Shadows of the Past Read Online Free PDF Page B

afraid of what she’ll do if Simons shows up at the bar.”
    “Right. That might not go over so well.”
    He nodded. “She is very protective of her friends. In fact….” The corners of his mouth turned down as he wrapped his big hand around her arm, just above her elbow.
    She flinched at the gentle contact, but saw the bruise in the shape of Simons ’ hand when she looked where Hayden held her. His magic washed over her in a caress, and she had to bite back her whimper. Oh, that felt so good she closed her eyes against it, and tried her darnedest to fight off any reaction.
     
    * * * *
     
    “Amethyst,” Hayden murmured, trying not to spook her worse. He didn’t like that she jumped every time he touched her. “Are you okay?”
    Her laugh was nervous. “Sorry Sheriff Hunter….”
    “Hayden, call me Hayden, please. Most everyone knows me as Hayden.” Damn it, his voice was low and husky, he tried to dial back his lust, but it wasn’t happening. She was everything he craved, and it had been a long time since he ’d craved anyone.
    “Hayden.” She sighed and opened up her beautiful eyes, but she still looked nervous. “Can we just go get my Jeep, please?”
    With a nod, he shut her door while she buckled her belt. He climbed into his seat and drove to where he knew her Jeep was parked. Simons had called it in before they made it the short distance to the jail. Fallon had already chewed Hayden a new one when she drove by Amethyst’s car. Thanks to Simons and those damned cuffs, Amethyst had been unable to answer her phone.
    Thinking of Amethyst being manhandled put Hayden on the breaking point. He wanted to track Simons down so he could beat him into the next state. That wouldn ’t help anything, and he reminded himself of that fact for the twelfth time in twenty minutes.
    He pulled up in front of her Jeep. Before he could say or do anything, she hopped out of the SUV and hurried to her vehicle.
    Hayden followed. “To make Simons feel better, can I please check your glove box?”
    She nodded, but had her back to him as she unlocked the doors and climbed inside. He opened the passenger door, leaned in and looked. There was nothing there but the proper documents and a few CDs. “Just what I thought. I’m sorry he was so rough with you. I made him take a couple of days off. His family situation doesn’t excuse his actions.”
    “It’s okay. Fallon told me about his wife. I hope it works out.” A little smile graced her lips. “And thank you for the ride.”
    “Follow me, please?” Hayden asked. With as timid as she was, he didn’t want to give the impression he was commanding her to do anything.
    His instinct wanted him to protect her, but he knew she wouldn’t appreciate t hat sentiment.
    Amethyst seemed innocent, but so incredibly sensual at the same time. Hayden wanted to know her, in every sense of the word, but had a feeling he was going to have to take it really slow and work at gaining her trust.
    She nodded, but rolled her eyes. Her attitude had finally started to come out, and he hoped that was a good sign. That maybe she was starting to trust him a little.

Chapter 2
     
     
    A smile twisted Zack ’s lips. He could feel the nymph’s presence calling to him but he’d learned his lesson long ago. Amethyst was so much stronger than her grandmother. Her power tickled his senses as she grew closer.
    The time he spent locked away in that damned prison realm left him weakened. It would take some time to build his strength enough to make Amethyst pay for the pain her grandmother had brought him and his kind.
    A soft moan pulled his attention to the sleeping woman curled around him. Stacey was so completely bland in the sack. She’d been easy to sway as she’d been bored with her husband and their sex life, but she only wanted missionary, and then to cuddle afterward.
    With a grimace, he untangled himself from the forty year old woman. She was pretty and in decent enough shape for her human