Transforming Love (A Koning Clan Novel) Read Free Page A

he has a problem with my drink choice, tell him to come see me."
         Clint shook his head and failed at hiding his smile . T hen he took her down a hallway and out the rear exit. They walked along a well-worn path that opened to one of the la rgest homes she ’ d ever seen.
         “ It ’ s beautiful.” Even in the moonlight , she could see it was three stories and made of red brick. Colorful flowers grew from planters in every window.
         “ It has been in Gryph ’ s family for a long time. It ’ s a little intimidating.”
         Yeah , just like the man.
         C lint unlocked the door with ease and held it open for her. She pretended not to be impressed. The house seeme d even larger from the inside.
         “ Your room is up the set of stairs to the right and then the third door on the left. If you need anything , pre ss pound two on your phone and just ask. Good Night.” Then , before she could say another word, Clint was gone.
         Despite the beautiful appearance, the house was pretty creepy. It felt sterile, like all life had been sucked out. She suppres sed a shiver and placed her palm on the carved wood rail ing for the stairs. It brought up memories of Buckskin Joe's haunted house. She would go with her friends during Halloween and wait to get the bejesus scared out of her. This was worse because she was alone and sh e stayed scared. No laughing. No teasing. No smiles. He r grip tightened on the bottle . She was going to forget , at least for tonight, and the contents of the b ottle seemed like the answer .
         Darn, which room was hers? She couldn ’ t remember. Jenny ’ s sto mach voiced its upset at not being fed properly. She did know one thing for sure; after she took a shower she was going to eat en ough to put most men to shame.
         She opened the top of her stolen prize and took a swig. She coughed. She certainly had no way to judge its quality , but the slow burn and almost instant numbing that followed said it must have been good. Her world spun as she took another sip. That time the taste was better, and it went down smooth as silk. She just wanted to forget. Everything she loved was lost, and now she w as in the clutches of a man who set her body on fire. Heat collected between her legs, soaking the scrap of lace as she remembered the feeling of his lips. She wanted Gryph despite everything. She wanted to taste the salt of his skin as she trailed her lips over the hidden ripples of his muscles. She wanted to break his control as he did hers. Her nails dug into her palm as she lifted the bottle to her lips. Maybe it would quell the stampeding lust tormenting her body.
         "Get a grip, Jenny. It was just a kiss." She whispered as she found her room.
     

Chapter Four
     
     
         Jenny was in heaven … in the form of a four person Jacuzzi bath tub. It felt wondrous, like thousands of tiny fingers rubbing every care away. She found her room faster than she hoped, and planned on taking a warm, quick shower so she could eat. When she opened her private bat h room door, she fell head over heels in love with the tub and couldn ’ t resist a pleasant, relaxing soak. Heck, she deserved it. It wasn ’ t every day a girl was told she was special and would be marrying a stranger. She didn ’ t even know what being special mea nt. She supposed she better get out of the tub and find out. She wanted answers. Plus , her heady buzz made her body sensitive, needy. She felt sexy amid the bubbles as she wished for a da rk, brooding male to join her. She lifted her foot high enough to see her anklet. The silver charms were coated in small white bubbles.
         “ What didn ’ t you tell me mom?” she whispered to the ghost of her past.
         She shivered and decided the water must be cooling off. Water sloshed on the floor as she stepped out. Her s kin was flushed and slick as small bubbles slid over her body. Maybe the alcohol wasn't such a bright