Page 79 of The Firebrand
“Great idea. Good night, Brae.” He closed his eyes again, his breathing softer as he slipped back to dreamland.
Braelyn nabbed the first solid object she saw, a large ceramic vase. She hurled it at Rein, but somehow, he caught it mid-flight.
Damn vampire speed.
“Why the fuck did you do that?” He set the vase on the table, kicking off the sheet, exposing a lot of delectable skin along with a bobbing hard dick.
Is the guy ever limp?
“Who the fuck knows. Is that all you have to say?”
His gaze flitted left, right, back again, as if she had asked a trick question. “What else should I say? You are a puzzle, female. I don’t know what crawled up your ass. You were leaving to get some sleep. I just agreed with you. That’s all.” He rolled over to face the wall. “By the way, your throw packs a wallop. You’re getting stronger.”
Braelyn stomped out of Rein’s room and down the hallway, angry, disappointed he hadn’t asked her to remain in his bed.
What did I expect?
The man lived encased in a hard shell, granite muscles cloaking a rock-shielded heart. Impenetrable. Nothing sneaked inside. Nobody. But he had been honest with her, and she had accepted the terms. Simple, uncomplicated sex. She had gotten what she wanted. Still, something about Rein called to her, a primal urge.
Oh, yeah. I got the good end of the bargain.
ChapterSeventeen
Braelyntossed a flowered Henley on the floor with the other rejected going-home-togs.No to number three.She settled on black leather, skin-tight pants, wriggling into them, hopping around while she yanked on the waistband. When the zipper refused to slide up, she flopped onto the bed and sucked in her stomach.
Success. Now for a top.
Because she couldn’t bend in the breath-sucking leathers, she searched through the scattered piles with difficulty. She chose the sexiest one, a snug red knit halter.
Just right.
Dressed, she rested a hand on her hip while she gazed at her reflection, trying out a few poses. Sassy. Demure. Pouty. No matter what, she looked like a pole dancer. Since the vampire had a thing for sexy strippers, this outfit would work. Punishment.
Let him see what he’ll be missing.
Braelyn slipped into black strappy sandals before she jammed her sneakers into a plastic bag. Everything else she left on the bed or floor.
My goodbye gift. The mess will give him apoplexy.
Childish? Yes.
Rein waited for her in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in hand. After a few blinks, he returned to the stove. With the scrambled eggs not too firm and the bacon crisp, he divided them onto two plates, handing one to her.
With a cheery smile brightening her lips, Braelyn went for the direct approach. “You have quite a morning-after glow.”
His lips quirked as he leaned against the counter to eat while Braelyn decided against sitting. The seam of the leather pants might pop. “Shouldn’t that be my line? Eat. Replenish your strength.” Rein shoveled a forkful of eggs into his mouth.
As he chewed, she couldn’t help but think about what his mouth had done last night. Heat flushed her cheeks. “Shouldn’t I get a girlfriend award?” She waved a piece of bacon in the air.
“You’re not a girlfriend.”
“Nasty. Are you always this mean in the AM? What should we call me? Bed buddy? Pillow pal?”
“How about problem?”
“Ha. Ha. Not for long.”
Rein grimaced.
