Wicked Edge Read Free Page B

registration desk.
    “Who checked in today?” This was a long shot. If she
was
aguest, she could’ve checked in days ago. The only thing he had going for him was the size of the hotel. The castle didn’t have as many rooms as a normal hotel, so there wouldn’t be that many guests arriving on any given day. But she might not even be staying in the hotel, in which case he was screwed.
    And when did she become so important?
Not important, just an interesting side trip. He needed something to break up his routine, and women didn’t usually catch his interest. It had been so many years…He shook the thought away to concentrate on Bill’s answer.
    “Only a few new guests. A middle-aged couple, a guy here for the fishing tournament, and a woman who checked in a little while ago.”
    “The woman. How old?”
    “Twenties, long blond hair—”
    “What room?” The hunter in him stirred.
    “One-ten. No luggage. She said the airline lost her bags.”
    “Name?”
    The clerk grinned. “Passion McBride.”
    Edge returned his grin before moving away. More and more fascinating. Who named their kid Passion? No luggage. He checked his watch. Still early enough for her to be up. He stopped in the lobby store that carried clothing and bought a few things. Then he headed for the elevator, faster but not as authentic as the winding stone staircase in the great hall.
    Once in front of her door, he knocked and waited.
    She opened the door and began speaking before she even looked at him. “I didn’t call for…” Then she saw him.
    Edge watched her eyes widen and her lips part as she stared. Shock became her. She looked beautiful, vulnerable, and tempting all at once. If he leaned forward and put his mouth over those full lips, she’d really have something to be stunned about.
    He controlled himself. First he’d slip into her mind to see if there was anything he needed to know. But as he reached for her thoughts, he slammed into a solid wall of
no
. What the…? Humans couldn’t deny him, even when they tried. And she
was
human.
    Edge narrowed his gaze on her face. Nothing in her expression hinted she was actively trying to keep him out. Strange.
    “You’re…” She spoke the word on a soft exhalation of wonder and maybe a little fear.
    “Not a demon.”
I’m much, much worse
. He smiled his most reassuring smile.
    She didn’t look reassured. “I know that.” Her gaze dropped to the bag he held.
    “I’m Edge. I help manage the Castle of Dark Dreams when I’m not bringing death and destruction to the locals.” Truer than she’d ever know.
    “Oh.” She looked surprised.
    “When I checked in at the registration desk, Bill told me you’d lost your luggage. We always want our guests to have a comfortable stay, so I picked up a few things you might need tonight.” He held out the bag.
    “Thank you.” She smiled as she accepted his offering.
    There were smiles, and then there were smiles. Edge had seen some of the best over thousands of years—sexy, innocent, calculating, and his very favorite, the you’ll–die-happy ones. Passion McBride’s smile
was
the best. It was innocence wedded to knowing, sensuality wrapped in unlimited possibilities.
    He wanted everything that went with that smile. Just for a night. Because that’s how long his interest usually lasted. Besides, the few times he
had
hung around for more than a night, things had ended badly. He’d learned his lesson.
    She glanced into the bag. “A nightgown, robe, slippers, and toiletries. You’re a lifesaver.”
    When she looked up, her smile had warmed and some of the shock had left her eyes. But not all of it.
    “I have about an hour before I do my second fantasy. I’m hungry. Bet you are too. Let’s go down to the restaurant, and I’ll buy us dinner.” He tried to look nonthreatening, a lot tougher than looking demonic.
    Now would be when she’d say she was married, or that she didn’t go anywhere with men who scared her witless. Because