AllFreeNovel
Share Us
On the ground floor, there was a huge kitchen, the living room which led out onto the balcony, then there was a smaller, cosier space, which seemed to be more of a cinema room. There was also the bedroom I’d been using. He showed me through another door. The window in this room overlooked the wooded area to the back of the property. I could just make out the walkway through to Mac and Jeanie’s annexe. It was a library, complete with overstuffed, comfy leather chairs, and loads of books of all sizes.
“This is one of my favourite rooms.”
“I can see why. I love reading.”
In the centre of the room was a low coffee table. In the middle of it was a huge leatherbound book with silver lettering on the front. It read,The Complete Hybrid History.
“I’ll take this with us.” Antoine picked it up and put it under his arm.
I glanced out of the window again, and off to one side, I spotted a covered-over area. It was quite secluded, so I hadn’t seen it when I was outside.
“What’s under there?” I pointed to the closed-off area.
His presence was close behind me, and he leaned in, his breath by my ear. I shivered at his nearness, his signature scent making my head spin.
“That’s another favourite area of mine. Hot tub.”
When he spoke, it was like a silky seduction caressing my skin. My mind raced as I thought about the endless possibilities of having fun in there. At the last moment, I managed to keep my thoughts to myself.
He let loose a throaty chuckle. “You’re learning.”
He led me upstairs to where there were four more bedrooms. All had ensuites. He’d left his room until last and I wondered why. Opening the door, he moved to one side so I could enter. I was rendered speechless. There was a four-poster bed at the centre, draped in deep blue covers and paler blue scatter cushions. By the doors which opened out onto a private balcony overlooking the sea, there was a beautiful golden loveseat.
I’d expected something intensely masculine, like Antoine, and was surprised. The carpet was a deep golden colour, and the walls were the palest blue. Several paintings of the sea hung on the walls.
“Wow, this is beautiful. It reminds me of the beach and sea.”
He strolled to where I gazed out over the ocean.
“Yeah, that’s what I was going for. The beach is my happy place.”
I turned to face him. “Mine too.”
I headed over to the door which led into his bathroom. This one was all greys and blues, like a stormy sea. The shower was plenty big enough for two, as was the freestanding bath. My mind was working overtime again, and I headed back out of the room.
“Let’s go downstairs and talk.”
I took his outstretched hand and followed him. Now we were going to talk, my tummy constricted with nerves and my hands became clammy. What if he told me things I didn’t want to hear?
“Baby steps, Donna. I promise.”
* * *
Antoine
When we got to the main living room, I sat on the sofa farthest from the balcony doors. This gave Donna the option of sitting where she wanted. My heart just about leapt out of my chest when she chose to sit by my side.
I cleared my throat. “Okay, I’ll try not to bombard you with too much information. Stop me any time you want to ask me something.”
She nodded, eyes fixed on me.
“Demons have always been a pain in the ass, and centuries ago, the angels decided we needed something to fight them. It was decided that a cross between angel and vampire was the perfect solution. The angels’ blood and vampire venom were the best combination.”
“How did that work?” She was leaning closer to me now, interest in her expression.
“First, each country in the world was divided up into territories. A Hybrid and his mate would guard each one.”
“How are Hybrids made?”
