Free Sleeping Beauty and the Demon by Marina Myles Page B

inside and gathered her collar about her throat. She’d never been alone with a man inside his home and knew nothing about how to behave. Drago seemed to sense her unease. He offered her a smile as he removed his jacket with slow, pain-filled motions.
    “Excuse me while I tend to this gash under my eye. Make yourself comfortable on the divan.”
    Rose nodded, but she was too nervous to sit down. She began to pace around the sparsely furnished flat. The spotlessly clean parlor spilled into a tiny kitchen, complete with an icebox and a coal-burning stove.
    Curious as to Drago’s likes and dislikes in food, she meandered to the kitchen’s cabinets and took the opportunity to peek inside. They were completely bare!
    Isn’t that just like a bachelor? At least she assumed it was.
    She settled on the upholstered divan. Instead of displaying personal photos, the walls of the apartment were covered in framed marquee posters of Drago’s shows.
    Does Drago have any family or friends? And why is this place darkened by drapes of velvety black? It seemed an odd color for curtains.
    Unable to relax, Rose’s mind harkened to the background check Patrick had ordered for Drago. There was no doubt he was mysterious—and unfortunately, the impersonal apartment offered no further insight about his past.
    Patrick. Rose knew she’d broken his heart tonight. Would he ever forgive her?
    With trembling fingers, she removed her hat and fidgeted with the drawstrings of her handbag. It was infernally hot inside the apartment and the ridiculous layers she was wearing were unnecessary. Deciding she couldn’t stand the stifling fitted jacket and three-tiered jabot any longer, she removed them just as Drago re-entered the room.
    His eyes gleamed at the fact that she was removing her clothing.
    In turn, Rose’s eyes zeroed in on his swollen lips and the blood-soaked bandage that topped his cheek.
    “Your friend packs a powerful punch,” he said as he sat next to her.
    “You made him furious. What did you say to him onstage—before the guillotine’s blade fell?”
    Drago shrugged, sending stray pieces of brown hair to his cheekbones. “It was nothing. Your suitor despised me from the moment he set eyes on me, so I played with him a little.”
    “That wasn’t very nice.” She was sure there was fire in her eyes.
    “I know, and I’m sorry.” He exhaled. “I’m just glad you chose to come with me and not go with Patrick.”
    A wave of rage rose inside her. “Chose you? Do you think I am here of my own free will?”
    Surprise lit Drago’s face. “What are you talking about?”
    “Don’t play dumb with me. You hypnotized me—and spoke to me from far away.”
    “Why do you think that?”
    “Don’t try and deny it.”
    “You’re upset—”
    “Nothing but unpleasantness has happened since I met you. I’m overwhelmed by this sense that I have no control over my actions. And the rift you’ve caused between me and Patrick is horrendous. It’s all because of my attraction to you—”
    His eyes narrowed. “You’re attracted to me?”
    “Couldn’t you tell by our kiss?” She buried her face in her hands and started to sob.
    Gently, he put an arm around her and allowed her to cry for a long while.
    After she stopped, she looked at him somberly. “You don’t understand. You’re all I think about.”
    “Does that mean you’d rather be with me than Patrick?”
    “Yes,” she said quietly.
    “I think that’s what’s infuriating Patrick the most.”
    “I hope he’ll forgive me for hurting him,” she replied. “But I need to know. Am I under some sort of trance, Drago? One you are responsible for?”
    He spread his hands wide. “You are an intelligent woman. I believe you’ll figure it out.”
    “Enough riddles!” she exploded. “I want the truth. Did you hypnotize me into falling in love with you?”
    Happiness washed over his face. “You’re in love with me?”
    “You’re so exasperating!” She began to cry all