out, “Crap!”
He stood just in front of her, his muscled arms crossed over his massive chest, his legs braced apart. Their gazes clashed, her treacherous heart losing track of its rhythm and skipping a beat.
He looked even more unbelievably mouthwatering than before.
Golden hair tumbled onto his forehead and shoulders. He was still shirtless, his body roped with the tightest abs she’d ever seen. A leather band wrapped around him, holding a sword against his back.
Trembling now, she licked her lips. “What are you doing here?”
His gaze raked over her, and she suspected he had just peeled away her clothing. “Waiting for you, of course. You are gorgeous.”
She shifted from one foot to the other. His voice had dipped as he’d uttered the compliment. A take-no-prisoners timbre. Pure temptation and utter decadence.
He’s a lecherous abductor. Dangerous in every way.
Right. She mentally reinforced the icy walls around her heart.
“Did you like your painting?” he asked.
A shiver tripped along her spine. “Yes. No.”
He arched a sandy brow. “No?”
“Honestly? I both love and hate it. You painted an almost-smile on my face.”
“A look you tried to hide from me but couldn’t.”
He had amused her on several occasions. But...
He was that aware of her?
Dang him. He was seducing her again, and he wasn’t even trying!
It wasn’t fair. He had experience. She didn’t. But just as he was learning about her, she was learning about him. He wasn’t needlessly cruel or even merciless. He clearly loved and respected his men and wanted the very best for them.
“Be honest,” she said. “If we got married and had a daughter—” ovaries threatening to exploded again “—what would you do if some man came along and kidnapped her?”
Tension radiated from him. He raised his chin. “I would kill the bastard.”
A pang of envy—all for a make-believe daughter! Her own father would be too afraid of someone like Valerian to act against him.
“You would kill someone for doing exactly as you’ve done,” she said softly.
A muscle ticked beneath his eye. “I will die without you, Shaye. You would sentence me to death?”
He didn’t mean he would literally die. No way, no how. “You’re describing love at first sight. Which I don’t believe is possible.”
“No, I’m describing mate at first sight.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Everything and nothing,” he replied cryptically. He waved a hand through the air, a regal command to move on to the next topic. “Did you dream of me?”
She allowed the subject change because she’d made her point and given him something to consider.
“Yes,” she admitted grudgingly. She had. She’d dreamed of his hands on her body, caressing her...of his mouth doing delicious things.
His lush lips inched into a surprised but pleased smile. “Tell me. Every detail.”
“You were naked,” she told him.
His grin spread, and his eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
“And you were tied up...”
He appeared intrigued. “I had no idea bondage would excite you.”
“Oh, I adore the idea of tying you up.” She paused dramatically, and just like the Shaye in the painting, she fought a grin of her own. Maybe he knew her better than she’d given him credit for, after all. “You were secured to an anthill, being eaten alive.”
He barked out a charming laugh. “Such a cruel woman, my Shaye.”
His Shaye. Tremors nearly toppled her, her good humor vanishing in an instant...replaced by stunning desire.
He propped his shoulder against the side wall, a pose of carnal relaxation. Fall into my arms, his posture proclaimed. I’ll catch you.
“I dreamed of you, too,” he said.
Shivers cascaded through her. “Do tell.”
“You were naked, as well.”
Suddenly light-headed, she backed up a step. “Is it too much to hope I was tied to an anthill?”
“Yes.” He stepped toward her, intent and intense. “You were splayed on my dinner table, ready to quench my hunger.” His eyes were heavy-lidded, deliciously wicked. “I devoured you.”
Breathe; she had to breathe. The oxygen she did manage to draw in burned her throat, singed her lungs. As he’d spoken, his words had painted a picture in her mind. A terribly beautiful picture as vivid as the one he’d painted on the canvas.
His tongue...on her...in her...
“Come,” he said, extending his hand. “I’ll feed your hunger.”
Yes, oh, yes. I want him.
No! She batted at his wrist. “I’d rather starve than feast on your body.”
“I wasn’t planning to feed you from my body...yet.”
Oh. Disappointment—
Did not bloom. Nope. Not even a tiny spark.
“What about the warrior?” she asked. “Joachim?”
The muscle began to jump under his eye again. “I’ll deal with him when he awakens. Until then, you need sustenance if you’re to keep up your strength.”
Well. Maybe if she starved herself, he’d take her home? “No, thank you. I’m good.”
His eyes narrowed. “We could bargain,” he cajoled.
What was with the man and his bargaining? “I eat and you’ll...what?”
“Kiss you anywhere you’d like.”
Save me.
She had to force her mind to blank. “Um, you really need to work on your bargaining skills. They suck.” Had her voice shaken?
“I understand.” His eyes twinkled down at her. “You would rather I offer you an orgasm.”
“What!” Her cheeks fused with heat, and a tremor stole over her. “No!”
“You’re
