sky nodded, his expression perfectly aristocratically blank. “Yes. They’ve been together for almost forty years. Her name is Guilanna. She’s a French-African beauty he picked up on his trip to the Ivory Coast. She’s hopelessly in love with him, and Mirah Jessup uses that to his advantage.”
    “So we’re already behind the curve so to speak?” Aidan asked darkly. If it was really that big of a deal, then it was like going on a vampire hunt without a pistol. Suicide didn’t suit him.
    Sky reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezing it gently before helping him to his feet. “We’ll figure it out, Aidan. Don’t feel pressured to get intimate with me just to give us an edge. I said it’s common, but it isn’t unheard of for partners to be just partners.”
    “I understand,” Aidan said, fear lacing his words.
    Sky squeezed his hand again before releasing it. “How about I cook you breakfast?”
    “Can you do that?” Aidan asked, again surprised.
    Sky laughed. “You’d be surprised what I can do, jäger.”
     
    * * * *
     
    “So what does ‘jäger’ mean exactly?” Aidan asked, stuffing his mouth with eggs.
    “It means ‘hunter’ in my native tongue,” Sky offered, putting a plate of fruit before him as well. “It is a title of distinction, I assure you.”
    “What are these things? I mean, I know they’re oranges, but what kind? I’ve never seen such red fruit,” Aidan said, holding up a piece of red fruit to the light.
    Sky chuckled, no doubt about his curiosity. “They’re known as blood oranges. I had them imported recently from Italy.” As a hunter he was taught to question everything, and this was no different. He had an insatiable need to know everything.
    “Why?” Aidan asked. “You don’t eat.”
    Sky smiled. “Yes, that is true. I’m old enough that playing human is hard and I don’t bother to even pretend to eat anymore. However, there is a village down the road that has a small school. I was planning on giving them to the children as a sweet treat, but if you like them I’ll let you eat them.”
    “No, no, that’s all right,” Aidan said quickly. He’d savor the few bites he had.
    “I’ll leave you five or six and give the rest away,” Sky said, reading his mind. “I was about to pack them up and take them on.”
    “You’re leaving?” Aidan asked, almost alarmed at the prospect of being left alone in this large house by himself.
    “I was in the mood for a horse ride down to the village. It’s much too late to bring children oranges, but I could use a little stretch before true winter sets in. They say only monsters, fools, and thieves ride after dusk, but since I’m neither a fool nor a thief, I’ll go with the adage of monsters.”
    “Mind if I ride with you?” Aidan asked.
    Sky looked surprised at his request. “Of course I don’t mind.” Sky smiled suddenly. “So are you fool or thief to travel with me?”
    “Neither I suspect. I think I’m a little bit monster since I’m with you,” Aidan replied darkly.
    Sky nodded. “I’ll have the stable master ready you a mount. If you like to ride I have extensive stables here. I’ll make them available to you.”
    Aidan felt a bolt of pleasure and anticipation spear him at Sky’s offer. “When I was younger, before I was able to join in the hunt, my brothers and I used to race over the moors. They’re some of my happiest memories.”
    The vampire bowed. “Then I hope that my stables will prove adequate for more pleasant memories. I’ll instruct the staff to allow you access to the horses whenever you feel the urge.” Aidan stood as Sky gathered his oranges in a sack. “The schoolmaster’s maid should be about.