The Song Bird (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Avilon asked.
    “I won it from a man named Mr. Broon,” Eli answered. “This place had great bones, a great location, and as soon as I laid eyes on it, I knew I had to have it. So I became a patron, a regular at the tables. And one night, Mr. Broon was playing. The stakes went higher, and during one particular game he had placed the club as the bet.”
    “Is that what you had wanted?”
    “It’s what I maneuvered.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “He lost, and I won. As I had him escorted from the property, he was screaming I cheated him.”
    “Did you cheat?”
    He shook his head. “No. And the other twenty witnesses backed me up, but Broon was out of his mind, threatening to get even if it was the last thing he did.”
    “What happened?”
    “About a week later, I was walking from the club, and he shot me.”
    “Shot you!”
    He shrugged. “Inevitable for someone like me.”
    “Someone like you?”
    “I can be a bit ruthless.”
    “Really?” she asked dryly. “I hadn’t noticed.”
    “Anyway,” he went on, “Ellis rushed Broon, disarmed him, and took me to his brother, Jin Li, who had been a doctor in China. The Chinese have a different approach to medicine. I’ll never trust another sawbones again.”
    He moved farther into the room until he came to stand next to her. The strange vibration she had felt toward him yesterday still lingered, drawing her eyes to his profile. He stared at the ceiling with his hands clasped behind his back, offering an unfettered view of his stubborn jawline.
    There should be a law against a man being so handsome. His black hair almost matched the hue of hers, so deep and dark it rivaled midnight. She could tell he had bathed recently because wet strands still clung to the curve of his ear. A slight hint of soap and musk wafted to her, tickling her nose and making her sharply aware of his presence.
    “Are you ready to sing tonight?”
    “I suppose so. What time do I perform?”
    “Every night at ten.”
    “The club is open on Sunday?”
    He turned toward her, cynicism heavy in his eyes. “Do you uphold the Sabbath?”
    “I attend church, if that’s what you mean.”
    “Then you’ll have no trouble being ready to sing in the evening.”
    She didn’t respond to the taunt. He stood in front of her, one eyebrow quirked, eyes narrowed as he watched her, assessing her. She had the strangest feeling he was waiting for something, but she couldn’t for the life of her determine what.
    “Is there something you want from me, Mr. Masters?”
    “Call me Eli.”
    “That’s hardly appropriate.”
    A sardonic smile creased the corners of his mouth. “You’re going to sing in a gaming club, surrounded by whores and drunks. I hardly think calling me by my first name will impinge on your reputation.”
    Avilon sighed and straightened her already ramrod-stiff spine. “Do you enjoy being rude and condescending to people? It’s not attractive, by the way.”
    He took a step closer to her, and suddenly he was too close. His body heat enveloped her, causing her palms to grow slick and her mouth to go dry. She became hyperaware of him, of his nearness, and her breath hitched as she tried to suck in a lungful of air.
    “Do you think I’m attractive?” he asked in a low, seductive voice.
    Her gaze fell to his lips. “That’s, um, not what I said.”
    “You didn’t answer my question.”
    “I…better go.”
    His hand took hold of her arm, holding her still. Even through her clothes, his touch felt hot and branding. “Answer the question, sweetheart.”
    “Don’t call me that,” she ordered.
    He bent and leaned down to her, letting his mouth fall near her ear. His warm breath tickled the wisps of hair near her temple and moistened her skin. “All right…Avilon.”
    She bit her bottom lip with her upper teeth and regarded him cautiously. “If I say yes, you’ll no doubt feel as if you can take advantage of my answer, and if I say no, then you’ll—”
    “I’d know