Free Carnal Thirst by Celeste Anwar Page A

had no one he could ask to back him up. Anyone aiding him would be killed.
    He had only today to make arrangements to leave the country, and getting to a ship before the Nesani caught their tails would be a close feat.
    "You risk your life warning me, Raheem,” he said finally.
    Raheem grunted. “Just returning one last favor. Take care man. And good-bye."
    Maggie had turned on her side and was watching him worriedly when he put the phone away. He studied her for several moments and finally sighed. She wasn't going to like it, but there was no choice.
    They would die if they stayed.
    He would not leave her.
    "We must go, and do so quickly."
    Her eyes widened in confusion. “I don't understand. Isn't this supposed to be a safe place?"
    He lay down beside her, stroking the soft skin of her cheek, and then her shoulder. “There are laws. I have broken them—the punishment is death. Raheem called to warn me. Even now the Nesani hunt."
    Fear filled her eyes then. “What have you done that is so terrible?"
    He skated his hand down her arm and took her hand in his, lifting it to his lips and kissing her fingers. “I have ... taken something for myself that was forbidden."
    "What?” Maggie asked breathlessly, as much from the fear as the heated currents traveling from his lips and up her arm.
    He sucked one of her fingers into his mouth, curled his tongue around. She was so sweet, it filled him Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    with indescribable yearnings. He could live a thousand years more and never find another half so sweet as his Maggie. “You, chere."
    He felt an incredible sense of urgency now, to find peace in her arms before it was too late. He couldn't die not knowing what it would be like to make love to her. She wasn't ready for him. Her feelings were in turmoil. Danior knew it was too soon to press her, but he couldn't contain his desires any longer.
    Her lids grew heavy, giving her a half-lidded, seductive look as she watched him suck her fingers and kiss the sensitive pads. He kissed her palm, brushing his lips over the inside of her wrist, tasting the rapid pulse there with his tongue. “I want to make love to you,” he whispered, holding her steady when she flinched.
    He looked up at her then, away from the delicacy of her skin.
    Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Her pain made him ache. “I ... I don't know you, Danior. I know nothing about you except that you're willing to risk your life for a stranger."
    "Isn't that enough?” He rubbed his thumb in her curled palm, watching her steadily, holding her gaze with his own. “Do you think explaining myself would make you understand?"
    "It would go a long way,” she said as she pulled her hand free and twisted the covers in her lap. The flickering flames from the fireplace caused shadows to dance across her worried face. She looked down at her lap. He found her shyness unbelievably enticing.
    He had to tear his mind away from mentally disrobing her, to her words. How could he explain when he didn't understand it himself? For the first time in longer than he could remember, he was uncertain of himself. He'd never felt so awkward. He'd never had a seduction go so foully, but then, this meeting had never been a game. It had always been about life and death.
    Precious few hours remained for them, hours of safety. When night fell, he didn't know what would happen to them.
    "I know I'm not the kind of person a man like you would be interested in under ordinary circumstances."
    She was being serious. Without mental probing, he knew she referred to her weight. “There is nothing ordinary about this, nor about my attraction to you.” He lowered his voice, saying softly, “I want you as you are now, Maggie. I wouldn't change you."
    She looked up at him in surprise, but her eyes turned wary. “It's hard for me to trust men."
    He watched her a long moment. She was shielding something, some secret. He knew it lay at