Free Oasis of Eden by Genella deGrey Page A

to drink these past few days.”
    He’d spoken to her as if she were a child. “Yes, Daddy,” she teased and tilted the water to her lips.
    “All of it, now.”
    Funny how comforting his words and actions were. He was sure a doll when he wanted to be.
    She finished and sighed, settling back against the pillows. “Aren’t you tired? You’ve been at it for over twenty-four hours now.”
    He shrugged and swallowed his water. “I’ve gone longer.”
    Jade rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I’ll bet.” How unfortunate that her sexually playful innuendo was lost on him.
    Eli set their glasses upon a nearby table. “You are an impertinent female, you know that?” he taunted and settled next to her.
    “What, you don’t like cheeky girls? Would you prefer me to cower at your feet like a simpleton?”
    “I’m sure I wouldn’t like you half so much if you did.” His arm snaked around her shoulders.
    “Mmmmmm.” She snuggled closer to him. “Now that’s flirting, baby.”
    He chuckled. “Sometimes, Zsa-ninah, you make no sense.” he nuzzled her ear. “But the purr in your voice brings me to life.”
    Jade raised her gaze to his, and his lips touched hers ever so lightly.
    She let lose a great, contented sight, and it suddenly hit her. Jade Anne Poole, the flapper who had vowed not to go all the way unless he was “the one,” wanted this gorgeous bull of a man. And yes, he was arrogant at times, but with that undeniable strength and commanding presence, his superiority waxed appropriate. He respected the land. He protected and cared about his people. Regardless of his high-ranking position, he’d shown her such kindness since she’d come to Omari Amun—and the most intense physical pleasure she’d ever encountered—how could she not grant him a special place in her heart? She pushed to the back of her mind a warning that she’d probably never see him again once she found her camp.
    Eli whispered unintelligibly against her skin, bringing Jade out of her thoughts.
    Feathery light, his lips crisscrossed her cheeks and jaw and ever so slowly, inched their way back to her mouth. She squeezed her thighs together, desirous of more stimulation.
    It was decided, then. Why fight it? She needed to be careful about the way she presented herself to him, though. Last time, when she was drunk with the nectar of those lovely blossoms, he’d not taken her up on the offer. In fact, he’d flat out rejected her. Maybe this time she would let him ask. He had before, after all, she smiled to herself.
    Yes. It was time. Tonight she’d throw caution to the—Eli deepened his kiss—wolves and something about sheep and clothing—and a dish running away with a spoon. Whatever she’d been thinking, before Eli’s tongue swept in to entwine with hers for a brief moment, drifted to the ceiling of the tent and dissipated. All that mattered to Jade was the man with his arms around her, his lips on hers, and nudging against her thigh his big—
    “Oh, yes,” she murmured, her breath mingling with his.
    “Tell me. Are you finally free of the spell of the poison flower?” He sprinkled more kisses around her mouth, just at the edge of her lips.
    Jade grinned at the ticklish sensation. “If you mean has my head stopped spinning as if I’ve just come from a speakeasy, then the answer is yes.”
    “You sure were a little wanton under its venom.”
    “Yes, well. I’m…easily influenced.”
    He stopped kissing her. “No, you’re not.”
    Still close enough for him to be out of focus, she protested. “What? Why do you say that?”
    “I’ve been trying to influence you for three days now.”
    “Except when—”
    “Yes, except when your blood ran hot with that flower’s nectar. Can you see why it’s been outlawed—why everyone has been told it is actual poison?”
    “No. And I think frightening everyone with the false information is a silly thing to do.”
    “You must understand. If the flower had the same effect on every woman,