Free Embrace the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy Page A

she found herself flat on her back with a silver-haired vampire perched on top of her.
    â€œWell, well, pet. Fancy meeting you here.”
    Her breath had been knocked from her lungs, but not from the swift tackle. Viper had made certain his arms encircling her body had taken the impact.
    No. It was nothing so mundane.
    Cloaked in his rich scent and surrounded by the cloud of his silver hair she could barely think, let alone breathe. He surrounded her. His body pressing against her a shockingly familiar weight.
    Even worse his face was so close their noses were nearly touching. So close that she had only to tilt her chin to press her lips to his.
    The very fact that the mere thought brushed through her mind sent a thrill of panic racing through her heart.
    â€œGet off me,” she gritted.
    His low chuckle brushed against her cheek. “Make me.”
    She reacted more out of the fear of her response than to his soft challenge.
    Smacking her fists into his wide chest she pretended to fight as most women would be expected to fight. He instinctively leaned heavier into her arms, which gave her just enough room to move her leg. Before he could suspect her intention she hooked her leg around his waist and with a fierce motion she had rolled him onto his back.
    Just for a moment she was perched on top of him, her legs straddling his waist and a smug smile curving her lips.
    His beautiful features were briefly startled, and then a smile curved his own lips.
    She braced her legs, expecting him to attempt to roll her back beneath him. Men always preferred to use their greater size to overcome an opponent, not realizing their own strength could be used against them. Once he began to roll she would use his own momentum to end up on top again.
    Unfortunately, Viper was a vampire not a man.
    His smile widened as he simply lifted her upward, his arms wrapping about her as he flowed to his feet. Shay gritted her teeth as she abruptly bowed backward, throwing her arms over her head and wrapping her legs about his waist.
    As she hoped her movement threw him off balance. He stepped forward and she grabbed him around his knees, her flexible back easily able to bend in an impossible curve. Her head turned to sink her teeth into his thigh.
    â€œOh no, my beauty.”
    With a soft hiss, Viper once again did the unexpected. Following her movement forward he placed his hands on the ground and with a smooth motion rolled until he was again on his back. This time her legs were trapped beneath him and he was able to reach down and grasp her with enough strength to jerk her up to his chest. His arms lashed about her, pressing her arms to her side so that she was well and truly caught.
    Shit.

Chapter Six
    Viper couldn’t deny a thrill of excitement as he wrestled with the beautiful Shalott.
    No doubt he should be furious at her attempted escape. He had, after all, done everything possible to make her comfortable in his presence. From ordering the necessary food, to having her room decorated, to filling her closets with clothing. He had devoted weeks, not to mention a small fortune, to pleasing the ungrateful brat.
    To top it off he had behaved as a perfect gentleman when his dark hungers had howled in frustration.
    What other demon would have treated her with more consideration?
    Oddly, however, he found it was more of a predatory anticipation than fury he felt as he had started in pursuit of his renegade slave.
    There were few things that stirred his blood more than a cunning, dangerous woman.
    Especially when she happened to be beautiful in the bargain.
    Not a bad bonus.
    Holding her captive in his arms he slowly smiled into the golden flash of her eyes.
    â€œDo you want to continue, pet, or are we done with our fun and games?”
    She held herself so stiff it was a wonder she didn’t get a cramp. “What I want is for you to release me.”
    â€œNot until we’ve had a little chat.”
    She angrily squirmed against