Free Embraced by Fire by Louise Delamore Page A

tried to identify it, but the harder she concentrated the less she was able to make out. The nameless tune continued, setting alight a taunting rhythm in her blood.
    A gentle breeze stirred, fluttering the candle flames and bringing with it the scent of spice and smoke—Ryu’s unique scent. Her heartbeat quickened, her mouth slightly open as she drew in ragged breaths. His scent became a taste against her tongue. Her eyes darted around the room trying to pierce the darkness and find the source. Then, he was there. Her dream lover.
    His white t-shirt from earlier in the day a glowing beacon in the darkness. He loomed above her, staring down. His copper eyes shadowed and mysterious. Her nerves jangled and she licked her lips. The power she sensed whenever she was with him was stronger, more focused—focused on her. His potent masculinity almost overwhelming her femininity.
    Brave, in a way she couldn’t imagine being in real life, she curled onto her knees and reached out, stroking her hands up his muscular arms. His eyes dilated with desire. She felt the balance of power shift. Her stomach quivered as she realised with amazement she had control over the man before her.
    She dug her fingers gently into the thick muscles of his biceps and let her breasts brush his chest, teasing them both. He groaned and captured her lips with his. Fire bloomed deep within her. Pulling her tightly against him, his hands stroked her spine, trailing bliss in their wake.
    She sank her hands into the silkiness of his hair, weaving it through her fingers. Opening her lips, she welcomed him in. His hands slid lower, scrunching the delicate negligee in his fists, lifting it to her waist. No underwear she realised, nothing inconvenient in a dream.
    He slipped his hands under the fabric, caressed her hips, then cupped her bottom. No cellulite in dreams either. He pulled her against him. The power of his arousal pressed against her.
    She shivered and the dream shattered.
    She had no experience with which to fuel it further. Sure, she’d shared kisses and caresses, but true intimacy eluded her. She could guess, she could read about it, she could listen to friends, but actually knowing what two people did together was different. Even the nature of her fantasy screamed virgin .
    She imagined when it finally happened, it would be at some guy’s messy bachelor pad, or in her own hastily tidied bedroom, nary a trace of candles or satin sheets. She hoped she didn’t care where they were. She wanted to be so swept up in what was happening she didn’t notice the ambiance or lack of it. Except, she’d probably be so nervous the whole thing would be a dismal failure.
    Her fists tightened unconsciously. What would Ryu think if he knew she was still a virgin? Would he offer to be her first, or run screaming for the hills wondering what was wrong with her? She sighed, she’d never know. Ryu was out of bounds, as well as out of her league.
    “When are we painting sets?” Sheng Hu’s question tumbled her back to reality, and the realization she still had a meeting to run.
    She smiled at the magician, hoping no one could tell what she had been thinking.
    “Today and tomorrow. It’s been a while since we’ve done the Fire and Ice theme and the sets are looking tired. Plus, Brett and Peter developed some wonderful new ideas so there’s construction to be done.” She nodded briefly at the brothers who played dual roles at Fantasia Alive, being both clowns and set designers.
    The task list wasn’t complicated but there were a lot of details to cover. Aside from a few chair scrapes as people shifted, everyone paid attention.
    ****
    Ryu considered Kait as she ran through the rest of the to-do list. She’d seemed completely controlled when she started the meeting, but a moment ago she’d been distracted by a stray thought and was still trying to get back her composure. What had rattled her? Was it possible she’d seen him last night?
    No, she would have said