Free Cleopatra's Return: A Paranormal/Vampire Romance by Eve Langlais Page A

killer. He went on a killing rampage through the countryside. He came to his senses, bathed in the blood of a family, all killed by him down to the youngest child. Only then did she fetch him and bring him back to her abode. She experimented on him, using forbidden magic that returned his youth to him, but left him a changed man. He became a toy for her, one which she performed depraved acts on. She also waged a mental war, feeding him lies that made him hate all he’d loved in his past, twisting his emotions and taking from him every solace.”
    “That’s why he hates me ?” It wasn’t so much a question as a revelation. Much as Cleo wanted to despise Julius, hearing Michael’s abrupt account shifted her anger into pity. Pity for the degradation and pain a once proud and loving man had found himself subjected to. And while it didn’t excuse him for his words to her, she could at least now understand them.
    “Julius doesn’t hate you. He hates himself. It’s just easier to take it out on others.”
    “So how did he escape?” she asked, even though she suspected the answer.
    “I killed the bitch ,” was his unrepentant reply. “I rammed her body, kicking and screaming, onto a stake I’d pounded into the ground and let the sun roast her to ashes.”
    Cleo shivered. For a being who’d once born the title archangel, he possessed a dark and bloodthirsty side—one she approved of. “I’m glad you made her suffer and thank you for telling me. But how does knowing this help? I mean where do we go from here?”
    Michael tightened his arms around her and rested his chin on top of her head. “If you really feel you cannot share the house with him, then I shall send him elsewhere.”
    Stunned didn’t describe her reaction to his words. “I thought he was your best friend.”
    “ He is, but he also treated my paramour with great disrespect.”
    “A lover you’ve had for only a day.”
    “I meant what I said last night. I’ve waited a long time to find you. You mean too much to me already. If I must choose, then I choose you.”
    Cleo opened her mouth to tell him throw Julius out on his ear. To beat him within an inch of life. But, truly, it wasn’t Julius’ fault he was so bitter, and besides, she was a big girl. She could handle a little name calling, especially knowing where it originated from. “I can’t let you do that. He’s your friend, and he doesn’t deserve losing his home. He can stay. And I’ll stay too, but I won’t be held responsible for his demise if he insults me again.” She’d kick his balls so hard he’d cough them out. And then she would let Michael at him.
    Michael seemed stunned at her capitulation. “ Truly? Tell you what, if he dares say one unpleasant thing to you again, I’ll pin him down so you can beat him.”
    “I’ll hold you to that.” The tension broke , and relief flooded her. I don’t have to leave.
    Restless all of a sudden, she stood and turned to look at Michael. Then she looked some more at what he wore, or rather what he didn’t. In his rush to come to her rescue, he hadn’t dressed. Heat instantly flared to life between her legs because he had the tousled look of someone who’d jumped out of bed.
    His hair was rumpled and sexy. His chest taunted her with its eminently lickable bare expanse of skin, and when he stood to face her, his track pants hung indecently low on his hips.
    She took the few steps that separated them to place her palms on his bare chest. Cool to the touch, his skin was smooth, hairless and much too tempting. She leaned forward and pressed her lips over his left breast where his heart thudded slowly.
    He might be a vampire, but he’s not dead like legends say. He breathes, has a heartbeat, and he can get smoking hot. It made her wonder if he’d taste like a man or if he’d have a unique flavor. No time like the present to find out. Nothing like sex to make it all better.
    She licked her way down his chest to the waistband of his