Raised in Fire (Fire and Ice Trilogy, #2)

by K.F. Breene

street. When I hit the sidewalk, a tourist stepped in my path with his hands raised, beads swinging from them. “Show me your tits,” he yelled. I punched him in the throat.

He set the tray on the tiled ledge near my head and perched next to it, looking down at me. “You have a beautiful body, Reagan. You should allow me to appreciate it.” “No.”

What is this hold you have on me, Reagan?” “No hold. I’m a naked chick and you’re a creepy dude. Your reaction is pretty standard.”

He looked up when I came within a few feet, and held up the book. “This is garbage, but I can’t stop reading it.” “Great.” I fell onto the couch and sighed. “Will you be dressing for dinner?” “I am dressed for dinner.” I plucked at my robe. “This counts.” “Are you hungry now, or would you like to make love first?” “Nice try, Fabio.” He laughed and rose gracefully. “I never seem to catch you in the right mood.”

“Reagan, you are rarely dimwitted. I’d prefer you didn’t make a habit of it now.”

“Yes. Next, he might ask if you are always this dim. I am starting to wonder myself.”

“We would be out of harm’s way before the first stack buckled.” He rubbed my back. “I am much faster than a wobbling mess of cargo containers, even when carrying a flailing creature such as yourself.” “I’m a creature now, am I?” “I confess, being that you are so much more than human, I am at a loss for what exactly to call you.”

“She doesn’t like vampires,” I said when she bustled away. “Did you catch that? She was not excited about a nice girl such as myself being mixed up with riffraff like you.” “You are wearing a leather outfit with a sword, gun, and fanny pack strapped to your person. What about that look says nice girl?” I ignored the dig on my pouch. “Yes, fine. But I fit in. And you are still not liked. I win.”

“Women have always had the same desires when it comes to pleasure and passion. It is society that changes,” Darius said, stopping beside me. “Simply because it was declared wrong in the time, does not mean it didn’t happen. I deflowered a great many behind the veil of secrecy, and they loved me for it.”

“Don’t call Vlad.” I wiped my face. “Whatever you do, don’t call that guy. I don’t need any more turds in my litterbox.”

“Wretched book. Wretched series. I don’t know why I keep picking it up.”

“Make love to me, Darius, and don’t make me regret this.” “My pleasure, and you have my word.”