Font Size:  

He took several deep breaths and forced his battle energy to dial down. When he felt under control once more, he turned to Ben. “Call me on my cell if you need me, especially if Margetta makes a move against Camberlaune. I can be back in a few minutes.”

Ben nodded. “I’ve got this, Ian. Just take care of the Ruby Fae.”

Ian took one last look around at his Vampire Guard doing a final clean-up. They only waited now for the troll dispatch crew to arrive and ship the dead to the local morgue.

He knew he didn’t need to stay a moment longer, yet he hated leaving a battle scene. Camberlaune was his responsibility.

Stone spoke in a low voice. “Be with her, Ian. Ben and I have this covered. I’m sticking around until we know the Ancient Fae’s next move. I’ve already put all the ruling mastyrs on alert as well. If we need to mobilize, we’re ready.”

Ian could finally breathe. With both Stone and Ben in charge, his concern for his realm eased, and he could now turn his attent

ion to Regan.

Heading toward the porch, he felt the blood tattoos still sending pulses of heat up his arms. As he drew close, Regan’s rich scent reminded him of her earlier words that she was all in. He sure as hell hoped so because given the way her jasmine-lime scent had him worked up, he would have the devil of a time keeping his hands off her. Especially since for the next few hours, he’d have her all to himself in an isolated location.

“Everything set?” she asked, searching his eyes.

He told her about his cabin, and he couldn’t mistake the glint in her dark brown eyes. As he caught her arm, a different kind of vibration, very sexual in nature, moved over her skin.

“Regan,” he said quietly. “I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

“It’s okay,” she whispered. “I’m willing and that’s all you need to know.”

Another potent rush of desire traveled from his groin, straight up through his body until blood pounded in his head. He almost took her in his arms, but he was battle-stained, his woman had just showered, and they had an audience.

He took her hand and led her back into his house, taking her with him to his master bedroom. “I want to kiss you, but not like this. I won’t be long.”

“Again, ready when you are.”

The words had a double meaning, and he almost hauled her into his arms anyway. Instead, he made tracks for the bathroom, stripped down like his feet were on fire, removed all ten rings, then hopped in the shower.

~ ~ ~

Regan felt tingly all over, from the soft vibrations traveling down her neck and sides, to the exquisite sensations playing over her sex.

She had to work hard to recall the last time she’d been with a man. After a moment, she realized it had been eight years. She’d dated a fae professor for a few months. He’d been a good man and had satisfied her in bed. But when images of Ian kept creeping into her mind during sex, she decided to break it off. She didn’t have enough passion to continue the relationship, but eight years was a long time.

Tonight would end a severe dry spell.

When she realized she’d remained in one place with her satchel still clutched in her fingers, she dropped the bag and sat down on the bench at the end of Ian’s bed.

She was glad he’d brought her with him into the bedroom. The sight of Stone had unsettled her, even though it was clear the blood tattoos had done their work and the powerful mastyr had barely given her a cursory glance.

Ian’s bedroom had a similar view to the library since it overlooked the western vista. The steel shutters had long since been raised following the battle and her night vision warmed up the landscape. The granite outcropping on which the house sat provided an unobstructed view of the angled portion of the gorge.

As the shower droned, she left the bed to have a good look.

The cliff opposite had striations of rock, one after another with variations of beige, gray, a thin line of black and even red. She’d always loved Dark Gorge for its natural beauty and the feeling of power inherent in the rugged cliffs. The river below, that serviced most of the plain cities of the realm, had cut through the rock over the millennia.

A quarter mile away was a beautiful wrought-iron bridge. She watched as shifters in their wolf form moved from the southern cliff to the northern, then disappeared along several trails leading into the mountains. She loved her world, the beauty of the land and the unique aspect of each species, which only made Margetta’s corruption of the usually gentle wraith spirit one of the most heinous in the Nine Realms’ long history.

When the shower shut off, she turned in the direction of the bathroom, where steam flowed into the dressing area.

Ian emerged, a towel around his waist, his dark hair hanging wet to the middle of his back.

Her lips parted. His warrior physique was so beautiful and so perfect. His shoulders were broad and heavily muscled, and his back angled to a narrow, fit waist. The towel covered a tight gorgeous ass and her hands involuntarily made a pair of claws because she knew when and how she wanted to sink her nails, something he’d always enjoyed.

“See something you like?”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
Articles you may like