Taken by the Alpha Wolf Read Online Free PDF Page B

sidearm,
placed both on her dresser, and then removed the scabbard on his
thigh holding a dagger. Breath caught in her throat as Etienne
peeled off his damp T-shirt. The display of tanned, smooth skin
rippling with muscles caused an electrical jolt of pure desire. His
body was V-shaped, with broad shoulders and firm muscles rippling
down to lean hips. Cindy’s pulse raced with frank female
appreciation.
    Her powers were long gone, but biology still
ruled her body. She craved him. Wanted him in her bed, all that
muscled strength covering her as he settled between her legs…
    Shaking off the thought, she watched him
vanish into the bathroom. Heard the thud of clothing and boots
hitting the pristine tile floor, and then the shower turned on.
    An odd sound, so faint she might have
imagined it, came out of the bathroom. A muffled banging sound.
    And then she knew, and her heart somersaulted
in her chest.
    Etienne wasn’t unemotional after all.
    In her mind she caught broken threads of
furious thought, like a radio signal flickering in and out.
    His thoughts.
    Damnit, Robichaux, get a grip, can’t let her see me
like this, upset her, get a grip, have to be strong for her, she
needs me, she’s not gonna fucking die, NOT gonna lose her, fuck her
powers, take her away, hell with what everyone says, she matters
more…
    Shock filled her. She’d read his mind, as
easily as if he’d roared out the words. It was his emotions,
pouring forth like fire. He did care. Just couldn’t show it. And
she understood so much, it took all her strength to hold back. She
wanted to rush into the bathroom, into his arms and cling. Assure
him that they could get through this together.
    She had only instinct to guide her. Cindy
waited.
    A few minutes later, Etienne emerged from the
bathroom, his dark hair slicked back, a towel around his trim
waist. Droplets beaded on the dark hair on his thick chest. His
arms were strong and solid.
    Dependable. He’d never let anything hurt
her.
    His limbs were long and dusted with dark
hair, his feet sturdy and square. She dragged her gaze up to his
face, the cheeks flushed with color, his lips in a firm line.
Emotion flashed in his eyes, the hurt of a wounded animal.
    She glanced at his right hand. The knuckles
were bruised and bloodied.
    Without words, she pushed past him into the
bathroom.
    Through the glass shower walls, she saw the
cracked marble. A small piece was missing.
    Cindy emerged from the bathroom. His jaw
turned to stone.
    She picked up his bruised hand. Already the
bleeding had stopped, the lacerations healing before her eyes. Of
course. He was a natural alpha and his healing powers were
tripled.
    Unlike her.
    Cindy pressed a soft kiss to those battered
knuckles, then held his hand against her cheek. She felt his pulse
race.
    “You connected with me, while you were in the
shower. I heard inside your mind. Every single word. I think your
emotions broke through the barrier.”
    Fierce hope flared on his face. “Cyn…”
Etienne’s voice was thick.
    Releasing his hand, she put a finger to his
lips. Her gaze raked over his body. A small pink pucker scarred one
shoulder. She touched it, felt his muscles jump beneath her touch,
and looked up, a question in her eyes.
    “Bullet. I was low on energy and couldn’t
heal fast enough.”
    She pressed her mouth against the scar, and
felt him quiver, felt the tension in him ratchet up another notch.
But this tension was different. The air grew heavy with
anticipation.
    Sexual need made Cindy ache with frustration.
She wanted him so badly, but until he wanted her, faults and all,
she would not bind him to her. It wasn’t fair to either of
them.
    Cindy drew in a breath. “I won’t hold you
down, Etienne. We’ll leave here, and you can drop me off in Fort
Lauderdale. I have a good friend who can take me in until I can
figure things out.”
    With silent grace, he turned and faced her.
His gaze was glittering ice, his jaw tense.
    “I’m not letting you