eden robins - whatever tomorrow brings.pdf

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T hi s d ocum en t w as g en er at ed b y A BC A mb er L IT C on vert er p ro gr am

WHATEVER TOMORROW BRINGS

By

Eden Robins

cop yr ig ht F eb ru ar y 2 00 5, E den R ob in s

C ov er A rt b y J en ny D ix on , c op yr ig ht F eb ru ar y 2 00 5

ISBN 1-58608-366-x

New Concepts Publishing

L ake P ar k, G A 3 16 36

www.newconceptspublishing.com

T hi s i s a w or k o f f ic ti on . A ll c ha ra ct er s, e ve nt s, a nd p la ce s a re o f t he a ut ho r s i ma gi na ti on a nd n ot t o b e

con fu sed w it h f act. A ny r es em bl an ce t o l iv in g p er so ns o r event s i s m er el y coi ncid en ce.
http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlhttp://www.processtext.com/abclit.html


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T o L ai ni e, m y b es t f ri en d a nd s ou l s is te r.

Tha nk y ou f or s ho wi ng m e h ow t o l ive f ro m t he h ea rt , n o m at te r h ow d if fi cul t i t c an b e.

U nl ike s o ma ny ot he rs who ha ve c ome a nd gone , a t t he e nd of your l if e, you c an s ay t ha t

you have truly lived.

C ha pt e r 1

Arizona-Present Day

" He y, y ou a re n t d ea d a re y ou ?"


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S om eo ne w as s ha ki ng h er . C om in g a br up tl y a wa ke , S a R ah o pe ne d h er e ye s, a nd d ec id ed q ui te q ui ck ly

t hat s he w an ted t o d ie. T he p ai n and d izzi ness w as s o o verw helm in g t hat s he alm os t v om it ed .

" Yo u re a li ve . Goo d. I di dn t w ant t o ha ve t o c al l t he pol ic e. I m o n my wa y t o a n a ppoi nt me nt a ndcan t b e l at e. "

S a R ah t ri ed t o f oc us o n t he pe rs on s pe ak in g t o h er . T he e ff or t ma de h er b re ak o ut i nt o a c ol d s we at ,

but eventually a womans face emerged from the blur in front of her.

T he w om an s e ye s n ar ro we d a nd s he w ri nk le d h er n os e i n d is ta st e.

" Ar e y ou dr unk ?" S he s ni ff ed t he a ir a c ou pl e o f t im es . " I d on t s me ll a lc oho l, bu t yo u ne ve r c an t el l. "

S a R ah d id n t k no w w hi ch q ue st io n t o a ns we r f ir st . T he p ai n i n h er h ea d w as s ta rt in g t o f ad e, b ut t he

dizziness still had her spinning. She said what she thought would answer everything.

" He lp m e. I ve be en a tt ac ke d." H er v oi ce c am e o ut l it tl e m or e t ha n a c ro ak . He r t hr oa t w as s o s or e a nd

d ry , i t f el t l ik e i t w as s ti ck in g t og et her.

T he w om an g as ped and h er exp ress i on chang ed f ro m w ar i ness t o con cern .

" At ta ck ed ! Oh , ho ne y. I m s o s or ry. He re l et m e he lp y ou u p. C an y ou s ta nd? "

S a R ah t ri ed t o we t he r dr y l ips w it h he r t ongue , bu t i t di dn t he lp. I ns te ad o f t al ki ng, s he j us t nodde d he r

he ad. Th e wo ma n he ld ou t h er ha nd s a nd l et he r h ol d t he m f or s upp or t a s s he s tood up. Ot he r t ha n t he

f ac t t ha t h er t hr oa t w as b ur ni ng a nd h er l eg s f el t l ik e w et n oo dl es , s he c ou ld m an age . B ut s he s ti ll l ea ne d

h eavi ly o n t he o th er w om an f or s up po rt .

" Do y ou w an t m e t o, u m, cal l t he p ol ice?" t he l ad y ask ed , l oo ki ng aro un d n er vo us ly .


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S a R ah a lm os t s ai d y es , b ut s om et hi ng w as h ol di ng h er b ac k.

" No n o po li ce ." Sa R ah c ou ld b ar el y g et t he w or ds o ut . T he na us ea w as ba ck . Un ab le t o h el ph er self , s he l eaned away f ro m t he w om an and emp ti ed t he con tent s o f h er s to mach , g ag gi ng w hen n ot hi ng

was left.

" You r e c om in g ho me w it h m e, " h er n ew fo un d r es cu er s ai d f ir ml y a s s he t ook a t is su e o ut o f h er p ur se

a nd g en tl y w ip ed S a R ah s m ou th . " My n am e s R ac he l. I l iv e r ig ht a ro un d t he c or ne r. Y ou n ee d a p la ce

t o r es t a nd g at he r y ou r t ho ug ht s f or a m in ut e. A nd t hi s a ll ey i s d ef in it el y n ot t he b es t p la ce t o d o t ha t. I

can g o t o m y i nt er vi ew ano th er d ay ."

Sa Ra h di dn t a rgu e w it h Ra che l. S he di dn t kn ow wh o or w he re s he w as , l et a lo ne wh at s he w as doi ng

i n a n a ll ey. Al l s he kne w w as t ha t s he w as e xha us te d, a nd ne ede d t o l ie d own s om ewhe re f or a f ew

m in ut es . R ac he l b ro ug ht h er b ac k t o h er c ra mp ed a pa rt me nt a nd i mm ed ia te ly l ed S a R ah t o h er c ou ch .

" Il l ge t you a pi ll ow a nd bl anke t. The n I wa nt you t o r es t f or a whi le. We l l t al k w hen you wa ke up,

h on ey . D on t w or ry abo ut a t hi ng . Y ou r e s af e w it h m e. "

Sa Ra h b ar el y m ana ge d t o ke ep he r e ye s ope n l ong e no ugh t o s ee R ac he l t uc k t he pi ll ow und er he r

h ea d a nd c ov er h er w it h t he b la nk et . S le ep p ul le d r el en tl es sl y a t h er .

" Th an k y ou ," S a R ah w hi sp er ed , b ef or e f al li ng h eadl on g i nt o t he d ar kn es s.

S he w ok e u p t he n ex t e ve ni ng f ee li ng m uc h b et te r. T he n au se a a nd d iz zi ne ss w er e g on e, b ut h er t hr oa t

s ti ll f el t t ig ht a nd s or e. W he n he r e ye s f lu tt er ed o pe n, i t w as t o s ee R ac he l s it ti ng i n a c ha ir w at ch in g he r.

" Go od , y ou r e a wa ke . I w as s ta rt in g t o w or ry . Y ou v e b ee n a sl ee p s in ce l as t n ig ht . A nd y ou s le pt a ll

d ay w it ho ut m ov in g a m us cl e. H ow d o y ou f eel?"

S a Ra h t ri ed to spe ak, but he r mout h wa s too dry to s ay muc h.


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"W at er p lease. "

R ac he l t ook t he gl as s f rom t he c of fe e t abl e a nd he ld i t out t o h er .

" I ha d t his he re , jus t in c as e you got t hi rst y whi le I wa s out."

S a R ah t oo k a f ew s ip s o f t he w at er , l et ti ng i t m oi st ur iz e h er s an dp ap er t hr oa t.

" Ou t? " S a R ah r ep ea te d.

" Ye s. Y ou pr ob abl y don t r eme mbe r, bu t whe n I f oun d you, I w as on my wa y t o a n i nt er vi ew. I l ef t

s om e f oo d, wa te r, a nd a n ot e on t he c of fe e t abl e f or y ou e ar li er t oda y, whi le I we nt t o t ha t i nt er vi ew . I

f el t gu il ty l ea vi ng yo u he re , bu t I kn ew y ou d b e s af e. A nd y ou e nd ed up s le ep in g r ig ht t hr ou gh i t

anyway."

" Tha nk y ou f or a ll y ou v e d on e f or m e. Y ou s ave d m e. "

" I do n t know a bout s avi ng you. Thos e br ui se s on y our ne ck te ll me t ha t I wa s a l it tle t oo l at e f or t ha t."

"Bruises?"

" Ye p. " Ra che l got up a nd br ought b ack a s ma ll m ir ror . She h ande d i t t o Sa Ra h. Ti lti ng i t down so t ha t

s he c oul d s ee he r n ec k, S a Ra h ga sp ed a lo ud . Th e b ru is es o n h er ne ck w er e l ar ge , bl ac k, a nd a ng ry .

Th ey r an f ro m on e s ide of he r n ec k t o t he ot he r.

" Wh oe ve r a tt ac ke d y ou l as t n ig ht g av e y ou r t hr oa t a p re tt y g oo d s qu ee ze . D o y ou r em em be r w ha t

happened?"


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S a R ah t ri ed t o r em em be r. B ut n ot hi ng c am e. I t w as a c om pl et e b la nk .

S he s ho ok h er h ea d. " I c an t r em em be r a t hi ng ."

" No th in g a bo ut t he a tt ac k? D o y ou r em em be r w ha t y ou w er e d oi ng b ef or e i t h ap pe ne d? "

A gain , S a R ah t ri ed t o r em em ber s om et hi ng , any th in g, b ut n o i mages cam e t o h er .

"Nothing."

" Oka y. We ll ma ybe i f w e c ont act s ome one you know , t he y c an fi ll us i n. Who do you ne ed t o ca ll ? I m

s ur e y ou r f am il y o r f ri en ds are w or ri ed s ick. "

"I dont remember."

" Wh at d o y ou m ean, h on ey ?"

" I m ea n I c an t r em em be r a ny th in g. N ot w ha t h ap pe ne d, n ot w ha t I w as d oi ng b ef or e t ha t, n ot e ve n w ho

I am, or who my fa mi ly or f ri ends ar e. It s a ll a bi g bl ank."

"You mean you have amnesia?"

" I I guess so."

Sa R ah s s ho ul de rs s lu mp ed d ej ec te dl y. W ho w as s he ? W ha t h ad h ap pe ne d t o h er l as t n ig ht ? H ow

c ou ld s he g et h er l if e b ac k?


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" Ho w abo ut y ou r n am e? D o y ou r em em ber y ou r n am e?"

S h e s lo wl y n od de d h er h ea d. " Sa R ah ."

" Ok ay , S ar ah . T hat s s om et hi ng . W hat s y ou r l as t n am e?"

Th is t im e, S a R ah j us t s hr ug ge d s ad ly a nd s ho ok h er h ea d.

" Ma yb e w e, u m, y ou s ho ul d c al l t he po li ce . T he re , u h, t he re m us t b e s om eo ne l oo ki ng f or y ou ."

Sa Ra h n ot ic ed R ac he l s v oi ce c ha ng e. Sh e l ook ed a t h er f ac e, a nd r ea d t he h es it anc y i n he r e ye s. F or

s om e r ea so n, R ac he l d id n t w an t t he p ol ic e a ro un d. T ha t w or ke d o ut w el l, b ec au se s he d id n t e it he r.

T he re w as a v oi ce i n h er h ea d t ha t k ep t p ou nd in g o ut t he s am e t hi ng , d on t c al l t he p ol ic e, d on t c al l t he

police, dont call the police.

" I m n ot r ea dy t o c al l t he p ol ic e, R ac he l. I d r at he r w ai t. Y ou u nd er st an d, d on t y ou ?"

T he r el ief o n R achel s f ace w as i mm ed iate.

" Ye s, o f c ou rs e. B ut w ha t a re y ou g oi ng t o d o i n t he m ea nt im e? "

" Im not s ure . Ri ght now I dont wa nt t o t hi nk t oo muc h a bout i t. I jus t wa nt t o s le ep. Woul d you m ind i f

I spent the night again tonight?"

" Of c our se no t. Yo u s ta y a s l ong a s you l ike . I l l be wor ki ng ni ght s f ro m no w on be ca us e I l ande d a ne w

job at that interview today, but other than that, Ill be around to help you. Maybe your body just needs

s om e t im e t o r es t b ef or e y ou r m in d r em em bers every th in g. "


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" Ma yb e, " S a R ah s ai d, b ut s he w as n t s o s ur e.

" Ho w a bou t i f I m ake y ou s om e s oup? O ut o f t he c an o f c ou rs e. I d on t c oo k m uc h. "

"You dont ha ve t o do tha t, Ra che l - -" J ust as Sa Ra h s tar te d to pr ote st , her st oma ch l et out a l oud

g ro wl t ha t s ur pr is ed t he m b ot h. T he y l oo ke d a t e ac h o th er a nd l au gh ed o ut l ou d.

" I ll t ak e t ha t a s a y es ," R ac he l s ai d c hu ck li ng a s s he w al ke d i nt o t he k it ch en . A m in ut e l at er s he p ee ke d

h er h ea d a ro un d t he c or ne r.

" I p ut s om e t hi ng s i n t he b at hr oo m f or y ou , i n c as e y ou w an te d t o s ho we r, b ru sh y ou r t ee th , t ha t k in d o f

t hi ng . I a ls o l ef t s om e p aj am as i n t he re , i f y ou w ant t o g et m or e c om fo rt ab le . P le as e h el p y ou rs el f. "

" Th an k yo u. I d o n ee d a s ho we r. "

S a R ah f el t m uc h b et te r a ft er s ho we ri ng . T he y b ot h a te s ou p, c le an ed u p, t he n R ac he l w en t t o w or k.

" I s ho ul d b e h om e s om et im e a ft er m id ni gh t. P le as e u se w ha te ve r y ou n ee d. M i c as a e s s u c as a. I l l t al k

t o y ou i n t he m or ni ng ."

" Ok ay , t hank s. I r eall y app reci at e every th in g y ou r e d oi ng f or m e, R achel. "

R ac he l g ri nn ed a nd g av e h er a w in k.

" No p ro bl em , h on . W e l ad ie s n ee d t o s ti ck t og et he r. "

* * * *


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S a R ah f el l asl eep alm os t i mm ed iately aft er R achel l ef t.

A nd s he d re am ed . A bo ut a m an w ho o nl y a pp ea re d i n t he s ha do ws . S he c ou ld n t s ee h im c le ar ly s o s he

d ub bed h im , h er " sh ad ow m an ". T he n am e s eemed r ig ht , f or s om e r easo n.

I t wa s t he f ir st of ma ny d re ams t ha t hi nt ed a t wh o s he w as a nd whe re s he c am e f rom. H er s ha dow m an

a pp ea re d t o h er t ha t n ig ht , a nd e ve ry n igh t f rom t he n o n, c al li ng h er S a R ah , a nd s ho wi ng h er i n g re at

d et ai l e xa ct ly h ow m uc h h e n ee de d a nd w an te d h er .

* * * *

H er m ov em en ts c ap ti va te d T ri st an Z ax . S he h el d h im i n t hr al l, j us t a s s he a lw ays h ad. E ac h t il t o f h er

hi ps , e ac h s wa y of he r s houl de rs , s o i n t une wi th t he m us ic , a s i f s he wa s o ne wi th i t. No w oma n ha d e ve r

aff ected h im t he w ay s he d id . A g ro wl r um bl ed l ow i n t hi s t hr oat and h is b od y t ig ht en ed w it ho ut t ho ug ht

or heed to his wishes . As much as hed like to deny it, Sa Rah Ta Re m called to the beast in him. She

m ade h im wa nt t o r ip t he c al m f a ad e he p re se nt ed i nt o s hr ed s, t hr ow h is he ad b ac k a nd r oa r h is ne ed t o

t he w or ld . H e w an te d t o t ak e h er a wa y, a wa y f ro m t hi s p la ce , a wa y f ro m e ve ry th in g b ut t he t wo o f t he m.

S he w or e h er l on g, b la ck t re ss es l oo se . H an gi ng d ow n, j us t t o t he r is e o f h er b ut t, t he y b ru sh ed a cr os s

h er b ac k i n s hi ni ng r av en w av es a s s he m ov ed . T ri st an w an te d t o w ra p h is h an ds a ro un d h er s il ky h ai r

a nd pu ll he r he ad ba ck s o t ha t h e c oul d f ea st on h er f ul l, l us h, r ed l ip s. He l onge d t o s ee he r s app hi re bl ue

e ye s f la re w it h d es ir e a s h e r ai ne d k is se s a ll o ve r h er s mo ot h, g ol de n s ki n. F ir st a lo ng he r h ig h

c he ekb on es , t he n d ow n t o t he s tu bb or n j ut of h er c hi n, a nd l ow er t o t he c re am y e xp ans e of h er n ec k. He

w an ted t o f eel h er t al l, f ir m b od y s hu dd er w it h u nb ri dl ed d es ir e. F or h im . O nl y f or h im .

Sa R ah s ti ff en ed and s to pp ed d an ci ng , s ud denl y, as i f s en si ng h is t ur bu lent emo ti on s. S he s earched t he

di ml y l it r oom un ti l he r ga ze r es te d w he re he s to od a t t he b ac k of t he c lub . He r e ye s na rr ow ed a nd he r

n os tr il s f lared. C ou ld s he s en se h im t here? A lt ho ug h T ri st an k new t hat w as n t p os si bl e, h e s tepp ed

f ar th er b ac k i nt o t he s ha do ws . T he l ig ht s w er e d im , a nd t he r oo m h az y f ro m s mo ke . I t w as o ve rf lo wi ng

w it h m en l us ti ng a ft er S a R ah , l oo ki ng f or a c ha nc e t o be a lo ne w it h h er .

F ur y eng ul fed h im at t he t ho ug ht o f ano th er t ou ch in g h er . S he w as h is . S he b el on ged t o h im . T ri st an

s tr ug gl ed t o c al m d ow n a s s he p ee re d a cr os s t he r oo m a t h im . H e s hi el de d h is t ho ug ht s c om pl et el y,

o ff er in g n ot hi ng m or e t ha n c as ua l i nt er es t. S a R ah s hu dd er ed a nd s ho ok h er h ea d, a s i f w ak in g f ro m a

d aze. S he l oo ked aro un d h er i n con fu si on . T he m us ic s lo wl y f ad ed away t o s il en ce.


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" Wh y d y ou s to p d an ci ng , H on ey ? W e l ov e y ou ! W e w an t m or e! "

T he m an s b oo mi ng v oi ce c au gh t h er a tt en ti on a nd b ro ke t he s pe ll s he w as u nd er . S he g la nc ed d ow n a th im . H er e ye s n ar row ed l az il y. O ne c or ne r o f h er m ou th t il te d up a nd he r f ul l l ips s pr ea d i nt o a s exy g ri n

t ha t c au se d T ri st an s b od y t o h ar de n. K ee pi ng h er e ye s o n t he m an , s he s we pt h er l on g r av en h ai r o ve r

h er s ho ul de r w it h o ne h an d, t he n p la ce d h er o th er h an d o n h er h ip .

" Yo u w an t m or e? A re y ou s ur e y ou c an h an dl e i t? " S a R ah p ra ct ic al ly p ur re d.

H er t hr oaty v oi ce w as l ik e h ot v el vet b ur ni ng o ver T ri st an s s en ses. H is h ar d cock p ress ed p ai nf ul ly

a ga in st t he s nu g j ea ns h e w or e. H e d is mi ss ed t he p ai n k no wi ng t he re w as n ot hi ng h e c ou ld d o a bo ut i t.

H e h ad a cc ep te d t ha t f ac t l ong a go .

S a R ah r ai se d h er g az e a wa y f ro m t he n ow s pe ec hl es s m an . S he s ca nn ed t he c ro wd a rr og an tl y. H er c hi n

lifted in challenge.

" W ho s r eady f or m or e?"

A s s he s po ke s he f li ck ed h er h ip s o ut t ow ar ds t he c ro wd .

J us t o nce.

Only one small movement.

I t w as a lm os t n egl igi bl e, i f s om eon e w er en t p ay in g a tt en ti on . H e w as . I t h it T ri st an l ik e a p un ch t o t he

s to mach . H e clenched h is f is ts t o h is s id es as h e s tr ug gl ed f or con tr ol . E very m an i n t he r oo m, i nclu di ng

hi m, kn ew on a pr im al l eve l w ha t he r m ove me nt m ea nt . I t p rovo ke d a r es pons e t ha t w as not a bout t o be

denied.


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T he r oo m e ru pt ed i n c ha os w he n t he m al e a ud ie nc e s ur ge d f or wa rd . B ou nc er s s ud de nl y a pp ea re d o ut o f

n ow he re , a s i f t he y k ne w t hi s w ou ld h ap pe n, e xp ec te d i t t o h ap pe n. T he y f or me d a l in e i n f ro nt o f t he

s ta ge , h ol di ng t he m en b ac k. T wo b ou nc er s j um pe d u p a nd h el pe d S a R ah g et b ac ks ta ge . S he g ri nn ed

w ic ke dl y o ve r h er s ho ul de r a s t he y l ed h er a wa y, a s i f g lo ry in g i n t he h av oc s he h ad c re at ed . T ri st an s

g az e r em ai ne d g lue d on t he s edu ct ive s wa y of he r h ips u nt il s he wa s ou t o f h is s ig ht .

A s en se o f l os s and l on el in es s h it h im t he m in ut e s he d is ap pear ed .

" Se e w ha t I m ea n? "

T ri st an h ad f or go tt en t hat t he m an ag er o f T he D ar k L an tern w as s tand in g n ex t t o h im . E very th in g b ut S aR ah h ad f ad ed a wa y f or t ho se f ew m om en ts . H e r el uc ta nt ly t or e h is g az e f ro m t he s ta ge . T he m an

continued talking without waiting for an answer.

" We h av en t h ad c ro wd s l ik e t hi s i n y ea rs . A nd t he y k ee p c om in g b ac k. E ac h t im e w it h a no th er f ri en d.

W e ve g ot te n t o t he p oi nt w he re w e h av e t o t ur n p eo pl e a wa y. A nd t he y d on t l ik e t ha t. C om bi ne t ha t

w it h t he f ac t t ha t s he d ri ve s m os t of t he se g uy s c ra zy w it h l us t a nd y ou c an s ee w hy we r e h ir in g m or e

bouncers, Mr. Zax."

T r is t an n od ded h is h ead.

" So d o y ou w an t t he j ob ? W e p ay a c om pe ti ti ve r at e, p lu s b on us , i f y ou c an k ee p t hi ng s f ro m g et ti ng

broken or keep patrons from getting into a fight."

" Ye ah, I ll t ake i t. But how c an t hi s wom an d ra w t hi s ki nd of c row d i f s he doe sn t e ve n t ake he r c lot he s

off?"

T he m an s hr ug ged, as i f h is q uest io n w as u ni mp or tant .

" Yo u s aw h er d an ce . S he d oe sn t n ee d t o t ak e h er c lo th es o ff . H er p er fo rm an ce w as s ho rt er t ha n u su al

t on ig ht . I m n ot s ur e w hy . U su al ly s he u nd ress es d ow n t o t hi s s hi mm er in g b od y s ui t t hat o ut li nes h er b od y

r ea l n ic e, i f you k now wha t I me an . G uys s ee t ha t a nd t he y j us t w ant t o f u - -"


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"I understand," he interrupted curtly.

Tr is ta n kn ew e xa ct ly w ha t t he m an m ea nt . A nd h e di dn t l ike i t. H e w an te d t o c on ne ct h is f is t w it h t hem an ag er s f ace j us t t o s ho w h im h ow m uch h e d is li ked i t, b ut h el d h im self b ack, b ar el y.

" Wh en d o I s tart ?" T ri st an b it o ut h ar sh ly .

" To mo rr ow n ig ht . S he d oe s t wo s ho ws a n ig ht n ow , a nd I l l n ee d y ou h er e f or b ot h. "

" I ll b e h er e. "

A nd h e w ou ld b e t here. N ig ht aft er n ig ht , u nt il h e h ad accom pl is hed h is m is si on . H e h ad n t t raveled

1 00 0 y ea rs i nt o t he p as t t o f ai l. S oo n, t he w ai ti ng w ou ld b e o ve r. S oo n S a R ah w ou ld f in al ly b e h is .

* * * *

H e ha d be en out t he re ! S a R ah ha d f el t hi m i n t he a udi enc e. S he h ad s en se d hi s t houg ht s, s ens ed hi s

ne ed f or h er . Sh e s hud de re d a t t ha t ne ed . I t h ad b ee n s o p ow er ful , s o pr ima l, s o m al e. T he e ro ti c i ma ge s

s he p ic ke d up i n hi s m ind ha d ma de he r wa nt t o r un of f t he s ta ge a nd k ee p r unni ng. Ye t, a t t he s ame

t im e, t he y ha d m ade he r w an t t o y el l i n t ri um ph a nd g lo ry i n h er a ns we ri ng d es ir e.

N ig ht a ft er n ig ht a t t he c lu b s he d an ce d f or s om eo ne . H er s ha do w l ov er . T ha t s h ow s he t ho ug ht o f h im .

Sh e d re am ed a bo ut h im e ac h e ve ni ng a s s he s le pt . Ye t no m at te r how h ar d s he t ri ed, s he c oul dn t s ee h is

f ac e i n t he dr ea m. B ut s he kne w, i f he e ve r c ame to he r, s he woul d r ec ogni ze hi m.

A nd s he h ad . T on ig ht . T he y h ad c on ne ct ed a lm os t r ig ht a wa y. S a R ah h ad t ri ed t o s ca n t he c ro wd , f in d

h im w it h he r e ye s, b ut h ad f ai le d. O nl y b y o pe ni ng a ll h er o th er s en se s, h ad s he m an ag ed t o l oc at e h im .

A t t he b ac k o f t he c lub , i n t he s ha do ws . Y et , onc e a ga in, hi s f ac e h ad e lude d he r.


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She c oul dn t go out i nt o th e f ro nt of t he c lub t o fi nd hi m. It woul d c aus e t oo muc h t roubl e. So s he

purposely ended her dance early, went back stage, and waited. He would come to her. His thoughts told

he r ho w muc h h e n ee de d h er , c ra ve d he r. W he n s he ha d wa it ed a n hour a nd s ti ll h e d idn t c om e, s he

s en t h er t hou gh ts , h er ne ed , h er y ea rn in g o ut t o h im . A ft er o ne m or e h our o f f ru it le ss w ai ti ng , s he g av e up .

D is ap po in tm en t f il led h er . H e w as n t com in g. H er s hado w l ov er . T he o ne m an w ho u nd er st oo d w ho s he

w as , a nd kn ew t ha t he r r ea l n am e wa s S a R ah , no t H on ey .

Fe ar a nd de spe ra ti on f il le d h er . W ha t i f h e ha dn t s en se d h er ? W ha t i f he n ev er c ame b ac k? Sh e s ho ok

he r he ad . C le ar ed i t. P us he d t he f ea r a si de . H e w oul d c om e. Sh e ha d f el t hi s t hou gh ts . He ne ede d he r a s

m uc h a s s he n ee de d h im . S he w ou ld b e p at ie nt . W ha t o th er c ho ic e d id s he h av e?

A k no ck o n S a R ah s d oo r d is tr ac te d h er .

"Come in."

R achel w al ked i n. T ho ug h h er f ri en d con st an tl y com pl ai ned abo ut t ur ni ng 5 0 t hi s y ear, any on e l oo ki ng at

h er cou ld n t d en y h er b eaut y. S he w as t al l and w il lo wy , w it h cream y, w hi te s ki n s pr in kl ed w it h f reck les,

and l on g, r ed di sh g ol d h ai r. S he h ad a w ar m, i nf ecti ou s s mi le s ur ro un ded b y t wo i rr ep ress ib le d im pl es

and vibrant green eyes filled with intelligence.

Tho ugh s he w as gor ge ous e noug h t o b e a d anc er a t t he c lu b, t he i nt er vi ew s he ha d g one t o t he da y a ft er

f in di ng S a R ah h ad b ee n f or a b oo kk ee pi ng p os it io n. R ac he l n ow h an dl ed a ll t he f in an ce s a t T he D ar k

La nt er n. An d s he wa s t he o ne w ho he lpe d ge t S a R ah t he da nc in g j ob .

" Ar e yo u r ea dy t o g o ho me , H on ey ? Th e c row ds h av e di ed w ay d ow n, a nd V ic br ou gh t t he c ar t o t he

s id e ent rance f or u s. "

V ic w as on e of t he c lub b ou nc er s, a nd S a R ah wa s u nc om fo rt ab ly a wa re t ha t he wa nt ed t o t ak e he r t o

bed. It wasnt anything the man said. It was the hungry way he looked at her, and the way he tried to

t ou ch h er w he ne ve r h e c ou ld f in d a n e xc us e t o. I t g av e h er t he c re ep s. S he s hu dd er ed . A t l ea st h er f ri en d

w ou ld be w it h h er d ur in g t he r id e, s o s he w ou ld n t h av e t o b e a lo ne w it h h im .

" Ye s. I g ue ss I m r ea dy , R ac he l. "


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Wo rr y m ar red h er f ri end s f ace.

"Honey? Is everything okay?"

S a R ah a ppr ec ia te d h er f ri en d s c onc er n, bu t s he w as n t r ea dy t o t al k t o he r a bo ut V ic , or he r s ha do w

mans appearance tonight.

" I m f in e. J us t a l it tl e t ir ed , I g uess ."

R ac he l i mm ed ia te ly t oo k o n a m ot he rl y a ir t ha t S a R ah d is co ve re d s he o nl y u se d w it h pe op le s he r ea ll y

car ed ab ou t .

" C om e o n. L et s g o h om e. W e c an o pe n a p ac ka ge o f t ha t p re -m ad e, p re -c ut c oo ki e d oug h a nd g or ge

our se lve s on i t. We don t e ve n h ave t o ba ke a ny o f i t, un le ss you wa nt t o. "

The twinkle in Rachels eye was infectious.

C hu ck li ng , S a R ah g at hered h er t hi ng s and f ol lo wed h er f ri en d o ut t he d oo r.

" Th at s ou nd s i mp os si bl y g oo d r ig ht abo ut n ow ." S a R ah l et o ut a w is tf ul s ig h. " Rach el , y ou r e a w om an

aft er m y o wn h eart ."

"Y eah, y eah, t hat s w hat t hey all s ay ."

Sa R ah no ti ce d t he s adn es s i n R ac he l s voi ce , a nd ga ve he r f ri end s h and a q ui ck s qu ee ze a s Vi c t oo k

t he m h om e. S he k ne w R ac he l w as j us t g et ti ng o ve r a v er y b ad r el at io ns hi p. T he w or st p ar t o f i t w as t ha t

s he ha d no f ami ly t o t ur n t o or l ea n on. H er f ri end w as a n onl y c hi ld. He r pa re nts ha d di ed s eve ra l ye ar s

back, and there was no extended family close by. She didnt have any real friends around either. Sa Rah

f ou nd t hat s ad ly s tr an ge, con si deri ng h ow car in g and k in d h er f ri en d w as .


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R a che l wa s on h er ow n.

" Do n t w or ry . Y ou r m an i s o ut t he re s om ew he re . Y ou l l f in d hi m, o r he l l f in d y ou, " S a R ah a ss ur ed h er .And she me ant i t. Her s hadow man had found her . Now al l s he ha d t o do was hope he c ame ba ck.

* * * *

T ri st an n ot ic ed T he D ar k L an te rn w as a lr ea dy f ul l w he n h e w al ke d i n t he ne xt n ig ht . T he p la ce w as n t

t hat l ar ge. H e s ti ll cou ld n t b el ieve t he t wi st o f f at e t hat h ad b ro ug ht h im t o t hi s l ocat io n. H e r em em beredh is con vers at io n s ev er al y ears ago w it h A ri n M cC li nt ock, abo ut h is m is si on b ack i n t im e. A ri n h ad

t ra ve le d t o t he pa st a nd me t h is c on ta ct , Ta li a S te ve ns , i n T he D ar k La nt er n. Th at wa s b ac k w he n i t wa s

just a seedy dive for every unscrupulous low life imaginable, not a strip club doing a booming business.

S in ce t he n, t hi ng s h ad c ha ng ed . A nd n ot j us t t he c lu b. A ri n h ad m ar ri ed T al ia , a nd s ta ye d i n t he p as t. H is

w if e w as d es ti ned t o d is co ver t hr ee d if ferent g en es r es po ns ib le f or l if e t hr eateni ng d is eases, and f ro m

w ha t h e h ad l ea rn ed s in ce r et ur ni ng t o t hi s t im e, s he h ad a lr ea dy f ou nd o ne o f t he m. A ri n h ad b ec om e a n

art is t. T ri st an w ou ld h av e l au gh ed at t he i mage o f h is b ro od in g, t ou gh f ri en d b ei ng an art is t, b ut f ro m w hat

h e h ad s ee n s o f ar , h is b ud dy w as d oi ng w el l i n h is c ho se n p ro fe ss io n. H e h ad h is o wn ga ll er y i nS co tt sd al e, a nd w as e xt re me ly p op ul ar . H e w ou ld h av e l ik ed t o v is it A ri n, b ut k ne w t ha t w as n t a g oo d

i de a. H is m is si on w as t o b ri ng S a R ah s af el y h om e, n ot c ha ng e o r d is tu rb t he p as t.

S om eo ne b um pe d i nt o h im a s t he y e nt er ed t he c lu b. T he p la ce w as s o f ul l, T ri st an c ou ld b ar el y m ov e

w it ho ut r un ni ng i nt o s om eo ne e ls e. H e w as s ur pr is ed T he D ar k L an te rn h el d a s m an y p eo pl e a s i t d id .

Fire regulations were probably overlooked, especially during Sa Rahs, or Honeys performance.

Honey.

W he re ha d t ha t n ame c om e f rom? W hy ha d s he c hos en i t?

H e k ne w i t d id n t m at te r. I t w as o nl y i mp or ta nt t ha t h e r em em be r t o u se t he n am e s he c al le d h er se lf

n ow . H e d id n t w an t t o f ri gh ten h er . F in di ng o ut h ow m uch, i f any th in g s he r em em bered w as p ar am ou nt .

T he r es t c ou ld w ai t.


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H e h ad c on ta ct ed S a R ah s f am il y l as t n ig ht t o l et t he m k no w h e h ad f ou nd h er . H er b ro th er , h is g oo d

f ri en d P ri nc e J o S ha T a R em , w an te d t o j oi n hi m i n t hi s m is si on t o b ri ng b ac k hi s s is te r, b ut h e h ad

cau ti on ed again st i t. T ri st an t ol d h is f ri en d i t w as i mp or tant t hat t hi s b e h an dl ed d el icat el y. S a R ah m ay

h av e r et ai ne d s om e m em or ie s t ha t s he d id n t u nd er st an d, a nd t oo m uc h a t o nc e w ou ld f ri gh te n h er . I t

woul d be be tt er for j us t one per son to bond wi th he r, a nd s lowly tr y t o dr aw her ba ck t o who s he was .H e ha d t ol d, J o N a a nd V i La , Sa Ra h s p ar ent s, a nd t he k ing a nd que en o f t he pl ane t Ta nvi er a a bo ut h is

planned approach. Although they wanted their daughter, the princess, back as quickly as possible, they

u nd er st oo d h is c au ti on . H er w el fa re w as t he m os t i mp or ta nt , s o t he y h ad a ll a gr ee d t o w ai t.

T ri st an f ing er ed t he s tone i n h is poc ke t a s he e nt er ed t he D ar k L ant er n. I t wa s a g if t f rom S a Ra h. No

o rd in ar y g if t, i t w as t he t ur qu oi se p ro mi se s to ne o r t he M aj va o f T an vi er a. P eo pl e com mi tt ed t o s pend in g

t he ir l iv es t og et he r a s t rut h m at es ga ve e ac h o th er t he M aj va . I t s ig ni fi ed t ha t t he g iv er w ou ld w ai t f or h is

o r h er t ru th m at e, u nt il t he t im e c am e f or t he m t o j oi n. I t w as s im il ar t o a n e ng ag em en t r in g on E ar th . T hef act t hat s he h ad w an ted h im t o h av e i t s ho ck ed T ri st an , esp eciall y i n l ig ht o f t heir t ur bu lent b eg in ni ng . B ut

now t ha t Sa Ra h ha d gi ve n i t t o hi m, he w as n t l et ti ng i t, or he r go, e ve r.

T ri st an w as j ar red o ut o f h is m us in gs w hen B ob E vers on , t he clu b m an ag er , b ro ug ht h im i nt o h is o ff ice

a nd i nt ro duc ed h im t o s ome o f t he b ou nc er s. H e no dde d t o t he ot he r m en.

" Li st en u p. T hi s i s T ri st an . H e ll b e w or ki ng w it h y ou , s o h el p h im l earn t he r op es ."

W it ho ut g iv in g t he m a c ha nc e t o s ay h el lo , B ob l ed T ri st an b ac k o ut t o t he c lu b.

" Ta ke a l oo k a ro un d. G et y ou rs el f o ri en te d a nd l ea rn t he l ay ou t o f t he p la ce . T he n g o u p f ro nt a nd g et

y ou r s hi rt s f ro m D ar la . Y ou r e e xp ec te d t o w ea r a c lu b s hi rt e ve ry n ig ht y ou w or k. T he f ir st s ho w s ta rt s

i n a bo ut h al f a n ho ur , s o yo u ha ve s om e t im e. "

Tr is tan w al ked aro un d, l oo ki ng t he clu b o ver. T he n um ber o f p at ro ns f il li ng t he r oo m g rew u nt il t he p lace

w as p ac ke d. H e s to pp ed s ho rt w he n h e f el t s om eo ne p ro bi ng h is m in d. H e i ns ta nt ly s la mm ed a s hi el d

d ow n, b lo ck in g any on e f ro m d et ecti ng h is t ho ug ht s. H e w al ked t o t he l on g b ar , l eaned again st i t and

c as ua ll y s ca nn ed t he r oo m. H is b od y s ti ff en ed a nd h is h ea rt s pe d u p. S a R ah s to od a cr os s t he r oo m.

T heir eyes m et , and s he h es it at ed . H e p ro ject ed n ot hi ng b ut arr og an t amu sement . S he f ro wn ed at h im ,

t he n s li d h er g az e a wa y, c on ti nu in g t o s ea rc h t he r oo m. T ha t a ns we re d o ne q ue st io n f or T ri st an . S a R ah

d id n ot r ec og ni ze hi m. B ut s he ha d f el t h im t he o th er n ig ht , a nd s he w as s ca nni ng t he c ro wd i n h op es of

picking up those feelings again.


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H e w as g la d t he y s ti ll h ad t ha t c on ne ct io n w it h e ac h o th er . A c on ne ct io n o nl y a R ov S ho m a nd h is R ov

S ho ma c ou ld s ha re . T ri st an u se d t he T an vi er an t er ms b ec au se i t w as t he b es t w ay t o e xp re ss w ha t S a

R ah a nd h e w er e t o e ac h o th er . T he w or d t ra ns la te d l oo se ly i nt o E ng li sh a s " Tr ut h M at e" , b ut d id n t

con vey t he ent ir et y o f w hat t hat m eant .

A cc or di ng t o T an vi er an t ra di ti on , t ru th m at es w er e b or n f or e ac h o th er . O nc e t he y m et , t he re w as n o

o th er . N ot o nl y d id t he y h av e t he a bi li ty t o p ic k u p o n o ne a no th er s f ee li ng s, b ut t he y a ls o c ou ld p ro je ct

t heir t ho ug ht s t o o ne ano th er . T he T ru th M at e cer em on y, and f ol lo wi ng j oi ni ng , w as s ai d t o b e s o i nt en se,

s o p ri ma l t ha t t he p ar ti ci pa nt s r ev ea le d a nd r ev el ed i n t he ir R ov H um o r " tr ue s el f" . T he y b ec am e w ho o r

wha t t he y t rul y we re i ns ide . I n hi s c as e i t w oul d b e wh at, no t who he w as t ha t wa s r ev ea le d. Tr is ta n

f ro wn ed at t hat l as t t ho ug ht . S a R ah cou ld n t h an dl e w hat h e t ru ly w as . T hey h ad alr eady est ab li sh ed t hat

f ac t. B ut no w i t d id n t m at te r. B y g ivi ng h im t he M aj va , s he h ad m ad e h er c ho ic e. S he be lo nge d t o h im

n ow , j us t a s h e b el on ge d t o h er .

C on ti nu in g t o s hi el d h is t ho ug ht s, h e cro ss ed t he r oo m t o w here s he s t oo d. D es pi te h er con st er nati on , h e

f ou nd h er e ye s s hi ft in g t o h im a ga in a nd a ga in . T ri st an h ad n ev er a pp re ci at ed h is o wn l oo ks i n t he pa st .

W om en l ike d h is f ac e, h is b od y, t he w ay h e m ov ed . M an y t ol d h im s o, b ut i t h ad n t r ea ll y m at te re d. U nt il

n ow . T ri um ph s ur ge d t hr ou gh h im w he n Sa R ah s g az e c lun g t o e ve ry d et ai l of h is f ac e, t he n s co rc he d a

f ie ry p at h dow n hi s body, a nd ba ck up a ga in. B y t he t ime s he m et hi s e ye s o nc e m or e, he wa s br ea thi ng

h ar d. H er e ye s w id en ed w he n s he r ea li ze d w ha t s he h ad d on e.

H e r ea ch ed h er s id e i ns ta nt ly , a nd g ri nn ed w ic ke dl y d ow n a t h er . S he w as a t al l w om an . B ut h e w as

t al le r. H e w as g la d f or t ha t n ow a s s he l if te d h er c hi n t o m ee t h is g az e. T ho ug h h e k ept h is m en ta l s hi el ds

u p, i t wa s d if fi cu lt . H e w an te d t o l os e h im se lf i n h er s ap phi re e ye s e ve n a s h e f el t he r pr obi ng h is t hou gh ts .

He l et h er s ee onl y w ha t he a ll ow ed. A tt ra ct ion t o he r, ye s, but a ls o a rr og anc e. Af te r a ll , he w as a n a lph a

male.

Sa R ah s ta ye d i n p la ce , e ve n a s he m ov ed c lo se r, s o c los e t he ir bo di es a lm os t t ou che d. S he l if te d a n

e ye br ow i n q ue st io n, b ut d id n t b ac k d ow n. H is c he st r um bl ed w it h p le as ur e. G oo d. S he w as s tr on g. H ism at e w ou ld h av e t o b e t o h an dl e h im .

* * * *

Zerik Tarhon grinned.

Th e p ri nc es s w ou ld b e a n e as y t ar ge t.


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O ne of t he e as ie st h e h ad e ve r h ad. T hi s m is si on t ru ly w as u nw or thy o f h im . T he w om an w as l ik e a l am b

w ai ti ng f or t he s laug ht er . S o s of t and v ul nerabl e. T he h um an m en aro un d h er w er e n o chall en ge, n ot

c om pa re d t o h is p owe r. Bu t he wa s t ol d t o b e di sc re et , a nd ge t r id of a ll e vi de nc e of t he bo dy . T ha t

w ou ld t ie t hi ng s up f or a l it tl e l ong er , bu t no t m uc h.

H e w ou ld a cc om pl is h h is b us in es s i n a f ew d ays , t he n r et ur n h om e, h is h on or i nt ac t. T he f ac t t ha t h e w as

goi ng t o ki ll a p ri nc es s of Ta nvi era ma tt er ed no t t o hi m. Th at s wha t he wa s b or n f or , wha t he ha d be en

t ra in ed t o do f or m os t of hi s f or ty t wo ye ar s o f l if e. He w as a s ha do w ma n o f D iha ra , a bor n a ss as si n.

P ol it ics h el d n o i mp or tance t o h im . H is p eo pl e h ad b een m an ip ul at ed w it ho ut t ho ug ht b y p ol it icians f or as

l on g as h e cou ld r em em ber. I nt er -p lanetary p ol it ics accom pl is hed l it tl e els e b ut t he con ti nu ed abu se o f h is

people. He had been paid well for his service. Honor demanded he accomplish his mission. And he

w ou ld . F ai lu re w as n ot an o pt io n.

Princ es s Sa Rah Ta Rem was al re ady dea d t o him. He j us t nee de d t o get ri d of the body.

C ha pt e r 2

S a R ah l os t t he a bi li ty t o b re at he . T he m an w ho s ta lk ed t ow ar ds h er f ro m a cr os s t he d im ly l it r oo m w as

i ncredi bl y g oo d l oo ki ng . H is class ical ly h an ds om e f ace and w el l m us cl ed b od y cou ld h av e b een m od el ed

a ft er a G re ek go d. Y et i t wa s t he w ay h e c ar ri ed hi ms el f t ha t dr ew h er a tt ent ion a nd s pe d he r h ea rt r at e


19/295

up. He wa lke d wit h the grac e of a ma n who knew his ste p, kne w his body, a nd knew what it could do.

T here w as n o h es it at io n. T hi s w as a m an w ho h ad com pl et e con fi dence i n h im self and h is abi li ty t o s tr ik e

l us t i nt o t he h ea rt s of t he w om en a ro und h im .

Th at i rr it at ed Sa R ah . S he d idn t w an t t o f ee l a tt ra ct ed t o t hi s m an . H e w as n t t he on e. Sh e ha d s ca nn edh is t ho ug ht s. H e w as n t t he s hado w m an f ro m h er d ream s. D es pi te t hi s, h er g aze s tayed h el pl es sl y g lu ed

on hi m a s he a pp ro ac he d a nd s top pe d by he r s id e. He wa s t al le r t ha n h er . S he l ike d t ha t. S he h ad n t r un

i nt o m any m en w ho ha d t o l oo k dow n a t h er . I t ma de he r f ee l d el ic at e a nd p rot ec te d.

W hat w as s he t hi nk in g? S he d id n t even k no w t hi s m an . N ar ro wi ng h er eyes at h im s he arr og an tl y l if ted

h er eyebr ow i n q uest io n. S a R ah f ou nd t hat act io n i nt im id at ed m en f or s om e r easo n.

N ot h im .

H e o nl y m ov ed c los er . S he s tr ai gh te ne d t o h er f ul l h ei gh t a nd r ai se d h er c hi n t o m ee t h is g az e. S he

r ef us ed t o b ac k do wn . S he w ou ld n ev er b ac k d ow n.

" Ca n I h el p y ou? "

H is m ou th s pr ead i nt o w ol fi sh s mi le and h is eyes f ix ed o n h er l ip s.

"Definitely."

A s h e s po ke , S a R ah c ou ld n t h el p s ta ri ng a t h is m ou th . T ha t s mi le . I t w as s o s ed uc ti ve i t s ho ul d b e

o ut la we d. S he a lm os t l os t i t w he n t he i ma ge o f h is m ou th a ll o ve r he r b ody s ud de nl y c am e t o m in d. H ea t

pooled in her stomach and spread to her nether regions. Her face became hot with embarrassment. What

w as w ro ng w it h h er ? S he d id n t r ea ct t o m en l ik e t hi s, d id s he ? W as t hi s a g li mp se i nt o h er h id de n p as t?

S he h op ed n ot . S he d id n t l ik e t hi s f eeli ng o f h el pl es s att ract io n.

S ar ah w at ch ed h is e xp re ss io n t ur n f ro m m is ch ie vo us t o k no wi ng . S he s en se d h e k ne w h ow h e w as

a ff ec ti ng h er . W el l, t wo c ou ld p la y a t t ha t g am e. I ns te ad o f s te pp in g a wa y a s h e p ro ba bl y e xp ec te d, S a

R ah m ov ed c lo se r. S he p re ss ed h er c he st l igh tl y a ga in st hi s. J us t e no ug h f or hi m t o f ee l h er , b ut n ot

e no ug h f or h im t o k no w e xa ct ly wh at he f el t.


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H is e ye s f la re d w it h de si re . She s mi le d. I t wa s no or di na ry s mi le . I t w as t he ki nd s he us ed on s ta ge , t he

ki nd s he us ed t o e nt ic e, t o t ea se . A s mi le t ha t dr ew m en c los er .

T hi s m an w as n o d if fe re nt . H e l ow er ed h is h ea d u nt il s he c ou ld f ee l h is b re at h t ic kl ing h er c he ek . S he

s hi ve re d a s d es ir e a nd n ee d a lm os t ov er to ok he r. N o. T hi s w as n ot t he o ne s he w an te d. S he w ou ld s ave

i t f or t he t rue o ne . The m an s he wa s me ant f or .

T he ir ga ze s c la she d, hi s s o f ul l of he at s he f el t s inge d. I t wa s t im e t o a ct , b ef or e s he bur ne d up wh er e s he

stood.

K ee pi ng t he s ed uc ti ve s mi le o n h er f ac e, s he s to od o n t ip -t oe a nd l if te d h er m ou th c lo se t o h is e ar .

" If y ou d on t l ea ve m e a lon e, I l l c al l o ne o f t he b ou nc er s t o t hr ow y ou o ut ."

I ns tead o f p ul li ng away, as s he exp ected h im t o, h e m er el y chu ck led. T he s ou nd v ib rated again st h er chest , and h er n ip pl es h ar dened i n r es po ns e. H e g rasp ed h er arm s and p ul led h er t ig ht ly again st h im , t hen

pressed his mouth close to her ear. She fought the shiver that ran down her spine when he softly blew.

" I a m o ne o f t he b ou nc er s, H on ey ." H is v oi ce w as l it tl e m or e t ha n a g ro wl .

S a Ra h got l os t i n t he f ee l of hi s body pr es se d a ga ins t he r, hi s br ea th on he r e ar , t he r umbl e i n hi s c he st .I t l ef t h er d iz zy w it h d es ir e. H ow c ou ld t ha t b e? H e w as n t h er s ha do w m an .

S he t ri ed t o p ul l a wa y. H e d id n t r el ea se h er , a nd s he k ne w s he w as n t g oi ng a ny wh er e u nt il h e d id .

T ho ug h h e w as n t h ur ti ng h er , t he s teel i n h is h ol d w as u nm is takabl e. S a R ah h ad d is co vered d ur in g an

u np leas an t encou nt er w it h an o verl y avi d f an t hat s he w as t rain ed i n m ar ti al art s. S he t ho ug ht o f u si ng

s om e o f t ho se t ec hn iq ue s r ig ht n ow , b ut q ui ck ly d is mi ss ed t he i de a. S he h ad p ro vo ke d p ar t o f t hi s

encou nt er b y t easi ng h im , s o s he cou ld n t com pl et el y b lame h im . S he w ou ld w ai t t o s ee h ow t hi s p layed

out before resorting to anything drastic.


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T heir g azes clash ed . H er s f lash ed w it h i rr it at io n, h is g lo wed w it h alp ha m al e arr og an ce. H e h el d h er s tare

a m om en t m or e, t he n r el ea se d he r. T ak in g a s te p ba ck, s he pu t s om e s pa ce b et we en t he m. H er e ye s

narrowed suspiciously.

" Wh o are y ou ?"

" Tr is ta n Z ax . I m t he n ew b ou nc er h er e a t t he D ar k L an te rn , a t y ou r s er vi ce , m a am ," h e s ai d w it h a n od

o f hi s h ea d. " I ll k ee p y ou s af e. "

" But who wi ll ke ep me s af e f rom you, M r. Za x? " s he a ske d wi th a f rown.

S a R ah w as s er io us . T hi s m an p os ed a t hr ea t t o h er . T he l ik es o f w hi ch s he h ad n t e nc ou nt er ed u p u nt il

t hi s m om en t. H e m ad e h er w an t, m ad e h er f ee l, a nd s he d id n t n ee d t ha t r ig ht n ow . N ot f ro m h im . I t

would only complicate things.

At h er w or ds , h is s mi le t ur ned s ed ucti ve.

" Tr is ta n. C al l m e T ri st an . A nd d on t w or ry . I w on t t ou ch y ou a ga in , H on ey . U nt il y ou a sk m e, v er y,

very nicely."

" Yo u ll h av e a l on g w ai t t he n, I g ue ss ," s he r et or te d, g ivi ng h im a s au cy s mi le o ve r he r s ho ul de r a s s he

walked away.

" Wel l s ee, S a R ah . W e ll s ee," T ri st an w hi sp er ed u nd er h is b reat h as h is h un gr y g aze f ol lo wed h er .

* * * *

S a R ah f el t T ri st an s s ta re b ur ni ng i nt o h er b ac k a s s he w al ke d a wa y. S he m ai nt ai ne d t he p ro ud s wa y i n

h er h ip s u nt il r each in g h er d ress in g r oo m and s hu tt in g t he d oo r. L eani ng b ack again st i t, s he t oo k s ev er al

cal mi ng b reat hs . I n d eepl y, h ol d f or f iv e s eco nd s, r el eas e. I n d eepl y, h ol d f or f iv e s econ ds , r el ease.

T ri st an Za x h ad m ade h er b od y g o i nt o ov er dr ive , a nd s he ne ede d t o ge t i t b ac k d ow n t o c rui se . H er


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r es po ns e w or ri ed h er . S he w ou ld s ta y a s f ar a wa y f ro m h im a s p os si bl e. S he h ad t o m ai nt ai n h er f oc us

o n h er s ha do w ma n, n ot s ome s exy bo un ce r w ho m ad e h er kn ee s w ea k.

" Ey e c an dy . T ha t s a ll h e i s. L oo k, b ut d on t t ou ch ," s he s ai d a lo ud t o h er se lf . T ri st an Z ax w as l ik e t he

s we et a nd s pi cy H ot T am al es c an dy s he l ik ed . S o t em pt in g, b ut i f y ou p ar ta ke o f t oo m uc h, y ou g etburned.

" No m or e H ot T am al es f or m e. T hey re o ff iciall y r em ov ed f ro m m y d iet. "

* * * *

T ri st an c ou ld s en se S a R ah s t ur mo il a s s he w al ke d a wa y. G oo d, h e h ad p ut h er a l it tl e o ff b al an ce .

M ad e h er a wa re o f h im a s a m an , a nd b ro ug ht h er d es ir e t o l if e. U nf or tu na te ly , s he h ad d on e m or e t ha n

t ha t t o hi m. He wa s s o pai nf ul ly ha rd t ha t he wa s te mpte d to go i nt o t he me n s r oom a nd do s ome thi ng

a bo ut i t. H e h ad n ev er h ad t hi s p ro bl em b ef or e. W om en l ik ed h im , w an te d t o b e w it h h im . F in di ng a

w il li ng b ed ma te h ad a lw ay s b ee n e as y. S a R ah w as n ot w il li ng , y et . B ut s he w ou ld b e s oo n. H e h ad n o

d ou bt a bo ut t ha t. A nd w he n s he w as , h e w ou ld b e t he re .

T ri st an g ot h is c lu b s hi rt a nd w al ke d i nt o t he m en s l oc ke r r oo m t o c ha ng e. H e h ad j us t p ut h is s hi rt o n

whe n he f el t a t ap on hi s s houl de r. A s he t ur ne d a round, he wa s punc he d i n t he s tom ac h h ar d e no ugh to

m ak e h im d ou bl e o ver.

" I m V ic . B ut y ou c an c al l m e s ir . I m h ea d o f s ec ur it y h er e a t T he D ar k L an te rn . W e w er en t p ro pe rl y

i nt rodu ce d e ar li er , s o I wa nt t o l et yo u k now who I a m, a nd how t hi ngs wo rk a ro und he re . I s ay j um p,

you a sk how hi gh. As l ong a s we r e c le ar o n t ha t, we ha ve no pr obl em . Tha t l it tl e l ove t ap w as a

w ar ni ng . I s aw y ou r l it tl e m ee t a nd g re et wi th H on ey e ar li er . S ta y a wa y f ro m h er . S he s o ff l im it s t o e ve ryg uy i n h er e, i nclu di ng y ou . S hes m in e. H av e I m ad e m ys el f clear ?"

Mine!

T ha t one wor d c al le d t o t he f er al s ide of Tr is ta n. The s ide not m any pe opl e s aw . The be as t i n hi m r oa re d

t o l if e. S a R ah w as h is . S he b el on ge d t o h im . O nl y h im . T ri st an s tr ai gh te ne d a nd f ac ed V ic . H e g ri nn ed

c ol dl y, b ar in g hi s t ee th . I f h e c ou ld n t s at e h im se lf b y m ak in g l ov e t o S a R ah , t he n a g ood f ig ht w as t he

n ex t be st t hi ng . I t m ig ht g et h im f ir ed , bu t i t di dn t m at te r. He n ee de d t hi s.


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V ic m us t h av e s ee n s om et hi ng i n h is f ac e, b ec au se h e t oo k a s te p b ac k b ef or e h e c ou ld s to p h im se lf .

T ri st an m ov ed f or wa rd a nd t hr ew t he s ec on d p un ch . V ic w as s tr on g, h e d g iv e h im t ha t, b ut h e h ad n o

t echn iq ue. T ri st an w as w el l t rain ed i n v ar io us f or ms o f f ig ht in g, s el f- defens e, and m ar ti al art s. T he f eel o f

his fist connecting with the other mans flesh brought him immense satisfaction.

V ic w as a bo ut t o b e d em ot ed .

* * * *

A ft er t ak in g car e o f b us in es s, T ri st an s pent t he r em ai nd er o f t he n ig ht o bs er vi ng .

S a R ah ga ve h er f ir st p er fo rm an ce o f t he e ve ni ng . E ac h s ho w w as v as tl y d if fe re nt . T he e ar ly o ne w as

m or e o f a t ea se r. T he m en w at ch in g w er e h un gr y f or m or e w he n s he f in al ly e nd ed h er p ro vo ca ti ve d an ce .

H e s ha dow ed S a R ah a s s he w al ke d b ac ks ta ge t o h er r oo m a ft er h er f ir st s how . H e c oul dn t s top h is

g az e f ro m s li di ng s lo wl y o ve r he r b od y a s s he m ov ed . E ac h s wa y o f h er h ips c al le d t o h im , e ac h c ur ve o f h er w ai st p ul led at s om et hi ng i ns id e. S a R ah r em ai ned s il en t as t hey w al ked. I t w as n t u nt il t hey r each ed

he r d re ss in g he r r oo m t ha t s he b rok e h er s il en ce . H e w as a bout t o wa lk i nt o he r r oom w it h he r, whe n s he

t ur ne d a round a nd he ld he r ha nd u p f or hi m t o s to p.

" Th at s f ar e no ug h, b ig b oy . I c an t ak e i t f ro m h er e. "

R e st in g h is h an d o n t he d oo r f ra me , T ri st an l ea ne d i n a nd g av e t he r oo m a q ui ck g la nc e. N ob od y i ns id e.

A nd h e s en sed n o o th er i mm ed iate p resence. G oo d. S tr ai gh teni ng , h e f ol ded h is arm s o ver h er chest .

" Ar e y ou r e s ur e y ou d on t n ee d a ny , u h, e xt ra he lp ?" T ri st an a sk ed , l et ti ng t he h ung er h e f el t f or h er s li p

i nt o hi s ga ze a s he s mi le d.

* * * *


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Sa R ah s he ar t s ki pp ed a be at a s T ri st an r ai se d a n e ye br ow a nd a s low , s ex y g ri n s pr ea d a cr os s hi s

m ou th . D id t he g uy h av e t o l oo k g oo d e ve n w he n h e m oc ke d h er ? S he es h. P us hi ng h er l ib id o b ac k d ow n

w here i t b el on ged, S a R ah r ai sed h er chi n i mp er io us ly .

"I c an h an dl e i t, M r. Z ax ."

Tr is tan s f ace g rew s er i ou s o nce m or e.

"I m s ur e you c an. Bu t I m j us t doi ng w ha t I ve be en p ai d t o do. I don t i nt er fe re wi th y our j ob, p le as e

dont interfere with mine."

" Yo ur j ob d oe s n ot i nc lu de i nv ad in g m y s pa ce o r m y d re ss in g r oo m, M r. Z ax ."

" It doe s now. A nd c al l m e Tr is ta n. We r e goi ng t o be p re tt y t ig ht f rom no w o n, s o I t hi nk we c an go

with first names, dont you?"

"Tight?"

"Y ea h. Vi c a nd I ha d a t al k, a nd de ci de d t ha t I s hou ld ha nd le y our pe rs ona l s ec ur it y a t t he c lub . I m

y ou r n ew b es t b ud dy ."

" I s ee."

T he s mu g l oo k o n T ri st an s f ac e i rr it at ed S a R ah . T he g uy w as j us t t oo c on fi de nt f or h is o wn g oo d. B ut

s he d id n t l et h er i rr it at io n s ho w. S mi li ng p le as ant ly , s he o pe ne d t he d oo r w id er , a s i f s he w er e go in g t o

l et h im t hr ou gh . B ut b ef or e h e cou ld m ov e, s he p us hed i t f or ward again , s lamm in g i t i n h is f ace.

" My n ew b es t b ud dy i sn t a ll ow ed i n m y d re ss in g r oo m - - e ve r, " s he s ai d i n a r ai se d v oi ce t hr ou gh t he

d oo r a s s he t wi st ed t he l oc k.


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Sa R ah wa it ed f or s om e c omm en t f rom t he ot he r s ide of t he doo r, b ut wh en t he re w as non e s he w al ke d

t o h er v an it y t ab le , s at d ow n i n t he c ha ir , a nd f ac ed h er m ak eu p m ir ro r. L oo ki ng i nt o i t, s he w on de re d f or

t he t ho us an dt h t im e, e xa ct ly w ho s he w as . W ho s ta re d b ac k a t h er f ro m t he r ef le ct io n? D ar k h ai r a nd

blue eyes that seemed to take up her entire face was all she saw. Who was she?

S a R ah kne w w ho s he ha d be com e s inc e Ra ch el f ound he r i n t he a ll ey. Sh e w as a n e xot ic da nc er , a nd i f

h er f as t g ro wi ng a ud ie nc e o ut t he re w as a ny i nd ic at or , s he w as g oo d a t i t. T he d an ci ng c am e n at ur al ly t o

h er . S he w as n t s ur e w hy .

Ra che l a ske d h er mo re t ha n onc e how s he c ame u p wi th he r m at er ia l, b ut s he w as n t s ur e. I t w as j us t a

f ee li ng . E ve ry t im e s he g ot o n s ta ge , t he m us ic s ta rt ed i n h er h ea d. S he h ad n o c on tr ol o ve r i t. T he d an cejust grabbed hold of her and took her to another place. Her body went willingly, moving and swaying to

t he s ong s i n he r h ea d, a nd t he ne ed i n he r bod y.

T ha t n ee d i s w ha t m ad e h er p er fo rm an ce s o i nt en se . I t a lw ay s s ta rt ed o ut s ma ll , t he n t he d an ce

progressed and her movements became more frantic. Her desire grew and grew inside her, becoming an

a che , a n e mpt y voi d t ha t ha d t o be f il le d. She he ld on a s l ong a s p os si bl e, b ut e ve nt ua ll y ha d t o s top t he

m ov em en ts b ef or e s he p as s ed o ut .

Th at w as a lw ay s t he h ar de st p ar t. S to pp in g. H er b od y w an te d h er t o c on ti nu e, t o l et t he f ee li ng

c om pl et el y t ak e h er o ve r u nt il s he g ot l os t i n i t. S he d id n t w an t t o k no w w ha t w ou ld h ap pe n i f s he d id

t ha t. If s he l et he rs el f go c om pl ete ly. Al l s he kne w wa s th at i t mi ght not be good. And th at s ca re d he r.

S o s he d an ced each n ig ht w it h m ix ed f eeli ng s. A nt icip at io n and f ear. S he s ho wed n ei th er t o t he m en w ho

wa tc he d he r. The y di dn t c ome t o t he c lu b f or t ha t. T he y c am e f or a f ant as y. A f ant as y o f how t he y

w an te d a w om an t o b e. D es ir ab le , y es , b ut a ls o s tr on g a nd p ro ud . W ha te ve r s he f el t w hi le s he d an ce d,t ho se w er e t he o nl y t hi ng s s he e ve r l et h er a ud ie nc e s ee .

E xc ep t f or l as t n igh t. T he f ee li ng t ha t h er s ha dow m an w as i n t he r oo m h ad t hr ow n he r c om pl et el y o ff

balance. She had almost lost it up on the stage. She had been seeking him, yearning for him with

e ve ry th in g s he w as t he se p as t w ee ks . W he n h e h ad r ev ea le d h is p re se nc e, s he h ad a lm os t f al le n d ow n

f rom t he s hoc k of i t.

N ow , i f h e w ou ld o nl y c om e b ac k. S he h ad n t s en se d i t d ur in g h er f ir st p er fo rm an ce . M ay be h e w ou ld

s ho w u p a t he r s ec ond on e. H e h ad t o s ho w u p, d id n t he ? T he y h ad s uc h a s tr on g c on ne ct io n. S he h ad


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f el t h is de si re a nd hi s n ee d. I t wa s a s s tr on g a s he rs . Co ul d h e j us t t ur n hi s ba ck on i t? W al k a wa y

w it ho ut c om in g b ac k? S he h op ed d es pe ra te ly t ha t w as n ot t he c as e. B ec au se s om eh ow s he k ne w h e

w as l in ke d t o h er pa st . He wo ul d b e a bl e t o a ns we r t he qu es ti on s s he ha d.

A k no ck a t h er d oo r i nt er ru pt ed h er t ho ug ht s.

" Wh o i s i t?"

S a R ah s ou nd ed i rr it at ed , e ve n t o h er o wn e ar s. B ut s he j us t c ou ld n t h el p h er se lf . T he b ui ld u p o f t he

m an o f h er d ream s s ho wi ng u p and d is ap pear in g w as g ro wi ng . A s w as h er f ru st rati on .

" I t s T ri st an . W e n ee d t o t al k. "

S a R ah g ro an ed q ui et ly . S he d ef in it el y d id n t n ee d a g oo d l oo ki ng , s ex y a s h el l, b od y t o d ie f or , a rr og an t

bouncer in her room right now. There was a chemistry between them that she couldnt deny. It wasnt as

s tr on g a s h er f ee li ng f or h er s ha do w m an , b ut i t w as t he re j us t t he s am e. S om et im es p eo pl e m et a nd i t

wa s j us t t he re be tw ee n t he m. Th at w as t he c as e wi th Tr is ta n. But s he di dn t t hi nk i t woul d be a g ood

i dea t o exp lo re t hat r ig ht n ow . S he f el t r es tl es s, i tchi ng f or s om et hi ng s he cou ld n t n am e. A nd i f s he w ash on es t w it h he rs el f, s he kn ew t ha t i f s he l et h im i n, s he m igh t j us t a sk h im t o s cr at ch t ha t i tc h.

" I m bus y r ight no w, Mr . Za x. Ca n w e do t hi s a not he r t ime ? I ha ve t o ge t r ea dy f or m y ne xt s how. "

E ve n t ho ugh h er s ho w w as s ti ll a n h our a wa y, i t w as t he o nl y e xc us e s he c ou ld t hi nk o f.

" No. Thi s c an t w ai t. W e ne ed t o t al k - - n ow. I b rou ght yo u s om et hi ng. Do n t you w an t t o k now wha t i t

is?"

A ll S a R ah k ne w w as t ha t w ha te ve r h e b ro ug ht w it h h im c ou ld n t c om pa re w it h w ha t h er b od y w an te d

f ro m h is . Y et h er c ur io si ty w as p iq ue d. W hy w ou ld h e b ri ng h er s om et hi ng , a nd w ha t w as i t?

Hmmm. Decisions, decisions.


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L et hi m i n a nd s he c ros se d a not he r l ine . Or re fus e hi m a nd not kn ow w ha t he br oug ht f or he r.

C ur io si ty g ot t he b et te r o f h er .

" Wh at i s i t?"

" Ch ocol at e. B ut n ot j us t any cho co late. I t s B el gi an cho co late."

C ho co lat e? D i d h e s ay cho co lat e?

S a R ah j ump ed t o he r f ee t a nd h ea de d t o t he do or b ef or e s he r ea li ze d s he w as e ve n m ov in g.

S he a bs ol ut el y l ov ed c ho co la te . D ee p d ow n, s he k ne w s he m us t h av e a lw ay s l ik ed t he s tu ff , e ve n i f s hec ou ld n t r em em be r. I t w as j us t t oo d ec ad en t, t oo d el ic io us , a nd i t f el t l ik e p le as ur e i n h er m ou th .

Especially Belgian chocolate. Yum.

"Ill be right there."

S a R ah g ra sp ed t he d oor kn ob, b ut he si ta te d. H ow ha d h e k now n s he l ik ed c ho co la te ? Sh e j us t m et t heg uy . H e c ou ld n t k no w a bo ut h er p as si on f or c ho co la te . I t m us t h av e b ee n a g ue ss .

I t w as on ly a ft er s he o pe ne d i t a nd s aw Tr is ta n s e ye s r ake o ve r he r t ha t s he r ea li ze d s he s ti ll wo re he r

body suit from her dance performance. She almost cringed as she remembered just how well her body

w as o ut li ned b y t he o ut fi t.

S he d id n t m in d i t i n u p o n t he s ta ge , w it h l ot s o f m en w at ch in g he r f ro m a fa r. B ut u p c lo se a nd p er so na l

l ik e t hi s w as m uch, m uch m or e i nt im at e. T ri st an s eyes s tr ay ed t o every cur ve t he s hi mm er in g m at er ial

c lun g t o be for e r et ur ni ng t o he r f ac e. T he u rge t o c ove r he rs el f wa s s tr ong, but t he ne ed t o s ee hi s


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reaction was stronger.

A s t he ir g az es m et a nd c la sh ed s he g as pe d. H is b ri gh t g re en e ye s d ar ke ne d w it h d es ir e a nd h is f ac e

g re w t ig ht . S he t oo k a j er ky s te p b ac k, a nd h e i mm ed ia te ly f ol lo we d h er i ns id e. S hu tt in g t he d oo r b eh in d

h im , h e a dv an ce d o n h er a s s he b ac ke d u p. R ea li zi ng w ha t s he w as d oi ng , S a R ah s to pp ed a br up tl y a ndheld her ground.

T ri st an s to ppe d i n f ron t o f he r, n ot t oo c lo se , bu t c los e e noug h t o r ea ch out a nd t ouc h he r i f he c hos e t o.

S he g ot l os t i n h is h ot g az e. E ve ry th in g e ls e d is ap pe ar ed . T he r oo m, t he c lu b, t im e a nd s pa ce . I t a ll f ad ed

t o n ot hi ng a s t he y s ta re d a t e ac h o th er . J us t t he t wo o f t he m. A lo ne . T og et he r.

S a R ah s ta rt ed t o f ee l w ar m. W he n T ri st an s g az e f el l t o h er l ip s a nd s ta ye d t he re , s he g re w d ow nr ig ht

ho t. He di dn t l oo k a wa y. H er mou th be ca me dr y a nd he r he ar t be at ou t o f c ont rol a s he l if te d h is ha nd

a nd r an on e f ing er g ent ly d ow n t he s id e o f h er c he ek. I t s li d s of tl y o ve r he r s ki n, b ut i t l ef t a b ur ni ng t in gl e

t ha t r an f ro m h er f ac e t o he r t oe s i n s ec ond s.

Sa Ra h f ough t a l os ing ba tt le . Sh e d idn t w ant t o be a tt ra ct ed t o hi m. He w as t he wr ong ma n. He w as n t

t he o ne . Y et s he c ou ld n t h el p h er se lf . T he c he mi st ry w as t he re , s o s tr on g i t l ef t h er b re at hl es s. S he

cou ld n t t hi nk s tr ai gh t w it h h im aro un d. A nd j us t t he s ig ht o f h is g reen eyes f il led w it h d es ir e as t hey

d ev ou re d h er f ac e, n os e, a nd m ou th m ad e h er a ch e w it h n ee d. T ha t l oo k w as a ll m al e, p ri ma l a ndh un gr y. H e w an ted h er .

An d s he w an ted h im .

S h e f ou gh t i t.

It c ou ld n t b e. N o, i t w as n t r ig ht .

H er m in d r ac ed . S he s ea rc he d f or s om et hi ng t o s ay , a ny th in g t o b re ak t he a tt ra ct io n t ha t p ul le d a t h er .

" Yo u b ro ug ht cho co late?" s he ask ed i n a l ow v oi ce, f il led w it h all t he d es ir e t hat cou rs ed t hr ou gh h er .


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T ri st an s mi le d t he n. I t w as t he k in d o f s mi le t ha t b ro ug ht j oy t o h er h ea rt . T he k in d t ha t w as w id e,

g enu in e, a nd f re e. L ik e a l it tl e b oy w he n he g et s a n ew b ic yc le f or hi s b ir th da y.

* * * *

T ri st an w an te d t o ye ll i n t ri um ph . S he s ti ll l ik ed s we et s. H e r em em be re d h ow m uc h s he l ov ed t o e at

s at chi ni i n h is t im e. I t w as s im il ar t o c ho co la te , w it h a s mo ot h t ex tu re t ha t c oa te d t he m out h j us t r ig ht , a nd

a s we et , r ic h t as te . H e r em em be re d o ve rh ea ri ng S a R ah t el l a f ri en d h ow m uc h s he c ra ve d s at ch in i. H e

h ad n ev er f or go tt en t ha t. H e h ad u se d t ha t k no wl ed ge o n s ev er al o cc as io ns j us t t o g et S a R ah s a tt en ti on

w hen h e v is it ed . A s m uch as s he f ou gh t again st t heir att ract io n, s he j us t cou ld n t s ay n o t o s at ch in i.

C ho co la te t ur ne d o ut t o b e a g re at s ub st it ut e. H e p ul le d o ut t he b ox o f c ho co la te s h e h ad g ot te n e ar li er

i n t he da y, a nd ha nde d i t t o he r. He r e ye s l it w it h pl ea sur e. L ike a ki d, s he c oul dn t ge t t he bo x o pe n f as t

eno ug h. M ak in g h er cho ice q ui ck ly , s he p op ped a p iece i nt o h er m ou th .

She s avo re d t he t as te of i t, m aki ng s ma ll noi se s i n t he b ac k of he r t hr oa t. He r he ad l ol le d ba ck

s en su ou sl y a s t he p le as ur e o f t he c an dy s t as te o ve rc am e h er . T ri st an s b od y s pr an g t o l if e. H e w an te d

he r t o ma ke t hos e s exy s of t s ound s f or hi m. He wa nt ed he r to r eve l i n hi s t ouc h t he w ay s he r eve le d i n

t he t as te o f c hoc ol at e. O ne d ay , h e pl an ne d t o t ake t he p la ce o f t ha t s we et t re at s he w as s o a dd ic te d t o.Soon s he woul d c ra ve hi m l ike t ha t, wa nt hi m as muc h a s he wa nt ed he r.

H er enj oy ment w as t ak in g i ts t ol l o n h im . H e w as p ai nf ul ly h ar d, and i f s he d id n t s to p m ak in g t ho se l it tl e

n oi se s, h e w as n t g oi ng t o b e a bl e t o c on tr ol h im se lf m uc h l on ge r. S he l oo ke d a nd s ou nd ed l ik e a w om an

w ho w as be ing w el l pl ea su re d. He w ant ed t o b e t he on e t o gi ve he r t ha t pl ea su re , o ve r a nd ov er a ga in.

H e clear ed h is t hr oat l ou dl y.

S a R ah s e ye s f lu tt er ed o pe n. S he m et h is g az e l az il y, s mi le d. I t w as a s low s mi le . T he k in d t ha t w as

s ed ucti ve and s at is fi ed at t he s am e t im e.

" Th an k y ou , T ri st an . I h av en t h ad g oo d c ho co la te l ik e t hi s s in ce , w el l, s in ce I d on t k no w w he n. I t s

delicious."


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"Youre welcome, princess."

" Pr in cess ?" S a R ah r ai sed o ne eyebr ow i n q uest io n

" Yes, p ri nces s. T he n am e s ui ts y ou , s om eh ow ."

Sa R ah chu ck led.

" I d on t k no w a bo ut t ha t. B ut I d o a pp re ci at e t he c ho co la te . I r ea ll y n ee de d i t. I a bs ol ut el y l ov e t he s tu ff .

I n f ac t, I t hi nk I m a dd ic te d t o i t, " s he a dm it te d w it h a s he ep is h s mi le .

" My pl ea su re ," he s ai d. And he m ea nt i t. De sp it e t he fa ct t ha t h is body wa s on f ir e f or he r, t he f ac t t ha t

h e cou ld g iv e h er t hi s o ne s mall p leas ur e p leas ed h im .

H is t ho ug ht s m us t h av e s ho we d o n h is f ac e, b ec au se S a R ah s ta re d a t h im s tr an ge ly b ef or e s pe ak in g.

" So, wh at di d y ou w ant t o t al k t o m e a bo ut ?"

"Talk?"

Sa Ra h smi led a t him a s i f he we re a l it tle s low i n t he he ad. At t he mome nt , t hat s exa ctl y how he f elt .

"Y es , t al k. Y ou s ai d y ou n ee de d t o t al k t o m e a bo ut s om et hi ng ."

" Ri gh t. I w an ted t o t al k abo ut s om e d if ferent w ay s t o p ro tect y ou d ur in g y ou r p er fo rm an ce."


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" Pr ot ec t me f rom w ha t? Th e bo unc er s a ll do a gr ea t j ob. I don t t hi nk a nyon e c oul d ge t t o m e, e ve n i f

t hey w an ted t o. "

" My j ob i s t o m ak e s ur e t ha t doe sn t ha ppe n. I t hi nk yo u ne ed t o be a l it tl e l es s - - i nt er ac ti ve - - wi th t he

crowd."

S a R ah f ro wn ed .

" In te ra ct iv e? W ha t i s t ha t s up po se d t o m ea n? I p er fo rm e xo ti c d an ce . I h av e t o b e i nt er ac ti ve ."

" I u nd er st an d. B ut y ou d on t h av e t o i nc it e t he a ud ie nc e s o m uc h. "

"I ncit e? I nt er acti ve? W hat s w it h t he " I" w or ds , T ri st an ? I sn t i ncit in g t he aud ience s up po sed t o b e p ar t

of my performance?"

T ri st an r an a h an d t hr ou gh h is h ai r. R el easi ng a f ru st rated b reat h, h e t ri ed t o exp lain .

" Ye s a nd no . Yo u a re s up po se d t o pe rf or m i n a w ay t ha t, w el l, t ha t - -"

" Tu rn s m en o n?" S a R ah f in is hed f or h im . S he g ri nn ed w id el y as s he w at ch ed h im s co wl .

" Ye ah, b ut you don t h ave do t hi ng s t ha t g et t he m s o hot a nd bo the re d t ha t t he y wa nt t o s tor m t he

stage."

" Th in gs ? L ik e w hat?" S a R ah ask ed n on ch al an tl y as s he p op ped ano th er cho co late i nt o h er m ou th . S he

was enjoying this.

T ri st an c ou ld s ee i t i n h er e ye s. S he w as t ea si ng h im . S he k ne w e xa ct ly w ha t h e w as t al ki ng a bo ut , b ut

w as m ak in g t hi s as d if fi cu lt as p os si bl e f or h im . F in e. S he w an ted t o m ak e t hi ng s u ncom fo rt ab le f or h im ?


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He could do the sa me to her .

He di d not l ike to be t ea se d.

"Would you like a demonstration?"

"Absolutely," she said with a light chuckle.

She wa s ha vi ng wa y t oo m uch f un. I t wa s t ime t o t ur n t he t abl es on he r. Wa lking ove r t o t he dr ess ingr oo m d oo r, h e t wi st ed t he l oc k i nt o p la ce .

" Wh at a re y ou d oi ng ?" T he l ig ht t on e w as g on e f ro m h er v oi ce n ow . S he s ou nd ed w ar y a nd s us pi ci ou s.

G oo d. S he s ho ul d b e w or ri ed .

" Gi vi ng y ou a d em on st rati on ," h e exp lain ed , b ri ng in g h er v an it y chair t o t he cen ter o f t he r oo m. " Si t

d ow n. W at ch , and l earn ," h e s ai d arr og an tl y.

H e w al ke d o ve r t o w he re h er p or ta bl e C D p la ye r s at o n h er d re ss er .

" Do y ou h av e a ny m us ic t ha t y ou da nc e t o i n h er e? "

" We ll , um , y es . Th e on e i n t he re i s t he on e I m p er fo rm in g l at er ."

" Gr ea t. S it b ac k, r el ax a nd e nj oy, " T ri st an s ai d, s mi li ng a t h er i n a w ay h e k ne w w ou ld s ho w h is h un ge r

f or h er .


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He r e ye s w ide ne d a b it , b ut s he di dn t m ov e f rom t he s ea t.

S h e s ho ul d h av e.

If she knew what he was about to do to he r, she would have run a s f ar from him a s pos sible .

C ha pt e r 3

T he m us ic s ta rt ed . H e l et t he s edu ct iv e b ea t w as h o ve r h im , t hr ou gh h im , a nd i nt o h im . H e c lo se d h is

e ye s a nd t oo k s ev er al d ee p b re at hs . H e i ma gi ne d S a R ah d an ci ng t o t hi s s ex y m us ic . I ma gi ne d h ow s hew ou ld m ov e, h ow s he w oul d l oo k. N ee d r os e l ik e a r ag in g f ir e i ns id e h im .

H e h ad b ec om e a n e xp er t a t p er fo rm in g t he R ov H um d an ce . A s y ou ng , s in gl e m en , T ri st an , S a R ah s

brother, Jo Sha, and their friend, Arin, had spent many nights out together, prowling for women. They

s oo n l ea rn ed t ha t t he e ff ec t t hi s d an ce h ad o n f em al es w as t o t he ir a dv an ta ge . T he y p er fe ct ed t he ir

t ec hni que u nt il e ac h o f t he m h ad t he ir ow n m et ho d f or d ri vi ng w om en c ra zy . I n t he p as t, t he t hr ee of t he m

h ad c om pe te d w it h e ac h o th er t o s ee w ho w ou ld g et a f em al e f ir st . T ri st an h ad a lm os t a lw ay s c au gh t a

l ad y i n h is s nare f ir st .


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Wo ul d S a Ra h r ea ct t he s ame w ay ? He ha d ne ve r da nc ed f or h er be for e, but w it h t he c he mi st ry t ha t

a lr ea dy s in ge d b et we en t he m, h e k ne w s he w ou ld r ea ct t o h im o ne w ay o r a no th er . H e g ri nn ed , t hi nk in g

a bout he r r ea cti on. He wa nt ed he r t o be a s hungr y f or h im a s he wa s f or he r. Tha t woul d br ing hi m

intense satisfaction.

He w as r ea dy .

It was time to show Sa Ra h his Rov Hum da nce.

O peni ng h is eyes, T ri st an p in ned S a R ah w it h h is g aze. H e l et h is h un ger b ur n i n h is eyes, com mu ni cati ng

h is n ee d. H er l ip s p ar te d a nd h er e ye s d ar ke ne d. H is h ip s r ot at ed , s lo wl y, a ga in a nd a ga in a s t he d an cet oo k c on tr ol o f h im . H is a rm s r ea ch ed o ut t o h er , t he n o pe ne d w id e. H e w as b ec ko ni ng h er c lo se r, i nt o

his arms, into him.

S a R ah g ri pp ed t he s id e o f h er c ha ir t ig ht ly , a s i f t ry in g t o c on tr ol he rs el f, t ry in g t o h ol d he rs el f b ac k.

S at is fact io n h um med t hr ou gh h im . S he w as g ro wi ng h un gr y. H e cou ld s ee i t i n h er f ace. S he b it h er

bottom lip tightly. Her nostrils flared as she took deep breaths through her nose. Her gaze became heated

a nd i nt en se a s h is d an ce g re w m or e s ed uc ti ve , m or e p ro vo ca ti ve . H is h ip s b uc ke d t ow ar d h er o nc e,

t wi ce, and y et again . R un ni ng h is h an ds o ver h is chest h e i magi ned S a R ah s h an ds o n h im . S he f ol lo wed

t he p at h o f h is h an ds , g azin g h un gr il y at each p oi nt h e t ou ch ed .

S a R ah w et h er l ip s wi th h er t on gue . T ri st an i ma gi ne d t he f ee l o f he r m ou th o n h is b ody , a ll o ve r h is

body. So warm, so wet. He threw back his head and released a groan. His body hardened when he saw

t hat h er eyes r em ai ned f ix ed o n h is b od y. H e con ti nu ed t o t ease h er w it h ago ni zi ng ly s lo w m ov em en ts ,

t em pt in g h er , ent icin g h er t o ask f or m or e.

H er f in gers t ig ht en ed aro un d t he chair . S he s hi vered and T ri st an n ot iced h er n ip pl es h ar den again st t he

s he er m at er ia l s he w or e. T he ir g az e m et a ga in , a nd h e k ne w h e w as a ff ec ti ng h er . H er e ye s d ar ke ne d t o

a lmos t bl ac k. The pupi ls be ga n t o e ngul f t he r est of her eye s. Thi s wa s t he wa y of t he R ov Hum, t he wa y

of Ta nvi er a. S a Ra h di dn t a cc ep t i t, but he w as h er t rut h ma te a nd he r b ody wa s s tr ivi ng f or i ts Rov

H um , o r t ru e s el f, d es pi te h er m in d s o bj ecti on s. D ar keni ng eyes w as o nl y o ne eff ect.

H er b od y w as r oari ng t o l if e, d em an di ng m or e.

He wa nt ed t o c ont inue . He w ant ed t o br in g he r ov er t he e dge a nd m ak e h er hi s o nc e a nd f or a ll . H is


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body was getting close to the Diharan transformation as well. He held the beast back, controlled it. But it

prowled inside him, pacing, waiting for him to let down his guard just enough for it to slip through. And if

i t d id , h e w ou ld t ak e h er w it ho ut m er cy , a ga in a nd a ga in u nt il h e w as s at ed .

I t wa s ti me to s top.

* * * *

S a R ah n ee de d h im t o s to p.

S he c ou ld n t t ak e i t. S he c ou ld n t c at ch h er b re at h. H is m ov em en ts , h is b od y, t he m us ic , t he h ea t i n h is

ga ze wa s be comi ng t oo m uc h. H er b ody wa s s cr ea mi ng f or mo re . I t w as r oa ri ng f or he r t o l et go of t he

c ha ir a nd c lo se t he d is ta nc e b et we en h er a nd T ri st an . T o t ak e h im a nd d em an d e ve ryt hi ng f ro m h im , a nd

m or e. T he c ha ir , t ho ugh n ot m uc h, w as h er o nl y a nc hor . I t w as t he o nl y t hi ng ho ldi ng h er i n pl ac e,

k ee pi ng h er f ro m g et ti ng l os t i n t he s ea o f d es ir e t ha t t hr ea te ne d t o o ve rw he lm h er a nd t ak e h er a wa y.

B ut h er con tr ol w as s li pp in g. I t w as b ei ng r ep laced b y s om et hi ng els e. S om et hi ng d eep, p ow er fu l, and

primal. It pushed at her from the inside, as if demanding release. And she didnt think she could hold outagain st i t m uch l on ger. S he cou ld n t h el p b ut n ot ice T ri st an s b od y g ro wi ng h ar d. S he cou ld s en se h is

ne ed s om ehow. I t hi t he r i n w ave a ft er wa ve , s ha ki ng he r t o t he c or e, t ur ni ng he r o n e ve n m or e. He at

pooled low in her body and an ache started pulsating at her core. Her nipples hardened against the tight

m at er ia l s he w or e, a nd h er b od y b ec am e d am p w it h n ee d.

T ri st an n ee de d t o s to p h is t or tu re s oo n, o r s he w ou ld d ev ou r h im w ho le .

D ev ou r h im ? W he re ha d t ha t t ho ug ht c om e f ro m? B ut t ha t s e xa ct ly h ow S a R ah f el t. L ik e s om e g re at

c at , s tr et ch in g a ft er w ak in g u p f ro m a l on g s le ep , h un gr y a nd r ea dy f or , f or s om et hi ng . B ut w ha t?

A s h e c on ti nu ed h is s ed uc ti ve d an ce , s he k ne w, d ee p i ns id e, w ha t s he d es ir ed . S he w an te d h im n ak ed ,

o n h is k ne es i n f ro nt o f h er , l ik e a n a nc ie nt o ff er in g. S he w an te d h im s we at in g a nd pa nt ing w it h n ee d. F or

h er , on ly f or he r. H er f in ge rs w ou ld c ur l i n h is ha ir , h ol di ng t he s tr an ds t ig ht ly a s s he p ul le d hi s h ea d b ac k.

S he wo ul d k is s h is s en sua l l ips , f ea st on t he m un ti l s he h ad he r f il l, t he n p lu nge h er t ong ue de ep i ns ide

o ve r a nd o ve r a ga in . E xp lo ri ng e ve ry c or ne r of h is m out h. H e w ou ld m ee t he r t hr us ts w it h h is o wn, s he

h ad no do ubt o f t ha t.


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S a Ra h m ay b e a lp ha f em al e, bu t Tr is ta n w as a lp ha m al e. T he ir s w ou ld b e a n i nt en se , m ut ua l m ee ti ng o f

body and mind. She knew he would stay supplicant to her for only as long as he willed it. After that, she

w ou ld b el on g t o h im , j us t a s h e w ou ld b el on g t o h er .

T he t ho ug ht o f t heir l ov em ak in g l ef t h er s haki ng w it h n eed. S he g ri pp ed t he chair s o t ig ht ly h er f in gers

a ch ed . Y et s he h el d o n b ec au se i t w as t he on ly t hi ng ho ld in g h er b ac k. T he o nl y t hi ng k ee pi ng h er f rom

jumping up and touching him in all the ways her body demanded.

Tr is tan abr up tl y s to pp ed m ov in g. D is ap po in tm en t f il led h er at t he s am e t im e as r el ief. P ar t o f h er w an ted

h im t o c ont inu e, t o s ee h is d anc e t hr ou gh, w hi le a no th er di dn t k now i f s he c oul d d ea l w it h t he r es ul t.

Tr i st an s t ro de t o war d h er.

Sa R ah w as s ti ll t ry in g t o r eg ai n t he a bi li ty t o b re at he w he n h e p la ce d a f in ge r u nd er h er c hi n a nd t il te d

h er h ea d u p. H is e ye s g li tt er ed d an ge ro us ly a nd t he h un ge r s he s aw i n t he ir g re en d ep th s s en t s hi ve rs o f

d es ir e u p a nd d ow n h er s pi ne . Y et s he c ou ld n t l oo k a wa y. S he l os t h er se lf i n t he b ea ut y o f h is g az e.

H e s li d h is f in ge r a lo ng h er j aw , u p o ve r h er e ar , a nd d el ve d h is h an d i nt o h er h ai r. W it h a s li gh t p ul l, h e

f or ce d h er f ac e u p t o h im i n s up pl ic at ion . M uc h t he w ay s he h ad i ma gi ne d d oi ng t o h im . H e s ta re d l on g

a nd h ar d a t h er l ips , h is e ye s f la ri ng w it h n ee d w he n s he w et t he m w it h h er t on gu e.

H e g ro wl ed l ow i n h is t hr oa t.

" Th at , p ri nces s, w as t he d em on st rati on . I h op e y ou enj oy ed i t, and u nd er st oo d t he l ess on ." W it ho ut

a no th er w or d, h e r el ea se d h er h ai r, t ur ne d, a nd w al ke d o ut o f t he r oo m.

* * * *

T ri st an w at ch ed S a R ah s tr id e o n s ta ge f or h er s ec on d p er fo rm an ce . T he c ro wd w en t w il d. B ou nc er s

f or me d a b lo ck ad e b et we en h er a nd t he a ud ie nc e. S he j us t s to od t he re s ca nn in g t he r oo m. N ot hi ng

m or e. B ut i t w as t he w ay s he d id i t. A c ha ll en ge a nd e nt ic em en t t o t he m en s o a vi dl y w at ch in g he r. L eg s


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s pr ea d a pa rt i n a r ea dy s ta nc e, s ho ul de rs t hr ow n b ac k, b re as ts t hr us t o ut p ro ud ly , h ea d h el d h ig h. A nd

h er e ye s. T he y d ar ed a ll t o c om e t o h er , t o t ou ch h er . S he w as u nd ou bt ed ly a n a lp ha f em al e. E ve ry m an ,

on a pr im al l eve l kne w i t, a nd w ant ed h er mo re be ca us e of it .

S to pp in g i n f ro nt o f o ne m an , s he s mi led s ed ucti vely and b en t t ow ar ds h im . T he b ou ncer s all ow ed h im t or ea ch t ow ar ds S a R ah , b ut i ns te ad o f t ou ch in g h im w it h h er h an ds , s he p la ce d h er t hi gh h ig h s pi ke d

h ee le d bo ot on hi s c he st a nd pu sh ed . T he m an wa s k no ck ed of f b al anc e b ac k i nt o t he c ro wd .

" Call m e w hen y ou v e g ro wn u p, l it tl e b oy ." H er v oi ce w as l ow , t easi ng and s ed ucti ve.

T he cro wd exp lo ded i n m al e l au gh ter. T he m an s he p us hed s mi led s heep is hl y, b ut d id n t l eave. H is eyesremained glued hungrily on Sa Rah.

S he w as d re ss ed i n s om e s or t o f s ca rf -l ik e o ut fi t. L ay er s o f s he er , r ed m at er ia l c ov er ed h er f ro m

s ho ul der t o ank le, b ut every t im e s he m ov ed , i t p ar ted, g iv in g t easi ng g li mp ses o f w hat l ay b en eath . S a

Ra h di dn t s ee m t o not ic e a s s he c on ti nue d pa ci ng t he s ta ge , l ike a t ige r i n a c age . H e c oul d f ee l he r

r es tl es sn es s. H e f el t i t t oo . S he c al le d o ut t o hi m w it hou t e ve n k no wi ng i t.

H is m us cl es t ig ht en ed and h is b od y s pr an g t o l if e. W in ci ng , T ri st an adm it ted t hat V ic g ot i n a cou pl e o f

go od s hot s e ar li er . H is bod y wa s s ta rt ing t o f ee l i t. B ut a s h e gl an ce d a cr os s t he r oom a t h is opp on ent , he

k ne w h e w as m uc h b et te r o ff t ha n V ic . T he t wo m en s ha re d a q ui ck g la nc e. T ri st an s ta re d i nt o t he o th er

mans eyes with unyielding intensity. Vic looked away. Tristans dominance had been asserted.

T he m in ut e t he m us ic s tart ed , t he cro wd s ti ll ed . T heir att en ti on b ecam e com pl et el y f ocus ed o n S a R ah .

A s s he b eg an h er d an ce , t he y p us he d c lo se r t o t he s ta ge . T he b ou nc er s s to od f ir m, k ee pi ng t he m b ac k.

" Th at s w hy w e cal l h er H on ey ."

T ri st an s wu ng a ro un d t o f in d B ob s ta ndi ng b es id e h im . H e w as t al ki ng t o T ri st an , b ut h is e ye s w er e

g lu ed o n t he s ta ge .

"Why?" Tristan asked.


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" Th e f ir st t im e s he c am e t o a ud it io n, I n ot ic ed i t. T he g uy s w ho w or k h er e, t he y re u se d t o s ee in g

beautiful women dance and strip. Honey was different. She danced, but didnt undress, couldnt do it at

t he l as t m in ut e, I g ue ss . Bu t i t d id n t m at te r. E ve ry m an i n t he c lu b c ou ld n t t ea r h is g az e a wa y f ro m he r

a s s he mo ve d. It s l ike t he mor e you s ee , t he mor e y ou w ant . T ha t gi rl c oul d ma ke a m an o n hi s

d ea th be d h or ny . S om et hi ng a bo ut h er d ra ws y ou t o h er . L ik e b ee s t o h on ey . T he y c an t r es is t i tst em pt at io n. S am e g oe s f or o ur H on ey . M en a re i rr es is ti bl y d ra wn t o h er . I c al le d h er t ha t w he n I o ff er ed

he r a job, a nd it jus t kind of stuc k."

" I s ee ." A nd T ri st an d id s ee , o nl y t oo w el l.

I n h is t im e, T an vi er an w om en w er e k no wn t hr ou gh ou t t he u ni vers e f or t heir d an ci ng . W hen t heyperformed the Rov Hum, they drew the attention of not only their mate, but every male around them. Sa

R ah w as d anc in g t he R ov H um w it ho ut e ve n k no wi ng i t. M en c ou ld n t h el p b ut r es po nd t o h er .

" I he ar d y ou a nd V ic h ad a l it tl e g et ti ng a cq ua in te d p ar ty ," B ob c om me nt ed d ry ly, k ee pi ng h is e ye s o n

S a R ah . T he c ha ng e of s ubj ec t w as a s ur pr is e, b ut t he t opi c w as n t. T ri st an ha d e xp ec te d t o ge t r ea me d

f or i t.

" Yo u cou ld s ay t hat, " h e r es po nd ed cau ti ou sl y.

B ob n o dd ed.

" I hope you t wo c ame t o a n a gr ee me nt a nd got i t ou t of your s ys te m. I f i t h appe ns a ga in, yo u re b ot h

f ir ed . I h av e eno ug h o n m y h an ds w or ry in g abo ut cus to mers f ig ht in g. I s ho ul dn t n eed t o w or ry abo ut m ys ecur it y p eo pl e g et ti ng i nt o t ro ub le. D o w e u nd er st an d each o th er ?"

"Y eah, I u nd er st an d, " T ri st an s ai d t hr ou gh g ri tt ed t eeth . H e d id n t l ik e t ak in g o rd er s f ro m t he clu b

m ana ge r, b ut k ne w t ha t he h ad t o, f or no w.

" Go od ." B ob w al ked away w it ho ut ano th er w or d.


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T ri st an n ev er g ot t he c ha nc e t o r eg re t h is f ig ht . H is f oc us r et ur ne d t o S a R ah a s s he s lo wl y r em ov ed

l ay er a ft er l ay er o f s ca rf . H e f el t c au gh t i n t he s ed uc ti ve s pe ll o f h er d an ce . W he n s he t il te d h er h ea d

back, closed her eyes and held her arms open wide, he could almost hear every man in the room groan

w it h n eed. I t w as t he t radi ti on al p os e o f a T an vi er an w om an w el co mi ng h er m at e. T ri st an b ar el y h el d

h im se lf b ac k. A g row l f or me d l ow i n hi s t hr oa t w he n h e r em em be re d t ha t e ve ry o the r m al e i n t he r oo m

w as f ee li ng t he s am e ur ge a s hi m.

A s t he l as t s ca rf f el l t o t he gr ound, T ri st an s uc ke d i n a n un st ea dy br ea th. Al l s he ha d on w er e h er r ed,

t hi gh h ig h b oo ts a nd a s hi mm er in g w hi te a ll ov er c at s ui t. N o s ki n s ho we d b el ow h er n ec k, y et t he s ui t

a cc en tu at ed e ac h a nd e ve ry s we et c ur ve o f h er b od y. H e i ma gi ne d h is h an ds r un ni ng a ll o ve r h er ,

touching, teasing, and satisfying.

A s t he d an ce c am e t o i ts c re sc en do , h er b od y l oo ke d a lm os t f lu id . T he s pa rk li ng m at er ia l m ad e h er d an ce r un t og et he r i nt o a s hi ny r iv er o f m ov em en t. H e w an te d t o s wi m i n t ha t r iv er . E xp lor e e ac h a nd

every cor ner o f i t. D el ve i n again and again u nt il i t o verf lo wed.

S a R ah s a ct io ns s lo we d a nd g re w m or e s en su al . S he l if te d h er a rm s a bo ve h er h ea d, s pr ea d h er l eg s

w id e, and s lo wl y t il ted h er h ip s b ack and f or th s ed ucti vely . H er n ip pl es h ar dened and s tr ai ned again st t he

m at er ia l s he w or e. H er l ip s p ar te d a nd T ri st an k ne w s he w as b re at hi ng h ea vi ly . S o w as h e. H e w an te d t o

w or sh ip t ho se n ip pl es , l ick and s uck t hem u nt il t hey w er e r ed , s wo ll en , and s hi ny . H is m ou th w at er ed as

h e i magi ned h ow g oo d t hey w ou ld f eel i n h is m ou th , h ow i nt ox icat in g t hey w ou ld t as te.

S a R ah c ri ed o ut , a s i f f in di ng h er r el ea se , a nd c ru mp le d t o t he g ro un d. W av e a ft er w av e o f p le as ur e, h er

pleasure, washed over him. He almost lost it there and then, in the middle of the club. The music cut off

abr up tl y, and com pl et e s il en ce f il led t he r oo m as every m al e p resent s tr ug gl ed f or s el f- co nt ro l.

T he y l os t t he b at tl e. A ll h el l b ro ke l oo se .

T he a ud ie nc e p us he d f or wa rd , b ut t hi s t im e t wo m en f ro m t he f ro nt r ow m an ag ed t o b yp as s t he

bouncers. They jumped on the stage and stalked towards Sa Rah. But as the first one reached her, the

s ec on d p ul le d h im a wa y b ef or e h e c ou ld g et t o h er . F is ts f le w a s t he m en f ou gh t

eden robins - whatever tomorrow brings.pdf

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