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fc42a49
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I'm sorry; it bothers me to touch people after I follow a demented mind. Please understand." Margaret nodded. "Of course, although I noticed your young man thought nothing of touching you." Raven smiled, shrugging as casually as possible, eyeing the sky for the lightning that might strike her for lying so much."
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Christine Feehan |
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970d895
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Raven shook her head sadly. She was becoming such a recluse, not wanting to be close to anyone, not even a sweet older woman worried about her safety. "Raven! Wait up!" She closed her eyes against the intrusion. Where was the peaceful serenity of her remote wilderness?"
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Christine Feehan |
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cdb7eb3
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Raven felt a stirring in her mind. Mikhail was heavy with sleep, fighting his way up through the layers to the surface. Now she was worried. Mikhail was a question mark in her mind. She didn't know what he would do, only that he felt protective toward her. For herself, for Mikhail, for Jacob, she needed to make Jacob understand that she wanted no part of him. , she sent a sharp reassurance. "Jacob." She used a firm schoolmarm tone. "I thi..
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Christine Feehan |
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a8df6ea
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I need you to do as I ask you," he said in desperation, fighting the beast lifting its head hungrily. Her laughter was soft, enticing, the sound dancing over his skin. "No, you don't. Too many people think your word is law. You need someone to defy you a little bit."
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Christine Feehan |
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1cdd6b1
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You are so reckless, Raven, so heedless of danger." He gripped the back of a chair so hard the wood threatened to disintegrate into dust. As it was, it would hold the imprint of his fingers for all time. "Danger, Mikhail?" She tipped her head to one side, her hair falling in a slide over one shoulder. Her hands went to the top button of her blouse. "I would never be in danger from you, even if you were furious with me. The only danger right..
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Christine Feehan |
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138abaa
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she forced laughter into her thoughts-- From the other side of a grove of trees, out of her sight, Jacob suddenly screamed in terror, the sound fading to a thin wail. The roar of an enraged bear mingled with Jacob's second scream. Something heavy crashed through the underbrush in the opposite direction of Raven. She felt Mikhail's laughter, low, amused, very male. Jacob was broadcasting fear, but not pain. , she reprimanded. He said it..
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Christine Feehan |
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6a67180
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He knew exactly what the ancients meant when they said one lifemate could not survive the passing of the other. He would not want to live in the world without her. There would be no Mikhail without Raven.
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Christine Feehan |
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aec5b00
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A greenish mist streamed through cracks in the fallen wall, shimmered for a moment as it swept through the room. Gregori kept his body positioned between the mist and his prince, facing the mist. Vampires often had lesser ones to serve them, new to the world of vampire and unable yet to fend completely for themselves. The mist began to form into a human frame, and Byron faced Gregori, staring at the fallen prince. "Who has done this? And wh..
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Christine Feehan |
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a4a7cf7
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Byron, find Raven," Mikhail whispered. "Mikhail"--Gregori's teeth tore his own wrist, and he pressed it to the prince's mouth--"take my blood while I stop up these holes." "Find Raven." "Take my blood, Mikhail. The vampire will not harm her. He will have some patience this night. You must be strong for the hunt. Drink what I freely offer. I would not want to find it necessary to compel you." "You are becoming a nuisance, Gregori," Mikhail c..
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Christine Feehan |
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ad84c2f
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Byron guarded both bodies, stepping away from the priest to face the surrounding woods when the first ripple of energy reached him. Someone approached, someone of power, which wasn't entirely unexpected when their prince lay in a pool of blood.
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Christine Feehan |
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849dd24
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No, I don't mind traveling alone. I do it all the time," she answered, aware she was allowing too much time to go by before she answered. They were all going to think she wasn't quite bright. "You're very brave," Harry said. "Haven't you heard the rumors? Don't you see that most of the villagers hang garlic on their doors?" That made her laugh, her first feeling since she'd awakened. "I've read all the legends, Mr. Summers, but I'm a pretty..
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Christine Feehan |
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85cc7b3
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His hair was the color of dark coffee beans, a dark espresso, drawn back and tied at the nape of his neck. His face was that of an angel or a devil, strength and power, with a sensual mouth that hinted at cruelty; his hooded eyes were black obsidian, black ice, pure black magic. She couldn't read him, couldn't feel his emotions or hear his thoughts. That had never happened to her before. "Put me down. I feel silly with you carrying me off l..
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Christine Feehan |
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0ee3250
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Did you kidnap me or rescue me?" Strong white teeth gleamed at her, a predator's smile, a man's amusement. "Perhaps a little of both."
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Christine Feehan |
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33c52fb
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You are safe with me, Raven. I would not allow anyone or anything to harm you." She swallowed nervously as he pushed open the heavy iron gates and mounted the steps. "Just you." She said it under her breath, but knew he heard her."
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Christine Feehan |
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4685b4f
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Welcome to my home." He said the words softly, wrapping her up in them as if they were firelight or sunshine. Very slowly, reluctantly, he allowed her feet to touch the threshold. Mikhail reached past her to open the door, then stepped back. "Do you enter my home of your own free will?" He asked it formally, his eyes burning on her face, over it, dwelling on her soft mouth before returning to her large blue eyes. She was frightened, he coul..
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Christine Feehan |
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2bcfc2f
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She started across the threshold. Mikhail caught her arm. "Your own free will; say it." "My own free will." She stepped into his home, her lashes sweeping down. Raven missed the look of savage joy that lit his dark, chiseled features, but she felt the floor shift beneath her feet. An old, obscure myth rose up to haunt her. "
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Christine Feehan |
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5afd64b
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Do you enter my home of your own free will?" He asked it formally, his eyes burning on her face, over it, dwelling on her soft mouth before returning to her large blue eyes. She was frightened, he could read it easily, a captive wild thing wanting to trust him yet unable to, run to the ground, cornered, but still willing to fight with her last breath. She needed him almost as much as he needed her. She touched the door frame with a fingerti..
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Christine Feehan |
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c54df56
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I would never be in danger from you, even if you were furious with me. The only danger right now is to my clothes." She took a step back, laughing again, letting the sound warm him, ignite the fuse deep inside him. Heat coiled, spread; need slammed into him, hard and urgent. Hunger tore at him, a blind red haze. "You, little one, are playing with fire, and I am totally out of control."
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Christine Feehan |
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2e89b20
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You are so reckless, Raven, so heedless of danger." He gripped the back of a chair so hard the wood threatened to disintegrate into dust. As it was, it would hold the imprint of his fingers for all time. "Danger, Mikhail?" She tipped her head to one side, her hair falling in a slide over one shoulder. Her hands went to the top button of her blouse. "I would never be in danger from you, even if you were furious with me. The only danger right..
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Christine Feehan |
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4d56f18
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Take a long soak, look over the house, my books, anything you want." He grinned at her boyishly. "I have a stack of work beside the computer if you want to try your hand at looking at bids for me." "Exactly how I planned to spend my evening."
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Christine Feehan |
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2e6fa3a
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He swore softly, ripping the clothes from his fettered body, leaping upon her like an attacking jungle cat. "Mikhail, I love this dress," she whispered against his throat, laughter still spilling into his mind. Laughter. Joy. No fear. "Get out of the damned thing," he said hoarsely, not realizing he was confirming her belief in him. She took her time, teasing him by fumbling at buttons, making him find the hook in her skirt. "You do not kno..
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Christine Feehan |
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dfd1f67
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She read the train schedule in dismay. There was no service for two more days. She could use charm to beg a ride from someone, but that meant being in the small confines of a car for an extended period of time. It probably was the lesser of two evils. She heard male laughter, low, amused, mocking. Raven sank down onto the bed, her heart beginning to pound. His voice was black velvet, a weapon in itself. She forced her mind to be calm even..
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Christine Feehan |
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2f9bab0
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She heard male laughter, low, amused, mocking. Raven sank down onto the bed, her heart beginning to pound. His voice was black velvet, a weapon in itself. She forced her mind to be calm even as she felt the brush of his fingers on her face. How did he do that? It was the lightest caress, but she felt it down to her toes. He was stretching lazily, his body refreshed from his sleep, his mind once more alive with feeling. He was enjoying sp..
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Christine Feehan |
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4b1b25e
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He found himself smiling at her teasing. He never smiled. Not for six hundred years or more. He waited for her laughter again, needing it with the same craving an addict felt for a drug. When it came, it was low and amused, as caressing as the touch of fingers on his skin. He had a fix on her now, a direction. She would not get away from him. He drawled it deliberately, anticipating her reaction. He loved the sound of her laughter, sa..
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Christine Feehan |
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c5b4fd0
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He found himself smiling at her teasing. He never smiled. Not for six hundred years or more. He waited for her laughter again, needing it with the same craving an addict felt for a drug. When it came, it was low and amused, as caressing as the tough of fingers on his skin. He had a fix on her now, a direction. She would not get away from him. He drawled it deliberately, anticipating her reaction.
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Christine Feehan |
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7621477
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It was a command, and Raven felt compelled to obey it. She forced her mind to go blank, to be a slate wiped clean. It hurt, sent darts of pain through her head, made her stomach clench. He was not going to take what she would have given freely. She held her breath, feeling his puzzlement. She punched the pillow. There was an edge to his thoughts this time, as if all that male mockery was wearing thin. This time there was menace, a quiet ..
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Christine Feehan |
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24df29b
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His body, hard-corded muscle and superhuman strength, shimmered, dissolved, became a faint crystal mist seeping beneath the door, streaming into the night air. Droplets beaded, collected, connected, formed a large winged bird. It dipped, circled, and swept across the darkened sky, silent, lethal, beautiful in its deadly deception. Mikhail reveled in the power of flight, the wind rushing against his body, the night air speaking to him, whis..
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Christine Feehan |
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6f4b6be
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It was a command, and Raven felt compelled to obey it. She forced her mind to go blank, to be a slate wiped clean. It hurt, sent darts of pain through her head, made her stomach clench. He was not going to take what she would have given freely. She held her breath, feeling his puzzlement.
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Christine Feehan |
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93e6797
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Why do you force what I would have given, had you simply asked? She held her breath, feeling his puzzlement. She punched the pillow.
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Christine Feehan |
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fe109a5
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It was asked with grave courtesy. Raven found herself smiling in spite of everything.
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Christine Feehan |
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c19abb8
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One last thing," Mikhail was gone almost before she could blink, and returned nearly as fast. He took her left hand in his. "Your people will recognize this as a clear sign that you are taken." She hid her smile. He was so territorial, like a wild animal staking his claim. Like the wolves roaming so freely in his forest. She touched the ring with a reverent finger. It was antique, gold, a fiery ruby surrounded by diamonds. "Mikhail, this is..
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Christine Feehan |
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4ae2d6c
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Next time you make love to me, do you think we might go for convention and find a bed?" She sat up gingerly. Mikhail's arm curved around her in support. "Did I hurt you?" She laughed softly. "Are you kidding? Though I wouldn't mind a long soak in a hot tub." He rubbed the top of her head with his chin. "I think we can arrange that, little one." He should have realized the wood floor would not be the most comfortable of spots. "You tend to d..
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Christine Feehan |
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16ad7c0
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Next time you make love to me, do you think we might go for convention and find a bed?" She sat up gingerly. Mikhail's arm curved around her in support. "Did I hurt you?" She laughed softly. "Are you kidding? Though I wouldn't mind a long soak in a hot tub." He rubbed the top of her head with his chin. "I think we can arrange that, little one." He should have realized the wood floor would not be the most comfortable of spots. "You tend to d..
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Christine Feehan |
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7c1ad68
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Raven." The voice was warm, sensual, caressing. Calm in the eye of the storm. Black velvet. Beautiful. Soothing. She knew that voice at once. A curious hush fell in the dining room as Mikhail strode in. He had a hard arrogance about him, an air of complete command. He was tall, dark, well muscled, but it was his eyes, burning with energy, with darkness, with a thousand secrets, that drew immediate attention. Those eyes could mesmerize, hypn..
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Christine Feehan |
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8eb7938
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You tend to drive every sane thought from my head." It was an apology as he lifted her into his arms. His long strides took them through the house to the master bathroom. Raven's eyes warmed, melted, her smile so loving his breath caught in his throat. "You do tend to get a little primitive, Mikhail." He growled at her, lowered his head to hers slowly, fastened his mouth to hers."
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Christine Feehan |
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2b68852
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You need to mention what a great lover I am. Men need to hear these things." "Really?" She arched an eyebrow at him. "I don't dare. You're already as arrogant as I can stand." "You are crazy about me. I know. I read minds." He suddenly grinned mischievously, like a little boy." "Next time you make love to me, do you think we might go for convention and find a bed?" She sat up gingerly. Mikhail's arm curved around her in support. "Did I hurt..
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Christine Feehan |
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22e9836
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I will never get enough of you, Raven, never. But you need to soak in the tub, and I need to feed." "Eat." She bent to fill the tub with hot, steamy water. "In English you use the word I'm not the greatest cook, but I could put something together for you." His white teeth gleamed like a predator's as he lit candles for her. "You are not here as my slave, little one. At least not in the domestic sense."
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Christine Feehan |
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5eb45c9
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I will never get enough of you, Raven, never. But you need to soak in the tub, and I need to feed." "Eat." She bent to fill the tub with hot, steamy water. "In English you use the word I'm not the greatest cook, but I could put something together for you." His white teeth gleamed like a predator's as he lit candles for her. "You are not here as my slave, little one. At least not in the domestic sense." His eyes watched without blinking as..
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Christine Feehan |
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e0defcb
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You are much safer in my care." She pushed at the wall of his chest, found her hands trapped against the heat of his skin. He merely tightened his hold, amusement spreading warmth to the coldness of his eyes. "You cannot fight me, Raven." "I want to go back, Mikhail." She worked to keep her voice under control. She wasn't sure she was telling the truth. She feared he knew the truth before she even knew it. He was inside her mind, felt what ..
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Christine Feehan |
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ddda8c9
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Mikhail seated himself across the small table from her, his eyes drifting lazily, possessively, over her alluring curves. "Why do you dress in men's clothes?" he asked. She laughed, soft and melodious, and her eyes lit with mischief. "Because I knew it would annoy you." He threw back his head and laughed. Real, genuine, incredible laughter. There was happiness in him, and the stirrings of affection. He couldn't remember what those feelings ..
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Christine Feehan |
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12a7e32
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Is it necessary to annoy me?" She arched an eyebrow at him, realizing that her headache was completely gone. "So easy," Raven teased. He leaned closer. "Disrespectful woman. So dangerous, you mean." "Mmm, maybe that, too."
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Christine Feehan |
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b194bb5
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One last thing," Mikhail was gone almost before she could blink, and returned nearly as fast. He took her left hand in his. "Your people will recognize this as a clear sign that you are taken." She hid her smile. He was so territorial, like a wild animal staking his claim. Like the wolves roaming so freely in his forest."
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Christine Feehan |
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b9dd104
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Go, but hurry back. I'll find out all your secrets while you're gone." Mikhail was hungry, needed to feed. He bent to brush her forehead with his mouth, his heart aching. "Just for one day, little one, I would like to have a normal, happy conversation with you. Court you as I should." She tilted her head to look at him, her blue eyes dark with emotion. "You court me just fine."
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Christine Feehan |
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5b82416
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Fine, Raven, sell yourself to the highest bidder like some whore. Try to find yourself a rich husband. He'll use you and dump you, that's what men like Dubrinsky do! The two of you deserve one another. And don't come crying to me when he leaves you pregnant and alone." Jacob shouted. He spat out a few additional ugly words and stomped away. Raven let out her breath slowly, thankfully. --she forced laughter into her thoughts-- From the othe..
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Christine Feehan |