Free Borrowed Ember by Samantha Young Page B

before but never this close.
    Oh wow.
    He was broad-shouldered, powerfuly built, ripped and athletic without being too beefy. Although… those biceps… Ari sighed, sliding a hand up his arm. She was giddy with excitement, trying to contain it, trying not to come off as some inexperienced virgin. But she’d never felt like this before. She got it now – what Rachel was always talking about – the heat, the need, the want.
    Sex was a big deal and you had to want it. You had to be ready for it. With the right person.
    Ari was finaly ready for it. And she was definitely with the right person.
    The thought had just popped into her head when Jai’s lips returned to hers. Their kisses were growing frantic again, like they both knew where this was heading and were eager to get there before something epic – like a Jinn King – interrupted them. Ari’s hands smoothed over every inch of Jai’s skin, touching and stroking and learning him. But when she ventured further to where she’d touched no guy before, Jai jerked back with a muffled groan and gently pushed her hands off of him.
    He eyed her sardonicaly as if he couldn’t believe he’d let himself get so carried away. We need to slow this down.
    We don’t have to. Ari sat up, trying to reach for him again.
    Jai took her hands in his and quirked an eyebrow at her. How far have you gone with a guy?
    Completely unprepared for the question Ari blushed. Not far, she admitted, Kissing. Touching under the shirt, not under the bra. I haven’t really dated a
    lot, she shrugged off her explanation, feeling a little mortified as the words ‘because of Charlie’ hung unspoken and suspended between them.
    Jai tensed and Ari couldn’t stop herself from reaching out to clasp his cheek in her hand
    What?
     
    His vivid gaze burned into her and for a moment Ari forgot what she was asking him. Jai finaly shook his head ruefuly but there was a hard glint now in his eyes. I
    hate the thought of any guy touching you.
    Ari tried not to be pleased. You’re jealous?
    I guess, he whispered.
    Grinning, Ari wriggled closer to him. Well, I’m kind of hoping you’re about do a whole lot of stuff to me that no guy has.
    Jai laughed hoarsely, the hardness melting from his eyes. We’re still taking it slow. I am not rushing a second of this with you.
    No fair, Ari pouted.
    His grin turned cocky as he leaned over to kiss the pout away. Believe me… you’ll like how I do slow.
    A while later, Ari felt her body relax into the bed as if she’d melted into a puddle of Ari-goo. Her fingers uncurled from the bed sheets as she lay there panting and gazing at the ceiling in wonder.
    She’d never been kissed there before.
    “Wow,” she breathed.
    Jai laughed softly. Not out loud. His expression was light and happy as he brushed her hair back from her face. And yes. Wow.
    Ari roled into him, her bare legs feeling sensitive against his jeans. She wrapped her arms around him and he puled her so close his lips touched her neck. What
    about you? she asked, determined to fight through the languidness he’d created in her body if she had to.
    Instead, Jai smiled against her neck. Believe me, I’m good. I’m really good.
    This taking it slow thing is nice, Ari breathed in total relaxation, her eyes drifting closed.
    The last thing she felt and heard was the blanket faling over her and Jai snuggling her closer, whispering goodnight in her ear.

6 - Losing Too Much can Make You Yearn to be Lost
     
    Ari felt Lilif’s grief and rage as if it were her own. She followed the Jinn, confused by how young Lilif appeared. She looked as if she were no more than eighteen years old. The wind whipped through Lilif’s long black hair, grime and blood streaked her face and marred the metal of the dress that was fitted to her body. The sandstone walls were polished to a high shine, the halls wide and open, servants gaping at Lilif as she blew past them with fury in her feet. Ari hurried to follow, somehow aching for