“Like you’re about to burn the deck with all that heat churning inside you.”
He inhaled, nostrils flaring, and his gaze lowered to my lips.“I’d burn the entire ship down for you, kitten.”
God, my entire body trembled.
“But you’re right.I’m entirely too hot,” he said, his voice a low rumble.“And I need to do something before I explode.”
“What?”I asked, anticipation rising.
“This.”He bent my head back and lowered his mouth to mine.When our lips brushed, sparks ran up my arm.He pulled me closer and delved in, tasting of his decadent rum.
My panther went absolutely still, then let out a throaty purr that vibrated down to my toes.
When we broke apart, we both breathed hard.
I glanced around, trying to regain my bearing.Was Cedric around?Was this part of the act?“That didn’t feel like pretend,” I whispered.
“No,” he agreed in a husky voice.“That was entirely real.”
Something inside me slipped, a last fragile thread desperately holding on to control.
“It can’t be,” I said, sounding as frantic as I felt.“But I know what we should do.”
“What?”His eyes flashed with dark fire.
My body ached for more of his touch, more of the searing heat only he could spark.
“We need to stop fighting it.”I smoothed my hand over the sides of my leather skirt.“And the best way to break the tension is to get it out of our systems.”
He didn’t blink or speak for a few wild heartbeats.Just stared at me with those dark, hungry eyes.“Yes.”
Relief flooded me.“Good.”I’d never wanted anyone so bad.“Just this once.”Immediately after I said it, I regretted the word.How could once ever be enough with this dragon?
Enough contemplation.Enough questions.
I leaned up on my tiptoes toward his ear and whispered, “Take me to your room.”
CHAPTEREIGHT
DARIUS
The suite door clicked shut behind us, sealing us off from the rest of the ship.For a heartbeat, neither of us moved or spoke.The only sounds came from the steady flow of the sea beyond the balcony and the quickened rhythm of our breath.
This was the first time we were alone.No audience to perform for.No reason to pretend.
Having her here in my room with her scent stirring my senses fueled my need.I ached for her with fierce longing.
And for once, my dragon shut the hell up.Wondering.Anticipating.Same as me.
She stared up at me, her cheeks flushed and pupils wide in the soft lamplight.A predator’s gaze that mirrored my urge to stalk and capture her.
“Bria,” I murmured, her name a rough exhale, raising my hand to brush her soft cheek.
She curled into my hand, like she was melting for me.“I’m right here.”She reached up to grab my shoulders with both hands, pulling me down to her while rising to her tiptoes.
Our lips crashed, desperate in our desire to claim each other.Our bodies collided as our hands raced over each other’s bodies.I traced over every curve, grasped her lush ass as my tongue delved deeper into her mouth.The faint taste of my rum there stirred something deeper within me.Possession.
She wasmine.
