Underworld Lover (A Guardian Angel Romance #2) by haron Hamilton Page B

door as she rang the bell.
    Her mother pulled open the front door, revealing the grand foyer, warmed by a pink and orange glow from hundreds of lit candles. “Mel!” Her mother pulled her forward and embraced her a little more lavishly than usual. Melanie was suddenly embarrassed being the center of attention.
    “Where’s your car?” her mother asked as she looked out the front door.
    “My truck? I’m getting the brakes fixed. I took a cab.”
    “Dearie, we could have had Peter pick you up, or sent the car for you. You should have told me.” Georgia Worthington frowned at her daughter.
    “Peter?” Oh, yes. Mr. Maserati. The eligible young bachelor she was being offered up to, like a virgin sacrifice. Swell. So now she would look like she expected him to take her home. She hadn’t thought about that possibility.
    “Peter Adamson, and the pleasure is all mine.” A man’s voice caught her attention. She looked up to see a handsome male standing before her, with an oddly familiar face with dark eyes. He captured Melanie’s hand, then bent to kiss her fingertips. She thought she smelled blood and heard screaming. The chill of his breath on her hand made her want to step away immediately. But she couldn’t move.
    This brought titters from the two other female onlookers, who appeared to have picked up on the old-fashioned and erotic implications. Melanie did not like this little dramatic part she was being forced to play.
    She decided Peter’s eyes knew more than he let the others know. He searched her face with a possessive air. Melanie sensed he would be the type to play with her flesh before striking. He’d take his time with her, confident of a winning outcome. She did not like or trust him. Worse, she was horrified at the subtle feeling he liked to cause pain. She shuddered.
    “Peter is new to Daddy’s firm. We thought he should come get to know the family,” her mother said. Melanie considered the unit the three Worthingtons made, but it didn’t feel like family. More like a partnership, a business arrangement.
    Peter had not let go of her hand, and although she tried to extricate it from his large paw he hung on, leading her into the large living room, a satisfied smile occupying the whole of his face. He stopped near the bar and handed her a large goblet of red wine.
    “I have poured you a Ravenswood merlot that has been breathing for a half hour.” After handing her the goblet and releasing her hand, he leaned into her, and said in a low voice, “See if you think she’s ready.”
    Melanie felt a little dizzy at his low tone, which washed over her face like a cool breeze. Her ears buzzed slightly. Peter was a handsome man, tall and well muscled under his white shirt. His black slacks were cut slim, and there was no mistaking his desire to show off his long legs and tight rear.
    The Ravenswood merlot was her favorite. He had obviously done his homework. She liked him even less than before.
    “Thanks.” She tried to smile back at him. She searched his face, squinting her eyes and cocking her head to the side. Needing to show him she wasn’t afraid of his magnetism, she looked him square in the middle of his dark eyes and took a sip of the merlot. It was heavenly. As if knowing what she was thinking, he smiled.
    “Good.”
    His voice was so soft she almost couldn’t hear his response. It sounded more like a moan that emanated deep from within his chest. She could feel the vibration from his body all the way to her toes.
    She pardoned herself away from him and made her way across the living room to Felix’s father and stepmother, who looked uncomfortable. She gave Mr. Barstow a hug that he didn’t return. He was a man in shock.
    “How are you holding up?” she asked.
    “Oh, well, we have good days and bad days.” His smile was more of a wince.
    The silence was awkward.
    “Yes, I imagine,” she said.
    “I just wish...” Felix’s father started to sob while his new wife pressed her