Free Moon Lust by Sherri L. King Page A

was hard to move not because of injury, but because several heavy blankets were piled upon her, weighing her down.
    “You suffered a fall. You took a fever in your weak state—I have been nursing you back to health,” the voice said soothingly.
    “Where am I?” Her voice was raw and barely discernible.
    “You’re safe, Brianna.”
    “How do you know my name?”
    A soft, masculine chuckle sounded close to her ear. “You talk in your sleep.”
    The hand at her brow trailed down to caress her cheek. It felt cool against her fevered skin. The covers that had imprisoned her were pushed aside, and she felt the chill of the air as it caressed her naked flesh. “You are very beautiful,” he said roughly.
    She tried to protest as hands palmed her breasts and plucked at her nipples, but to no avail. Her eyes would not open, her lips would not form words. She felt drugged and listless, too weak even to cry out.
    Cool lips pressed softly against hers, even as she struggled for words. Sharp teeth nipped at her mouth, gentle now but with a promise of passion and danger. All the while, fingers played with her nipples, plumping them and tugging them in a way she found incredibly arousing, though it should have only made her nervous and uneasy.
    Who was this man? How had he found her? She remembered the fall but then…nothing. How long had she been here with him?
    She turned her head away from his kiss, but he was undeterred. His lips moved down her jaw to her neck where he brought his teeth to bear upon her. Stinging little nips at her tender skin made her gasp, and he laved the tiny hurts with his tongue. He growled softly and moved his head downward over her collarbone, biting and suckling as he went.
    His hand plumped up a breast, and she felt his hot breath play over her nipple a split second before he licked her. His tongue licked a long, wet path from her nipple to her throat and onward to her lips where it speared between them to delve inside. She could not contain a moan of arousal as he masterfully kissed her.
    Whoever he was, he was the sexiest kisser she’d ever locked lips with. And even though she was utterly at his mercy, she felt no fear now. She somehow sensed that this man would not bring harm to her. He seemed content to kiss and caress her, the feelings he evoked enjoyable despite her weakened, weary state.
    His mouth moved down once more and latched onto a swollen nipple. She moved beneath him, no longer striving to get away, wanting only to experience more of this delicious embrace. He sucked upon her nipple, making wet noises as he feasted there. His hands were suddenly everywhere upon her, stroking her wherever he could reach.
    Brianna felt his fingers slip between her thighs, and she opened her legs wider for him. Whatever madness drove him now seemed to drive her too, and she welcomed the feel of his fingertips as they parted the lips of her labia to stroke her. He unerringly found her swollen clit, and pressed it in such a way that lightning seemed to shoot straight through her.
    He abruptly pulled away from her, making her gasp in disappointment. “I apologize.” His voice was a low growl, his eyes penetrating. “I have restrained myself these past few days while I nursed you, but seeing you just now—awake and much recovered…I could not help myself. You will rest now—yes? You will grow strong with sleep . ”
    W ith those last words Brianna felt him pull the covers back over her body. Despite the unfulfilled longing his expert touch had awakened in her, within moments she was asleep once more.
     
    * * * * *
    Ivan Davidovich Basileus looked down at his woman as she lay sleeping. Her bruises had faded to dull discolorations under her translucent skin, and the gash in her scalp was no longer swollen. Her feverish ramblings had ceased the night before, leaving her to a restful sleep at last. She was truly on the mend.
    He would never forget the feeling of terror that had swamped him when he’d