Free Whispers on the Ice by Elizabeth Moynihan

against the silent sensual calling she felt from Aleksei. Her own tongue darted out, wetting lips in response, a silent yes to his request.
    “Jordan,” His voice whispered, huskily, sensuously.
    She raised her eyes to meet his, her breath catching at the dangerously, wanting look in his eyes. She held his gaze, unflinchingly, achingly, then slowly closed her eyes in surrender.
    Aleksei released the breath he’d held since he called her name, and leaned slowly toward her. A whispered, “Yes,” escaped her lips, mingling with his breath just as their lips met. Their kiss was one of sweetness, one of welcoming, unhurried. Unlike the fiery near-kiss of earlier, this kiss promised more. There was no feeling of urgency this time, no this-is-all-therewill-ever-be. They melted together, becoming one. Magically, strength returned to Jordan’s arms and before she knew how it happened, her hands were slowly sliding up Aleksei’s muscular arms, coming to rest on his broad shoulders. Aleksei’s large hands gently found her face, his palms resting carefully against her high cheekbones.
    Slowly they pulled apart. Aleksei placed a small teasing kiss at the corner of her mouth before he fully left her. Jordan shyly opened her eyes. A soft smile slowly spread across her kiss swollen lips as she looked into Aleksei’s dark eyes.
    Without a word, she gently pulled him forward, wrapping her arms around his broad, muscular back. Aleksei easily followed her lead and wrapped his arms carefully around her petite form, once again amazed at how small she actually was. With a soft sigh, she laid her cheek against his shoulder, breathing in the scent that was uniquely his own and smiled peacefully as she felt his hand slide into her hair and gently hold her head.
    Aleksei’s breath escaped in a hiss as he cautiously stepped into the steaming water, holding the rail for support as he limped down the three steps. “I thought there were medical reasons for keeping the water below the boiling point.” He stated grumpily as the hot water crept up his thighs.
    Jordan’s eyes snapped open worriedly at his first words, hoping against hope he was wearing more than the small towel she’d envisioned him in only moments before in her dream. The pair of Speedos he wore lessened her concern only minimally. “It was your decision to share my whirlpool, so don’t complain about the temperature. Beggars can’t be choosers,” Jordan stated, closing her eyes to block out the vision of Aleksei’s broad, muscular chest and the dark swirls of hair that covered all that strength. The washboard stomach, the long, muscular legs that led to a patch of material that was certainly too small to be considered a bathing suit and did nothing but enhance the maleness it sought to cover.
    “I don’t beg,” Aleksei answered firmly, continuing to cautiously sink to the seat, grimacing as the steaming water inched up his broad chest.
    “Instead you complain or demand until you get your own way,” Jordan stated slowly, her voice soft and drowsy, the heat of the swirling water melting her tensions away.
    “I’ve found it’s the best way to get things accomplished.”
    “Try being nice. That works too,” Jordan suggested sleepily.
    “Not on you,” Aleksei grumbled.
    “You’ve never tried,” Jordan countered softly.
    Aleksei looked at Jordan, saw the pulse beating steadily against her throat, matching the beat of his own heart. Her head still rested against the rim of the whirlpool, her eyes remained closed, her soft pink lips parted slightly as she breathed slowly. The rest of her was hidden beneath the swirling water and surging bubbles. The urge to lift her from the swirling water and feel her against him was nearly overwhelming. Again he had to remind himself she was only sixteen, a child, but still it wasn’t a child’s body he had held and lifted and carried as they worked together.
    “Jordan, kiss me,” Aleksei whispered, his voice so deep it was