Ride the Stars/once Bitten Read Online Free PDF Page A

someone else."
    The band changed to a slow ballad with sweet bass. Ignoring her jitters, he pulled her into his arms.
    "Relax. We’ll go slow. I promise not to bite." He gave her a cocky grin.
    Bali’s blood was steaming. No man had ever taken her in his arms. Certainly no one had stood so close.
    When he slid his knee between hers and rocked them to the sultry beat, she stumbled and nearly swallowed her tongue. Fire shot from the point of contact straight to her stunned brain. A fine tremor shook her.
    "What’s wrong?" Curiosity glimmered in his dark gaze, but he didn’t release her or lose the beat.
    "I...." Tongue-tied, she looked down to escape his eyes. It didn’t help. A few more centimeters and she could rest her cheek on that chest. If it felt anything like his arms and waist, it would be solid steel.
    Another shiver wracked her.
    Murmuring something reassuring, he placed his hand on the back of her head and gently closed the inches between her head and his chest. Holding her close, he stroked her nape and back in a soothing rhythm.
    Certain she was going to die of sensation, she closed her eyes and tried to come to grips with her feelings.
    Domino knew what he held. Innocence. Sweet passion. If he wished, seduction. It had been a long time since he’d encountered something that pure. When had he grown so jaded? Bali might be a woman, but she’d never played with fire. For a Draconian, it was pure temptation.
    Feathering a kiss over her hair, he told himself to watch out. She was damaged. Her father had probably killed what little trust she had of men. Icky must have fought like crazy to give her as much confidence as she had. As it was, she could be easy prey, whether he wished it or not.
    Others might not be so scrupulous.
    His fangs ached. That rarely happened, and he was used to the most sensual of women. Taking it as the warning it was, he eased her off his chest, but he didn’t release her. Arms locked around her back, he enjoyed the mellow arousal flowing between them. "What are you doing tomorrow?"
    "I ... hadn’t decided." Her answer was faint, matching her unfocused expression.
    Glancing upward to conceal his smile, he casually suggested, "Spend the day with me. It’s been some time since I shared the sights with anyone."
    Tension edged out boneless submission. Bali took a deep breath. "I wouldn’t want to put you out."
    "Good, then you’ll go with me. I’ll pick you up at nine. Where are you staying?"

Chapter 7
    She wasn’t sure how, but Domino convinced her to agree. Then he had handed her into a transport, smiled, and wished her pleasant dreams. Now she paced her elegant room and analyzed his motives.
    Why, was the main question. If asked to bet, she would lay odds he wasn’t wildly excited by her.
    Curious, maybe. Perhaps he was simply doing a favor for Icki? That she could believe.
    When analyzing Domino’s motives proved fruitless, she flopped on the bed, clicked on the radio, and called Icki.
    The phone rang five times before he answered. "Icki," he said shortly.
    "It’s me." Bali heard a woman’s sleepy murmur in the background.
    His voice husky, Icki assured whoever it was, "It’s my sister." There was a rustle, then Icky yawned.
    "What’s up?"
    Bali’s lips quirked. "The dressing room attendant?"
    "Not tonight. How was your day?"
    Suction released, jars rattled, and there came the sound of glass scraping over a grid. She could almost see the insides of his fridge. Icki was snacking, which meant he was settling in for a long chat. She hugged a pillow under her chin and leisurely kicked her heels in the air. "Where do I start? The guy at the spaceport took one look at my leather and accused me of being a hooker. I fainted outside Domino’s club, had water thrown in my face, then got hauled to his table by his bouncer. You didn’t warn me that Tantalus was a steam bath, Icki."
    He was laughing and choking on his drink. "Mercy, girl! Why didn’t you just waltz in naked? Talk