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9dc20c4
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She was purity. Goodness. Compassion. The other half of his soul. Light to his darkness. Everything that he was not.
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Christine Feehan |
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96acf10
|
Now my woman is in danger, not only from me but from my enemies." Edgar puffed at his pipe calmly. "You said 'my woman.' You love this woman?" Mikhail waved a dismissing hand. "She is mine." It was a statement, a decree. How could he say "love"? It was an insipid word for what he felt. She was purity. Goodness. Compassion. The other half of his soul. Light to his darkness. Everything that he was not."
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Christine Feehan |
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7d6268c
|
Vittorio practiced discipline at all times. This was one of those times when he needed to stay very calm. Deep inside, the volcano that could emerge was at a boiling point.
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romance
shadow-rider-series
suspense-thriller
|
Christine Feehan |
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5cee22c
|
She's an innocent, Father. I told myself I would not do this thing, that it was wrong, but I knew I would." It was a measure of his distress that he called the priest "Father." "And knowing you would do something you believe is wrong, you still did it. You must have had a good reason." "Selfishness. Did you not hear me? I, I, I. Everything for myself. I found a reason to continue my existence and I took what did not belong to me, and still,..
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Christine Feehan |
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a388625
|
He was lonely. He wanted his own family. A wife. Children. Someone to come home to. Someone to care for, to take care of. He needed a purpose. His lifestyle had no balance. He needed someone to become his center, to anchor him.
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romance
shadow-rider-series
suspense-thriller
|
Christine Feehan |
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ac79561
|
He was a complete stranger to her, but he knew that connection between them had started there in the parking lot, their shadows touching coiling together, their eyes meeting.
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romance
shadow-rider-series
suspense-thriller
|
Christine Feehan |
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4630c3c
|
He heart beating too fast. He had always known he had no chance at finding a woman of his own, one who might be able to love him, to live with him, and in the blink of an eye that had turned around. Just as fast, she was being taken from him.
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romance
shadow-rider-series
suspense-thriller
|
Christine Feehan |
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e958cc6
|
He brought justice to all kinds of criminals. The rule had been drilled into him over and over:'Never let it be personal.' This was as personal as it was going to get.
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romance
shadow-rider-series
suspense-thriller
|
Christine Feehan |
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5ac5fee
|
I could love you all night, Raven," he murmured enticingly against her throat. His hands moved over her body, leaving fire in their wake. "I want to love you all night." "Isn't that the point? It's dawn." Her hands had a mind of their own, finding every defined muscle with her fingertips, stroking across his hard male form, seeking her own exploration. "Then I will spend the day making love to you." He whispered the words against her mouth,..
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Christine Feehan |
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9269dd8
|
She couldn't resist teasing him. He was unruffled. Raven stepped into the shower and released the thick braid so she could shampoo her hair. His laughter held deep, genuine amusement. Without meaning to, Raven communicated a sultry invitation. She touched his mark over her breast with light fingertips. The contact caused her blood to heat, the mark to throb. There was self-mockery in his tone, guilt in his mind. She laughed softly. H..
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Christine Feehan |
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8b62843
|
She couldn't resist teasing him. He was unruffled. Raven stepped into the shower and released the thick braid so she could shampoo her hair. His laughter held deep, genuine amusement.
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Christine Feehan |
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75052ac
|
Someone needs to drag you kicking and screaming into this century. The fingers brushed her face, and then caressed her lower lip. The smile faded from her mouth at the word. She didn't want to love him. He already had far too much power over her. Obsession might be the right word, not love.
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Christine Feehan |
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c1cc514
|
The skirt swung around her ankles with a sexy little swish, and the blouse clung to her curves. She had to admit that the outfit made her feel feminine, as did his choice of sheer lace panties and matching bra. His teasing voice seemed to caress her skin. It took great effort to lie blatantly. She was proud of herself. He was laughing again, and Raven found she couldn't help giving in to her own sense of humor. It was fun to have someone..
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Christine Feehan |
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24cc338
|
In the eyes of my people, in the eyes of God, we are." There was an implacable resolve, a my-word-is-law, in his voice that set her teeth on edge. "What about in my eyes, Mikhail? My beliefs? Do they count for nothing?" she demanded belligerently. "I see the answer in your eyes, feel it in your body. You struggle needlessly, Raven. You know you are mine..." She stood up quickly, pushed the chair out of her way. "I don't belong to anyone, le..
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Christine Feehan |
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a28a6f0
|
I see the answer in your eyes, feel it in your body. You struggle needlessly, Raven. You know you are mine..." She stood up quickly, pushed the chair out of her way. "I don't belong to anyone, least of all you, Mikhail. You can't just decree what will be in my life and expect me to fall in with your plans." Raven rushed down the three steps to the path winding into the forest. "I need some air." Mikhail laughed softly. "Are you so afraid of..
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Christine Feehan |
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ef9c77e
|
Are you so afraid of yourself?" "Go to the devil, Mikhail." Raven set her foot on the path and began walking quickly away before he could charm his way around her. And he could, she knew it. It was his eyes, the shape of his mouth, the little grin he gave her when he was deliberately provoking her. The fog was very dense, the air wet and heavy with it. With her acute sense of hearing, she could hear every rustling in the bushes, every swayi..
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Christine Feehan |
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553095f
|
Stop following me." "Am I not a gentleman, obligated to see his lady home?" "If you laugh at me one more time, I swear I won't be responsible for what I do." Raven became aware of the slinking figures then, the burning eyes following her. Her heart nearly stopped, then began to pound. "Fine!" She whirled around and glared at him. "This is great! Just great, Mikhail. Call in the wolves to eat me alive. I find the idea so 'you.' So logical." ..
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Christine Feehan |
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5572b19
|
This is great! Just great, Mikhail. Call in the wolves to eat me alive. I find the idea so 'you.' So logical." He bared his white gleaming teeth at her like a hungry predator and laughed softly, teasingly. "It is not the wolves that would find you delicious."
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Christine Feehan |
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3d03890
|
This is great! Just great, Mikhail. Call in the wolves to eat me alive. I find the idea so 'you.' So logical." He bared his white gleaming teeth at her like a hungry predator and laughed softly, teasingly. "It is not the wolves that would find you delicious." Raven picked up a broken branch and flung it at him. "Stop laughing, you hyena. This is not funny. Your arrogance is enough to make me want to throw up." It took every ounce of self-co..
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Christine Feehan |
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50af5d3
|
Your arrogance is enough to make me want to throw up." It took every ounce of self-control she had not to laugh. The beast was far too charming for his own good. "Your American colloquialisms are very colorful, little one." She threw another branch, and then followed it up with a small rock. "Someone needs to teach you the lesson of a lifetime." She looked like a beautiful little spitfire, all sparks and flame. Mikhail drew in his breath sl..
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Christine Feehan |
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0bb5b46
|
Do you think I'm afraid of your wolves?" she demanded. "The only big bad wolf around here is you. Call all your wolves. Go ahead." She glared into the secret, dark interior of the forest. "Come and get me. What did he say to you about me?" Mikhail pried her fingers loose from the branch she held like a club, allowing it to fall. He curved an arm around her slender waist, brought her small, soft body up against his much larger, rock-hard fra..
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Christine Feehan |
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0e7bb29
|
Call all your wolves. Go ahead." She glared into the secret, dark interior of the forest. "Come and get me. What did he say to you about me?" Mikhail pried her fingers loose from the branch she held like a club, allowing it to fall. He curved an arm around her slender waist, brought her small, soft body up against his much larger, rock-hard frame. "I told them you tasted like warm honey." He whispered the words with his black velvet sorcere..
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Christine Feehan |
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f2b7fb6
|
Where is all that marvelous respect a man as powerful as myself deserves?" His thumb stroked across her full lower lip, a sensuous caress. Raven closed her eyes against the inevitable. She wanted to cry. Her feelings for him were so strong, her throat was aching and burning. Mikhail brushed her eyes with his lips, tasted a tear, sought refuge in the sweetness of her mouth. "Why would you cry for me, Raven?" he murmured against her throat. ..
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Christine Feehan |
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c69e18f
|
I just want some time, Mikhail, to think things through. It's frightening, the way I am about you. I think about you every minute. I want to touch you, just to know I can, to feel you beneath my fingers. It's as if you crawled into my head and my heart, even my body, and I can't get you out." She made it a confession, her head bent, ashamed. Mikhail took her hand, tugged at her to get her walking with him. "This is the way of my people, the..
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Christine Feehan |
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aef22a4
|
Mikhail, I don't know what you want." She didn't know what she wanted either. He stood up then, power and grace combined. His shadow reached her before he did. His strength was enormous, but his touch was gentle as he pulled her to her feet. His hands slid up her arms, rested lightly on her shoulders, thumbs stroking the pulse in her neck. His touch sent warmth curling in her abdomen. She was so small beside him, so fragile and vulnerable. ..
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Christine Feehan |
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c2572c7
|
You are not nearly as afraid of me as you should be," he growled. She flashed him another smile, tugging at her wrist to remind him to release her. "I think you know what's between us would be worth nothing if you forced me to do your will in everything."
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Christine Feehan |
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8067c80
|
Am I right in thinking you're deliberately keeping me here?" Mikhail shrugged his broad shoulders. "Yes and no. I do not want to force you against your will, but as to my wanting you to stay, I believe us to be lifemates, bound more irrevocably than by your marriage ceremony. I would be extremely uncomfortable without you here, both in body and mind. I do not know how I would react to your contact with another man, and quite frankly, I fear..
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Christine Feehan |
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e03cd7f
|
We really are from two different worlds, aren't we?" she asked sadly. He brought her hand to the warmth of his mouth. "There is such a thing as compromise, little one. We can move between the two worlds or create our own." Her blue eyes slid over him, a faint smile touching her mouth. "That sounds so good, Mikhail, so twentieth-first century, but somehow I think it's more likely I would be the one compromising." With his strange Old World c..
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Christine Feehan |
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5f2d5ec
|
Stay with me tonight. You can read while I work, and I will teach you how to build better shields to protect yourself from the unwanted emotions of those around you." "What can you do for my hearing? Your little medicinal concoctions have increased my hearing to the point of absurdity." She arched an eyebrow at him. "Do you have any idea what else is going to happen to me?" His teeth grazed the back of her neck, his fingers brushed across h..
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Christine Feehan |
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7a5efe5
|
It was beyond his imagination that such a miracle could occur. Just when he knew he would walk into the sun without hesitation, he had been sent an angel. A slow smile softened his mouth. His angel refused to do anything he told her.
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Christine Feehan |
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c25033a
|
He turned his head as she approached, a smile warming his eyes, chasing away the shadows. Heat pooled in her abdomen, ran liquid through her body. Mikhail bent his dark head to hers, his mouth brushing hers tenderly. "Good evening." He touched her hair, and then skimmed his fingers down the side of her face in a long caress. She allowed him to seat her at the table, marveling at his gallant Old World courtesy. He placed a glass of juice in ..
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Christine Feehan |
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b0206fd
|
Mikhail." Her voice was hesitant, as she chose her words carefully. "I belong to myself. I'm a person, not something you can own. In any case, I live in the United States. I'm going back there soon and intend to be on the next train to Budapest." His smile was that of a hunter. Predatory. For a moment the firelight gleamed red, so that his eyes glowed like a wolf's in the night. He said nothing, simply watched her unblinkingly. Her hand flu..
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Christine Feehan |
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0eed10f
|
What can you do for my hearing? Your little medicinal concoctions have increased my hearing to the point of absurdity." She arched an eyebrow at him. "Do you have any idea what else is going to happen to me?" His teeth grazed the back of her neck, his fingers brushed across her breast possessively. "I have all kinds of ideas, little one."
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Christine Feehan |
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bcfc932
|
Do you have any idea what else is going to happen to me?" His teeth grazed the back of her neck, his fingers brushed across her breast possessively. "I have all kinds of ideas, little one." "I'll just bet you do."
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Christine Feehan |
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c24f7e5
|
We are already bound together in the way of my people. Will you speak vows in the way of yours?" Her blue eyes widened with shock, eyes a man could drown in. Eyes a man could spend eternity staring into. A small, very male smile tugged at his mouth. He had succeeded in shocking her. "Mikhail, are you asking me to marry you?" "I am not really certain I know how it is done. Should I be on my knee?" He was grinning openly at her. "You're propo..
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Christine Feehan |
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3408095
|
You're a leader here. Obviously your skills are far superior to mine. I don't think I could ever fit into your life. I'm a loner, not the first lady." "I have great responsibilities, yes. My people count on me to keep our businesses running smoothly, to hunt down the assassins murdering our people. They even believe I will singlehandedly find out why we lose so many of our children in their first year of life. There is nothing special about..
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Christine Feehan |
|
9139817
|
She crossed the distance separating them. Raven didn't say anything. What could she say? She simply laid her head over his heart and slipped her arms around his waist. Mikhail closed his arms around her. He had taken her life away from her, without her knowledge. She was comforting him, yet she didn't know of his crime. She was bound to him, could not be away from him for long. He had no words to explain it to her without giving away more a..
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Christine Feehan |
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db9d891
|
Listen to me, Raven." He brushed a kiss on the top of her silky head. "I know I do not deserve you. You think you are somehow less than what I am, but in truth, you are so far above me, I have no right even to reach for you." When she stirred as if to protest, Mikhail held her tighter. "No, little one, I know this is true. I see you clearly, whereas you do not have access to my thoughts and memories. I cannot give you up. I wish I was a str..
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Christine Feehan |
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3c02bf0
|
She deserved a courtship, deserved to know him, to come to feel affection if not love for him before he bound her to him. A human. A mortal. It was wrong. It was dangerous. He gently placed her on the cushions. "I got a little carried away, Raven. It will pass soon. Let me get you a drink of water." Raven watched the flames in the fireplace, drifting a little while she waited for him. She didn't see him enter the room, but the flames leapt ..
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Christine Feehan |
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fd86ac4
|
You are in my heart to stay, Raven. I know better than you the differences between us. I ask only for a chance." She turned herself in his arms, pressed her body lovingly against his. "You really think we can make this work? We can find a middle ground?" She really had no idea of the risk he would be taking. Once she lived with him, he could never seek the safety and sanctuary of the earth. He could not leave her without his protection even..
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Christine Feehan |
|
6b0897d
|
The wolves are talking to you! How do I know that, Mikhail? How could I possibly know such a thing?" He ruffled her hair lightly, affectionately. "You hang out with the wrong crowd." He was rewarded with a bubble of laughter. It tugged at his heart, left him open and vulnerable. "What is this?" she teased. "Lord of the manor picks up seventies slang?" He grinned at her boyishly, mischievously. "Maybe I am the one hanging out with the wrong ..
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Christine Feehan |
|
35ca7f4
|
What is this?" she teased. "Lord of the manor picks up seventies slang?" He grinned at her boyishly, mischievously. "Maybe I am the one hanging out with the wrong crowd." "And maybe there's hope for you yet." She kissed his throat, his chin, the stubborn line of his blue-shadowed jaw. "Did I tell you how beautiful you look in that dress?" His arm curved around her shoulders, and turned her toward the table. "We are about to have company."
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Christine Feehan |
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a80a8aa
|
Mikhail, are you asking me to marry you?" "I am not really certain I know how it is done. Should I be on my knee?" He was grinning openly at her. "You're proposing to me with a carload of assassins approaching?" "Potential assassins."
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Christine Feehan |
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7c60def
|
Where are my clothes?" He grinned unexpectedly, a perfect male smirk. "I got carried away and ripped your jeans. Just stay with me tonight, and I will get you new clothes tomorrow."
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Christine Feehan |