Dark Memories (The Phantom Diaries, #2) Read Free Page A

I spent years simply wandering the underground tunnels and never daring to see the light of day. New York had little more to offer me than a convenient escape from Paris.”
    “Yet you’ve remained here for over a century. I take it something came to interest you along the way.”
    “Let me show you. Finish your breakfast and I’ll take you to a few of my favorite places.”
    Her eyes narrowed and her lips took on a seductive turn. “I remember the place that was once your favorite.”   She reached out to take my hand. “As I recall, it was also my favorite. Do you remember, Eric? Have you missed those nights you spent in my arms, in my legs, in my soul?”
    Fighting the sneer that worked its way to my lips, I resisted the comment that instantly came to mine regarding her soul. Play nice , I reminded myself.  
    “I do, and I have; many, many times.   You are a woman difficult to forget. In fact, you inspired a great number of songs I’ve written over the years.” I gave her hand a tender squeeze and hoped Annette understood what I was trying to do.
    “Ah,” Kristine groaned with a satisfied smile. “I must admit it pleases me to hear that, Eric. Very much.”
    “I knew it would.” The nature of the songs she’d inspired would remain my secret. Far from being ballads of love, she’d brought out in me a rage of hard and heartless songs of betrayal and a complete disregard for the heart.   “And the
New York
that I will share with you will please you as well. Trust me.”

 
    Chapter 2
     
    Kristine followed me to my room where I’ve had half my closet filled with Annette’s clothes. Though eager to leave for his much deserved time off, Abner, my butler, brought as many of Annette’s things over late last night, and I was pleased to see he had done a remarkable job arranging Annette’s clothes, accessories and shoes.
    As I lay a pair of jeans, a warm sweater and woolen coat on the bed, Kristine watched me with interest and curiosity. From a drawer at the back of the closet, I pulled out a pair of leather gloves and a long, fanciful crocheted scarf. She cocked her brow as I set them on the coat and I replied in like.
    “Not quite the elegant couture of
Paris
,” she said.
    “We’re no longer in Paris, nor in the nineteenth century. Besides, we should see some snow today and I’m sure you’ll appreciate the warmth,” I explained. “Looks like we’ll have a white Christmas after all.”
    She shrugged and proceeded to remove her robe. Before she could expose too much of Annette’s body to me, I left the room and closed the door.
    Moments later she emerged and I could not deny my animal attraction to her. How exquisitely ravaging she was. The gleam in her eye reflected her knowledge of this fact.
    “This pleases you, Mon amour ?” she purred. She patted the tight jeans that hugged her curves so perfectly. “I must say, I think I rather enjoy the fashions of the day after all. There is a certain allure to such a garment, is there not?”
    “Indeed.”
    She turned to show me her backside while she twisted around to admire it herself.   “Hmmm, yes. Very alluring.”
    “Now come and show
New York
how alluring you really are,” I said, holding my hand out to her.
    Her hungry gaze inspected the length of me.   “I see you’ve also found an interesting way with fashion as well.”
    My jeans were hardly interesting, nor was my black sweater. The long black leather coat I pulled over it all, however, was what seemed to awaken her senses. She ran her hand over my shoulder and leaned up as to kiss me.
    “Come now,” I said as I backed away.   “New York is fabulous in the early mornings.”
    I led her to my garage and heard her gasp at the sight of the collection of automobiles I kept housed there.
    “My, my, Eric. You really have done well for yourself.”
    Her eyes lingered on the Jaguar, then stared at the 1963 Red Corvette. She gave my motorcycle a questioning tilt of her head.
    While