Free Grady's Awakening by Bianca D'Arc

both had duties to attend to.
    Grady watched her for a long moment then surprised her by pulling her close against his body in a lightning move that left her gasping. His gaze bore into her as he looked down into her eyes. His jaw was clamped so tight, a muscle ticked in agitation.
    “You can give me one other thing, Gina.”
    “What’s that?” Her whispery voice sounded weak to her own ears.
    “Tomorrow. You can give me some of your time tomorrow so that we can get to know each other better before you have to leave. I know we both have duties and no doubt you also have preparations to make, but you must have to eat at some point. Share those meals—and whatever time you have to spare—with me.”
    It was clear he wanted her company almost desperately and that was heady stuff to a woman who hadn’t been courted in far too long. If she was being honest with herself, she would admit she also wanted to spend more time with Grady Prime. He intrigued her. Giving in to temptation, she nodded.
    “I think I can do that.”
    The smile that stretched his lips and lit his eyes stole her breath as well. His head descended and once more she was lost in his kiss.
    It was a very long time before they came up for air and her head was swimming, her eyes refused to completely focus and her knees were weak when he moved slightly back. His arms supported her for which she was grateful. She didn’t think she could stand on her own at the moment.
    “You’re the most intriguing woman I’ve ever met, Gina.”
    “You’re not so ordinary yourself, Grady Prime.” She smiled at him, loving the way his casual strength made her feel feminine. It had been too long since a man had made her feel this way.
     
     

Chapter Four
    The next morning, Grady Prime was waiting for her when she stepped outside the guest quarters she’d been assigned. He’d left her at the door last night with lingering kisses that had left her head spinning long after he’d gone.
    She’d lain in bed, butterflies in her tummy and a dopey smile on her face for almost an hour, reliving the way he’d made her feel. Never had she experienced such a feeling outside the steamy dreams she’d had a few weeks before. She’d known after that last dream that one of the men on her path would be Alvian. She’d also thought he’d have emotions—strange as that had seemed at the time—and sure enough, here he was.
    Grady Prime was prime all right. A prime example of Alvian manhood. One of the best of the best of their soldier stock. Big, brawny, sleekly muscled and masterful in the best sense of the word. He’d rocked her world with a few kisses.
    And heaven help her, she wanted more.
    She couldn’t hold back the eager grin that lit her face when she found him waiting for her. She walked right up to him, a bounce in her step as she leaned up and gave him a peck on the cheek.
    The little kiss caught him off guard, she could tell, but he was quick to respond. His strong arms came around her, drawing her close as he gave her a much deeper kiss that involved his sexy mouth, lips and tongue. When he pulled back, long minutes later, the forest beyond his shoulder tilted wildly in her vision. He was that potent.
    “Good morning,” she said breathlessly as his eyes lit with amusement.
    “The best possible morning, to be sure.” He let her go by small degrees until she was standing on her own wobbly legs. “Do you have time to join me for breakfast?”
    She turned and took his arm as they began walking toward the mess.
    “Indeed I do. But I wonder what the rest of my brethren will make of us sitting together?”
    The thought had occurred to her late in the night as she lay awake replaying their moonlit kisses. Would her fellows in the Zxerah Brotherhood approve of her relationship—such as it was—with Grady Prime? Would the Patriarch approve? And if they didn’t, what should she do? She wanted this stolen time with him before she left on her mission the next morning. She