Free Lover Enslaved: Thieves of Aurion, Book 1 by Jodi Redford Page A

shoved her fingers through her damp hair.
    “Why are you so sweaty?”
    Meeting Piper’s puzzled frown, Mara dropped her hands. She stared at the glistening sheen coating her forearm. “It’s hot in here.”
    “Well, make sure you bathe.” Piper pinched her tiny nose. “I have to sleep in that bed too, you know.” Wings fluttering, she darted to the small table and snatched her bag. Humming, she streaked past Mara.
    “Where are you going?”
    “One of the gents downstairs invited me to join their game of Shimba.” Piper tucked her satchel in the crook of her elbow and rubbed her palms together. “I feel lucky tonight.”
    “Don’t leave me—” Mara’s desperate protest sputtered in space when Piper flew into the hallway. She peered beyond the glittering cloud of sprite dust, her attention riveting on the bathroom. “—with him.”
    The heavy shush of water painted an erotic picture in her mind. Slick moisture rippling over Dash’s chiseled abdominals. His soapy hand stroking a trail of bubbles along his thick penis.
    Silence intruded on her X-rated musings. He’d shut the water off.
    Must get out of here. Now. Her shoulder bumped the wall and she flailed around for the door’s edge. Numb fingers refused to latch onto anything. “ Damn it. ”
    “Mara?” Dash’s deep baritone snared her.
    Limbs frozen, she stared at him.
    Knotting a white towel low around his waist, he stepped from the bathroom and glanced towards the door. “Didn’t I tell you not to open that to anyone?”
    “Go to hell.” Her tongue felt thick and useless.
    His dark brows snapped low. “What’s wrong with you?”
    “Nothing.” Her hands fished for the knob. Wet palms slipped over metal, lost contact.
    Dash stalked forward and she stumbled back against the wall. He planted a hand on either side of her shoulders, boxing her in. His broad chest filled her frame of vision. Licking her suddenly dry lips, she stared at the tiny moisture beads clinging to his sculpted pectorals. The heady scent of musk and forest emanated from his damp skin.
    Would he taste like pine needles? She shook with the overwhelming urge to satisfy her curiosity by tracing her tongue over his collarbone.
    His knuckles settled beneath her chin and forced her head up. “You’re sweating worse than a one-legged man at an ass-kicking contest.”
    “It’s hot in here.” Jeez, am I the only one who gets that?
    Dash’s hand moved to her throat, slicked over her thudding pulse. A dull throb scudded beneath her skin. Panicked, she jerked against his touch.
    “Easy,” he said, palming her shoulder with his other hand.
    He was too damn close, but she didn’t have the strength or willpower to push him away. Her feet might as well be rooted to the floor.
    My body isn’t mine. The terrifying thought struck home her worst nightmare and gave her weird trance meaning. She struggled against the paralysis holding her hostage. Fighting off frustrated tears, she glared at him. “Let. Me. Go.”
    Blinking at her raw vehemence, he dropped his hands.
    “I mean my head, you son of a bitch.” She pulled her lips back and bared her teeth. “Get out of it.”
    He looked at her like she was out of her mind, which she damn well was. And he knew it.
    “Is this the only way you can get a woman? By raping her mind?” She hissed the accusation. If her legs weren’t useless rubber, she’d knee his balls again—only harder.
    His gaze bore into hers, demanding yet gentle. “Mara, I’m not doing anything.”
    She tried ducking beneath his arms and tumbled into his chest instead. His arms wrapped around her and she wiggled against him. Refusing to cave, she sank her teeth into the meat of his shoulder. A harsh curse ripped from his mouth. “Stop, damn it.”
    “No, you stop.” To emphasize her point, she bit down again. She tasted salt on her tongue. A spike of fear and pleasure swirled low in her belly.
    He yanked her head away and she used the force of his thrust to