Free Microsoft Word - Blood and Sex from CE.rtf by Administrator Page A

called.
    Oh no. Not Isabella. Christiana walked faster and squeezed Blane’s arm. “Let’s go,” she whispered.
    They’d just made it out the door when someone grabbed her shoulder. Christiana turned to see the pale face and exquisite brown eyes of Isabella. Her blue-black hair had been chopped into a short bob that accentuated the hard lines of her face and made her look even more predatory.
    “I was calling you. Where have you been?” Her Italian accent was as thick as ever and fit with the gauzy purple dress. She seemed almost regal.
    “America.”
    She glanced at Blane, smiled, and then looked him over from head to toe. “And you’ve been a very naughty girl, I see.”
    Blane’s eyebrows arched high. “Who are you?”

    70
    “Christiana’s lover.”
    His eyes cut to her, and Christiana fought back a growl. “Don’t tell people that. You are not.”
    Isabella stroked her fingers down Christiana’s cheek. “Only because you won’t give in, darling.”
    Blane’s lip twitched at the corner. She didn’t have to feel the fascination coming from him to know he was enjoying this a little too much.
    “I’m sorry, Isabella, but we have to get back to my room. I have a long day ahead of me.”
    “Then I am coming, too. It has been too long since we have talked.”
    Christiana turned and slid into the limo. Blane climbed in behind her and shut the door.
    Isabella headed toward another limo, and Christiana settled into her seat. She didn’t hide her anger as she glared at him. If he said one word about that woman, she was going to rip him apart right here in the limo.
    “So,” Blane said. “That makes perfect sense.”
    “What?”
    The limo started to move.
    “Why you’re so cold to guys.”
    “Ugh!” She punched him hard in the shoulder. “I’m not into women!”
    “That’s not what Isabella thinks.” He gave her a crooked grin. “Besides, I think it’s hot.”
    “You perv.” Christiana rolled her eyes.
    “No threesomes, then?”
    “Only in your dreams.” She laughed at the thought. He probably would be dreaming about it. Knowing Isabella and her ways, it might be more than a dream if she couldn’t manage

    71
    to get rid of that psycho before it went too far.

    * * * *
Blane watched from the bed in her room as Christiana pulled the brush through her hair, then double-checked her blue button-up and gray slacks in the mirror. She was beautiful, and he sincerely doubted she knew just how beautiful she was. It wasn’t a cheap, porn star kind of beauty. She was angelic, surreal.
    She caught him watching, but quickly looked away. “When she gets here, don’t let her seduce you. That’s her gift.”
    “I can handle that kind. She’s not the only one who excels at seduction.”
    “No. Seduction’s not her gift. Talking people into doing what she wants is. She’s persuasive.” Christiana turned off the bathroom light and moved to stand in front of him. “That’s why they pull her into their big meetings. She influences decisions.”
    “Hmmm.” Blane smiled. “That’d be a nifty trick to have.”
    “Yeah, but it’s going to get her killed one day.”
    A knock sounded from the front of her room. Christiana groaned and her eyebrows knitted. Christiana definitely wasn’t attracted to Isabella, but there was something between her and the other woman. Something must have happened in the past. Something she wasn’t proud of.
    “Show time.” He hopped to his feet. “Don’t kick me out if you two start to go at it. I’m here for your protection.” His brows wiggled.
    “God, you’re annoying.”
    “Just don’t open the door. Say it’s because she’s a security risk. Khalil will back you up on it. He likes you.” She muttered something that sounded like For some ungodly reason .

    72
    Blane smirked, then crossed the large room. He waited a moment to let Christiana collect herself, then opened the door and smiled down at the little curvaceous, gothic woman.
    “Hello again,