Part 1: Mate's Lore Read Free Page B

live?”
     
    ****
     
    Brant
turned to stone beneath her. His hands tightened on her waist almost to the
point of pain.
    “Why
do you want to know so much about him?” His dark gaze held hers.
    If
she didn’t know better she would think he was jealous. “I’m interested and I
don’t want to hear that girl’s screams.”
    His
eyes narrowed. “Any screams you would hear would be screams of pleasure. I
assure you. Unless…” he paused. “Never mind. Zane does not live here. We are
birth enemies. You will not see him again.”
    “Birth
enemies? What does that mean?”
    “Our
fathers were enemies before we were born which makes us birth enemies.”
    “Sheesh,
talk about holding a grudge.”
    He
shook his head in what seemed like disbelief. A half smile graced his glorious
mouth. “If it helps any, we are no longer at war. A truce has existed for the
last twenty or so years.”
    “But
you don’t chat?”
    The
smile grew. “No, we very definitely do not chat.”
    “He’s
not your brother or anything is he?”
    “No.
Enough about Zane.” A low growl.
    Tanya
had to work to keep herself from biting her lip. Having Brant kiss her would be
bad. Oh so very bad considering she still had to convince him to let her go.
    The
vehicles ground to a halt directly in front of a set of stairs that led to
immense double doors. Tanya had meant to ask him how old he was, but she couldn’t
help but stare at the beautiful house and surrounding grounds. Two wings of old
school with a distinctly modern twist. Slanting slate roof tiles with wooden,
roof trusses and enormous glass windows. Flat green lawns, a lake, even a
sprawling forest. Acres of land as far as the eye could see.
    Brant
cleared his throat. Her eyes shot to his. He looked amused. His big hands
squeezed her waist.
    Oh
heck. They’d been parked for several minutes
and she still sat on his lap. She scrambled off, turning to face the opposite
door. Brant took her hand. “This way.” He grinned at her and out popped those
dimples. She had the ridiculous urge to kiss them. Not going there.
    The
iron knocker was shaped like a bat. Someone’s idea of a sick joke? Everybody
knew that vampires did not turn into flipping flapping night creatures.
    The
interior of the house was somewhere beyond impressive, more into the realm of
awe inspiring. Plush carpets, gleaming wooden floors and big crystal
chandeliers. Real crystal no doubt.  A nobody like her didn’t belong in this
world.
    “So,
you’re seriously loaded?”
    Brant
chuckled, “Old money.”
    “And
a fair amount of it is new…” A tall woman said as she rounded the corner.
    She
was regal in stature. Her short, bleach blond hair was slicked back to her
scalp. Big blue eyes and a full mouth completed the picture. She was riveting.
    “Tanya,
meet Stephany. My assistant.”
    “Are
you a vampire?”
    Stephany
winked. “A woman not afraid to speak her mind. I can tell I’m going to like
you.” She inclined her head. “Yes, I’m a vampire.” They shook hands. “I’m sure
you’re tired from your…ordeal, can I show you to your quarters?”
    Brant
turned to face her. “Stephany will take care of your needs. I’ll see you at
dinner.” He flashed her a half smile.
    Tanya
nodded and allowed herself to be led by the other woman, she could feel Brant’s
eyes on her as she followed Stephany up the tall staircase.
    Her
quarters turned out to be bigger than her whole apartment.
    “Jesus…I
mean goodness. This place is stunning.”
    The
tall vampire turned to face her. “I can tell why Brant chose you.”
    “Oh,
you mean another reason other than I smell like I might be a good fuck...” She
bit her bottom lip. “Apologies, I’m trying not to swear so much.”
    The
other woman laughed. “Please don’t hold back on my account. All relationships
need to start somewhere and if you ask me, being good together in bed is a good
foundation. You seem”—the vampire walked over to her and ran her hands