Free Playing with Fire by Michele Hauf Page A

my goddess, those shoulders are impressive, but I like my men a touch more romantic. Flowers. Platitudes. Sweet nothings whispered in my ear. That's how you'll win my heart, buddy."
    Sneering, he lunged and gripped my shoulders. My reaction time slowed by observation of his sigh-worthy muscles, he managed to wrap his arms around my chest and arms so I couldn't push him away. Now he seemed impervious to my kicks that landed on his shins. Should have worn my steel-toed Doc Martens, but low ballet flats were necessary when sneaking around.
    "You have something that belongs to me," he hissed. His breath was hot with a hint of mint, and his arms felt even hotter, like he was made of molten steel. "Rather, you took something from the Council."
    Ah. I understood now. Had there been cameras on sight? I'd received intel there were no security measures in place. What the heck?
    "Don't know what you're talking about, McSteamy. Seriously you have a fever? Ouch. You're burning me!"
    He released me like that. "Sorry." The sexy bruiser stepped back, shaking out his hands. A few flames fell from his fingers to the floor of the train and flickered out in red cinders.
    Wriggling my back, because I felt sure he'd burned through the black turtleneck and to my skin, I asked, "What the hell are you?"
    "Fire demon."
    Well, well. That explained the smolder in his mesmerizing brown eyes.
    "And you are vampire."
    "Who has witch magic," I said, because I wanted him to know exactly what he was dealing with. A demon? I could take him, no problem. Unless he was able to shoot flames at me. Hmm...
    The next stop was mine. I shifted my hips and turned a foot in preparation to dart as soon as the automatic doors slid open.
    "What did you take?" he asked.
    He didn't know? Then I wasn't going to tell him. Not even if he licked me from belly to neck and spent a lot of time suckling and kissing in between with that hot tongue of his.
    Whew! Where had that come from, Parish? You are not attracted to the demon's smoldering gaze. Well, maybe a little. Combine the smolder with his solid, muscled form and that messy dark hair that hung over one eye--okay, I was attracted! This fine specimen would coax even a nun to tear off her rosary. But I was the furthest thing from a nun.
    The train stopped and the doors opened. I sprang out and ran toward the exit, expecting the demon to tail me. Since when had I ever been attracted to the demonic breed? Their black blood was rumored to taste nasty. Still, muscles and smolder rated high on my scale.
    I met my gorgeous pursuer at the top of the stairs that opened onto a cobbled avenue. How had he--?
    Lowering his head, his dark eyes smiled in triumph, though his perfect lips did not move. Kiss me with those thick bowed lips, Mr. Sexy Demon.
    Nix that. He wanted something I couldn't--wouldn't--give him.
    And yet, when the going got tough, I could slip into sneaky sensual mode with an ease that made others in my tribe beg to take lessons. All men could be controlled with a wink and a flirtatious touch, if not a little magic.
    I took the last two steps slowly, walking right toward the alluring hunk of oh-so-fine. My apartment was close but I guessed he'd trail me, so I had to make sure he didn't have the capacity to do so. What I knew about demons is they liked to sin and they never refused the carnal pleasures (or so I hoped).
    He was well over a head taller than me--easy for any man since I barely toed five feet tall--and his shoulders were twice as wide as mine. Strong, powerful and able to eat little girls for lunch. The notion of this man eating me...
    Parish, your mind is in the wrong place!
    But not wrong for my impromptu plan to work. I'd been practicing a submission spell, but it did require blood. Guess I was going to have to take one for the team.
    Tilting up on tiptoes, I landed the demon's mouth with mine. Clinging to his shoulders I delivered my seductive wiles with a firm, explorative kiss. I licked his lips and tugged